NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS: HO Scale Yellow Jacket, UP "Fox River" and UP 2066

We at BLI are excited to announce not one, not two, but THREE brand new product announcements for HO scale. 

First up we are expanding our Brass-Hybrid line with a brand new streamlined locomotive. The C&NW Yellow Jacket! Below are 3D Renders of the future model, these are early renders as there are still details subject to change. 

The Chicago and North Western Railway was well-known for its extensive passenger service across the Midwest, with its famous “400” series of trains becoming a symbol of travel between Chicago and the Upper Midwest. When the time came to modernize these iconic trains, the railroad sought a streamlined locomotive to match their sleek design. The result was the Class ES Pacific steam locomotive.

Built in 1930 by Alco, the ES locomotives were originally intended for the “400s.” However, before the engines were even delivered, C&NW management decided to shift focus away from streamlined steam power and instead placed orders for new diesel locomotives from General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division. As a result, the ES locomotives were reassigned to other passenger services until they were retired and scrapped in 1953. Crews affectionately nicknamed them “Yellow Jackets” because of their distinctive yellow and green paint schemes.

For this first production run of the “Yellow Jackets,” we are recreating models from three distinct prototypical eras, each with era-specific details and paint schemes. This includes the locomotives’ renumbering during the early 1950s. Additionally, we’re excited to offer two fantasy schemes for this run, featuring liveries for the Seaboard Air Line and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois.  All models have hand-crafted brass boilers, cabs, and tender bodies, and die cast locomotive and tender chassis.

In addition to the Paragon4 models, we are also offering Stealth/DCC-Ready models. 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 ON with track power. Note that some light functions may be missing depending on the aftermarket decoder the modeler installs.

The order deadline for these locomotives is April 24th, 2025 and are expected to arrive Spring of 2026. Pricing varies from dealer to dealer so contact your favorite dealer and place your pre-order today!

Next up, we are expanding our Union Pacific passenger car offerings with Power Car 2066 and the "Fox River"! 

Starting with the Fox River, the car was originally built in 1954 by Pullman-Standard as a sleeper for the Canadian National Railway, Union Pacific’s “Fox River” has become a prominent part of the railroad’s heritage fleet. Today, it is often seen at the rear of the iconic yellow passenger car consist.

After its service with Canadian National, the car was transferred to VIA Rail Canada, where it continued as a sleeper until 1984. It was then sold to Milwaukee Rail Car, which converted it into a theater inspection car for the Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW). In 1985, C&NW purchased the car, renumbered it to 420, and named it “Fox River” after the river flowing from Waukesha, Wisconsin, to La Salle, Illinois—right in the heart of C&NW’s territory.

Following the C&NW’s merger with Union Pacific in 1995, the car joined Union Pacific’s fleet. In 1997, it underwent a rebuild and floor plan renovation at Northern Railcar. Later, in 2006, the car received a paint update, adding a white stripe along the roof for a refreshed look.

In our first production run of the Fox River, we are recreating the car as it appeared during its service with both Union Pacific and C&NW. Each model will feature individually controlled lighting, including ditch lights, marker lights, spotlights, and interior lights, providing a highly detailed and realistic representation.

The order deadline for the "Fox River" cars is April 24th, 2025 and are expected to arrive fall of 2025. Pricing varies from dealer to dealer so contact your favorite dealer and place your pre-order today!

Finally, we are thrilled to announce the Union Pacific Power Car 2066 coming to HO scale. 

When Union Pacific hosts excursions or transports railroad executives, they rely on their “heritage fleet” of passenger cars to provide a luxurious and comfortable experience. However, their modern locomotives lack the onboard generators needed to power the lights, plumbing, and air conditioning systems of these vintage cars.

Enter Power Car 2066, a former ACF postal storage car rebuilt to serve as a crucial part of many UP excursion trains and office car specials. This car is equipped with engine/generator compartments, a control room, a walk-in cooler, commissary storage, and a walk-in freezer. The power system is driven by two Deutz diesel engines housed within the car. Additionally, the control room features a private bedroom for the electrician responsible for monitoring and maintaining the systems during the journey.

Power Car 2066 has been a reliable companion behind both steam- and diesel-powered excursion trains, making it a perfect addition to any Union Pacific excursion consist.

In our first production run of Power Car 2066, we are offering models with and without the appropriate antenna arrangement on the roof. Each version will be available with or without sound, providing options for every preference. For those who want a personalized touch, we are also producing a primer-gray version, perfect for customizing and painting to match your own railroad.

The order deadline for the Power Car is April 24th, 2025 and are expected to arrive fall of 2025. Pricing varies from dealer to dealer so contact your favorite dealer and place your pre-order today!