My quandary is I settled on the Pennsylvania road name way back when for my layouts (modeling the 50’s coal hauling, etc.) and now that I’ve made the transition to DCC the road name is hard to find for diesel motive power of this era. I have a Bachmann DCC S2 Pennsylvania with the crippled Soundtraxx decoder and in my search for a full feature decoder equipped switcher I read about the Broadway Limited “Paragon2” sound Pennsylvania switcher. I have no idea if BL DCC Paragon equipped sound is ok, so-so or forget about 'em so am asking here. The switchers are brunswick green which would provide a nice color mix to the all black engines I have (I want (2) more switchers to go along with the (1) Bachmann I have).
I have three of the Paragon 2 steamers, one a refurbished (?) or merely returned PRR I1sa 2-10-0, and the other two are an NYC Hudson 4-6-4 and an N&W J 4-8-4, both released in the past 80 days. They all work very nicely, although I have not run them much. I have run the I1sa most because I have had it the longest and am using it to test my tracks on my new layout.
So far so good. Nice sounds, crisp and clear, and the motion control seems to be very good, better than a non-tuned Tsunami.
Crandell
Thanks for the reply. Since posting I did a search on YouTube for the particular BLI DCC w/Paragon2 sound SW7 diesel switcher line of locos I’m interested in and came up with these videos which demonstrate the sounds. While they sound pretty decent for the price and number of CV functions available, I was hoping for someone who has one to offer their opinions on the sound quality and performance. My LHS doesn’t carry this line - or can’t get them, in either case I can’t hear one first hand to make a decision to buy one or not.
OVER50.
I have the SW-7 BLI,switcher,the one they have for the,Indiana Harbor Belt,livery. I run a DC layout and don’t have any problem’s with it. In my opinion,hearing a 1:1 in action,the BLI, sounds are spot on…Could be a little heavier though,I have no Idea where one can add weight though…
Cheers,
Frank
I have a Paragon2 BLI NW2 bought last year, which I think came out with the SW7s. It runs nicely and sounds are ok (I can’t comment on the finer points as I’ve only changed the address, momentum and maybe the master volume level). I think it was just $149 at modeltrainstuff.com
I would buy it again.
Last month I purchased a BLI Paragon 2 RSD-15 road switcher, and I think it was a very good decision. It runs smooth, looks smart (it’s an “alligator” - low nose), with details approaching Athearn Genesis quality, and sounds great. Based on it’s attributes, I purchased a BLI Paragon 2 Y6B steamer, due to arrive next week.
Wilton.
Thanks to all for the replies. And the Model Train Stuff website is where I was looking and these engines are still $150. Based on your first hand experience sounds (which include reverb) and performance comments the BLI SW7 with the Pennsylvania road name would be a good choice, especially with the available sounds for the price.
Have a BLI SE-7 in PRR livery. Good engine for the price. Low speed is excellent, has good electrical contact through my Atlas customline turnouts.
Appreciate the mention of your Atlas Custom Line Turnouts. With my new/retirement layout all but 5 are the new version 4 and the other 30 the older #3. The one DCC “Sound value” Bachmann S2 switcher I have does have a random temporary short problem going through the frogs on different T.O.'s whether #4 or #6. I’ve gaged the wheel spacing and while they are correct the side to side play (both drive sets) in tandem with the short wheel base is the reason IMO.
Over50.
Most of the freight locos on the PRR were painted in Dark Green Locomotive Enamel (DGLE) Some passenger locos were Tuscan. All the steamers were DGLE. BLI locos are great in my opinion. I have 7 of their steamers and am patiently waiting for the H10 2-8-0 to come out. The only down side with the P2 BLI steamers is the smoke units. That oily smoke is not for me and when the locos come into the roundhouse (work bench) I will remove the smoke units and replace it with some weight. My first run PCM I1sa broke the axle drive gear and I had to replace it. Other than that they are great and run super smooth.
The Pennsylvania railroad technical and historical society works with BLI on accuracy of their models. If more manufactures worked with the historical societies before bringing out new models our models would be more accurate and would need less changes from us modelers.
Pete
My first BLI purchase is the recent release SW-9 painted for Spokane Portland & Seattle RY. The motor control and sound is excellent.
