I have six BlueLine AC6000 engines and two BlueLine RSD-15's and think they are very good for the price, especially when running on DCC. The detail is excellent and they run just as smoothly as Kato models.
The best place I have found to get BlueLine or other Broadway Limited products is Factory Direct Trains. BlueLine engines require an add-in motor control decoder, and you can order this from FDT at the same time because their web site lists the recommended decoders and their prices are good.
You can get better information about the BlueLine products from the FDT web site.
http://www.factorydirecttrains.com
Something else you might want to check is the Kato web site to see if the one you're looking for is available as a Kato Kobo model with DCC and sound. These are sold only direct from Kato's web site, not through dealers, so one may be available that way.
http://www.katousa.com
I have one Kato Kobo sound-equipped engine and don't think the sound is anywhere near as good as that of a BLI BlueLine engine.
One of our clubmembers recently acquired one of Broadway's Pennsy SD9s. It is a beautiful unit and runs very well, and I'm not a Pennsy fan......
Rockdawg, I have some Blue Line engines and I do like them, but there is a problem! Unless your step farther is advances when it comes to the electronic I would stay away from Blue Line. I am guessing you step dad is using DCC, Blue Line come with a DC Sound Decoder. You have to add a DCC Decoder for it to run on DCC. Problem is getting the 2 Decoders to talk with each other, it can be done but you have to know what you are doing.
I would try to find a Kato with sound, it only uses one decoder.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Hi!
I've got 5 BLI Paragon ATSF locos (2-10-4, 2-10-2, 4-8-4 , 2-8-2, and an RSD-15). I run them on DC, but got them (with the decoders) as I look to move to DCC. These are beautifully detailed locos (except the ATSF light Mike has no ATSF side number boards), and great runners. Having sound - which is awesome to me - they have a high start voltage as compared to non-sound locos.
However, the RSD was "silent" when I bought it, and sent it to BLI and they sent it back in 5 weeks reporting that the original sound unit was never installed. Of course they fixed that. Unfortunately, I have read other posts on this forum that indicated others had similar problems as well. The good news is that BLI always stood by their product and took care of the problem. In short, they have really good customer service but are lacking in quality control somewhat. Obviously they are aware of that and I am hopeful it will be addressed.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44In short, they have really good customer service but are lacking in quality control somewhat.
In short, they have really good customer service but are lacking in quality control somewhat.
I've had similar experiences with Kato, Athearn, Bachmann, Atlas, and several other brands on the quality control issue. I have an Atlas Master DCC/Sound equipped engine back to them right now because the road name was missing from one side of the engine. All of the companies seem to be having QC problems because they aren't checking every item they receive before shipping them out.
We have been happy with BLI, and have found decent prices at 1stplacehobbies.com. You might be running out of time for Christmas unless you shop locally.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
It's normal QC practice in most industries to 'spot check'for product defiticientcies - how may, or what percentage, is a costly procedure and up to the the builder to bear - except when there are 'known' problems affecting sales.-
Therefor 5% is not an uncommon ceiling, and 100% is impractical.....
It boils down to the cost of doing business... Man, (especially minimum. wage types), is not perfect - nor are their efforts..
WE. of course, are the exception..
Cacole. I was on FDT'S web site this morning & noticed they will install the dcc decoder for You ,additional fee of course. This would proaboly be the best way for You to go , Rockdawg,but like Sue mentioned, might be too late for Christmas delivery. Good luck.........
<>I'd like to be able to answer your question, but I can't because I don't own any BLI, nor their partner company PCM (Precision Craft Models)...and it's not by choice that I don't own them.
I'm a big Southern Railway fan and 3 years ago when BLI announced two numbers for Southern SD40-2's, I put them on order at the local hobby shop. PCM announced two numbers for Southern SW1500's. I ordered those as well. After 3 or 4 producton reschedulings I have changed my mind about the SW1500's. I will still probably get the SD40-2's "IF" they are ever produced, but I'm no longer holding my breath. Latest speculation is next spring, however BLI doesn't even have any pre-production photos on their site for the SD40-2's. They do have computer graphic representations of what the SW1500's are supposed to look like, but I'm skeptical.
<>The big problem is... Athearn beat them to the punch on both models. Athearn has already released not 2 but 3 road numbers for Southern SD40-2's, and I already have those. And they're supposed to have 3 numbers of SW1500's coming out early next year. I have two of those three numbers on order, and might buy the third if the notion strikes me, but I already have 3 Atlas MP15DC's, and don't really plan to have all that many yard engines. I would like to have several more SD40's and SD40-2's, since they were the main locomotives Southern used in road service, and second only to the GP38's they used for pretty much everything. So I will still take the BLI models if they ever come out, but I told my local hobby shop to take me off the list for the PCM models.
<>If they ever come out, perhaps I'll be able to answer a question like this.
Yes! I have a BLI loco and it's the best one I have. I'd definetly buy one again.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
You are so right on the business limitations placed upon quality control. You just can't be sure every piece is OK unless you check every piece. That is a very logical, business oriented statement, assuming you are an importer or buyer the finished product from another company. I suggest that BLI and many others in the business are in that situation.
However, if you own the plant - and the manufacturing process - and responsibility for quality control was assigned to the various work areas (chassis, paint, sound, motor, etc), then that would go a long way in giving you a quality product.
I recall studying how the Lionel factory of the '50s maintained their quality control, which was considered a model for small manufacturing plants. Each loco, car, track, accessory, or what have you was personally checked before it went out the door. This of course added cost to the product, but the number of serious defects were minimal. Oh, one more thing that added to this was something called "pride", for the average Lionel worker of the '50s was proud of where they worked, what they did, and what they produced. What a novel idea that is!!!
After a nice E-7 with sound release, N scalers have pretty much given them, and their counterpart Precision Craft Trains, up for dead. They have produced little other than glossy ads in recent years, full of promised deliveries, yet with precious little follow up with actual product.
Their HO stuff is very nice, from what I've seen, but their business model doesn't seem to be geared toward long term success...
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
I understand what some of you said about a few bad things getting thru because you cant check every item,but what about when EVERY single BlueLine Big Boy #4017 comes from the factory with the 17 BACKWARDS. Yes backwards, not 71 instead of 17 but the numbers are turned around. Thats a little obvious, even to Chinese workers?! Im not sure how many of each road number they made,but that is alot of locos. I've posted in other threads how much trouble I had with my BlueLine Big Boy, and now after returning it (30+days gone) I think its acting up again. To be fair, Broadway Limiteds customer service people are nice and they do try to overcome your (and their) problems. Its a shame that the BlueLines are giving them so much trouble, because everyone I've heard from says the other lines of locs they make are awesome.
There really is no excuse for obvious errors that affect every unit in a given production. We have seen a few of these in recent years (i.e. Rapido's "Central Illinois" graphics, etc.), and they can only be attributed to offshore manufacturers unfamiliar with what they are building, and importers who do not use hands on approval BEFORE the items are shipped to them. Sadly, this is a sign of the times - and the MR industry is not the only one suffering with it.
However, the good news is that the really good sellers stand by their product and make things right. Rapido is certainly doing this in their recent graphics errors, and BLI from my personal experience is doing the same. And of course I can't forget how the wonderful folks at Walthers handled the GP wheelsets that so easily twisted apart. One phone call and all the replacement wheelsets I needed were on the way to me (easy fix on my part).
As I wrote earlier, I have 5 BLI Paragon locos, and they are really nice. My only gripe is that I bought the 3 ATSF steamers (2-10-2, 2-10-4, 4-8-4) early on at discounted prices of about $290 each, only to have BLI do a "fire sale" of them the following year for much less money. Normally you could sell these types of locos on Ebay for pretty much what you paid for them, but now you are lucky to get $200.
Oh well, even at $290 these are nice locos, and I am very glad I have them!
I own 1 BLI C&O T-1 and 1 Blueline (BLI) C&O T-1
BLI doesn't have the details of Proto 2K, but they are very solidly built, and have excellent "heft" to them. This is great for pulling a lot of cars up a grade. They are easy to take apart, and maintain. (Lubing the main drive gear is usually a piece of cake.) They track very well. They also have excellent sound systems built right in!
The trade off is you have to pay more than a Bachmann Spectrum. And you don't get the detail of a Proto 2K.
However neither BLI (or BLI-Blueline) runs well on 12V DC systems. PCM will have similar problems. I recommend at least 16V if you plan on running DC with them.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
bladeslinger PCM announced two numbers for Southern SW1500's. I ordered those as well. After 3 or 4 producton reschedulings I have changed my mind about the SW1500's...They do have computer graphic representations of what the SW1500's are supposed to look like, but I'm skeptical.
PCM announced two numbers for Southern SW1500's. I ordered those as well. After 3 or 4 producton reschedulings I have changed my mind about the SW1500's...They do have computer graphic representations of what the SW1500's are supposed to look like, but I'm skeptical.
Did you ever get those SW1500s? I'm considering purchasing one.
Modeler of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Bethlehem PA, 1971 and railfan of Norfolk Southern's Lehigh and Reading Lines of the modern day.
http://hohobbyist.weebly.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIYnPo26Y8nsXyKhtpvSWwA
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"When railroading time comes you can railroad...but not before."
- Robert A. Heinlein
FWIW: You dredged up a 10-1/2 year old thread and asked a question from a specific forum member who hasn't posted on here in nearly 8-1/2 years. The chances of him reading it - let alone answering it - are pretty nil.
Just didn't want you to get your hopes up...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
HO HobbyistDid you ever get those SW1500s? I'm considering purchasing one.
You can start a new thread, it's free.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
He all ready has a thread on the BLI SW1500. Kids now days.. ( joking son, just joking, don't get your rails twisted )
Mike.
My You Tube
Quick question:
I have a BLI DCC 2-8-2 SF Mikado that runs great foward and back ward and the headlights work, but seems to slipp a bit when i had it pull a 29 car train around the modular layout. If a BLI DCC SW7 EMD Demo is behind, will that help the steamer pull a freight train that long?
My ATHG SF F3's in the Blue/Yellow "Cigar Band" scheme handle it no problem.
Jusk asking, maybe someone has experienced this issue.
ATSFGuyI have a BLI DCC 2-8-2 SF Mikado that runs great foward and back ward and the headlights work, but seems to slipp a bit when i had it pull a 29 car train around the modular layout. If a BLI DCC SW7 EMD Demo is behind, will that help the steamer pull a freight train that long?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Thanks, I'll see if I can find a BLI DCC SW7 in EMD's Demo Scheme to go with my steamer. Once I find it, I'll make sure both are at the same speeds.