I have a mechanical problem with my BLI Santa Fe 4-8-4. When going forward the gears make a grinding noise, reverse gear works fine. I have sent it back to the shop to get fixed.
I wondered if anyone else had anything similar with their steam locomotives??
Hmmmmmm…Looks as though you’re the only person who has ever had a problem here…;-]
Mark
It is probably an anomaly. I purchased a “Stealth” BLI J Class 4-8-4 in 2009. It was found to have a broken gear in it when my decoder installer opened it. I am on maybe seven forums daily, and I can’t recall a single instance where I read of someone else having a problem with a BLI J.Class.
Crandell
With out hearing the grinding sound I would guess it is lack of Lube. If there was a clicking sound, then it would be a tower gear or center gear.
While I like my BLI Steamers, the one thing I have found is the QC is lacking in China. Ever problem that I can think of off hand has been due to lack of lube. OK, I take that back, had a nut fall off a drive rod, and a Class J gear started spinning on the motor shaft.
What the QC lack’s the US services department more than make up for! Great help full folks work there! Turn around time can be little long, so when I was having problems they sent me the parts and I repaired the engine’s my self.
I am with Crandell on the Hudson. I have one and it is the only BLI I have not opened up. I have had this one for 4 years now.
Cuda Ken
I agree with both Crandell and Ken. I have several BLI steamers, including the 4-8-4, and the 4-8-4 is the most reliable of all of them.
How long have you had the locomotive, and how long has the problem been occurring?
Since the grinding sound only occurs in one direction, I doubt that it is lack of lubrication, more likely it is a damaged or slipped gear.
Rich
Hi,
I’ve had the Paragon 4-8-4 (dcc/snd) and I have to say its my favorite steamer. It runs beautifully and the sound is just sooooo real (to me). I suspect your problem is (hopefully) a one of a kind, but the good news is that the folks at BLI will take good care of you.
ENJOY!
Ya gotta use the clutch. [:o)]
Seriously though BLI will give you good service. [Y]
Thanks guys I was wondering about BLI, I sent it back in Nov for that problem and it came back not fixed. I wasn’t happy about it but not a lot I could do except send it back. I’ll keep my fingers crossed hopefully the real crew chief will be at work then. Can’t wait for it to get running again.
Cheers, and Happy New Year!
You should have called first and requested a mailing label, they’ll do that that ,shipping then would have been o.
BLI;s Warranty is one of the best mainly because of the QC problems they have with their Chinese manufacturers