I have somewhat similar posts, but I want see if others have had the quality issues I have.
I have now had five BLI Steam engines: Paragon 2 Mikado (2011), Paragon 2 Reading T1, Paragon 2 Unlettered T1, Paragon 2 Hudson, and an older Paragon Hudson.
Every one of the Paragon 2 locos has jerked sometimes violently enough to shake the 20 cars behind it. Every one of them also grinds in reverse to the point that it nearly overpowers the DCC sound. The brand new Mikado I just received does a little of the same. Slightly better this time, but still a slight hint of jerky (I guess I’ll tolerate it).
Except for the tolerable Mikado, I have returned every Paragon 2 at least once for service, a couple have gone back twice, and 2 have never been adequately repaired where thankfully, I received a refund. In the meantime, you could spend up to 6 months with no product depending on how many times you have to return it because it takes 12 weeks for the first repair job. I have read the posts where people tend to defend the manufacturer and then go on to talk about how they had to fix the problem themselves by tweaking springs for the drivers, filing down bearings, etc.
The old Paragon Hudson I have exhibits none of these problems. What is wrong with the paragon 2 series? Is it the a new manufacturer (e.g. China)? Is it the proprietary DCC circuit?
To me, with a 0% success rate on Paragon 2, these products appear to be garbage. Are others experienceing this too?
Strezzy
I have had no such problems with any BLI Paragon 2 locomotives. My only problem with one has been a burned out ditch light bulb on an ES4400AC diesel engine, and I'm not going to attempt opening it up to change the bulb after all the problems I ran into trying to access the bulbs in an older Blue Line engine.
I've had BLI Paragon 2 Brass Hybrid Hudson and it was the best looking model I've ever had. Detailed, very good cosmetic quality. Unfortunately, it did not run smoothly at low speed, and there was some other issue I don't remember now - but it ruined the whole experience. I sent it to BLI for repair, and they swapped out the drive train chassis, it came back to me - and basically same hesitation at low speed. Someone on Youtube had same exact problem, you can look it up. Meanwhile, everyone and their mom on this board was putting down MTH for their toy like tender distance, limited DCC, support of their DCS system etc etc. I bought MTH Hudson and never looked back. I take it back, I looked back when I sold my BLI Hudson on eBay :)
I later modified MTH drawbar and tender for short gap. It was hard, delicate work (I managed to modify drawbar without disconnecting it from the engine) - but it was well worth it and MTH model looks awesome.
I should have clarified that this is an issue with the STEAM locomotives.
I agree on MTH - I have their Berkshire and the thing is quite a looker and runs perfectly - AT ALL SPEEDS. I don't give them high marks for DCC configuration, but I will live with that and the extra cost. For those who complain about the drawbar distance, I would consider the lurching more toy-like than that!! What good is a locomtive that never resides in your collection because it is constantly in the shop for repairs!
I've had exactly ONE (1) BLI steamer and I'll never buy another one even if it's on sale for $30. The ONLY steam loco I've had that ran worse is a Bachmann 0-6-0 that I gutted and made into a rusty steamer display. I gave the BLI away and I seem to remember the new owner made it into a dummy.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I also agree on the MTH. I have an MTH Challenger, and 3 SD70Aces, and all of them run perfectly.
Now that MTH is offering the DCC flash upgrade, to get all the functionality of a traditional decoder. Those arguments about MTH not being fully DCC featured should be a thing of the past.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I actually bought quite a few BLI's when the locos first came out--mainly because I thought the sound was 'cool--but, I've gradually sold most of them off. Not because of running problems (they all ran very well), but of dual-mode incompatability with my other DC steamers. So far, all I've kept for running on the layout is my SP AC-5, which I was able to program down to about 5 volts DC starting capacity, and my E-6 A-B-B COSF set. I've still got a couple of Pennsy M-1a's and a Santa Fe 4-8-4, but they're pretty much stored away. They run very well, though, when I unbox them. But being strictly DC, as I said, they're not much good in tandem with my other DC locos.
I've heard a lot of complaints about the quality control of newer BLI's. I'm wondering if a lot of it has to do with changing their manufacturer from Korea (mine are mostly all Korean) to China.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
For a while BLI had quite a varied selection of steamers in their Refurbhished Deals section on their website. Not these days. Either they have a new policy of fixing returns and sending them back to the customers, or they aren't having to fix much these days and post them for quick reduction sales in their Refurbished Deals.
BLI makes runs in the 2000 loco range, and I have seen a number of complaints. However, they are few, and they are always resolved. I have begun to see more complaints about MTH, especially about their customer service. I can't say much about the other HO manufacturers, but I get the strong sense that everyone his having problems, even Atlas.
Strezzy, and yet you kept on buying them? Why?
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Lake Strezzy, and yet you kept on buying them? Why?
Good question! Hope, most of all.
But alas I have stopped. The Mikado was the last one.
I only have one steamer from BLI and it is my N&W Class J 611 and I have had no issues with that engine at all. Smooth slow running and great pulling. It also looks great. I cant complain. I have had this engine since 2006.
Massey
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
SMassey I only have one steamer from BLI and it is my N&W Class J 611 and I have had no issues with that engine at all. Smooth slow running and great pulling. It also looks great. I cant complain. I have had this engine since 2006. Massey
Old Paragon or Paragon 2? that seems to be the real issue - perhaps manufacturer related.
I love to hate BLI. While I have not had a Paragon II yet but I have had a few.
Blue Line UP GE AC 6000 Darn near caught fire. Ulrich Models exchanged it. (great company)
Blue Line UP GE AC 6000 Lost power pick up from rear truck. Said the heck with it and sold.
Blue Line CSX GE AC 6000 Good runner and sounded great till it sucked up a spike. RIP for now
Blue Line Santa Fe RSD 15 Great Engine!
Paragon Class J (first BLI) after 3 days took it back to LHS and He exchanged it
Paragon Class J Broke the day I got it home, fixed the nut that fell off. Lasted for some time till I sold it. I give it a 7 out of 10
Paragon M1 A Broke with in 2 days, cracked the center gear. There was not a speck of lube on the gear. BLI sent me the gear for free and I did the repair. It has broken another one and I fixed it my self.
Paragon Hudson, I had to work to get it to track, but I have never opened it. I give it a 8 as well.
Paragon Heavy Mike Sound just sucks so not much rail time. Wheels came out of quarter and sent it back to BLI. Now there is no power pick up from the tender, it is on my RIP Track and main remain there. I give a 4 when it was working.
PCM Big Boy Would not track out of the box due to the draw bar. I opened the engine with in 2 days of getting it. Fixed that problem. Then a bout a month later it ate a decoder so I sent it in, they said nothing wrong with it and sent it back. Installed a sound decoder and speaker kit from Ulrich Models and it sound great! Got about 60 hours out of it, now it shorts out going around a turn. I have a good idea what is wrong and will fix my self. On appearances, I would give it a 10, Running I give it a 8.
PCM Y6 b I give it a 15 out of 10, it is what ever Steam Engine should be. Did send it in one time, put all it was is the decoder came lose. Loksound 3.5 sound is great and slow speed is unreal! I finally wore it out after around 500 hours of heavy pulling. Started shorting out going around turns (reason I am sure I can fix the Big Boy). Sent it in and BLI could not fix it. Had them send it back and I fixed it my self. Has around 800 hours on it now and is starting to make some gear noise, but I sure cannot complain.
Now, what I have left out is how many tender wires, gear's, sockets, LED's and such they have sent me for free! But, from what I have heard steam engines to require a lot of TLC, So I have dealt with it.
I would give there QC a 3 and there serves department a 10.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Hi!
I've got 3 BLI steamers and 6 diesels - all HO with DCC and sound. They are my "best" locos, and I have well over 50 from various manufacturers.
That being said, one of the RSD-15s wouldn't produce any sound. I sent it back and it turns out the sound unit was just not installed at the factory! BLI took care of that, and while I was without the loco for 6 weeks, it is just fine now.
