jbinkley60 wrote: I broke down and bought 2 SD40-2s from Factory Direct for $119 ea. I'd prefer to get them from my LHS but they get no markup at these prices. I also picked up 2 DN143IP decoders. I already have 2 BLI SD40-2s with the original chipset. I'll compare the Bluelines with them, once the Bluelines arrive.
I broke down and bought 2 SD40-2s from Factory Direct for $119 ea. I'd prefer to get them from my LHS but they get no markup at these prices. I also picked up 2 DN143IP decoders. I already have 2 BLI SD40-2s with the original chipset. I'll compare the Bluelines with them, once the Bluelines arrive.
I am most interested in the outcome of your comparison. Blueline vs QSI. Pulling power, slow speed performance and sound quality.
I too prefer to get my items from the Hobby Shop, they keep the hobby strong where I am. But the subject of the markup is a topic not really open to discussion anymore. It just makes everyone upset.
MilwaukeeRoad wrote:What decoder would be a good one to put in the engine?
The BLI manual lists:
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Will these all let me to control the sound?
NOTE- dumb question.
MilwaukeeRoad wrote: Will these all let me to control the sound?NOTE- dumb question.
This is a dual decoder arrangement. Here's the Blueline manual.
http://www.broadway-limited.com/support/BlueLineDieselManual.pdf
Could you explain a dual decoder arrangment.. My computer isn't letting me view it because I don't have Adobe or something.
Sorry for the troubles.
MilwaukeeRoad wrote: Could you explain a dual decoder arrangment.. My computer isn't letting me view it because I don't have Adobe or something.Sorry for the troubles.
A dual decoder means you have two decoders with the same address. One controls the motor and lights (this is he one you install yourself) and the other controls the sound (this is the one that comes with the locomotive.) So, yes, you have control over the sound. I'll see how easy this is to program. Mine should arrive tomorrow and hopefully I'll have some time over the weekend to test one.
So does anyone here have a Blueline they have converted to DCC ? If so I assume the function keys still work for the horn, lights, bell etc ? I see that some of the delaers now have them in stock across many roadnames. From the pictures it looks like a Digitrax DN143IP is a drop in decoder. Anyone know for sure ?
I read on the Atlas Forum BLI recommends a N gauge decoder.
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38657
I guess there are some other issues, too.
I THINK THE ABOVE POST GOT MESSED WITH (SOMEHOW). I'VE TRYED TO RECREATE THE ORIGINAL, BUT I DOUBT IF I CAN PUT IT BACK ON PAGE 2.
I PREDICT THAT BLUELINE AND IT'S BUDDY THE "DC ***" IS GOING TO MUCK UP THE WORKS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BEFORE BLI FINALLY GOES BELLY UP. YOU WATCH.
IMHO,
I don't much care for the Blueline logic.
You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.
I use Adobe 5 from one of my game disks to keep it just with a reader, none of that fancy internet version 8 or 9 stuff that I find distracting.
Version 5 http://www.oldversion.com/download.php?idlong=f49c06c56d7dd18c1fad93da6b74a0be
Old Versions Website http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=acrobat
Now.. the video is up on the MR website under product reviews of the engine. My ears are not the best but didnt that horn sound like something out of a toy factory? Real engines shake the ground when they hoot.
I did like the apparent good detail work on the engine...
My Blueline SD40-2s arrived yesterday. Here are a couple of pictures:
The tooling looks almost identical to the original SD40-2 Quantum series units. I noticed, after the pictures were taken, that the front handrail on 1649 got bent in shipping. A drop of CA fixed it nicely.
Here's a picture of an original Quantum Series BLI:
Some better lighting might have helped on these pictures. I weighed both units and the Blue line was .4 oz lighter than the original. I suspect giving up some weight for the sound system but pulling power should be very similar.
I don't know if it's the engine or BLI's recording, but ...
when the horn blows, the engine's (sounds) cut out.
(the horn sounds louder - because there is no competition?).
The FEC paint job is horrible. The blue on the lettering is too light, it looks like a digital pic that was taken with a flash as the lettering is reflective. It is much darker when viewed.
The numbers on the side of the cab don't even match each other plus the numbers on the number boards are a different font than the FEC uses.
I was interested in buying one or two until I saw the lettering, now I'll pass.
Richard looking at MP 242 while working for the FEC
davidmbedard wrote: fire5506 wrote: The FEC paint job is horrible. The blue on the lettering is too light, it looks like a digital pic that was taken with a flash as the lettering is reflective. It is much darker when viewed. The numbers on the side of the cab don't even match each other plus the numbers on the number boards are a different font than the FEC uses. I was interested in buying one or two until I saw the lettering, now I'll pass. Richard looking at MP 242 while working for the FEC Have you tried painting your own units? David B
fire5506 wrote: The FEC paint job is horrible. The blue on the lettering is too light, it looks like a digital pic that was taken with a flash as the lettering is reflective. It is much darker when viewed. The numbers on the side of the cab don't even match each other plus the numbers on the number boards are a different font than the FEC uses. I was interested in buying one or two until I saw the lettering, now I'll pass. Richard looking at MP 242 while working for the FEC
Have you tried painting your own units?
David B
Well, that's pretty funny, considering FEC NEVER had SD40-2's
Snagletooth,
Where have you been for the past six or seven years?
Units 701-720 are all ex-UP SD40-2s, #714 is an ex-CNW SD40-2. They were aquired two at a time from a go-between leasing company begining in either 2000 or 2001. Believe me, when they started pounding the rails here in South Florida, every railfan around took notice.
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/