BLI 7800 HO Scale Pennsylvania Q2 Duplex (Prototype) 4-4-6-4 Steam Loco PRR 6131 Paragon4 Hybrid

In 1942, the PRR built an experimental duplex drive freight locomotive, the Q1, with a 4-6-4-4 wheel arrangement. in 1944, after identifying a number of flaws with the Q1, the PRR built a second prototype, changing the wheel arrangement to a 4-4-6-4 and creating class Q2. This was followed by 25 production Q2 steam locomotives in 1945. These rigid-frame four cylinder locomotives may have been the epitome of superpower steam locomotive design. At 115,800 lbs of tractive effort and nearly 8,000 horsepower, the Q2s were the most powerful ten-coupled steam locomotives ever produced. These monsters were the greyhounds of the PRR, single-handedly hauling tonnage at high speeds over the PRR’s lines.

Mostly seen on the Pennsy west of Pittsburg, these locomotives did venture east to territory such as Horseshoe Curve and their birthplace, Altoona. The Q2 was emblematic of the PRR’s commitment to on-line coal producers to continue to use steam locomotives to power their trains after World War II. However, the Q2 could not match the maintenance records of the invading diesels and, by 1956, the last Q2 had been retired and scrapped. No example of this titan of the rails was saved for posterity.

In this production run, BLI is building a model of the prototype #6131 and several models of the production version Q2. In addition to the prototypical decoration, they will also offer unlettered models, a painted brass model, and two models decorated in PRR-themed fantasy paint schemes.

All of the models have hand-crafted brass boilers, cabs, and tender bodies, and die cast locomotive and tender chassis. Each model comes with Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound system with synchronized puffing smoke and integral GoPack capacitors.

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI’s own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited’s Paragon3 Series models.

FEATURES:

• ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
• Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Handcrafted Brass Boiler, Cab, and Tender Body, and Heavy Die Cast Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Scheme
• Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Rear Light, Cab Light, Rear Marker Lights, and Lighted Brakeman’s Cab
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, and Many Others
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the PRR Q2 Duplex Locomotives
• Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track
• Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control.
• Record & Play Operation – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• High Resolution Audio
• Quillable Whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Horns
• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal – When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse. toots three times.
• Chuff sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings