I got the need parts with in 5 days of talking with Larry! Now all I have to do is find time to take the Big Boy a part again.
Ken
I hate Rust
Belatedly, I just came across this thread.
I have to agree with Ken and Don about BLI Customer Service.
Twice, I have had to send steamers back for repairs. The service and the communication is great.
I was extremely pleased in both instances with the repairs.
Larry is the Man !
Rich
Alton Junction
I have a number of BLI locomotives and a few of their Blueline as well.
Most of their engines ran great right out of the box and out of a dozen I only had the need to send on engine back to BLI for repairs. On occasion I had to contact BLI to replace cosmetic parts of various engines that were damaged in transit and that could easily be repaired with the appropriate part. BLI has always complied with my requests and had the parts shipped to me in a timely manner.
The one engine that I had to send in for repairs ran great for about two years and then it would not react to any control movements. I was told to send in the engine and advised that turnaround time would be about six weeks, it was returned to me within four weeks and has run great ever since.
I for one will purchase additional steam engines from BLI should they build one that I would want for my layout. I too placed an order way back when for the GN S2.
In short, I can not complain about dealing with BLI's service department..
selector Ken, I have always admired you for your persistence with the M1 and your Y. BLI is good at remembering your own contribution to their business, it seems, and you are better for it. I know you love both the Y and the Big Boy, and why not! I hope they give you many years of service. Crandell
Ken, I have always admired you for your persistence with the M1 and your Y. BLI is good at remembering your own contribution to their business, it seems, and you are better for it.
I know you love both the Y and the Big Boy, and why not! I hope they give you many years of service.
Crandell
Far as the Big Boy, I love to hate it! When it runs right it looks and sounds Great! But that does not happen a lot.
I had to take apart both the M1 A and Big Boy with in a week of getting them.
Now as far as the Y b? If you own one, you will understand!
Pete, only thing I wonder about is how long it will take them to ship? Larry told me it would take two to weeks to ship? Seems they need help in the shipping department? But it has waited for a year for repairs, whats another 3 weeks?
That is great Ken.
BLI service has been very good to me also. When I had a broken idler gear on my J1 they sent me 2 sets of gears next day air so it could be repaired in time for a show for free. My PCM I1sa had a pinched wire from the rear truck. All I wanted was the wire and connector for the decoder. They sent me 2 new trucks with wires and connectors. They are very friendly and knowledgeable when questioned. They always answer E-mails and also peruse the same forums as I.
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!
Called BLI today and spoke with Larry. My PCM Big Boy has been on the RIP track for all most a year. It would short out anytime I went around a turn or through a turnout. I messed with it 2 to 3 times in that year and finally pined it down to the trailing truck. When the trailing truck was not railed, it would not short out!
Larry did not think it was the problem and we hashed over a few ideas. Seems I am missing a washer that goes on the rear mounting point of the rear drive engine. (more than likely I have it on the front drive engine. I called last year but the person I spoke with did not know much about Big Boy's) He did send me a diagram but it did nor show the washer?
Larry is sending me a new trailing truck, spring, mounting screw's (I lost 1, it must be with the 100 or so Kadee Coupler Springs) and missing Brass Spacer for free!
Reason for free you ask? Because they are using a repair idea I sent them for fixing PCM Y6-b's! I sent them my Y6-b a few years ago and they could not repair it. It was all so shorting out around turns. They offered me a trade for mine, but no Y6-b's in stock.
I got her running again, now has around 800 + run time.
The problem
Mounting point wore down causing the wheels to hit the boiler.
The Fix
I used Kadee Washers, they are using plastic or brass washers. Raised the boiler off the wheels and still run great.
Cuda Ken