The thing is, these locos are really complicated and delicate pieces of work. Imagine being manufactured overseas, stuffed into a container, trucked to a ship, loaded on to the ship, and days later unloaded from the ship and reloaded to a railcar, travel across the country, get unloaded from the railcar and loaded onto a truck, driven to the warehouse, unloaded to storage, subsequently shipped to a distributor or a retailer - typically by truck, unpacked, and then repacked, put on a UPS truck, then on a UPS plane, then onto at least one other UPS truck, and dropped (hopefully not to hard) upon your doorstep.
Yikes, just the thought of that makes me wonder how any of them are OK !
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Mobilman, Wow, they do a lot of moving around.
I'm just plain worn out from all of that traveling.
First generation Paragon here. I have an SD40-2 that is also first gen Paragon and it runs great as well. It is a tad too loud for my layout in my little shed but it is a smooth runner.
I have a number of the older Blueline and Paragon series but only a couple of the new Paragon 2 series. I've only had one issue with an older Paragon Hudson. It had the slow speed issue you're referring to but I haven't bothered getting into the engine to see what the reason is yet. I can't say I've had any of the issues you or others refer to.
JimStrez,At my club, we've had similar problems with the new Paragon 2's. It started with the very first Paragon 2's, the AC6000's. It drove me nuts trying to find the problem and fix it. Well, I never really determined what the problem is, but the solution that worked was replacing the Digitrax booster.
The issues with the sudden stop of the Paragon 2's only happened in blocks powered by that certain booster. No other engines did it, and the Paragon 2's only did that in that booster section. I pulled it out and replaced it, and the problems went away. I sent the booster to Digitrax, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it.
All I can figure is that the new Paragon 2 decoders pull a lot more power than the old ones, especially with a smoke unit (which might explain why your Mikado was sort-of okay as it doesn't have smoke). I also have a new Paragon 2 Mikado, and I've used it on my home layout (just a Zephyr). I didn't have any problems with it there.
Meanwhile, my BLI Paragon 1 New Haven I-5 4-6-4 steam engine is the pride of my loco fleet. I was able to haul 14 heavyweight passenger cars around my club's layout with ease duing the last operation session.
Paul A. Cutler III
No, you are not alone, Jim. While I have greatly appreciated the NYC offerings from BLI over the years, I have been less than enamored by their "running" quality. I have five BLI locomotives - all steamers:
ONLY the first one - an original Paragon series locomotive - has never needed to be sent to the BLI back shop in Ormand Beach, FL for repair. The Mohawk, Hudsons, and Niagara all had slight binding issues with the drivers. Both of the Paragon2 Hudsons also had decoder/shorting issues during programming.
To give BLI credit, they have fixed each one of the locomotives the first time and never charged me a cent for the repairs. And they all run beautifully. The binding issues were fixed by shimming the slop out of the drivers. With the Brass-Hybrid, BLI completely replaced the unit. The decoder/shorting issues were related to the smoke unit, which has been manually turned off. I believe BLI replaced one of the Paragon2 decoders completely.
With that said, I would be hesitant about ordering another BLI steamer. While I much prefer the quality of the detailing of BLI models to their MTH counterparts, MTH units do consistently run better. I am NOT sold on the Paragon2 decoder either. While the sound has improved, the low-speed response is only slightly better than the original Paragon series locomotives - even after tweaking Vstart (CV2). (NOT the improvements that I expected with a newer decoder design.) The shorting issue was very annoying to deal with.
I still like and prefer the Blueline series concept. My Niagara is a real sweetheart. It did have slight binding issues but they were quickly resolved by BLI. I love the idea of being able to choose my own motion decoder. I chose a Lenz Silver MP decoder (which was on BLI "recommended" list. of decoders for compatibility) because it had excellent BEMF.
Never had a problem programming the Lenz decoder with the built-in Blueline sound decoder. My Niagara crawls as well as - if not better than - my smaller yard switchers at speed step 001 and puts the Paragon2 decoder in my Hudsons to shame, in that respect. And given the choice between good sound and excellent running ability? I'll take the latter - hands down - EVERY time!
I really do like BLI...but I am struggling with the QC issues that seem to have plagued them the past few years, in regards to my locomotives. So, I'm pretty much done with buying any more BLI steamers - i.e. unless BLI comes up with a completely new and different NYC offering that I can't refuse. (Go ahead, BLI - Try me! )
And I have NO desire to buy any of the MTH locomotives. While they do run well, their detailing isn't as good as BLIs and they have more of a toy-like appearance to them. I'm not too keen on the proprietary DCS decoders and the lack of ability to adjust CVs either.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
jeffrey-wimberly I've had exactly ONE (1) BLI steamer and I'll never buy another one even if it's on sale for $30. The ONLY steam loco I've had that ran worse is a Bachmann 0-6-0 that I gutted and made into a rusty steamer display. I gave the BLI away and I seem to remember the new owner made it into a dummy.
I would tend to agree.
Although I have never personally bought a BLI steamer, I have read WAY to many reports here on these forums about bad performance, poor performance, lack of performance, no performance, need of repairs, need of "tweeking" to get it to run right and returning it to the service department, waiting for the service department, having to return it AGAIN to the service department, that I have officially decided that for the money they charge less the apparent quality issues equals a "no purchase order" from me.
I thought MAYBE MTH would be better {?}, but apparnetly NOT. I have read way to much about their failures to believe THAT for a minute either.
They say that all the models of washing machines are made in the same exact factory in China, and I believe the same is true of locos. Apparetnly crap comes out of the loco factory, regardless of brand name or price. Apparently CHina seems to think "Americans will buy any junk we throw at them and think it a bargain" It's time we showed CHina we will not accept "less than".
If we brought back AMERICAN jobs and QUALITY to the locos, I WOULD WILLINGLY pay $300 of my hard won money for a QUALITY AMERICAN MADE loco!
Until them, my cheaper $100 or so steamer or $50 diesels of Bachmann DCC OnBoard locos with simple DCC board and control {I don't "do" sound} , operated on my simple Bachmann EZ COmmand DCC controller {regardless of where made} makes me just fine and happy.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
SMassey It is a tad too loud for my layout in my little shed but it is a smooth runner. Massey
It is a tad too loud for my layout in my little shed but it is a smooth runner.
That's easily rectified, Massey: Just turn down the volume on your SD40-2 decoder to 50%. You should be able to do this either through your throttle, or by removing the shell and turning the volume knob manually. Your BLI locomotive manual will have details on how to do this.
galaxy Although I have never personally bought a BLI steamer, I have read WAY to many reports here on these forums about bad performance, poor performance, lack of performance, no performance, need of repairs, need of "tweeking" to get it to run right and returning it to the service department, waiting for the service department, having to return it AGAIN to the service department, that I have officially decided that for the money they charge less the apparent quality issues equals a "no purchase order" from me.
G.
What you don't see are the thousands of satisfied customers of BLI steamers. I have 7 of them ranging from the early Paragon to the Paragon 2 I1sa. The only problem I ever had was with a Blueline J1 with a broken gear. A quick Email to BLI got me 2 sets of gears in less than a week and a quick note with helpful instructions. In less than an hour it was running like a Rolex. My Blueline M1b ran for an entire weekend train show both days non stop. This loco probably has well over 200 actual miles on it with no troubles at all. My two I1s (PCM and Paragon 2) run great together and I team them up with a brass I1s and BLI J1 regularly at the club in pusher service.
I bet a few of your problems will go away if you change out the traction tired axle with all metal. The traction tires are not very uniform in thickness.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I've only made one BLI purchase. It's a Brass Hybrid Dreyfuss Hudson. One of my most beautiful steam engines. But, it had a number of problems out of the box. I ended up fixing them myself instead of going to BLI, after what I've heard about their repair department.
Motor wire was rubbing the flywheel. Moved the wire.Rear truck spring was lifting entire engine, causing terrible performance. Clipped the spring for proper pressure.Front driver springs were a little too heavy. Squished them down a little, now they're fine.Traction tire drivers were a little wobbly. Swapped them for the regular drivers.DC models are imbalanced. Added about 1oz. to the front of the boiler.Tender was sitting very low. Added washers between the trucks and frame for proper height and levelling.
It's quite a nice runner now. Very smooth and quiet, with average slow speed performance. I love the thing, but come on!! I shouldn't have to do this much to make a $300 steam engine run right! My cheaper Spectrums (minus the Shay) ran great right out of the box, and it's supposed to be Bachmann who has the poor QC!
