Broadway Limited Paragon vs Powerhouse? Differences?

[Trainman440]

Hi all,

I recently landed on a BLI USRA 2-8-2 Heavy Mike powerhouse edition. What's the difference between that, and a paragon model? Was the USRA Heavy mike the only powerhouse model ever made?

The only difference I've noticed is that this is the slightest bit less detail(compared to my paragon light mike), and the drivers/rods are undarkened whereas the paragon model's were darkened. 

Is that it?

They seem to have the same tender assembly and awful sounding QSI sound decoder.

Thanks!

Charles

[rrinker]

 Seems like that was the only one, though there are reports of some of the stock cars with sounds being labeled "Powerhouse" as well. Seems just less detail, otherwise same as a Paragon. They sold for a lower price.

 Turn the volume down, it will sound better. They usually come set to max volume which just causes distortion. Toy Train mentality I guess. Unfortunately it's probably going to be hard to find the upgrade chip for the QSI decoder to give better motor coontrol. At least the QSI decoders are far more reliable than the Paragon II and III ones.

                                --Randy

 

[Trainman440]

Yea, I already fixed the speaker issue but turning it down to 80% and adding electrical tape around the sides of the tender shell and where it touches the chassis to remove the vibrating. Also, I've since replaced it with a TCS WOWsound decoder.

Thanks!

Charles