As a side note, anyone who has a Paragon 2 or stealth BLI steamer, and decides he wishes to use a Tsunami, will discover that the installed chuff sensor will not work with the TSU. Reason: a reed switch pickup is located next to the flywheel, which contains one magnet. The number of output pulses per driver revolution is the same as the gear ratio, which, for example, is 24 in the NYC Dreyfuss. The Paragon 2 must have something like an input counter that divides by six. I'm hoping to come up with a simple one-chip counter so the TSU will see four pulses/rev.
Hal
Hear it
8A99GVQ0qZo
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
(post removed)
I have two sound locomotives, both from BLI and I am really happy with them. I got the last one four weeks ago, a NW2 switcher. It is weel detailed, have an excellent slow speed right of the box and, at least for me, the sound is amazing.
47gromit Yes I contacted BLI support and their response was not satisfactory to me. If you (the OP) are "tickled pink" with this disjointed sound decoder, I'm happy for you. Not everyone may care about this unrealistic sound match. Fine.
Yes I contacted BLI support and their response was not satisfactory to me.
If you (the OP) are "tickled pink" with this disjointed sound decoder, I'm happy for you. Not everyone may care about this unrealistic sound match. Fine.
Easy there big fella'.. I sure wasn't trying to rattle your chain. All I did was express my like for the EMD NW2 and simply ask (contacting BLI support) what you didn't mention in your initial post.
Reply to Randy:
I changed the CV3 momentum from 5 to 50 with little or no effect. Maybe it needs to be 200? BEMF on or off did nothing also.
-Roger
Have you tried it? You don;t need so much momentum that you can;t control the thing - plus the decelration is independent so you can still stop quickly. They key is that with some leel of momentum plugged in, you get complete control over having the prime mover rev up or not. And for how much. FOr a road unit, you can use a large rmometum value and hevthe thing chug while grinding along at a low speed for a significant amount of time, OR you can simple adjust the throttle and immediately reduce the loading after an initial burst yet continue to acelerate. That's what makes this a useful feature on those decoders that support it - try it on a Paragon 2 and see if they too support it.
How else do you propose handlign this? The difference in load on level track between no cars and 5-10 cars is so neglible that trying to sue BEMF to automatically do this is nearly impossible. On grades it can work - they new TCS WowSound secoders do it to make labored chuffs going uphill and quite them down and add rod clank going down.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
To answer Maxman:
First, we are not discussing selection of a decoder - This locomotive only comes with one already.
Second, according to my one diesel Tsunami, I agree with Randy (rrinker) that the Tsunami has a similar fault (if you will)( but not as bad in my view). But I have an older BLI switcher with QSI sound and the synchronization of sound and speed is good. More than that I cannot say: I don't have a Loksound diesel or any other (MRC, Digitraxx, etc.) to compare. Nor can I comment on the new QSI Titan for diesel.
Yes I contacted BLI support and their response was not satisfactory to me. The person who responded (by email) didn't seem to appreciate what I was talking about, and suggested some CV changes which did not affect the problem at all. They finally said I could send it in (shipping at my expense), but since my friend's Paragon2 does the same thing, I have no hope that anything could be done short of redesigning the Paragon 2 decoder architecture. Unless ours are the only 2 that have this problem. Apparently the earlier release did NOT have this feature.
47gromitThe Paragon designers need to go back to the drawing board.
Which brand decoder would you recommend that would work "properly"?
47gromit I just bought and am testing a new release BLI SW7, and am not happy with it. A friend also bought one. Both of them have a very poor coordination of the diesel sound rpm with either the speed or the load on the engine. The shortcoming does not change when the back EMF is disabled. This is especially noticeable at startup: it gets going to throttle step 4/28 and after it is up to steady speed, only then does the diesel sound begin to ramp up. Then it may ramp down again. The ramp down may be realistic because the motors needs more "juice" in accelerating, but the ramp up should start a soon as the engineer puts the throttle into the first notch. Not after it is already up to speed. This sound coordination may be designed by someone who knows little about how diesel-electrics operate. I find no CV in the decoder list that could correct this. A bad design it seems. But the model seems mechanically well done. I'd be interested to hear from others about this.
