Athearn SD50, 60 or a BLI SD40-2

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have been given the option to purchase either 2 Athearn RTR SD50, &60, or a BLI SD40-2, no sound for the same price. Which is the better deal? Give me some honest input to help with my decison. I am not familar with BLI, but I have been interested in owning one. Is it worth it?

Thanks

2

i can’t tell you what the best deal would be but i’d go with the sd40-2

3

Todd,

That can be a tough one. Here’s my 2 cents.

The selling point of the BLI SD40-2 was the sound. The locomotive itself looks decent but the body detailing needs a bit of work. I use P2K locomotives as my standard and the BLI does fall a little short.

The Athearn RTR units have nicely proportioned bodies and are good pullers, however, mechanically they may have a bit of the “infamous growl”. (which is curable by polishing the gears with tooth polish or baking soda, and shimming the worm gears).

In this case, I would go with the AThearn RTR units.

4

I haven’t seen the BLI SD40-2 run, but I’ve seen what they look like, and on those grounds alone I’d choose the Athearns in your list instead. In fact, between the Athearn and Kato SD40-2s I can’t think of any reason to buy BLI’s non-sound SD40-2.

Even with sound that particular engine is debatable; the SD40-2 has GP9 sound, which to me is like having a model of a Freightliner that sounds like a Nissan pickup.