I keep spoiling for one of these but i cant make my mind up.
I’d like the SP version but the scarlet in the picture on the BLI website looks abit washed out over the dark gray?
Its either that or the CSX version.
What redeeming features do these models have apart from the ones listed??
Dont realy want to blow big bucks if they’l dissapoint!
Thanks
Yes it is a ok loco i have five and hopeing to get the diveristy csx one.
I remember those feelings when I bought the Genesis Mikado. Nicely done, but will it pull anything? Turned out no. But I resold mine on ebay and seeded a BLI mike that really pulls.
I only own two BLI NW switchers and 4 F units from BLI and they do a good job. No complaints there. However my Atlas units tend to show much finer running qualities that is a joy to behold. I can only imagine what Kato must be like.
Try to look for vidoes of this engine in operation. Occasionally these videos will assist you in understanding the engines.
I have 2 of them in the SP paint. They run and sound OK. I also have 1 in the CSX paint. I think for the price they could be a little better. For the price you are getting into TOWER 55 models, which IMO blow by them away hands down. Like said above, I would love to see this in a KATO model.
Below in one on Ebay in CSX paint.
Gary, how much of a stickler for accuracy are you? If fidelity to the prototype is important, you -will- be disappointed in a factory painted AC6000CW for any of the roads offered with the exception of the GE Demo, but even that version has issues.
Bottom line, BLI patterned their AC6000CW after the prototype, but they also mixed minor features of other versions. The result is that it isn’t 100% accurate for any version. There has been much debate over this, but it is what it is. The only way to change this is to detail and paint the model to match the specific road you are after.
Having said all of this, it has a great motor, is incredibly heavy and features some very nice QSI sound. I purchased 2 UNDEC’s so I can modify and custom paint them to properly represent CSX 601 and 602 (the CSX engines that most closely match the model’s details, along with 600). Microscale offers a CSX CW60AC decal sheet that features both the yellow and DIVERSITY hood logos. They also make a separate sheet with the proper “Spirit” script names for 601 and 602. Necessary changes include removal of the engine compartment grab irons, modification of the rear radiator section door configuration and addition of various pilot/underframe/roof details. One unit also needs HiAd trucks vice the steerable versions that come with the CSX-style UNDEC.
So, if you don’t care about strict accuracy and you don’t mind so-so paint, buy a painted version. If you want it to closely match the prototype, buy an UNDEC and modify/paint it accordingly. Outside of that, they are pretty neat engines and they are also the only game in town outside of brass. When modifying an UNDEC unit, it is actually quite easy to make a convincing scale replica, but you have to do the work.
-Mike
This may or may not help, but here’s a video link to a BLI AC6000CW in SP paint. (not mine)
Here is a few more AC6000 video clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVIfbdbYHow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTp2KDeonhY
BELOW IS JUST A COOL VIDEO I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59R5ABs7Zfk&mode=related&search=
Thats a good question Mike, basicly if it were a UK loco i could find faults with it easy but as ive only been into the U.S stuff for a limited time, i dont realy know if it was right or wrong detail wise[:I]. I reckon it would be a good thing if i didnt compare it with prototype photo’s! I guess as long as its finnished nicely, runs well and generaly looks ok then id go with it. Ihave Atlas, 1 Tower55 and p2k, if the BLI stuff was close to these, id be happy!
Thankyou for the replys, they have all been very usefull!
The sound in that SP AC6000CW video clip sounds much worse than the model does in person. The sound is actually very clear and throaty, not washed out like in the clip.
-Mike
Yep, that was a cool video[8D]
Im glad about that Mike, im having a hard time trying to get into GE model sounds at the moment. My Atlas C40 just seems abit tinny. The EMD stuf i have sounds better at the moment.
Well i hope i like it because ive got it now! Good ole ebay, from a trusted regular seller for a very very good price brand new. I guess if im not happy with it, il at least get back what i payed for it.
Well, QSI did the GE sound for the Atlas Dash 8’s and the BLI AC6000, so if you weren’t all that impressed with the Atlas, the BLI AC6000 is roughly the same, just using a different horn with some other tweaks (prime mover sound). One note, the BLI speakers are mounted in the fuel tank, facing down…they are quite effective. If you decide to get an AC6000 and notice the sound seems weak and washed out from the box, you might have one that had the factory speakers wired out of phase at the factory (a known problem). Simple fix, huge difference in sound output (literally swap the wires on only one speaker, re-solder 2 contacts and you are done). OOB, the AC6000 sound is pretty loud and impressive and the horn is outstanding (if not totally accurate). I hear that the QSI upgrade chip vastly improves performance and tweaks some sound shortcomings, but they have not released this chip for modern QSI engines yet (GE Dash 8’s and AC6000CW’s). This upgrade might change your opinion of the Dash 8 if you choose to get it when released.
As for GE vs EMD, I always liked the turbo whine and accessory sounds of EMD motors vice the GE’s, but that is a prototype thing. A GE Dash 8 chugging away, to me, doesn’t sound nearly as impressive as an EMD SD50 under load, but that’s just opinion. There aren’t many sound manufactureres who have really nailed that distinctive EMD turbo whine and the prime mover transitions between notches.
-Mike
Thanks for your reply Mike, very imformative.
Il keep a look out for the QSI upgrades and i’l also check the speaker wirring!
One thing that does improve them, is turning the sound down abit. My Atlas AC40CW was set at 100% volume when i got it, it was very irritating more than anything else until i adjusted it. Right now, i do like my SD35 more! Gota agree, EMD sound is better.
Ive given this AC60 the benefit of the doubt and we’l see how it goes!
Im in the process of lowering the volume of some of my engines. I found that the NW’s cannot be heard very well over 5 feet away but is quite pleasing when rather quiet for extended switching than having thunder in the room or house.
BLI’s engines are very well detailed but I think that Atlas, Athearn Genesis and certainly Kato run far better.
I’ve got BLI RSD15s and I’ve run a AC6000 of theirs before, I wasn’t incredibly impressed but wasn’t dissapointed either. I’d say they run as well as an Athearn RTR or P2k which isn’t anything bad and is about standard for the hobby right now. I think the reason you’re paying a little more, even in the DC version without sound, is because of the detail, which is a little higher than say an Atlas.
Cheers!
~METRO