I just bought and am testing a new release BLI SW7, and am not happy with it. A friend also bought one. Both of them have a very poor coordination of the diesel sound rpm with either the speed or the load on the engine. The shortcoming does not change when the back EMF is disabled.
This is especially noticeable at startup: it gets going to throttle step 4/28 and after it is up to steady speed, only then does the diesel sound begin to ramp up. Then it may ramp down again. The ramp down may be realistic because the motors needs more "juice" in accelerating, but the ramp up should start a soon as the engineer puts the throttle into the first notch. Not after it is already up to speed. This sound coordination may be designed by someone who knows little about how diesel-electrics operate. I find no CV in the decoder list that could correct this. A bad design it seems. But the model seems mechanically well done.
I'd be interested to hear from others about this.
I'm the OP of this thread and I'm tickled pink with the sound functions of my EMD NW2. You didn't mention contacting BLI support and if you did what was their response?
To add enough momentum to get the sound coordinated would be a bit absurd for a switcher. If that were required, why is the factory default (which I am using) so low (5/255), anyway? And a light engine move still should have some rev at the start. Sorry, Randy, what you suggest is not a solution, certainly not for a yard switcher. The Paragon designers need to go back to the drawing board.
Add some momentum, CV3. See what that does. This is why I dislike Tsunami diesel decoders, they have this same fault, and adding momentum does not fix it. QSI and Loksound, just add some momentum, then crank the throttle open and you get the rev before the loco moves, then turn back to a normal speed before the loco actually gets going at the high speed. Should you be doing a light engine move, just gradually open the throttle and the loco will move out without the heavy rev. It's easy to simulate both starting a heavy train and doing the light engine moves without having to resort to manual notching - although that is another method, since then the prime mover is operated independently of the loco itself.
Have seven BLI units, a few Blueline and some Paragon2 - been happy with all units. My oldest unit is four years old and had my first MINOR sound problem last week (lost chuff). Since I live in the same area as the BLI facility their tech support personnel told me to bring it in for repair (took ten minutes at no charge). I definitely recommend BLI products.
Elliott
Took the plunge and ordered a BLI EMD NW2 switcher from ModelTrainStuff which arrived earlier today.
My reaction to the out-of-box performance was WOW! The default sound package, momentum and other features is amazing. And to think this engine was only $40 more than the Bachmann S2 with the crippled/made for Bachmann Soundtraxx decoder I bought before I knew what a good DCC w/sound engine is...
fmilhaupt Over50-- BLI does not currently offer an SW9. Proto 2000 is the only manufacturer that has offered an SW9 in plastic in HO. The SW9 has different headlight assemblies and louver arrangements than the NW2 and SW7. For most people, the headlight is the identifying characteristic for an SW9, as built. This can get complicated as time goes on, since some railroads swapped headlight assemblies around between different models as they were shopped or rebuilt. As for being common in the 1950s, the SW9 outnumbered the SW7, with over 800 SW9s built, and just under 500 SW7s built. Now, the NW2, which was nearly identical to the SW7, sold over 1,100. The SW9 also had a nearly-identical relative in the SW1200, which was built from 1954 to 1966. The difference is chiefly in the louvers. Over 1,000 SW1200s were sold.
Over50--
BLI does not currently offer an SW9. Proto 2000 is the only manufacturer that has offered an SW9 in plastic in HO.
The SW9 has different headlight assemblies and louver arrangements than the NW2 and SW7. For most people, the headlight is the identifying characteristic for an SW9, as built. This can get complicated as time goes on, since some railroads swapped headlight assemblies around between different models as they were shopped or rebuilt.
As for being common in the 1950s, the SW9 outnumbered the SW7, with over 800 SW9s built, and just under 500 SW7s built. Now, the NW2, which was nearly identical to the SW7, sold over 1,100.
The SW9 also had a nearly-identical relative in the SW1200, which was built from 1954 to 1966. The difference is chiefly in the louvers. Over 1,000 SW1200s were sold.
Ah,so. The 'NW2' classification/identification is what threw me, where I was thinking it was just a different reference for the SW9 engine. I'm not a hobby purist in the true sense - nor do I have the required knowledge in all things railroad, but I have tried to maintain 1950's era diesel motive power in keeping with my free lance 50's period layouts. I have a couple of Athearn Blue Box SW1200's but since I've moved to DCC with my retirement layout and by no means ready to attempt converting these to DCC I'm replacing what I need/want for now, thus my questions here.
Really appreciate the information guys and especially the confirmation of the BLI Paragon2 switcher products.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
Over50,
EMD SW9s,were in production,starting in 1951 thru 1966,so I would say,they were pretty common,in the 50s..
Cheers,
Frank
Again, thanks to all for the BLI switcher operation comments. I'm sold. Just to mention, while the SW7 name appears in the list of switchers I'm not seeing "SW9" specifically stated in the description. Am I correct the SW9 product line is shown as the Paragon2 BLI NW2? If yes, was the SW9 also common in the 50's era ?
Hello,
My kids gifted me my first sound equipped locomotive for my 62nd birthday this past April, a BLI Paragon2 SW9 switcher in S.P&S livery. The sound was amazing, I'm hooked! Paint and details are nice too. Unfortunately this locomotive ended up having a defective decoder and motor, but BLI stood behind their product and made the needed repairs on warranty.
Though not quite as smooth at low speed as my circa 1992 Kato NW2, the BLI SW9 is a very nice locomotive. Considering the kids live about 90 miles northeast of Spokane and my freelanced layout is based upon the pacific northwest the S.P.&S. livery is perfect.
good luck and regards, Peter
My first BLI purchase is the recent release SW-9 painted for Spokane Portland & Seattle RY. The motor control and sound is excellent.
A fine locomotive. Probably my favorite feature is the on-demand master volume control. By double-tapping the F8 key on your controller of choice, you have a stepped volume Full, medium, low, off etc. No more moving the locomotive to programming track and adjusting the CV. This is an excellent feature, giving more control to the user at the push of a button.
Over50.
Most of the freight locos on the PRR were painted in Dark Green Locomotive Enamel (DGLE) Some passenger locos were Tuscan. All the steamers were DGLE. BLI locos are great in my opinion. I have 7 of their steamers and am patiently waiting for the H10 2-8-0 to come out. The only down side with the P2 BLI steamers is the smoke units. That oily smoke is not for me and when the locos come into the roundhouse (work bench) I will remove the smoke units and replace it with some weight. My first run PCM I1sa broke the axle drive gear and I had to replace it. Other than that they are great and run super smooth.
The Pennsylvania railroad technical and historical society works with BLI on accuracy of their models. If more manufactures worked with the historical societies before bringing out new models our models would be more accurate and would need less changes from us modelers.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
floridaflyer Have a BLI SE-7 in PRR livery. Good engine for the price. Low speed is excellent, has good electrical contact through my Atlas customline turnouts.
Have a BLI SE-7 in PRR livery. Good engine for the price. Low speed is excellent, has good electrical contact through my Atlas customline turnouts.
Appreciate the mention of your Atlas Custom Line Turnouts. With my new/retirement layout all but 5 are the new version 4 and the other 30 the older #3. The one DCC "Sound value" Bachmann S2 switcher I have does have a random temporary short problem going through the frogs on different T.O.'s whether #4 or #6. I've gaged the wheel spacing and while they are correct the side to side play (both drive sets) in tandem with the short wheel base is the reason IMO.
Thanks to all for the replies. And the Model Train Stuff website is where I was looking and these engines are still $150. Based on your first hand experience sounds (which include reverb) and performance comments the BLI SW7 with the Pennsylvania road name would be a good choice, especially with the available sounds for the price.
Last month I purchased a BLI Paragon 2 RSD-15 road switcher, and I think it was a very good decision. It runs smooth, looks smart (it's an "alligator" - low nose), with details approaching Athearn Genesis quality, and sounds great. Based on it's attributes, I purchased a BLI Paragon 2 Y6B steamer, due to arrive next week.
Wilton.
I have a Paragon2 BLI NW2 bought last year, which I think came out with the SW7s. It runs nicely and sounds are ok (I can't comment on the finer points as I've only changed the address, momentum and maybe the master volume level). I think it was just $149 at modeltrainstuff.com
I would buy it again.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent