Broadway Limited - 6949 - Locomotive, Steam, 4-6-2, USRA Light Pacific - Reading Blue Mountain & Northern - 425

Specific Item Information: Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC

Model Information: For 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.

Road Name History: The RBMN was the result of the 1990 expansion and re-organization of the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. At first, locomotives were lettered for Reading Blue Mountain & Northern but this was later simplified to Reading & Northern. For most purposes, the company uses the two names interchangeably. Today the RBMN operates 300 miles of line in eastern Pennsylvania (it’s about the length of the Clinchfield or Toledo Peoria & Western.)

The mainline runs north from Reading through Port Clinton, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, to Pittston. Branches from Pittston reach Scranton and Mehoopany. There is also a dense network of branches to the west of the mainline in Schuykill County. This is Pennsylvania’s anthracite region and while the golden age of anthracite for home heating is well behind us, it still has important industrial uses and RBMN proudly calls themselves the Road of Anthracite on their Reading influenced black diamond logo.

RBMN has continued the tradition of tourist operations begun by their predecessor and continues to roster the ex-GM&N Pacific and ex-Reading Northern. A former Canadian Pacific 4-6-0 has also been added to the roster. As of this writing, the freight locomotive fleet includes two SD50M’s, two SW8’s, two SW8m’s, an SW7, two SW1500’s, three SD38’s, four GP39RN’s, nine SD40-2’s, and three SD50’s. We will have more Reading & Northern photos with tomorrow's Railroad of the Day.

Brand/Importer Information: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC defines itself as "the world's foremost producer of top-quality HO and N scale model trains".

The company was founded in 2002 and introduced its first N scale model in 2009.

Broadway Limited Imports is composed of a team of 15 fun loving individuals who are dedicated to creating the most realistic model railroading experience possible, with the best customer service possible.

The Broadway Limited Imports headquarters is located in Ormond Beach, Florida at 9 East Tower Circle. It's just under an hour's drive from Disney World.

About Broadway Limited Imports.