A Pennsylvania Q2 made of 95% brass, said to be the most detailed model of the locomotive ever built. Broadway Limited has done a great job, yet again, on the 2nd release of the PRR Q2. The models crisp paint and smoke that it produces, make this one of the best, and most technological releases of any engine that I have ever seen. Being designed from the Ground Up by BLI's exceptional team of experts, created a engine with so much detail I don't even know what half of it is.
Prototype: The Pennsylvania Railroad's class Q2 comprised of one prototype and twenty-five production duplex steam locomotives of 4-4-6-4 wheel arrangement.They were the largest non-articulated locomotives ever built and the most powerful locomotives ever static tested, producing 7,987 cylinder horsepower on the PRR's static test plant. They were by far the most successful duplex type. The duplex propensity to slip was combated by an automatic slip control mechanism that reduced power to the slipping unit. Despite overall success, the Q2s were all out of service by 1951. With dieselization, they were the obvious first targets to be withdrawn since they were only a little more capable than the conventional J1 class 2-10-4s but with far higher operating and maintenance costs.
The Model: I reviewed was one of about two thousand four hundred made. As I said before this locomotive is made of 95% Brass and is one outstanding engine. The model is painted in Pennsylvania Railroads Brunswick Green and features correct gold leaf lettering. The model has hundreds of separately applied details, which is the reason they made so few. The tender behind the locomotive, is a 18000 gallon tender, which has the coal bunker sides bent in a few degrees, just like the Pennsy did.
Performance: I tested the locomotive using a Digitrax System. The Q2 accelerated smoothly and starts running at speed step one. Broadway Limited put momentum on it default. Unlike most companies decoders, the Q2 will stop slower or quicker depending on the grade and the load. The Q2 can pull 24 hoppers up a 2% grade at any speed you through at it.
Sound effects: The whistle is crisp and clear and is as loud as a HO model can be. As the locomotive fought its way upgrade, the steam chuff sounds intensified. The locomotive comes from the factory with built in momentum which is awesome.
Price: $599.99
Manufacturer
Broadway Limited Imports
9 East Tower CircleOrmond Beach, FL 32174
http://www.broadway-limited.com
Road names (two road numbers each): Pennsylvania Railroad (comes in Prototype version #6131 and three production numbers. Also available is a Painted, Unlettered model, and a Varnished brass model.
Era: 1944 to 1951
Features:
Super-Heavy Weighted Brass Construction and Detail
Features the ALL-NEW Paragon2 SOUND & Control System
Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC (1 smph @ 128 Speed Steps)
Precision Drive Mechanism with sprung drivers engineered for continuous heavy load towing
and ultra-smooth slow speed operation
Fly-Wheel Synchronized Puffing Smoke and Chuff
Grade & Load-sensing variable Smoke & Chuff Intensity (Less smoke and lighter chuff sounds
when on a decline/less load; more smoke and belabored chuff when on inclines/more load.)
5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
Operating Cab Roof Vents
Operating Metal Knuckle Couplers (2)
Factory Installed Engineer and Firemen Figures
Minimum radius: 22 radius or greater recommended.
Industry-Leading SOUND / OPERATION Features:
Operates with SOUND in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC sound)
Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight
AUTO PILOT (ATS) - Records and plays back sound and movement
sequences for automated operation. (Macro Operation)
16-bit Sound System for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
Playable/Quillable Whistle for multiple whistle lengths & patterns
Choice of up to 3 selectable Whistles with Authentic Q2 Whistle
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Reversing Mechanism Sound at Direction Change
Air let-off, Air Pump, Blow Down, Pop-Off, Injector, Brake Squeal
Passenger Station Announcement Sounds- Controlled with Function Key
Freight Yard, Lumber Yard, Maintenance Yard - Controlled with Function Keys
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers a stop whistle toot.
When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse, toots three times.
Engine sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings
In the next week I will be getting two things that I have been wanting for over a year. One of them (which is going to be the subject of my next video) I bought from Factory Direct Trains. I recommend them to everybody because they are fast and the people there are some of the nicest people that can also get you a real nice deal.
This part is not a surprise...
The second thing I ordered, I bought from DCCTRAIN in Cincinnati, Ohio. I bought a Sprog 2 Unit so that I can test engines and program them from my computer. Working with Alex is great. He has some of the fastest shipping I can think of and it is cheap. I would recommend checking out his youtube channel if you haven't already.
Well this is going to officially be my first blog for my Model Railroad Journal. In this blog I will discuss what I have been working on and what is to come.
In the last four months the following has been accomplished:
I laid track for two and a half tracks out of the four on the Horseshoe Curve
I was able to complete 96 percent of the bench work
But most important of all, is that I finally started
In the next four months this is what I hope will happen.
I hope to get all the wiring done for the Horseshoe curve
I Will finish laying all the track on the west end of the layout
I will put foam down on the east end of the layout so that I can start laying track as soon as I can.
I would like to weather all of the track with an airbrush.
