3073 (PCM-002) PRR M1a 4-8-2, #6720, Pre-War Version, Paragon2 Sound/DC/DCC, N scale

In 1930, the celebrated success of the M1 Mountain-type locomotives prompted the Pennsylvania Railroad to order 100 more locomotives of the 4-8-2 wheel arrangement.  The new locomotives became the M1a class and had a longer wheelbase than the M1's due to the addition of the Worthington feedwater heater. They also received new larger tenders, class 210F75, which became known as the coast-to-coast tenders.

The first 50 M1a locomotives, #6700 - 6749, were built by Baldwin.  The Juniata Shops, which became knows as te "Altoona Works," built the next 25 M1a's numbered 6750 - 6774, and the remaining 25 M1a's were built by Lima and were numbered 6775 - 6799.

Starting in 1946, 41 of the M1a's received further improvements by increasing the boiler pressure and adding circulators to the firebox. The improved M1a's became the M1b class.  The best way to tell them apart is to look for the circulators on the firebox just above the running boards.  The circulators are those round objects in a diagonal line that look like wash-out plugs.

The PRR M1a/b's were considered to be the finest of the PRR's steam locomotives.  They were designed as dual service locomotives, hauling passenger trains and also saw duty in general freight service. And in the end, they even hauled the heavy ore trains, which there were not originally intended to pull.  They did it all in style!

Locomotive features:

• Paragon2 Sound & Control System
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Motor Type: 5-Pole Can with Skewed Armature & Fly Wheels
• Authentic PRR M1a Sounds (on sound-equipped units)
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
• Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight and Reverse Light Jewel
• Beautifully Detailed, Accurately Modeled Locomotive
• Separately Applied Details such as brass bell, grab irons, and ladders 
• Constant Intensity Directional Lighting
• Locomotive Composition: ABS plastic with Die Cast Chassis
• Tender Composition: ABS plastic with Die Cast Chassis
• Locomotive Length: 6.5 inches
• Tender Length: 3.8 inches
• Couplers: 1 rear Microtrains #1015 compatible & Dummy front coupler
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 9.75 inches

Industry-Leading SOUND Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• 16-bit Sample Rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
• Playback Whistle for multiple whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Whistles / Horns
• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change (Steam Only)
• Passenger Station Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Freight Yard related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Farm related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Crew Radio Communications - Controlled with Function Key
• Maintenance Yard related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Demo Mode for display and demonstrations
• Grade Crossing Signal - Controlled with Function Key
• Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot.  When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice.  When moving in reverse. toots three times.
• Engine sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for most sound effects
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings