BLI 7710 HO Scale Baldwin RF-16 Sharknose Diesel US Air Force USAF RF-390 – Paragon4

Built between 1950 and 1953, the RF-16 Sharknose diesels were cab unit diesel locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works to the specifications of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Their distinctive contours were reminiscent of Raymond Loewy’s design for the Pennsy’s T1 class steam locomotive. Baldwin built a total of 160 of these locomotives – 109 A-units and 51 cabless booster B-units. In addition to the PRR, B&O and NYC railroads also operated a substantial number of the “Sharks”.

The Sharknose locomotives were known as excellent “luggers”. They regularly saw service hauling heavy ore and coal drags. The RF-16 Sharknose locomotives beat the F7 with 100 additional horsepower and tied the FA2 with 1600 horsepower. Unfortunately, they did not last as long as the F7’s. With a few exceptions, most of the engines were retired by 1967.

In this production, BLI is offering A-B sets in four prototypically accurate paint schemes, along with a second A-unit available as a separate item. They are also offering the two D&H Sharks as single A-units. In addition to the prototypically accurate models, they are building models in several fantasy paint schemes that never quite made it to the rails, but would have been beautiful if they had. The CNJ and the MP owned Baldwin babyface locomotives, but didn’t order the Sharks. The DMIR owned the EJ&E Sharks for a few months, but never repainted them. BLI has painted the models in a prototypical DMIR paint scheme. The ATSF and SP both tested the Baldwin demo set, but declined to order production models. BLI is offering models decorated in the appropriate ATSF and SP liveries if those railroads had decided to operate the “Sharks”.

The railroads typically operated these in ABA configurations. These A-B sets come with a Powered A-unit with Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC and an unpowered B-unit with a lightweight frame. BLI is also offering an additional single powered A-unit for each paint scheme where appropriate. This single unit has full Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC system. All of these models have road-specific details and lighting.

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:

• 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 Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed Operation
• All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
• ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting
• Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Grab Irons, Horns, and Bell
• Prototypical Light Operation
• Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the EMD F3 Diesel Locomotive
• MicroTrains-compatible Couplers (2)
• Will Operate on Code 55, Code 70 and Code 80 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius: 18 inches
• List of individually controllable lights in Sharknose models (note that light options may be limited in Stealth Series models):
• Headlight
• Rear Light
• Numberboard Lights
• Marker Lights
• Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track
• 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 Horn 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
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal
• Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings