BLI Locomotive reliability II

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

I hope this doesn’t jinx me but I just took inventory of my BLI roster and I tallied 31 locomotives going all the way back to the first J-1 Hudson model #001 back in… 2001? I have never had to return any of them[:D]

The only “issues” I’ve had with any of these engines has been the reed switch “chuff sensor” on two certain NYC Hudsons and the occasional “lost” program of the decoder requiring a factory reset. I have changed out the QSI upgrade chips on four engines with excellent results.

Overall, I think BLI has been a huge asset to the hobby and has given us some fantastic values when you consider what was available in the past. I have a handful of brass engines that will forever be display pieces since I don’t have the ambition to paint, decal, re-wire, and install DCC & sound when I can get an R-T-R BLI engine for a comparitively paltry sum.

Based on my experience I would recommend BLI to anyone…

Take care, ED

22

Just My [2c], some people, can actually fix, so called,‘’ lemons ‘’.

Cheers, [D]

Frank

23

Here Here

But I also want to add that though I wholeheartedly agree with Ed, I can’t say that I never had to return an engine to BLI. I have slightly more BLI engines than ED. I also have had to send many to BLI for repairs. But were I’ve been lucky is that once I got the engine back, it was fixed and never had to be sent back a second time.

Joe C

24

That would be me, and my two BLI USRA Heavy Mikados that I had to strip all the way down to the frame and drivers and rebuild like building a Bowser kit. Both had wobbly, out of quarter drivers, binding side rods, etc.

Both run very nice now, and are sporting Athearn Genesis Delta trailing trucks and Bachmann Spectrum long tenders (and no sound or DCC).

Sheldon

25

Which is wonderful if one has the time, patience, still steady hands, and skills needed to do the work properly.

As for me…it was easier to dieselize, but I know that won’t work for most folks–and I’m not advocating that it should–only stating that is my “reality”.

26

This particular forum is so busy that even the most recent postings end up 'way back on pages three, four and five. A fresh posting does a better job of keeping the topic alive and, just to prove it, posting II has a lot more respondents with lots more good feedback. Check it out!

27

Call me paranoid, but my fear is that we will eventually go through a period where the majority of modelers and manufacturers dieselize due to these issues. Athearn had no to almost no steam forever.

There was a long long (long) period where a rich diversity of plastic steam was simply nowhere to be found.

It seems at least possible, that if enough people get fed up with poor quality control and the ridiculous amount of rebuilding that one sometimes has to do, there will be very little to no steam sold, eventually.

For the money these items cost, even with SOME expected tinkering to do, it’s really, in my view, inexcusable.

I have to admit that even I’ve been buying more diesels lately even though my original intent was an all steam R.R.

I know that I won’t ever be steam-less at least 50/50 s/d, but BLI’s continuing issues HAVE kept me from going through the hassle of repairs/returns when locos are produced in such limited/pre-order batches these days and if it goes missing in shipping, I might never find another and certainly don’t look forward to being forced to make the effort (again and again).

BLI in particular needs to fix this. I agree that Spectrum’s replace policy is more satisfactory and their life time warrantee really persuades me to spend my money with them more often.

I have MRC versions of Athearn’s Big Boy and Challenger and I’ve always got one eye on 'em. I think the Big Boy’s decoder is finally flipping it’s lid. I hope not. Just sitting there buzzing. I’ll have to get it on a program track to see what’s up.

I have pre-ordered my lst Proto 2000 GN F7s. (another thing I swore i’d never do!) Hope they behave themselves.

I absolutely love and in most cases, prefer steam but I’m beginning to feel steam shy…

Jim

28

It’s a little aside of the topic, Jim, but Athearn has produced at least four different steamers in the past four or five years if I recall correctly. I think there was a skyline cased mountain type for SP, or something like it, plus the Challengers, Big Boys, and the FEF’s.

