Can anyone tell me if the newest Blueline Heavy Mikados have fixed all of the decoder bugs Tony’s Trains outlined awhile back? Programming glitches, difficulty assigning four digit addresses, the BLI DC sound decoder not cooperating with a Digitrax 143 PS mobile decoder, etc.? I’m looking at the GN glacier green version on sale at Factory Direct Trains. Anyone know if these are the newest versions and if they have issues of any kind? Their 10% off sale ends on Mon. so would like to know more about them. Thanks!
Capt
I have several Blueline steamers and have had no issues with them and 2 decoders. I use a TCS T1 with BEMF in them and get super slow speed and great sound. I like the TCS lighting functions and the dimmed when stopped.
I have heard of some people having problems with other motor decoders in the Bluelines. Some CVs that need to be changed may in fact change sound CVs also. Then again there are some people that can not follow directions when it comes to programing and then complain about what junk they bought.
BLI service is excelent! They answer the phone and respond to every Email. Matthew evens surfs the forum section on the BLI web site.
Pete
You might try a search on E-Bay for a regular BLI Heay Mike, I bought mine new 2 years ago for $125.00. Has QSI decoder and been pretty much trouble free.
Cuda Ken
There was a message on the DCC forum a week or so ago saying that BLI claims Tony’s tester wasn’t plugging the wire into the back of the locomotive properly, and that BLI tested the ones Tony sent back and found no problems with any of them.
Tony was allegedly supposed to remove or correct the information on his web site. However, it was still there the last time I checked a few days ago.
The plot thickens.
I have read no unfavorable comments about the BlueLine Mikados anywhere except on Tony’s web site. If there were problems with them, they would surely have been discussed here over and over again, so I’m beginning to suspect that BLI’s side of the story is more credible than Tony’s.
Thanks very much Cacole, Ken and Pete for your quick replies! I looked through the DCC forum listings before posting, but I’ll go back and look for the Tony’s feedback thing. I missed it somehow…(Edit) found the “mention” but it seemed a tad “inconclusive”? “He said, She said-ish?” I’m leaning heavily towards a Digitrax decoder as I’m still new to DCC and will be using a Digitrax Super Chief set up. I haven’t been able to determine the difference between the 125PS and the 143PS and wondered which might be more desirable/useful. Anyone using newer Blueline locos (post QSI decoders) with the Paragon decoders, have preferences? I’m presuming all are NMRA compatible so would work with the Super Chief without issues? How long is the warantee period on Bluelines? I tried clicking on that section of their website and it wouldn’t function. I think it’s one year? Thanks for any additional feedback and info. I’ll make my purchasing decision by midinight on Monday if not before. Sounds encouraging so far!
Any brand of decoder will work with the BlueLine locomotive as long as it will fit; it doesn’t have to be a Digitrax. Factory Direct Trains has a listing of recommended decoders for each engine, and you can purchase the decoder from them.
The difference between the two Digitrax decoders you list is that the 125PS is a 1 Amp decoder with 2 Functions, software version 5, and the 143PS is a 1 Amp decoder with 4 Functions and software version 3. Either one will be more than adequate for the Mikado. Personally, I prefer NCE or TCS decoders.
And yes, the Broadway Limited warranty is one year.
You’re confusing terms about Broadway Limited decoders. QSI was the brand of decoder they used in the Broadway Limited products before they developed their own BlueLine sound. QSI is a totally separate company that makes sound decoders used by several different manufacturers such as Lionel, Atlas, Proto 2000, etc., and they have recently begun to sell their decoders direct to the public.
The BlueLine products have their own in-house developed sound decoder that works on DC or DCC, but does not include the motor/light control functions. That’s why you need the additional decoder to operate it on DCC. BlueLine sound decoders are not sold separately and are used only by Broadway Limited.