A fine locomotive. Probably my favorite feature is the on-demand master volume control. By double-tapping the F8 key on your controller of choice, you have a stepped volume Full, medium, low, off etc. No more moving the locomotive to programming track and adjusting the CV. This is an excellent feature, giving more control to the user at the push of a button.
Hello,
My kids gifted me my first sound equipped locomotive for my 62nd birthday this past April, a BLI Paragon2 SW9 switcher in S.P&S livery. The sound was amazing, I’m hooked! Paint and details are nice too. Unfortunately this locomotive ended up having a defective decoder and motor, but BLI stood behind their product and made the needed repairs on warranty.
Though not quite as smooth at low speed as my circa 1992 Kato NW2, the BLI SW9 is a very nice locomotive. Considering the kids live about 90 miles northeast of Spokane and my freelanced layout is based upon the pacific northwest the S.P.&S. livery is perfect.
good luck and regards, Peter
Again, thanks to all for the BLI switcher operation comments. I’m sold. Just to mention, while the SW7 name appears in the list of switchers I’m not seeing “SW9” specifically stated in the description. Am I correct the SW9 product line is shown as the Paragon2 BLI NW2? If yes, was the SW9 also common in the 50’s era ?
I purchased one of the new ac6000cw up engines that is equipped with dcc and paragon 2 sound and wow is all I can say the sound is unreal. I also have three other engines with tsunami sound and the BLI takes the tsunami behind the woodshed and gives if a good knuckling. That said I love the tsunami decoders but the paragon sound is just that good. Will
Over50,
EMD SW9s,were in production,starting in 1951 thru 1966,so I would say,they were pretty common,in the 50s…
Cheers,
Frank
Over50–
BLI does not currently offer an SW9. Proto 2000 is the only manufacturer that has offered an SW9 in plastic in HO.
The SW9 has different headlight assemblies and louver arrangements than the NW2 and SW7. For most people, the headlight is the identifying characteristic for an SW9, as built. This can get complicated as time goes on, since some railroads swapped headlight assemblies around between different models as they were shopped or rebuilt.
As for being common in the 1950s, the SW9 outnumbered the SW7, with over 800 SW9s built, and just under 500 SW7s built. Now, the NW2, which was nearly identical to the SW7, sold over 1,100.
The SW9 also had a nearly-identical relative in the SW1200, which was built from 1954 to 1966. The difference is chiefly in the louvers. Over 1,000 SW1200s were sold.
Ah,so. The ‘NW2’ classification/identification is what threw me, where I was thinking it was just a different reference for the SW9 engine. I’m not a hobby purist in the true sense - nor do I have the required knowledge in all things railroad, but I have tried to maintain 1950’s era diesel motive power in keeping with my free lance 50’s period layouts. I have a couple of Athearn Blue Box SW1200’s but since I’ve moved to DCC with my retirement layout and by no means ready to attempt converting these to DCC I’m replacing what I need/want for now, thus my questions here.
Really appreciate the information guys and especially the confirmation of the BLI Paragon2 switcher products.
Took the plunge and ordered a BLI EMD NW2 switcher from ModelTrainStuff which arrived earlier today.
My reaction to the out-of-box performance was WOW! The default sound package, momentum and other features is amazing. And to think this engine was only $40 more than the Bachmann S2 with the crippled/made for Bachmann Soundtraxx decoder I bought before I knew what a good DCC w/sound engine is…
Have seven BLI units, a few Blueline and some Paragon2 - been happy with all units. My oldest unit is four years old and had my first MINOR sound problem last week (lost chuff). Since I live in the same area as the BLI facility their tech support personnel told me to bring it in for repair (took ten minutes at no charge). I definitely recommend BLI products.
Elliott
I just bought and am testing a new release BLI SW7, and am not happy with it. A friend also bought one. Both of them have a very poor coordination of the diesel sound rpm with either the speed or the load on the engine. The shortcoming does not change when the back EMF is disabled.
This is especially noticeable at startup: it gets going to throttle step 4/28 and after it is up to steady speed, only then does the diesel sound begin to ramp up. Then it may ramp down again. The ramp down may be realistic because the motors needs more “juice” in accelerating, but the ramp up should start a soon as the engineer puts the throttle into the first notch. Not after it is already up to speed. This sound coordination may be designed by someone who knows little about how diesel-electrics operate. I find no CV in the decoder list that could correct this. A bad design it seems. But the model seems mechanically well done.
I’d be interested to hear from others about this.