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New metal SD70ACe from BLI

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New metal SD70ACe from BLI
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 6:04 PM

I saw the announcement for this one, and having a diecast metal body is definitely intriguing!  Based on their 3D images, it looks like the pilots, walkways and trucks will still be plastic, but even with that it will supposedly weigh nearly 2lbs.  The price tag is quite a bit higher than others in plastic at $350 for no sound and $450 with sound and DCC, but I might just have to consider getting one if a good deal comes around.  This is honestly the first BLI diesel since the Centipede (another one on my "I'll get it eventually" list) that's actually had me very interested.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 10:36 PM

2 Pounds! I'll bet there is no need for traction tires.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by parts323 on Friday, August 4, 2023 7:13 AM

I am not really a big fan of BLI modern diesels. I have one of their ES44AC locomotives painted for N.S. and it just seems off in so many ways. It has lots of molded in details and is missing other details, plus it does not have functioning rear ditch lights. I even compained to Broadway Ken at a train show about how Athearn and Intermountain have functioning rear ditch lights on their locomotives. He just shugged his shouders in response. That being said, I do like their steam, and have a GS4, a Q2 and the 4-truck shay on preorder.

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Posted by tstage on Friday, August 4, 2023 7:51 AM

I'm with you on the BLI diesels.  Have an SW7 that is geared for a top speed of <20 sMPH.  The hood also looks too wide.  And didn't care much for the P3 decoder either.  I do like BLI steam but haven't purchased anything since their 1st run of Dreyfuss Hudsons (2012)

Tom 

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, August 5, 2023 8:23 AM

Going way back to their first offerings, I have never been impressed with a BLI diesel. They have always "skimped" on the fine details. They have never been as well or as finely detailed as other brands. Proto2000 stuff that came out way before BLI entered the market is better detailed.

Easy example, compare the diaphragms on a BLI E unit with those on a Proto2000 unit - no contest.

From the start, most BLI locomotives, especially the diesels, have impressed me as putting "rugged for handling" above fine detail. MTH locomotives were even worse in the regard.

I have made it clear before that I like good detail, but I'm not obsessed about it. But some of these locos seem to have details "oversized" just so they can be seen and/or be handling friendly. Not a look that appeals to me.

I have a few BLI steam locos, they meet my minimum detail standards. I don't consider any of them my "best detailed locos".

From the beginning I got the impression that sound and RTR run "usability" are above "fine" detail for BLI, especially with their diesels.

Back when they also sold stuff under the PCM brand I purchased a set of EMD F3's, stealth, because the price was right. The detail was disappointing. One of the few locomotives I sold off.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by PRR8259 on Sunday, August 6, 2023 11:58 AM

I have tried everybody's diesels, excepting recent Bachmann offerings.

I'm primarily interested in SD40-2's ...

However, I do not see a need for a diecast SD70ACe at all.  It's competing against Athearn Genesis 2.0 units that are very good indeed (already at a lower price point) and thus seems to me to be a tough sell.  I do not understand their marketing strategy.  Maybe it works for them, but I see diesels that generally need a few upgrades to compete with the other guys, but then if those upgrades were made--they could do as well or better than some other manufacturers.

If they go ahead with the diecast version, it needs to be an exceptionally clean body with exceptional painting and correct road-specific details that rival ScaleTrains and Genesis in execution and actual assembly.  Paint does flow better on a metal body than on plastic, as many painters have told me, so if they can really make it look like a high end loco, well then it has a chance.

John

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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Sunday, August 6, 2023 8:49 PM

I guess we'll have to see how it looks when they have it done and ready.  For the premium price, they'll hopefully make the detail top-notch!  The Genesis version is still the best looking of all the others available now I think, and I've considered getting one now and then but never got around to it.  I remember seeing the MTH model when it first came out, and the way they handled the rear ventilation always looked too toy-like for the price in my opinion, even more than the molded-on grab irons on the Bachmann model.  The Proto model and detail kit is the only other option aside from the Genesis that I've had any interest in getting.

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Posted by parts323 on Monday, August 7, 2023 1:32 PM

That is the right answer Darth. I own (11) Athearn Genesis SD70ace locomotives, all painted for N.S. I bought some with sound and some without. They are the best detailed, and best running SD70ace locomotives at the moment. Plus they are very easy to service and if needed repair parts are always available.

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