BLI 8024 N Scale 4-4-4-4 T1 Duplex Steam Loco Pennsylvania PRR 5549 Paragon4

With the goal of developing more powerful motive power for express passenger service, the Pennsylvania Railroad introduced the class T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4 in 1942 with two prototype locomotives, and followed in 1945-1946 with 50 production models. Built with striking streamlining designed by Raymond Loewy, the T1 engines were large, powerful, and fast!

The T1’s were duplex locomotives – this means they had two sets of drivers, each with its own pair of cylinders and rods. However, the T1s were not articulated locomotives, but used one rigid frame. With this design, the cylinders could be smaller and the weight of side rods and main rods could be reduced. This duplex design with lighter machinery, shorter cylinder stroke, less wear and tear due to small moving parts and the use of poppet valves allowed the T1’s to travel at extremely fast speeds. Unfortunately they were also prone to wheelslip and maintenance issues that the Pennsy struggled to work through – especially the fact that the poppet valves could not withstand sustained operation at 100 mph speeds. These problems likely could have been resolved with some modest design changes, but the PRR, and steam in general, ran out of time. In 1948, the PRR dieselized all of its first-class prime trains and the T1s were downgraded to haul secondary trains. Some were withdrawn from service in 1949, and all were retired by 1952.

In 2023, Broadway Limited is building their third production of Pennsy T1 Duplex models, and their first production with the Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC system. They are building five models in traditional DGLE paint and Pennsy lettering, one Unlettered model that will be painted DGLE, and three models decorated in fantasy paint schemes based on well-known PRR paint schemes. All models will have prototypically accurate sounds for a Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4.

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 featuring Rolling Thunder
• Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• Extra Built-in Capacitance for more Consistent Elecrical Pick-up
• Die Cast Locomotive Body with Die Cast Chassis for Heavier Weight and Maximum Tractive Effort
• Rubber Tires on One Driver for Additional Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
• Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight and Rear Light
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Ladders, Piping, Whistle, and Bell
• Operating Microtrains-compatible Couplers
• Will Operate on Code 55, Code 70, and Code 80 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius: 9.75 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the PRR T1 Duplex
• 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

NOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown.