As many of you have said the fantasy paint schemes really need to go. I did buy one when I first got back into the hobby it was the SP ac6000. well since then I decided to go all UP so I sold that fantasy scheme off and I will not buy another one. Their details on their deisels were good enough for me but having to send my other locomotives in several times to get the decoders fixed made me finally switch to putting in ESU decoders. Once I did that they have become strong performers. but due to that I would not buy another until I have heard that the paragon 4 decoders have really come up to the standards that ESU is at!
Does any one have any feedback on their N scale products, specificaly their AC6000?,
PruittBLI is getting more and more into the "fantasy" schemes. I guess they make money.
Both Bob Grubba (BLI) and Mike Wolf (MTH) have roots to the Lionel Corporation. They may get a little of that "stretch of the imagination" impetus from that background.
G_scale_beep by Edmund, on Flickr
Lionel_Knox by Edmund, on Flickr
BLI_crop by Edmund, on Flickr
Sell the Sizzle, not the steak.
Cheers, Ed
I've noted the same, Mark. While I'm grateful for the NYC Hudsons, Niagaras, Mohawks, and Mikes that BLI has released over the years, I have zero interest in any fantasy schemes. Agreed that they must be making money at it...or they wouldn't continue releasing them...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
BLI is getting more and more into the "fantasy" schemes. I guess they make money.
Next we might see some pink locos from them.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
There wasn't. Although the P-5 is pretty nifty looking, the NYC boxcab didn't look anything like it; nor was it outfitted with pantographs:
It operated on either 3rd-rail 600V or batteries.
tstage PennsyLou As stated, they work closely with the PRR T&HS to ensure that the models reflect the prototype to the extent practical - I assume this is true for their models of other railroads as well. BLI sure didn't with the NYC "P-5 boxcab". Tom
PennsyLou As stated, they work closely with the PRR T&HS to ensure that the models reflect the prototype to the extent practical - I assume this is true for their models of other railroads as well.
BLI sure didn't with the NYC "P-5 boxcab".
LOL, Yes, but the P5 itself is pretty accurate, and they advertise that the NYC is a "fantasy" paint scheme, and state clearly that it is a Pennsy prorotype, although other railroads operated "similar" locomotives (not being a close follower of the NYC, I have no idea if there was actually a "similar" Central prototype).
PennsyLouAs stated, they work closely with the PRR T&HS to ensure that the models reflect the prototype to the extent practical - I assume this is true for their models of other railroads as well.
Lou,
wrench567 I have respect for the work they do in conjunction with the PRRT&HS committee. They have come out with some much needed PRR locomotives. Wish they could do another few runs of the much needed H class. For us PRR modelers they have been good. They could do with a discount. Prices rival brass and beyond. Pete.
I have respect for the work they do in conjunction with the PRRT&HS committee. They have come out with some much needed PRR locomotives. Wish they could do another few runs of the much needed H class. For us PRR modelers they have been good. They could do with a discount. Prices rival brass and beyond.
Pete.
I got the survy and did reply them. They were a good manufacturer and I liked them. But I think they lost their directions, with too much focus on their sound system, not on other imporant things. To be honest, I don't feel too much difference in their paragon 2,3,4. I bought several F7 and E1 from them recently. Their motors make loud noise. The decoders are among the most difficult to do speed match. Diesel engines have less details compared to peers at the same price. These are just what I feel about their recent products. Kind of disappointing. I guess that they probably heard a lot about what I have complained as the survey did ask quite many this kind of questions.
I really hope the survey can help them.
Jerry
I received the survey, and replied.
I don't know how much they will enjoy the answers though...
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
selector No survey, and I don’t do FB. I have at least 12 of their original Paragon, P2, and P4 steamers. No P3. I think their hybrids are fantastic, although the prices are rising steadily.
No survey, and I don’t do FB. I have at least 12 of their original Paragon, P2, and P4 steamers. No P3. I think their hybrids are fantastic, although the prices are rising steadily.
This is the link to the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf21ndeE2nf6WxppoUICN4Q39vGyyxubXe9zgcZXOV7NojESA/viewform
thomas81z tsd Myself, I have listened to plenty of their old stuff (2006, etc) that had QSI in them, and they sound like trash compared to say a Paragon 3 or Paragon 4, or even a BlueLine or Paragon 2. i have a few 2006 big boys & the paragon 3 big boy 4014 & it sounds the same . i hope they come up with a outside decoder that will improve sound & preformance .most of my 30 big boys are tcs wow thou i am liking tsunimi2 4014 sound files
tsd Myself, I have listened to plenty of their old stuff (2006, etc) that had QSI in them, and they sound like trash compared to say a Paragon 3 or Paragon 4, or even a BlueLine or Paragon 2.
i have a few 2006 big boys & the paragon 3 big boy 4014 & it sounds
the same . i hope they come up with a outside decoder that will improve sound & preformance .most of my 30 big boys are tcs wow thou i am liking tsunimi2 4014 sound files
Interesting. I can't recall any recent BigBoy's that I have done, but I would find it odd that the overall sound quality would not be better. Being that the QSI ones would have been sourced from QSI and done by QSI and then the Paragon 2, etc. would have been sourced themselves, and have a higher bitrate, clearer, etc.
