BLI 7407 N Scale 4-8-4 T1 Steam Locomotive Reading American Freedom Train #1 with Paragon4

As WWII was drawing to a close in 1945, the Reading Railroad examined their existing roster of motive power and realized they did not own any of the super-power steam locomotives that most other railroads owned and operated. The decision to obtain some of these locomotives was paramount, but with wartime restrictions still in place, the Reading had to look to their existing fleet for conversion. The I10-sa Class 2-10-0 locomotive fit the bill, and Reading started the in-house conversion of 30 of these I10 locomotives to the new class T-1 Northern.

The new T-1’s entered service between 1945 and 1947 and were used primarily in fast freight service. Their operating territory included most of the Reading system, and they were also used in pool service with the Western Maryland Railway. The first 20 units were equipped for freight service. The last 10 were equipped for passenger service, but still primarily used for freight service.

The Reading T-1’s did not last long in service. All 30 were in storage by 1954, with a few returning briefly in 1955 due to a surge in traffic. Most were sold or permanently retired and scrapped by 1958. The Reading Railroad kept four of the T-1’s for an excursion service that they called the Iron Horse Rambles. The plans were for 2100 and 2124 to pull the excursion trains, and they would keep 2101 as a back-up and 2123 as a source of parts. 2123 was scrapped in 1966, and 2124 was replaced by the recently purchased 2102 in 1962. The Iron Horse Ramble excursions last until 1964, and the remaining locomotives were sold in 1965.

The four T-1’s used in the Iron Horse Rambles still survive today. 2101 was famously restored and used to pull the American Freedom Train in the mid-1970’s. It was then repainted into the Chessie System livery in 1977 to pull the Chessie Steam Special, an excursion train running to celebrate the 150th birthday of the B&O Railroad. 2102 ran various fan trips for several decades, and is currently owned by the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad and is occasionally brought outside for display. 2124 is currently on display at Steamtown USA in Scranton, PA.

Broadway Limited is building it’s first production of Reading T-1 4-8-4 steam locomotives in N scale. They are building three in-service Reading models and three “Iron Horse Ramble” models. BLI is offering 2101 in the Chessie Steam Special livery and also its later Reading & Northern paint scheme. They are also offering one model in the 1976 American Freedom Train paint, and one model decorated like the Delaware & Hudson #302 locomotive. Finally, they are offering two fantasy paint schemes: one with a unique Christmas theme and a second with a United States Independence Day theme. The two fantasy models will have unique soundsets, and the others will have prototypically accurate Reading T1 Northern sounds.

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, Rear Light, and Cab Light
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, 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 Reading T-1 Northern

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.

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