BLI's F Unit Thread (Title edited to reflect changing situations with these units)

[Anonymous]

Calm down people, The WM unit paint error is being corrected by BLI with a recall that also involves DB's and other errors on a variety of F units.

No need to get in a uproar here. Broadway is working to fix the problem and we all should be thankful that a manufactor is going to the trouble and perhaps some expense to correct a problem.

I see other things going on like rivet counter or non rivet counter versus a variety of models availible. I myself am not a rivit counter but am somewhat particular about what I choose to buy in the hobby. I do know that the WM units as they were would not be purchased by me. But the possibility does exist in the future that a set might be purchased because they will carry a corrected paint.

I should take it easy because I myself recently complained on the forums about the lack of RTR Plastic HO B&O cabooses. I was told that if I wanted one, I can get one pre-built from a kit, buy a kit and learn to build it or get it in brass. These are good choices but no reason to get upset because they are a variety of options open to me if I wanted a B&O caboose.

I should go back under my rock now but wanted to say that this has been a educational thread and would hate to see it retired due to sensitive people picking on each other about things not really related to the BLI F units themselves.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

The sound was rather quiet but suspect that is because I havent mastered the volumes yet.

Tony's just posted an article about improving the sound on these units -- looks fairly easy: http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/2006/060206b.htm

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Pondini

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

The sound was rather quiet but suspect that is because I havent mastered the volumes yet.

Tony's just posted an article about improving the sound on these units -- looks fairly easy: http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/2006/060206b.htm

I find it amazing how simple some solutions can be.

After thinking about the entire situation from F unit announcment thru the long wait to release and finally discovering the paint issues and now this.

I can sit and ask "Why wasnt the entire Project overseen by someone who understands what Broadway Limited wants for thier customers?" Is the problem in the factory overseas?

No matter, Im off to try and search out this Stick Tac stuff mentioned in the article.

[scubaterry]

Safety Valve - Hey let us know if the fix improves your sound.
Terry[8D]

[cmarchan]

QUOTE: Another Shake-and-baker.

Ive been bashing locos for 20 years, and have NEVER refused to buy a loco because of a little flaw....I just work around them. Aparently, wana-be model railroaders like you need to have a 'perfect' loco out of the box or you start crying.

David

David,

Why are you so hostile towards those who want accurate models? This hobby is not exclusive to those capable of scratchbuilding, decaling or painting models. If that were true, the patronage would be limited. If you have the talent, time and patience to custom paint, detail and modify models, good for you. Not all of the hobbyists fall into this category. After all it is our love of trains that is the core of the interest - in most cases. Enjoyment is the key.

You happen to mention the Canadian roads. Not all of the RR's in the US are represented by the manufacturers either. Many of the short lines, premerger roads before 1960 and logging RR's for example are devoid of representative models.

I enjoy custom painting and detail. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. However, if I can purchase a suitable model out of the box with accurate paint and primary detail, I will. I can always add the extra details later. Otherwise it makes a good OVERALL representative of the item I saw as a prototype. I think you will find the large majority of us who purchase models (the financial part that sustains the existance of the manufacturers) would agree.

I gather from your comments you are bitter about the lack of Canadian models. Work with your historical societies. Contact the manufacturers. It works. It has made a dramatic change in the availability of models for Seaboard Airline, Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Coast Line. When I started in this hobby over 30 years ago, there was little or no representation for these roads. What was there was inaccurate or had poor quality. We had to create, and create and create. I feel you, man. But it can get better through communication not antagonism.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve
It is my humble opinion that these units represent the best Model Railroading can offer and it takes alot to get me to feel this good about a locomotive.

What other F powered ABBA units do you have that you are comparing these to?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve
It is my humble opinion that these units represent the best Model Railroading can offer and it takes alot to get me to feel this good about a locomotive.

What other F powered ABBA units do you have that you are comparing these to?

Well, the F units I owned previously were trainset Life Likes with the single rear power truck. I ran that one for near 20 years until it finally suffered a death due to old age and weat and tear. There is no comparison to the modern trains availible today.

That model cannot be compared to the BLI F units. I did have eye on the Genesis models for a very long time and recall almost settling for a set in B&O when the wait got too long for the BLI F units. I am glad I waited for the BLI models.

Now I did own a set of Proto 2000 Life Like FA units within the last few years. (Also B&O) Researching DCC and sound installation revealed the potential for putting a great deal of money into them. I sold them off and used the revenue as seed money in the warchest towards the replacement F units.

I considered the Proto 2000 FA units good engines that ran very well off my analog pack and will be missed. The only problem was I bought these thru the LHS at close to retail which was way more than what you might pay today at the mail or internet house.

[Darth Santa Fe]

How's the detail on the BLIs? Is it as good as on the Highliner shells? I have a picture of the UP F7A on the front of a BLI catalog, and it looks like the number boards aren't flush with the shell. Did they fix that?

QUOTE: Originally posted by scubaterry

One set is a P2K F1 and one set is P2K F2..

Do you mean FA-1/FB-1 and FA-2/FB-2? Here's an FT diesel (F1): http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-60102 and an F2: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG10701

[Don Gibson]

Safety Valve

QUOTE: I might just put all 4 units on the bench later this weekend and fire em up on that poor pack. The Tech 4 people enjoy telling the world how powerful thier packs are. Well, we are going to prove em. (For a few minutes any how)

Most advertised specs are overly generous. The nature of power supplies is as the current goes up, the voltage goes down. When my top-of-line (then) MRC had to supply 5 amps, the max. voltage dropped to 3 volts. Present day MRC's are weaker.

QSI equipped BLI engines pull quite a bit of current. On straight DC they require 5 volts to just start moving. Sound systems normally take 1 watt (each). Having 2 sets each of F-7, F-3, and FT diesels all in ABBA configuration, I can attest that using 4 powered engines is overkill. (For home layouts 2 will do just fine).

What I AM saying is: 1. BLI/QSI are power hungry beasts, 2. FOUR sound equipped engines could tax most people's systems. HOW would one know? Burned out power supplies? Sluggish response? Marginal perfromance?

An AMPMETER will tell it's owner power usage of every piece of equipment, or combination. A cheap Multimeter can be had for $12. A permanent one to panel mount is $20

Not having DCC I cannot assess a meter's benefits here. With multiple power districts I might consider 'idiot lights' - if nothing else.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve
It is my humble opinion that these units represent the best Model Railroading can offer and it takes alot to get me to feel this good about a locomotive.

What other F powered ABBA units do you have that you are comparing these to?

Well, the F units I owned previously were trainset Life Likes with the single rear power truck. I ran that one for near 20 years until it finally suffered a death due to old age and weat and tear. There is no comparison to the modern trains availible today.

Yup that is a major leap forward! I can verify what johncolley states about the Stewarts. I have an AB set that will pull 55 cars, so I am certain his ABBA set isn't even trying hard. I still contend the orignal Stewart run with the Kato drives are the best Fs out there, even though the current ones are no slouch. I would love to see someone do a carefully controlled test between the old and new Stewarts, the Genesis, the Intermountain, the Proto 1000s, and now the BLIs. I am guessing that performance wise they are all going to be pretty close.

[cspmo]

QUOTE: http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-60102 and an FT:

Damm thats ugly. Isn't Intermountain coming out with FT in HO?

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cspmo

QUOTE: http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-60102 and an FT:

Damm thats ugly. Isn't Intermountain coming out with FT in HO?

Gack, your right. There is something wrong with the overall proportions isn't there (Not to mention incorrect nose paint)?

[mustanggt]

Yeah, the number boards are sort of out of place on that FT[xx(]. But hey, it's cheap DCC equipped power, I might get one for my little brother's birthday, and a 70 tonner for myself................

[Anonymous]

I have purchased the material from Tony's Train Exchange and will insulate the engines from the sound problems. None of the local stores here had that material (aka Stik Tak)

It will be a few days before the work is complete. I'll let you know if it improves the sound.

http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/2006/060206b.htm

Darth Santa Fe, I dont have any experience with Highliner shells but I think BLI did a good job at least on the B&O shells I have. The one think I think is a winner is how they did the very delicate metal grilling on the sides.