BLI AC6000CW feedback ?

[jbinkley60]

Does anyone have a sound equipped BLI AC6000CW unit they can comment on ?  I am looking at the 690, in SP roadname.  They are due in around Dec 1. 

 

[ngartshore350]

Hi jbinkley60

I bought a couple of UP AC6000's about 6 months ago, they run pretty well on DC!

Regards,

Nigel

[Nataraj]

I was going to get a SP version before I switched to N scale........ heard they are pretty good.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion there not worth the price. They run well but they have crude over sized details and they don't sound all that great. As for getting an SP version I think you aught to know that there never was one. It was ordered before the UP bought SP and was deliveed to the UP after the buy out in UP colors.

[jbinkley60]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[ripvanwnkl]

My teenage grandson and I have SP AC6000CW road #600 from the original run.  It's one of our favorite locos for sound, looks, and running ability.   Sound was weak and distorted when we rec'd it.  BLI quickly acknowledged problem was speakers wired out of phase at factory.  They offered to repair and also gave detailed written instructions on how to switch wires (required some minimal soldering and I'm no expert).  I fixed it with no problems and it has sounded fine ever since.  In fact, its reverberating horn is our favorite among our 9 sound-equipped diesel locos.  Admittedly, we're not rivet-counters, we just love to run trains, prototypical or not, using EZ Command and EZ track.   

[zgardner18]

I had one ordered in UP but I have made up my mind that I am going to model Montana and UP only goes up to the Butte area but doesn't interchange with BNSF or MRL (What I am modeling).  The only way that I could was to make my layout factitious and have UP run all the way to the Canandian boarder.  So I canceled my order and used the money to buy a Tower 55 BNSF GEVO.  I really don't regret the discission.  I did really want that engine though.

[AntonioFP45]

My LHS's owner put demonstrated one for me and several of the regulars.

IMHO, the sound was very crisp and dynamic, though loud out of the box.  The sounds themselves were accurate.  No mistaking that it's a big GE!   

The horn's reverb was impressive.  Don't hold me to it, but it sounds like a Canadian tuned Nathan K series horn (they differ slightly in octave compared to American tuned versions).  Cool sounding either way.

As I've stated so often before, a lot of us modeler railroaders over 40 fantasized about having sound equipped HO units "back in the day".  Seemed like an impossible dream.   Here we are today. 

Overall it is a good looking locomotive.  It's not as highly detailed as an Atlas unit, however, those extra details can be easily added.     

I model the 1960s thru early 70s, but if I were modeling today's era I certainly would consider getting one. 

[Anonymous]

I have one. It sounds good. I think the horn is one of the best sounding I have heard. It pulls well and runs quiet (except for the sound of course). I do have a few complaints though, it runs jerkily, disabling DC conversion helped but it still jerks while running light. When its pulling cars it smoothes out though. Also the bottom mounted speakers will pick up any little bits of metal on the track and you will have to tear down the loco and clean the little metal bits off every now and then. If you dont clean the speakers the sound gets distorted. Also if you pick up something big like a spike or track nail it will sound awful until you take it apart and get the nail out. Because of this I made a magnet car which I push around every now and then. It picks up the metal instead of the speakers. Also if you are taking it to a layout you have never run on before bring your magnet car and push it in front just to be safe.

Overall its a nice engine and you wont be disappointed by it.

[Anonymous]

I put a peace of one kleanex in between the fuletank and speekers and it has solved my problems of distortion.