I own one of the BLI RSD-15s with QSI sound.
It runs nice, and the sounds are ok. However, the BlueLine sound clip on the Broadway Limited web site actually sounds like an ALCo than the QSI version. Maybe the updated chip that they are going to sell will make the sounds better?
I like the QSI version, because I'm a DC user. All I need is a Quantum Engineer, and I can play all of the sounds. However, I'm switching to DCC, so It doesn't matter if I use the QSI version, or get the BlueLine version and put a decoder in it....
Phil
modelmaker51 wrote: Lillen wrote: I would also like to know about these. Do anyone have an idea if three will pull 72 walthers taconite cars up a 2% grade. MagnusA real RSD-15 wouldn't have been expected to pull that many cars even on flat ground! 40 cars maybe, (it was only 1500 hp). The railroads that had them would have run them with 2 or 3 units for trains that long or longer. Hopefully someone will come up with the tonnage that an RSD-15 could handle.
Lillen wrote: I would also like to know about these. Do anyone have an idea if three will pull 72 walthers taconite cars up a 2% grade. Magnus
I would also like to know about these. Do anyone have an idea if three will pull 72 walthers taconite cars up a 2% grade.
Magnus
A real RSD-15 wouldn't have been expected to pull that many cars even on flat ground! 40 cars maybe, (it was only 1500 hp). The railroads that had them would have run them with 2 or 3 units for trains that long or longer. Hopefully someone will come up with the tonnage that an RSD-15 could handle.
That is why I asked if three would do it!
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Hi there armchair
I have a new one- The bLueline version
it looks great and, IMHO, the Bluline sound is excellent but I'm currently not overly impressed- I really don't like the way it runs; it's not as smooth as I thought it would be, especially at lower speeds (certainly not silky smooth as advertised on the website).
It seems my decoder is faulty as I can't set the master sound volume (mute can however be used to lower the sound volume- a neat idea). BLI have been very helpful (via email) but I think I'm going to send in my decoder to have it looked at. The decoder also heats up my plug in decoder- I'm not sure there should be such heat build up but perhaps the circuitry required for sound is the cause (and is perfectly normal)- I don't know enough, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this.
Anyway I hope my experience is not common as I do like this particular loco.
All the best
The BLI RSD15s were made by Ajin. They seem to be very nice. Much better than BLI SD40-2s. There are 3 versions: QSI sound-DCC, Blueline sound-no DCC, and no sound-no DCC (stealth). The stealth might be the hot setup, put in a good decoder. The QSI sound is supposed to be pretty good. Blueline is a lot of hassles to get things to work.
If the Walthers cars have metal free-rolling wheels, 3 RSD15s might have a chance. The older runs with plastic wheels, doubt it. Might have problems dragging them down 2% grade.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
armchair wrote: I'm considering a couple of HH Rsd 15's & am kinda concerned about their reliability.Are they basically the same mech. as the older SD40s made by BLI ? I've got one & it never impressed me as it just has never seemed to be very smooth. I run DCC W/Cvp's system(which I Am impressed with). Any input on these Alcs would be appreciated. thanks, Armchair............