Paragon 2 is a newly developed decoder that Broadway Limited is going to start using that combines the BlueLine sound with their own in-house developed motor/light/function control decoder, and is a totally different product than the previous QSI-equipped engines or the BlueLine products.
The original Paragon series of Broadway Limited locomotives came with no DCC/sound or with the QSI sound decoder.
I have put TCS T1 decoders in mine. BEMF = super slow speed. Goof proof warenty from TCS. Bluelines are warented for 2 years if registered online.
Pete
Thanks again guys. I’ve been trying to search around to see if more functions but an earlier software version trumps vice versa with the Digitrax decoders…can you enlighten me? I’ll see what FDT has to say/recommend too.
If you only have a headlight and maybe a backup light, all you need is 2 functions. If you want to hook up extra lights, you’ll need more.
–Randy
The number of functions only determines how many different lighting effects you can control, such as flashing ditch lights, roof mounted strobe lights, mars lights, etc. For the BLI Mikado there will probably be only a headlight to control, so a single function decoder would be sufficient.
As for the software version question, I have no idea what the difference would be.
Randy and Cacole, Ah, I see. Makes perfect sense. Thanks very much. Beginner’s question obviously!
loco1sa/Pete, I’m still leaning towards Digitrax 143PS. Do you have friends who have had issues using Digitrax decoders with the Bluelines? Cacole, can you tell me a bit more about why you prefer the other brands? I think I’m going to order the loco tomorrow morning. I’ll talk with Factory Direct Trains on the phone when I order about decoder choices as well. Thanks as always! I’ll try to make this my last post about this, but I appreciate your help guys.
Capt
If thats whats familiar to you and you feel confortable programing them. Its personal with me and I like the TCS lighting functions and BEMF motor control. I dont want to bash Digitrax. They are one of the leaders in DCC technology. But I have been burned by Digitrax warenty service when the Plug and play decoders first started coming on the market. I sent 2 decoders that fried on the program track both plug and play and they wanted $15 each for repair. I told them to keep them and from then on none of my DCC equipment has Digitrax on it. I own over fifty decoders and have instaled more than 100 for myself and club members. Never burnt up a TCS decoderor a Lenz, Four bad digitrax, two bad NCE and one Loksound decoders. Sevice after sale is big for me and I like companies that stand behind thier products.
Pete
I have nothing personal against Digitrax decoders as far as quality is concerned. After all, they were one of the first companies in the market. But from a cost per feature perspective, I think you get more for your money with TCS and NCE decoders.
Digitrax sometimes seems to be slow on the draw when it comes to adopting new features in their decoders, perhaps because of production capacity limitations.
TCS produces only decoders so they devote all of their time to them, whereas Digitrax has so many products to concentrate on that Decoders sometimes seem to take a back seat to other research.
Thanks again guys. I’ve gone ahead an ordered the locomotive. I went ahead with the Digitrax 143PS as my choice (at least for now) and will keep my fingers crossed. Joe at FTD said that most of the installs requested had been 143s so far although he felt NCE might be a slight bit more smooth…I guess i’m feeling a bit superstitious about choosing something I’ve had no previous experience with or seen run by friends or club members yet. Maybe it’s being an old sailor who won’t try an anchor that’s new to them, etc. Now that I’m aware of TCS I’ll watch for and ask people if they have them in their motive power and maybe I’ll get over the “buy what I know” syndrome. I think I have a friend who runs NCE decoders and will talk with him about them. Once I have more DCC experience I’ll probably feel freer to experiment with other brands and choices. The longer warrantee was very persuasive with TCE and probably will be in the future. Today is the 30th anniversary of my and my wife’s lst date so the GN Glacier Green Mikado will be the commemorative locomotive! Thanks for helping me to make the decision about whether or not to buy the Blueline. Hope it all turns out well. If I have an unsatisfactory Digitrax experience I’ll switch brands on a re-install. I’m always so grateful to you guys and gals for your feedback. Sincerely, Capt. G.