While I don't want to start kissing up to Broadway Limited Imports as I haven't gotten my hands on one of their engines yet, I don't want to sleep on them either.
Owned by a former Lionel employee Bob Grubba, I've heard a decent amount of good things coming from Broadway Limited Imports, from the detailed steam engines they have to offer to the accessories such as a Lighting storm kit for train layouts, Broadway Limited seems to be bringing their best for those who want highly detailed trains for their highly detailed layouts.
Like Lionel, Broadway Limited has also explored the idea of having fantasy schemes for their trains. While I know fantasy schemes aren't everyone's cup of tea, I personally do like the idea of trains being offered in these fun schemes. After all, I am the guy who has a soft spot for Christmas train sets and train sets that involve movie/cartoon characters.
In this blog, I'm gonna go over 5 steam and 5 diesel fantasy schemes that Broadway Limited currently offer at the time of this blog. If you don't see a fantasy scheme here you like, don't worry, I do plan on doing anther blog about their fantasy schemes, and even waiting till they release more.
Steam
8986 Freedom Train
One thing that wins me over with fantasy schemes is the "what ifs". What if this train had this scheme, or what if that train had this scheme.
Broadway Limited Imports Brass Hybrid Streamline Hudson Freedom Train seems to understand that assignment. Also the train just really looks good in the red white and blue paint scheme, I'd dare say even better then the Southern Pacific, but I don't want to start any train flame wars.
Rating: A+
8987 ATSD Valley Flyer
Forgive me for doing two Hybrid Hudson's in a row, but it's hard for me to ignore the Valley Flyer paint scheme. It might not be as "What if" as the Freedom Train paint scheme, but it just looks so dang nice.
Rating: A+
9915 UP Early Challenger Two Tone Grey Paint Scheme
Is the Early Challenger two tone grey paint scheme anything fancy? No. But does it have to be? Not trying to take any shots at Grubba's former employer, but I feel like Lionel tries to get too fancy/try to hard to make some of their fantasy paint schemes to stand out. This engine proves you don't really need to do all of that to make it look good.
Rating: A
9846 Southern Pacific GS-4 Golden State Fantasy scheme
On one hand I feel as though Broadway Limited is pushing it just a little bit with this one. On the other hand, the GS-4 daylight doesn't look that bad in red. Might need some smooth passenger cars to truly win me over on this one.
Rating: B
8867 ATSF 3460 Class 4-6-4 Aluminum Shadow line Scheme
Maybe it's because there's a big soft spot in my heart for fantasy schemes, but I can't really hate on this one. Yeah it's much more realistic then the others, but it still looks nice to a certain extent. I suppose it helps that they didn't try to add in yellow for whatever reason.
Rating C+
Diesels
GE ES44AC US Navy scheme
Patriotic schemes have a soft spot in my heart, and so does this one.
Rating: A+
EMD SD70ACe PRR fantasy paint scheme
Honestly want this to be real. Like the Early Challenger paint scheme, nothing too fancy, and doesn't need to be.
Rating: A
EMD F3A Santa Express
Why yes I did have to sneak in a Christmas train scheme, why do you ask? Nothing against MTH but I honestly like this scheme more then there Christmas train F3 they released as part of a set. This scheme just stands out more and I love the trees and snowflakes that the train is decorated in.
Rating: A+
RF-16 Sharknose A, USAF shark paint scheme.
Did I mention I like patriotic paint schemes. Also I know it's kind of a no brainer to give a shark nosed engine a shark mouth, but man does it look good when put together.
Rating: A
EMD GP30 USAF Air Force paint scheme
Rating: A+
So what's was your favorite fantasy paint schemes from Broadway Limited Imports? Comment below and tell me which one's you'd like me to rate for the next blog I do on this topic.
And for those who want to buy said paint schemes, they can be found on Broadway Limited Imports site, or on Trainworld.com.
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