NCE's 2021 firmware upgrade & BN C636

I just read in the May issue of the NMRA.org magazine that NCE released a chip with new firmware on it for their Powerhouse Pro (PHP) DCC command stations. I don't know how that information escaped me previously, but I immediately ordered one and just finished installing it in my PHP. I don't have any pictures to show of it, but am glad to have it done. One benefit is a quicker response on the CAB06 throttles. Another is you can deactivate the "momentum" button on the Procabs, which reduces mischief during operating sessions.

The other big news this week is Brian Elchlepp brought over two of my BN Alco 636's that he batch-weathered along with one of his. Here's a picture of THAT! :)

Upgrading the passenger E-unit fleet

I've never been a big fan of the E-units for some reason. I think it is the three axle trucks with the center axle unpowered. It seems so wrong to have an unpowered axle on a locomotive. There may have been good reasons for it, though. But the truth is that E units were the innovation that replaced steam locomotives on most passenger trains during the steam-to-diesel transition era. At least in the flatlands, where the lack of a powered axle didn't matter.

Anyway, I never bought an E unit in my life for model railroading purposes. But a few years ago my friend brought over a couple of his GN E units and let me borrow them for my passenger consists. So we naively put them on the "Empire Builder" train and ran it in to Seattle from "Chicago" (well, Skykomish). There are plenty of my YouTube videos out there with the Empire Builder speeding through that show these E units in action.

But more research found that the E units weren't used on the mountain grades - they used F units instead (with all axles powered, like I said). Out west here, they only used the E units on flat runs such as the International between Seattle and Vancouver BC. Oops.

Then, Rapido came out with E units painted for both Amtrak and CB&Q, and another friend came up with pictures proving that the CB&Q units were sometimes used out here on Amtrak's version of the International in the early BN days. Also, the GN gave up their E units before the BN merger even happened! So, what could I do but purchase the Rapido units and return the GN units to their owner?

We had grown fond of those GN units, though, so we decided to stage a goodbye ceremony to have the new shiny CB&Q E unit and some other engines escort the GN E units around the layout one final time. This grand event was captured on video and posted here. We hope you enjoy it.

The next time the International heads south from Vancouver BC, it's going to stop at the roundhouse in Everett for a locomotive change, so we can justify both of the new E units! And look for them in future videos, too. :)