Recently, I bought an HO Broadway Limited Imports Paragon 4 with DCC and Sound, in Conrail livery. (Shown below) Some say that it has outdated tooling… but does that matter?

I purchased the model from Yankee Dabbler. It was shipped in a standard shipping box with barely any cushioning between it’s own box and the shipping box, allowing it to get tossed around, and it came with broken pieces everywhere. I believe this was on Yankee Dabbler’s part, as the box the locomotive comes in should never be the only thing protecting it in shipping. I sent it directly to BLI to get it repaired, and got it back about 3-4 months later. (Sent it in around April, got it back in August)

The model itself is well packaged. Broadway Limited did a good job keeping it relatively safe, featuring a clam-shell to hold the model in place and protective foam surrounding that. The handrails are kept straight when in storage by dense foam inserts (as standard with most manufacturers).

The detail on the model is very good. The handrails are properly molded and painted, and the roof fans + horn + some other details are cast in brass. One minor detail showed on the model that is not present on the prototype is a horizontal handrail above the front coupler, painted in white. The model features a correct RS-3L (or RS-3K) mounted on the brow of the cab. A single crew member is featured in the cab, as the engineer. It comes stock with Kadee compatible metal knuckle-couplers.

The paint is applied very well. Comparing the model to the prototype shows a few misdemeanors here and there, most notably the “Can-opener” stripes on the side of the long hood extending too far towards the cab on the model, as opposed to them stopping on the air-duct.

Lighting features include bright and steady headlights on both ends, and red colored marker lights as well (They can not change to any other color). The cab is also lit.

The model runs decently. With my NCE, I found that it moves with a sort of ‘Pulsing’ motion, which is likely due to the fact that I haven’t programmed acceleration speed ramping yet. The motor is very quiet, allowing the sound to come through very nicely.

Sound quality is amazing. Start-up includes the sound of a crew-member walking along the ballast (Gravel crunching), mounting the locomotive, preparing it and starting it up. Switching direction plays an air-hose sound. The horn sound effects are all very nice, and can be changed with CV 224, values 0-2. The bell sound effects are both good as well; they are changed with CV 223, values 0 and 1. A variety of sound play during operation. Pressing function 5 and 6 will decrease/increase engine idle RPM, respectively. The model automatically simulates higher engine RPMs when pulling heavier trains or going up hill, and goes back to normal when on level ground.

I brought the locomotive to my local club, but it lowkey kind of freaked out as soon as I put it on the tracks. Another club member explained it to me that the system they use is old, and it does not like to cooperate with some modern decoders, especially Broadway Limited decoders.

I thoroughly enjoy this locomotive (as well as i can on my 4×8). I would recommend this product to most people, but not everyone would be happy with it. In conclusion, I believe it is a very good model. It runs well, looks good, sounds amazing, and I’m happy with it.

Thanks for reading, AstroKnight 👾

Shown below are photos of the model and a prototype photo.

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