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the first time in N scale, BLI is bringing out the USRA Light and
Heavy 4-6-2 steam locomotives, commonly called Light Pacifics and
Heavy Pacifics! There were 20 original Heavy Pacifics built in 1919
for the USRA program, and all 20 went to Erie Railroad. From 1923,
numerous copies were built, and many railroads operated similar
locomotives. There were 81 original Light Pacifics built in 1919,
and these were delivered to ACL, B&O, GTW, M&O (GM&O),
and L&N. Subsequently, each of these railroads built copies,
and several other railroads operated locomotives with similar dimensions
and equipment. The Light Pacifics were limited to 54,000 lbs load
per axle, versus 60,000 for the Heavy Pacifics, and this allowed
the Light Pacifics to run on most main lines.
Our Heavy
and Light models follow the original designs closely. Railroad
specific variations are not modeled on these locomotives. Many
of the Pacifics used the same 10,000 gallon tender as the USRA
Mikados, and our models uses this 10,000 gallon tender.
In this production run, we will offer two locomotive numbers for
each prototypical railroad. We are also building models of several
similar 4-6-2 Pacifics in attractive paint schemes, and we will
build one Christmas-themed engine painted in red, green, and gold.
Additionally, we will offer one unlettered Heavy Pacific and one
unlettered Light Pacific. Both are painted black, with graphite
firebox and smokebox, and are ready to be decorated and run on
any railroad you like.
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