_________________________________________________________________
Darth, I only ever purchased one Bachmann Spectrum, and that was supposedly a NIB J Class from a reputable dealer on 'that auction site'. Neither I nor my very skilled local engine fixer buddy, a brass and plastic collector and decoder installer/repairer for years, also an electronics enthusiast, could get it to work smoothly below 20 scale mph. I finally ordered a Stealth Paragon J from another fellow, also deemed new, but it had a split gear. BLI asked for proof of purchase, which I supplied them as a jpeg attachment to reply email, and they promptly (next day) invited me to send it in. That represents one of five times I have sent a BLI steamer in for repairs, two others also warranty, and two my own fault. They fixed my Hudson for nothing anyway, very nice, except for return shipping only, and the fourth was my precious PCM Y6b that I dropped. That was $40 for everything, returned to me.
I know that many people make good use of the Bachmann line, so I am not going to assume my J was representative. People have raved about the Spectrum 2-8-0, and I hear good things about the other J's, their Heavy Mountains, etc.
For the price of these things, you'd think the QC would be a lot better. Imagine if ABC Grooming Shear Company that sells $350 professional quality dog grooming shears to my daughter had a return rate even close to what it seems to be in our hobby! Sony and other companies sold $99 DVD players before the newer BlueRay ones came into the fore. I'm sure their failure rates were nothing like what the HO hobby seems to have to deal with these days.
Crandell
Crandall you are not alone on the Spectrum J engine. My 610 did not like slow and if there were any flaws in the track it would pick up the tender and rarely (as in never) placed it back on the rails. Poor design in the tie bar.
Other Spectrum engines, like the 2-8-0 and the heavy mountain are great runners.
locoi1sa galaxy: Although I have never personally bought a BLI steamer, I have read WAY to many reports here on these forums about bad performance, poor performance, lack of performance, no performance, need of repairs, need of "tweeking" to get it to run right and returning it to the service department, waiting for the service department, having to return it AGAIN to the service department, that I have officially decided that for the money they charge less the apparent quality issues equals a "no purchase order" from me. G. What you don't see are the thousands of satisfied customers of BLI steamers. I have 7 of them ranging from the early Paragon to the Paragon 2 I1sa. The only problem I ever had was with a Blueline J1 with a broken gear. A quick Email to BLI got me 2 sets of gears in less than a week and a quick note with helpful instructions. In less than an hour it was running like a Rolex. My Blueline M1b ran for an entire weekend train show both days non stop. This loco probably has well over 200 actual miles on it with no troubles at all. My two I1s (PCM and Paragon 2) run great together and I team them up with a brass I1s and BLI J1 regularly at the club in pusher service. I bet a few of your problems will go away if you change out the traction tired axle with all metal. The traction tires are not very uniform in thickness. Pete
galaxy: Although I have never personally bought a BLI steamer, I have read WAY to many reports here on these forums about bad performance, poor performance, lack of performance, no performance, need of repairs, need of "tweeking" to get it to run right and returning it to the service department, waiting for the service department, having to return it AGAIN to the service department, that I have officially decided that for the money they charge less the apparent quality issues equals a "no purchase order" from me.
Pete, that may well be. There may be 3.5 million satisfied BLI customers out there with 35 million locos that ran {run} great and fine.
But I have seen more actual reports of failures on the forums than I have seen bad press for Bachmann! THAT does not bode well for BLI. The negative press can do far more damage than the positive IF it was posted. Perhaps it is because people spent $200-$300 on them, and expected more quality for the extra money over a "cheap brand" like Bachmann is supposed to be.
Bachmanns are the ones people like to claim are "junque". I own 13 Bachmann and one Athearn locos. ALl my Bachmanns are DCC OnBoard. Only one "growls" at lower speeds, and although I know naught about fixing such things. i supose I should send it back to Bachmann. I have had narry a problem "right out of the box" with any of the Bachmanns, except that one that growls at low speed. Each has had many hours of use, save the Athearn. Why? cuz i just don't like it.
