FeedBack Report requested from owners of the BLI E7s and the new Athearn SD45T-2

[AntonioFP45]

Hi guys,

As you guessed I'm considering getting these units.

Though I model SCL, SP Tunnel Motors sneaked into Florida occasionally in the late 70s pulling long haul freights coupled to SCL units .

To those of you that run them, how do they perform for you? (low speed control, growling, etc.) Any mechanical glitches?

SD45T-2----------:


BLI -E7 -------------

Thanks!

[simon1966]

I have a Wabash BLI E7, so far so good, but I have not had it very long. Runs well at slow speeds, sounds great, is well painted (I think the Proto 2K E7 is finer detailed and looks a little better and will be putting Soundtraxx in one of these next). But with e-bay prices dropping for these a decent sound equipped E7 for a little over $100 is hard to pass up!!

[Anonymous]

I have the SSW 45T-2, it is a nice looking unit, save for the sparse pilot details, and hyper-thick paint. Running-wise, it is noisier than the SD50's, more like the old BlueBox motors (maybe needs some more break-in). The front and rear pilots plows are way too low and will drag on my layout on inclines and declines (2% grade).

[LuthierTom]

I have a BLI E7 (undec, painted and marked as one of the ACL units N&W leased in 1958) and have been quite happy with it. The Mars light is especially nice.

[SpaceMouse]

I have a BLI E7, but have not had much chance to run it. It is my first "serious" locomotive and I have a fondness for that reason. I got to take it out for a 30 minute run. I had 7 passneger cars and it pulled them with ease. There was even a point where everyone wanted to leave and I was halfway around the track. To get it done I opened it up about and highballed it. It ran smooth and pulled the cars like they weren't there.

I noticed that both my BLI tend to jump track where there are problems. The layout I running is a little rough because of reconstruction, so all trains might be having problems. I just don't like it when my trains derail.

[AntonioFP45]

O.K,

According to Eclou it seems like the SD45T-2 is a "Growler". I am a little surprised. If it's at P2K levels than I think I could tolerate it. I'm assuming it's the truck gears. Perhaps the tooth polish method might quiet it more.

It is a little perplexing to be paying almost $100 for a locomotie that "growls".

As for the BLI E7 it sounds like a good unit. I heard one at my LHS and was most impressed.

Thanks for the input guys, hopefully more will chime in![:D][8D][tup]