They may have emailed it out, but they do have the survey link posted on their facebook page. So anyone can go to it and take the survey.
And just want to throw this out there, but many of the Paragon 3's that had issues, while they may have marked on their repair sheet that they replaced the decoder, most of the issues were actually because of faulty motors, which in the end would blow the decoder. I'm not saying if it's right or wrong, but keep in mind too that even if they did offer engines with basically no electronics, just wires inside, or just DC control, perhaps like what their BlueLine did, I would not expect say a $100-$200 price drop either because the cost savings on them doing so would not be that significant. And for steam, it would require a lot more work yet as well because many of the lighting and stuff inside the engine ties into a smoke controller board, that then allows less wires and such to the tender to control them. Now, one thing that I never got was why they always included RollingThunder with the engines, because I feel probably only maybe 20% of people use it, so why not just sell the RollingThunder board seperatly and then price the engines a little cheaper.
Now with that said, the fact that they do make their own decoder with a full time staff memebr who only developes their hardware and software (decoder, smoke units, etc), they can take suggestions and potentially implement them into their product. That's a big benefit of being in house verses going to a third party for decoders. That's why they went to Paragon 2, then 3, and then 4. It was by adding features, improvements, etc. Myself, I have listened to plenty of their old stuff (2006, etc) that had QSI in them, and they sound like trash compared to say a Paragon 3 or Paragon 4, or even a BlueLine or Paragon 2.
thomas81zIf they have your email they will send it to you.
I won't be getting it. I used my work email address for everything back then, and I seperated from the company in February 2019 after 31 years.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 I am pretty sure I will not be getting the survey, and they already know what I think of the way they conduct business. -Kevin
I am pretty sure I will not be getting the survey, and they already know what I think of the way they conduct business.
if they have your email they will send it to you.
they want the truth good bad or middle of the road
infact they are picking 5 people to come to thier headquarters
to meet with ceo bob , ken & the production dept to discuss it
.reason for this email is with scale trains & rapido looming on the horizon with steam releases they realize that 2006 electronics will not cut it in 2022/2023.
They dont want to become MTH 2.O
Pruitt I have five of their first-run Paragon Mikados (from the early 2000's - the ones with the QSI decoder / sound system), and have been very pleased with them all. I bought a Paragon 3 Consolidation a couple years ago and had to send it back to the factory because of a decoder problem. They fixed it and it runs great! Their products are very good quality and so is their customer service, in my experience.
I have five of their first-run Paragon Mikados (from the early 2000's - the ones with the QSI decoder / sound system), and have been very pleased with them all. I bought a Paragon 3 Consolidation a couple years ago and had to send it back to the factory because of a decoder problem. They fixed it and it runs great! Their products are very good quality and so is their customer service, in my experience.
the pre paralizer 3 are great runners .
I have 5 bli big boys & 1 is a p3 & guess what?? I have had to replace all most all of the electronics sadly . but on a good note thier customer service is great
One locomotive, a Hudson I've had for 15 years. I had a worm gear slipping on the drive shaft, but that took a drop of CA and it was fine. I think it came with a QSI decoder.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have one BLI loco and it has been great, no complaints and it pulls like nobody's business. It is a C & O 2-10-4.
I did get the survey but I learned at a young age not to waste my time entering U.S.-based contests. After you spend time doing the survey and filling out contact info, you hit send and they then say open to U.S. residents only.
Maybe Rapido will do something similar, open to Canadians only, with our tiny population the odds of winning would be much better.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I have been very pleased with my Paragon and Paragon 2 steam engines.
I have never owned any Paragon 3 or Paragon 4 models.
But I have not received a survey.
Rich
Alton Junction
Will not get survey because the shot I gave them was through an inderect purchace. But as far as quality goes, I have not spent anything more of their stuff and got rid of that one.
so who got the bli product survey in thier email??
I did and i was honest of thier below avg electronics
I voted for DCC READY & TCS WOW OR TSUNIMI 2 DECODERS
in their future products
did anyone else give them imput ??