Has anybody tried out these new HO switchers "exclusively" from Factory Direct Hobbies? https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/ho-plymouth-w-series-35-ton-switcher-fdh-exclusive-by-bli
Dave
USAF (Retired)
Dave, I don't own one of these. Walthers offered a 4 wheel Plymouth (not sure they still make them). The interesting part about the Walthers Plymouth is that it had a keep alive decoder. I know this BLI has more wheels, but if your layout has a lot of switches, I would check to see what type of decoder is in there and check if it is a keep-alive. I could not see from the ad if it was the case.
Simon
I was considering getting the GN one, but I opted for a blue version from walthers. Why you ask? The walthers version is, well, how do I put this... it's more... cuter.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Dave:
I ordered the BLI 35ton Plymouth, just out. Mine came today. I don't see any reference to a keep alive device in the owners manual and testing so far indicates this was not included. I just got off the phone with tech support at NCE (it has their decoder) and they suggested I check the decoder as it may have the necessary tabs to attach their version of "keep alive". Then next step would be seeing if their keep alive would fit...the cab may have just enough space.
I have not found that any 4 or six axle locos I have need keep alive but these tiny units with pickup on 4 drivers really should have it. Since this unit has traction tires on the middle axle, this may add to the stalling problem.
I would like to hear from others who have ordered the new BLI 35 tonner.
I also have a BLI Trackmobile from the first run, about 2007 and mine runs without any stalling...and of course pickup on just 4 wheels.
john
I looked at these quite a while ago and found a youtube video of them stalling on an Atlas crossing (not crossover) I don't have time to search for that video.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Here is a working link to Factory Direct Hobbies:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/ho-plymouth-w-series-35-ton-switcher-fdh-exclusive-by-bli
I just ordered one of the yellow weathered unlettered units. Shipping to Canada is not cheap.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!