You probably read the title of this and you're thinking "huh? A diecast diesel?!" Yup! We're so excited to announce our first diecast diesel to the market. Before we get to that, let's share the exciting news of our 3rd Berkshire type.

Southern Pacific T1a Berkshire, HO 

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce our third Berkshire, the Southern Pacific version of the Boston & Maine T1a and T1b 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotives. During World War II, the SP needed more locomotives to assist in hauling freight across their lines in California. 

B&M Berkshires, numbers 4000, 4002, 4005, 4006, 4009, 4010, 4012, 4013, 4014 and 4019 were sold to the Southern Pacific in 1945 and became SP numbers 3500-3509. When they arrived to the SP, they remained coal burners until 1950 before being converted to oil and acquiring their famous "whaleback" tenders. 

In our first production, we are offering models of four fully decorated T1a's with both "Southern Pacific" and "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering on the tenders. The models represent the prototypes after their re-lettering upon arrival to Southern Pacific. Our models will also feature SP-style indicator boards and the front marker lights have been moved to their appropriate position. 

Our models have die cast locomotive and tender bodies for maximum weight and tractive effort.  Each model comes with our Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound system with synchronized puffing smoke and integral GoPack capacitors.  

In addition to the Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound models, we are also offering these locomotives as part of our Stealth series. These are No-Sound / DCC-Ready models that operate on DC out of the box, or a modeler can easily install their DCC decoder of choice.  Out of the box, front and rear lights are directional, and other lights are always illuminated with track power.  Additionally, some lighting may be missing depending on selected aftermarket decoder the modeler installs. 

Industry-leading Model Features:

• ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
• Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Scheme
• Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Front Marker Lights, and Rear Marker Lights (T1b only)
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Optional Piping Shroud (sometimes present above walkway near cab) will be included in box with model.
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, Markers, Numberboards, Air Tanks, and Many Others
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the Southern Pacific Berkshire locomotives

Diecast EMD SD70ACe, HO

Now to the more intriguing part of the announcement. Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce our very first die-cast metal HO scale diesel locomotive – an EMD SD70ACe. These beautiful models will have die cast metal bodies for maximum weight and tractive effort. They will have metal handrails and see-through steps for a more prototypical appearance, and the Paragon4 models will have variable-intensity smoke pouring from the exhaust stack. Each of the models has prototypically accurate details specific to each paint scheme.  

The EMD’s SD70ACe is the successor to the SD70MAC with design changes to comply with emission standards.  The SD70ACe is equipped with EMD's 16-710-G3C-T2 prime mover, rated at 4,300 horsepower.  The SD70ACe and its variants have sold thousands of domestic and foreign units since 2004. The average SD70ACe was equipped with a Nathan K5LLA and a Standard Electronic or Mechanical bell.  Over the years, several Class 1 railroads have applied unique and eye-catching paint schemes to their SD70ACe's, including the Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern, and Montana Rail Link.  In 2005 Union Pacific applied “heritage” paint schemes to six of their SD70ACe's - their road numbers represent the year each railroad became part of the Union Pacific.   And in 2012, the Norfolk Southern put 20 new locomotives into service with heritage paint schemes to celebrate its 30th anniversary – 10 of these were EMD SD70ACe’s numbered NS 1065 – 1074.   In addition to these heritage units, the Union Pacific , the KCS, and the MRL operate several locomotives dedicated to veterans, essential workers, and other heroes.   

In our first production, we are offering models in fifteen prototypical paint schemes and two unpainted models - one with a high headlight and the other with the low headlight.  Each model is accurately detailed per the prototypical paint scheme.   And each model comes with our Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound system with smoke and integral GoPack capacitors.  

In addition to the Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound models, each of the locomotives are available in our Stealth series.  Our Stealth Series models are No-Sound / DCC-Ready models that operate on DC out of the box, or a modeler can easily install their DCC decoder of choice.  Out of the box, front and rear lights are directional, and other lights are always illuminated with track power.  Additionally, some lighting may be missing depending on selected aftermarket decoder the modeler installs.


List of individually controllable lights in our EMD SD70ACe models:

• Headlight
• Rear Light
• Numberboard Lights 
• Ditch Lights
• Cab Light

Road-specific detail options that are prototypically accurate for each road name and paint scheme:

• Headlight Location
• Rear Light Location
• Rear Door Type
• Dynamic Brake Door Arrangement
• Right-side Electrical Cabinet Arrangement
• Two sand fill hatch options
• Short hood detail arrangement
• Long hood end detail arrangement
• Hood End Horn Bracket where appropriate
• Iso Cab where appropriate
• Rear pilot – two options
• Accurate cab details like wind deflectors, sunshades, and mirror
• Bell type
• Brake wheel type
• Jacking pads – two options
• Rear ditch lights where appropriate
• Cab Roof details
• Inverter blower arrangement – 4 different types

Industry-leading Model 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
• Die Cast Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
• Metal Handrails and Stanchions with Prototypical Decoration
• Premium Caliber Painting
• Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Grab Irons, Horn, Bell, Wipers, and Etched Metal Grills
• Prototypical Light Operation - accurate for each paint scheme
• Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the EMD SD70ACe Diesel Locomotive
• Metal Kadee-compatible Couplers (2)
• Will Operate on Code 70, Code 83, and Code 100 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius: 18 inches