There always seems to be a lot of bad press about BLI but let me just say this. I was watching "Great American Senic Railroads - Union Pacific" on Youtube on Sunday night - beer in hand So I caved in and ordered a black smoke deflector Challenger from Trainworld and here I am 3000 miles from Brooklyn, in England, on Thursday night with the locomotive fully shaken down. Works just fine and blistering shipping time. I'm delighted and with one exception all my BLI locomotives have worked perfectly. Just sayin'
It is always good to hear positive reviews from satisfied people.
Thank you for sharing.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
That's great. I have one also and it's been a pleasure thus far.
I have four of the early BLI Mikados, and they've all been trouble-free since I first got them.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
I've always been a good supporter of Broadway Limited from the very first NYC Hudson (model 001) and the GG1 to their latest streamlined K4 and P5a.
At last count I have around 80 BLI engines and I've never had any problems until maybe the past two years (at the onset of the Paragon3 decoder).
Dispite the recent rash of troubles I've had, they were always supportive and willing to work with me to correct a problem. All 3 of my P5a engines had to have the motors and decoders replaced. They sent the parts, I did the work (fifteen-minute job).
Some of the models they produce would have never seen the light of day from some of the other manufacturers, such as the Baldwin Centipedes or streamlined NYC Hudson.
I hope they have more good "stuff" on the drawing boards for the future.
PRR_3768 by Edmund, on Flickr
PRR_GG6 by Edmund, on Flickr
PRR_I1x4a by Edmund, on Flickr
I've made several purchases from TrainWorld and have no issues with them. Any time I preorder something they will call me at home when the product is in just to be sure I still want the item. Good business.
Regards, Ed
A lot of the BLI problem engines are one engine type but if that is the first or second engine of theirs that you buy, then to you the have issues. It is not like other brands have not had their issues, Bachmann has had lots of lemons but that is my go to brand for cheap DCC and sound engines.
I am disappointed in the apparent problems with some of the P3 issue, but fortunately, I have not purchased a BLI since about 2015 when they delivered my 4-12-2, a brass hybrid. I feel very fortunate to have joined the hobby in early 2005 when BLI was about three or four years in business and getting rave reviews. Their product, until very recently, has been excellent. I think Tom might have a comment about his Mohawk, or was that an MTH...I forget now.
One thing I will say on their behalf: they have been most accomodating to me. I sent in a Niagara that wouldn't work when I reassembled the tender. They replace the fried decoder, and pointed out that I had replaced an axle reversed. IOW, my error. No charge, except for my shipping costs. Not too shabby, if you ask me.
I dropped my prized PCM Y6b. They repaired it, again for the cost of shipping, and it came to $40 for parts and repair on their end, and it came back for that amount. I'd say that's pretty good, because I would have had to replace the model for about ten times that.