The steamer market is slowly going the way of the Dodo. No, not in ten or twenty years, but maybe thirty? Modern diesels are very compelling for the younger set in the hobby, and few enter the hobby as youngsters wanting more than Thomas for steam; they want the monster diesels they see. When MTH and Heritage steam are so expensive, I think Bachmann and BLI are well-placed to serve the needs and desires of steam fans who have few options except brass otherwise for what those needs and desires are. Apart from a very few cases where the complaints are justifiably loud because of an engine having to go back three times, or because they have run out and must offer something you don’t want in exchange, those companies put out a good product. Almost all of us providing our evidence here seem to have rather good purchase experiences, including with the odd repair.

Mind you, I don’t buy BLI engines unless they have landed at their repair facilty because I won’t pay their prices, even discounted 20%. That means my less costly purchases are repaired and run well…already. [:-^]

-Crandell

29

Sheldon,

Just like my youngest,Son,used to say,‘’ We fix-em,anything’'. His most favorite line,to me,while I was working in the garage,would be, ‘’ Hey ! Dad ‘’, my thought would be,Now what? But it was fun. No sound or DCC, Thank You.

Cheers, [D]

Frank

30

That is pretty much of a flip response, guys, don’t ya think?

Some people can fix a lemon, some cannot, and most don’t really want to, and why should they?

You spend a couple of hundred bucks or more to buy a product, you expect it to work.

Rich

31

Rich,

Frank and I both come from the “craftsman” era of the hobby, we don’t really mean to be “flip” about it.

We don’t like having to “fix” brand new stuff that was supposed to be RTR, but being pragmatic, fixing them gets the desired result if you know how to do it - you don’t “settle” for poor performance or a different model, or spend time and money on shipping, etc.

This is again why I consider Bachmann a much better “value” overall. Their prices are generally lower, the problems, when there are problems, tend to be minor, easy fixes that don’t leave my workbench unresolved - OR - Bachmann replaces them without even a blink. And yes sometimes they don’t have the same loco, but for the few I have had to return they have done pretty well.

Remember BLI did not even have parts to fix my Mikados, and made no offer of any other kind of help - others on here have related similar stories.

So your same psychology applies, I would rather buy a $120 Bachmann 2-8-4, add a little weight and a few details, tune up the drive a little while it is apart, as opposed to buying a $275 loco from BLI, have to remove the sound system I don’t want, and STILL run a moderately high risk of a poor running drive that will require work or need to be returned.

I just bought another Spectrum 2-10-2 this week - new in the box - at a bargin price - $75 - runs perfect.

After I sell the worthless decoder it will be effectively $5 or $10 cheaper. Then I will swap around some parts I already have, letter it ATLANTIC CENTRAL, and the fleet grows.

Score:

Bachmann steam - 30

BLI/PCM steam - 6 (4 of which now have Bachmann tenders)

Proto steam - 4

Mantua steem - 2 (one with a Bachmann tender)

Athearn steam - 1

Rivarossi steam - 1

BUT, I will admit, most of the prototypes made by BLI don’t even interest me at all. Most are too big, to west coast, or too PRR

32

Well, then, my beef is with Frank who made the crack.

And I repeat.

Some people can fix a lemon, some cannot, and most don’t really want to, and why should they?

You spend a couple of hundred bucks or more to buy a product, you expect it to work.

Craftsman? Give me a break.

Rich

33

Rich, no offense intended to how anyone else enjoys model trains, but from day one, in 1968, when my father first showed me how to build a Silver Streak wood freight car kit, this hobby has been at least 50% about building models for me - not just buying them.

And, yes, based on the comments of my peers and the praise from my customers, I am a craftsman. In the areas of home design and construction, model trains, and automotive restoration, just to name a few.

Sheldon

34

Received a new HO scale BLI SW7 diesel switcher last spring, turned out to be defective. I’m no expert, but I think it was a decoder or wiring issue. After two failed factory warranty repairs I asked for and received an exchange, an NW2 diesel switcher. So far the replacement seems okay, though not as smooth a runner as my early 90s Kato NW2. Maybe with some tinkering the BLI switcher can be a better runner, but will wait and see how it pans out. BTW, at my request BLI pre-paid the shipping cost two out of three.

I realize that a $200 model locomotive has little in common with a new vehicle costing thousands. but back in the 80s I bought a new Ford, right off it had a rear main seal leak. After three failed warranty repairs and with more problems popping up due to the repairs I asked for an exchange, didn’t get one. Took my lumps and traded it in, but not on another Ford.

regards, Peter

35

For me, I’ve had a 75% rate of issues with BLI

My only one that hasn’t given me issues is a DCC-ready C30-7.

