I saw that 30 inch listing and just knew it was complete claptrap. Lionel has never had really good proofreading of its catalog listings, in my experience. In that same catalog, I think the length listed for the M1a (30 1/2") is also off: its more likely 23 - 26 inches long.
Anyway, I decided to pass on pre-ordering both. They are scale or very close enough, I suspect, and both are about the size (around 20-252 inches I expect) that works out best on my layout, but I've never really liked the look of Mikados, and the MIa is nice by PRR is not my thing . . . so while both will be fine locos, no doubt, even if not 30 inches long, neither is worth $1300 to me.
