Fun Stuff Friday: I-4 First Look

I dunno 'bout you, but I'm not gonna lie - I enjoy the vicarious thrill of seeing someone else get new model railroad stuff. Some of my favorite posts are "show 'n' tell" play-by-plays of getting something new. Post-Christmas posts answering the timeless question "whadja get?"  are some of the best of all.

But it's even better when *I* am the one getting the new stuff - and it's Christmas in August!

Look what was waiting for me by my door when I got home today . . .

A Nice Big Box from Broadway Limited

 And look what was inside . . .

Not one, not two, but FOUR brand-spankin' new I-4 class New Haven Railroad locomotives!

Alas! They are not all mine . . .

But ONE of them is! Here's what you see when you open the box . . .

Not too exciting yet . . . the anticipation is building . . .

A thick Operator's Manual (thick mostly cuz it includes instructions for DC as well as DCC operation, an exploded view diagram (locomotive on one side, tender on the other), and misc promotional stuff.

Once you set that stuff aside and remove the top layer of foam, you get your first Actual Peek . . .

You can just make out the "New Haven" on the tender

And then, the First Reveal . . .

Gorgeous detail - brass model quality

Best First Tip:
Instead of trying to lift the engine and tender out of the foam, it's much better IMO if you lift the foam up from around the engine and tender. It comes right up and you don't have to worry about inadvertently damaging any delicate detail.

Next step was to just get it over to my display case where I could give it a good look . . .

But no way is this where it's gonna stay! I'm no "display case modeler" - this thing is gonna RUN! Before it's squiring Shoreline name trains through Old Saybrook, however, I've heard there are a few things you MUST which are strongly recommended you do first. I'm getting those notes together and they'll be the topic of my next post.

For now, I'll just admire this beautiful model!