BLI C30-7: Demo at hobby shop.......

[csxns]

I have two CSX BLI C30-7's the no sound ones and on one the rear truck was missing all of the brake cylinders and the rod that connects to the cylinders and the step and the walkway on the front of one fell off .They run ok but jerks a little one was derailing on curves but i cut a little off the inside of the steps and it stoped overall they are great units.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alstom

...I am wanting an EMD SD40-2 and a GE AC6000. The reason is because these are the most common on CSX...

Same here. And the C30-7...got to have power for my ballast trains!

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

QUOTE: Originally posted by peterjenkinson1956

alstom...you mention the ac6000..any good ...any posative / neg comments yet.. let me know..i would like to get a couple...thanks peter

As far as I know the AC6000CWs aren't out yet. I won't be getting one though, they FORGOT the dynamic brake grids!

Say what?!?!?!

[:O]

[alstom]

QUOTE: Originally posted by peterjenkinson1956

alstom...you mention the ac6000..any good ...any posative / neg comments yet.. let me know..i would like to get a couple...thanks peter

Sorry Peterjenkinson1956 that I didn't get back to you yet, I just haven't read this forum until just now. Yes, BLI has released the AC6000 "demo series" is what somebody told me, but I'm not sure if they officially released the AC6000. Sorry I'm not much help.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Went to Happy Hobo Trains and heard her before I saw her. Kevin had a brand new unit sitting on the test track idling! SCL/L&N gray, yellow, and red paint scheme. Customers walking in the store immedietly gravitated towards her as Kevin ran her back and forth. Now that's good, A+ marketing! (Why don't more model railroad store managers put test tracks on their countertops?)

Body detail:
IMHO, good! "See-Thru" grills are a very nice touch! Overall, closer to P2K standards than previous locos.

Sound: Clear and dynamic. Pure GE, as I remembered.

* Engine Idle-----Chugs just like the prototype FDL 16 series diesel.
* Throttle-up is "throaty".
* Air compressor kicks in after braking or after idling a while.
* Cooling fan sound kicks on and off automatically, just like the prototypes
when they get hot.
* Air pop off.
* Horn has a very impressive reverb! (Not sure, but sounds like a Nathan M5)

Just my humble opinion, but this unit is impressive! I know there was a lot of flack about the BLI SD40-2, but this locomotive, overall, looks like it's going to be a winner.

[:D][;)]

If yu go to the Broadway Limited web page, they now have a sound byte available to hear the C30-7 GE unit.

Sounds very good, much like the Atlas GE, but the horn is slightly changed.

I bet it is better to hear and see it up close.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409
We don't carry that in the shop I work at, HO doesn't sell too much.

..............................WHAT!?

[TrainFreak409]

Must have been nice to see HO with sound. We don't carry that in the shop I work at, HO doesn't sell too much.

[Anonymous]

Know your customer rule has to apply. Not just any walk-ins.
I want to sell off my BLI-GG1 inventory. What's a better way to make a potential sale?

It's a big plus versus the mail order/internet firms and that one potential way of beating your competition.

[Anonymous]

Oh roight. Here we go.

Just how much product is mangled and rendered inoperative by a well meaning but hammy fisted and even worse coordination?

I have seen people with the meatiest hands with sausage fingers deftly handle the tinest part that I would have trouble even holding much less placing it onto a model.

Physical capabilities aside, is this more of a emotional problem? The way a child breaks a toy and destroys it trying to fix it?

I am not sure if a factory is willing to write off 2% of a limited production run in such "Demos"

Having said that, I recall years ago working for a dealership and pushing some of the more capable sports cars (Demos) to the limits of traction in all 4 regimes (Braking, horsepower, torque and cornering) when no one was looking. I kind of wonder if those cars ever got sold to the public. Be something else if a new set of brake pads were required before 10,000 miles.

[AntonioFP45]

"Loan out"?

Seems like that would be risking it, but just my opinion. With a long test track or even a store built layout, a modeler could get a thorough, realistic demonstration.

Last year, I saw a gentleman at my LHS that returned a P2K E unit. Though brand new, this poor loco had been "mutilated" by the customer in trying to take her apart. What a brute! Was he related to Fred Flintstone? Anyway, the store manager didn't argue with him and took the unit in. My friend, who was there, then bought the E unit at a greatly discounted price and fixed her good as new!

Most of us are careful, but let's face it..............some wanna-be-modelers have the finesse of a water buffalo! If I were an LHS owner; even with damage deposits, I would be apprehensive about loaning units out. I can imagine brand new BLI units coming back with Kentucky Fried Decoders!!............and the customer insisting
"YO! There was something wrong with that engine!"

And the poor *** behind the store counter wanting to tell him "Yes! You're right! It had something to do with the twisted-wack-job behind the throttle!..........."

[NZRMac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Thanks Ken.

Good to know they'll pull a respectable load.

Cheers!

Mind you where we lived there was a gravel driveway, ( layout was in the garage ) so mayby the track was already a bit gritty, therefore more grip[:D][:D][:I][:I]

Ken.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a good deal otherwise.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45
[br Now that's good, A+ marketing! (Why don't more model railroad store managers put test tracks on their countertops?)

[

AAA marketing would be if, LHS had a few demonstrators on hand to lend out, just like in the real world. That has to be a big positive to stimulate potential buyers.

In the real world, they are looking to sell 50 to 100 locomotives in one order and the one to one scale engine would not disappear for good if loaned out for demonstration.

Sounds like a good deal otherwise.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45
[br Now that's good, A+ marketing! (Why don't more model railroad store managers put test tracks on their countertops?)

[

AAA marketing would be if, LHS had a few demonstrators on hand to lend out, just like in the real world. That has to be a big positive to stimulate potential buyers.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by peterjenkinson1956

alstom...you mention the ac6000..any good ...any posative / neg comments yet.. let me know..i would like to get a couple...thanks peter

As far as I know the AC6000CWs aren't out yet. I won't be getting one though, they FORGOT the dynamic brake grids!

[peterjenkinson1956]

alstom...you mention the ac6000..any good ...any posative / neg comments yet.. let me know..i would like to get a couple...thanks peter

[alstom]

I've been wanting a BLI for quite some time now, but have only managed to come across one hobby shop selling them. I am wanting an EMD SD40-2 and a GE AC6000. The reason is because these are the most common on CSX.


CSX rules all.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.. Ill make my plans.

By the way nothing wrong with the 44 tonner! Jest needs to stand back when grades need climbing! he he.

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks Ken.

Good to know they'll pull a respectable load.

Cheers!

[NZRMac]

Antonio, you've just discribed my BLI SD40-2's!!! I know you have commented in the past on their detail, but I love 'em. I'd love to see the C30-7's. I've blowen my budget for awhile.

HighIron, if the C30-7 is like the SD40-2 it will pull everything I own up 2.5% grades, 24 hoppers, 2 tank cars, 2 ore cars, box car or two!!

That layout is firewood now. My new layout, if I pulled all those cars I could hook the loco on the back end of the train and make a circle.

Ken.

[AntonioFP45]

Hello HighIron,

I didn't get to see it pulling a load, but on my next visit I'll ask the manager if he'd put her on the store layout hauling a freight train.

BTW: One HO diesel hauling 15 cars up a 3% grade?

( [oX)] C'mon you gold bricking mule! What's the matter?!! Move it! Pull your load! Quit dragging like you fried a traction motor! A Tyco 44 ton switcher will embarass you! )

Hmmmmmmm....You like to make them earn their keep! [(-D][(-D][(-D]

Usually, though in modeling "selective compression" style, a 15 car freight train usually calls for a double or even triple header on the front.

High Greens!

[Anonymous]

Please tell me this engine runs like a kato? BLI steamers chain themselves to the rail and pull everything I own unless I leave a switch closed against the train.

I am not sure of BLI makes good hauling desiels. I am hoping one unit can haul 15 cars up a 3%

[AntonioFP45]

Went to Happy Hobo Trains and heard her before I saw her. Kevin had a brand new unit sitting on the test track idling! SCL/L&N gray, yellow, and red paint scheme. Customers walking in the store immedietly gravitated towards her as Kevin ran her back and forth. Now that's good, A+ marketing! (Why don't more model railroad store managers put test tracks on their countertops?)

Body detail:
IMHO, good! "See-Thru" grills are a very nice touch! Overall, closer to P2K standards than previous locos.

Sound: Clear and dynamic. Pure GE, as I remembered.

* Engine Idle-----Chugs just like the prototype FDL 16 series diesel.
* Throttle-up is "throaty".
* Air compressor kicks in after braking or after idling a while.
* Cooling fan sound kicks on and off automatically, just like the prototypes
when they get hot.
* Air pop off.
* Horn has a very impressive reverb! (Not sure, but sounds like a Nathan M5)

Just my humble opinion, but this unit is impressive! I know there was a lot of flack about the BLI SD40-2, but this locomotive, overall, looks like it's going to be a winner.

[:D][;)]