Sound/DCC C30-7: First a speaker went out really early, now the horn causes the loco to quit when F8 is active. I think this is an electronics issue

Sound/DCC NW2 #1: dies when direction reverses. Bad electronics for sure. Also derailed a lot before tinkering. ditched the QSI in favor of a normal decoder.

Sound/DCC NW2 #2: derailed a lot before tinkering. headlight went out as well.

36

Let me approach this topic from a different point of view.

At prices that I, and many others are willing to pay, I don’t hold out much hope for out of the box perfection.

I for one am not willing to pay Marklin/Trix prices, or MTH prices, even at normal “discounts”.

And Marklin seems to be just hanging on, and MTH seems to have as many quality problems as any body else.

Sheldon

37

But you should. No matter how much you or I or anyone else ultimately pays, when you look at what these locos retail for, including Bachmann and BLI, there should be perfection out of the box.

Our flat screen TVs work perfectly out of the box, so do our kitchen appliances, why not our model railroad locos?

Rich

38

Rich,

My crack as you call it, was a fact for me,not a personal attack to anyone,that it appears,to be the way you took it. I enjoy a challenge,whether it be a model, toy, piece of machinery,trk part,it is not everyone’s cup of tea. I do agree though,that it would be frustrating to spend x amount of dollars,for something that winds up being a so called Lemon. But from my stand point, I would not be in that position to begin with, I really do not need,all the whistle’s and bell’s,on any product,not just toy trains.

My youngest Son,used to always want me to buy a truck,with all the fancy chrome and all the whistles and bells… My simple answer was,I don’t want to spend my off time,polishing chrome,or fixing the whistle’s and bells. I want a truck that is dependable and will perform,it’s everyday function, not how good it looks and the horn should be on this side and that should be on that side, etc. Forget about it…

Cheers, [D]

Frank

39

Frank, I was referring to that remark as a “crack”. I wasn’t offended but I did take it as a put down to people who either lack the skill or the aptitude to fix certain things like MR locos. You have to be sensitive to other peoples skill set and willingness, or lack thereof, in taking on such projects.

One thing that I notice about this forum is that, on occasion, and with certain members, there is a tendency to expect newer entrants in the hobby to have the same skills, craftsman skills as Sheldon calls it, that the “old timers” have. Of course, they developed those skills out of necessity in the days when so much more product was in kit form. Nowadays, one can be a competent modeler without the need or skill to “fix” things.

Rich

40

For some of us, the diesel era with its flashy paint schemes is just plain more exciting than the steam era, and my father tells of the constant rain of soot all over Butler, PA, all over freshly washed clothes and even inside the houses. It doesn’t sound like it was very pleasant air, or especially for those who had to clean the houses inside and out.

I know from my friend who is the sales manager of a very good train store that overall sales of steam engines have been waning in recent years–for a variety of reasons. Even as there will always be some who model the Pennsylvania Railroad, here right in the heart of Pennsy country, sales of PRR stuff are waning…they are not what they used to be.

More and more modelers simply want to buy what they see all the time today.

I suspect there will always be some steam, but more and more are opting to buy a “fantrip version” of something they like just to have one token steamer on the layout. Of course, when the UP Big Boy returns to operation…there will be another Big Boy sales increase, but the market for everything else…???

I thoroughly enjoyed the two factory refurbished BLI Y-6B’s I owned, the last Athearn Genesis Big Boy (the weathered version) and the MTH 4-12-2’s (had two of those along with a WP 4-8-4 and a Rio Grande Challenger)–but my youngest son simply got bored with them, even with all the sounds, smoke, and lights…so part of my decision to dieselize was to keep him interested…with the flashy diesels. I had no mechanical issues with those last, but far from cheap, steamers–none at all–they ran very well day in and day out, and long enough to wear some plating off in some cases before we sold them.

Contrary to previous reports, he does still like trains a little and does run them when he’s home from school before I get home from work…just not everyday–but I always keep something on the mainline for him to run.