If it IS true that only one manufacturer in CHina makes all locos, or even if only a small number of factories do, then bad quality issues will transend the lines, regardless of final price put on the item.
SELECTOR/CRANDELL: your problem was :" I only ever purchased one Bachmann Spectrum, and that was supposedly a NIB J Class from a reputable dealer on 'that auction site'". It may NOT have been "new in box" or may have sat a long time, etc etc, "reputable dealer" or not.. Many items I see reported on the "famous auction site" were actually "NEARLY new in box" or "ALMOST new in box" or "WELL USED, BUT LIKE new in box" instead. I would have sent it back to Bachmann {as I should mine that growls} because I can tell you my Bachmanns-even the one that growls- run great at slow speeds. But I bet you already know everything I said
Have a good day Pete. and All...
Just for the record, we have seven steam locomotives 4-6-4 and larger. Two of them are BLIs. A Mikado and a Hudson. The Mikado has been in service since Christmas of 2004 and the Hudson since 2005. Both locomotives operate flawlessly and at any speed, and both have hundreds of hours on the layout.
I have no experience with BLI's more recent offerings, but for the money I don't think there is a better steam locomotive available than the originals from BLI.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Hi again!
To paraphrase a previous poster...............
We (on this forum) often hear about the guy that got a "lemon" loco or car or whatever. But for every "lemon", there are a whole lot of guys that got very satisfactory products. As I wrote earlier, I did get an RSD-15 w/o the sound system it was supposed to have. But, BLI took care of it for me, with no problem.
These new fangled locos are complicated precision machines, and there will be problems - and hopefully they are few and far between.
I understand that one may get a good running loco here and there, but it certainly sounds like the frequency of taht occurrence with BLI's HO, Steam, Paragon 2 (not 1) series, is less than desirable. In my opinion 50/50 is no good.
If the other manufacturers are so bad, where are all those posts? I'm not talking about 1 bad loco. I'm talking about 4 out of 4 locos and 3 out 3 releases in my experience. I don't care about great customer service if the loco is junk!!!! If t it never runs properly, what's the difference. Also, If I shell out $300 at the cheap end for a loco, I would expect at least 1 out of 4 to work properly. So far I have heard that most people are satisfied with the older Paragons... not the Paragon 2s (i.e. Korea vs China). I expect to "tweak" a loco after it has run propely for some time - not when I buy it!
If it's a Digitrax issue, why not disclose you have a problem with that booster? Which leads to another issue I didn't even mention of BLI posting features on the locos that don't exist in the end product. Even after I told them, they did not change the description.
I am aware of the family name in the BLI company and I am not "friends" with MTH either so whatever rivalry exists between them and their supporters is irrelevant. The product QC at BLI is clearly off, at best. They should be addressing that if they want to survive. If american built solves that issue, perfect, but even Korean built seems to sit fine mith most.
Posts like this should exist to warn people that they are taking a chance with the product. Posts like this should also be read by the manufacturers so they can make a better product.
JimStrez If the other manufacturers are so bad, where are all those posts? I'm not talking about 1 bad loco. I'm talking about 4 out of 4 locos and 3 out 3 releases in my experience. I don't care about great customer service if the loco is junk!!!! (Underscore mine)
If the other manufacturers are so bad, where are all those posts? I'm not talking about 1 bad loco. I'm talking about 4 out of 4 locos and 3 out 3 releases in my experience. I don't care about great customer service if the loco is junk!!!! (Underscore mine)
Jim,
I think your last statement is a bit strident when referring to BLI.
As I said in an earlier post, I have a love-cautious relationship when it comes to BLI locomotives now. Newer releases from them may come with issues but the issues are - in most cases - fixable. I may not enjoy having to send them into BLI for repair but at least they honor their guarantee and fix them.
And when they aren't fixable, BLI has been very good about replacing the defective units. In my case, the four steamers that I sent back for repair came back running very well and issue free; one them was replaced completely.
Junk locomotives, OTOH, are junk when you buy them. And - no matter how much time, effort, and money you put into them - they aren't going to yield you a better or improved product.
So, I do agree with you that for the price, QC should be much better with BLI releases. However, calling them junk is hardly fair. My