I was just reading about the BLI switchers and read that the new sd40-2’s are noisey.
Has anyone had exprience with these loco’s, I’m thinking of getting a couple.
Ken.
Let me clarify, on the one I saw run at the LHS. It was NOT as noisy as your typical Athearn Blue Box loco, but it was NOT nice and quiet like other BLI locos, and certainly not as quiet and smooth running as the new switchers. Might have just been a bad one or something.
–Randy
Thanks Randy, they do need lubrication when new don’t they?
It’s a long way over here and then to have trouble with it!
Ken.
Ken I do not own one but three people who live near me do and have seen all three run,i have noticed no excessive gear noise although they could be a little better detailed.I think you have a better chance with bli getting a quick replacement if you do get a problem stricken one then with other manf.My experience with their service dept. so far is exellent. I found the quality of the qsi sound to be well worth the asking price. Terry. PS. i am still waiting on a reply from the museum on the model T rail car have recievied no info from them yet.
Thanks Terry, regarding the BLI detail, I read a few reviews on-line they seem to think it was rushed to market and some things could be better.
I don’t really mind about that sort of thing, I’ve got nothing to compare with (prototype wise) I like the the look, I’ll love the sound, I’m not a rivet counter!! and the price is good, even in NZ dollars. My LHS quoted about $750 I can land it here for about $310NZ not bad!
About the museum they are all volunteers so I guess they only work at the weekends etc, it’s been awhile tho.
Ken.
I saw 4 of them and they were all very noisy. I didn’t take them apart to see if they needed lubrication but I’m guessing they need additional lubrication from what they got when they left BLI. My switchers are noisy too so I’m going to open them up and inspect them and post my results. I’m suspecting it’s a lubrication issue. I sure hope it is a lube issue. Note, the switcher is not nearly as noisy as the SD40-2’s. They were very loud, so loud they drowned out the sound from the sound system, no kidding. At least on the switchers you could still hear the sound system. I’ll look at this tonight and post my results.
I bought an SD40-2 from Tony’s Train Exchange at the Springfield Show and it runs a treat no gear noise but a lot of volume from the speakers , man, what a noise!!!.. I had to turn down the volume it was just too much. I’m no expert on U.S. loco sounds but it sounds good with the louve shutters opening and closing and the air release. It’s my first BLI loco and by all accounts it will not be the last … at just over £110 Sterling thats got to be good value for money. Might save for a AC6000 !!! CPPedler
Ken,
Yesterday I made a visit to my hobbyshop. I live in the Netherlands in Europe and buy my US stuff across the border in Germany.
The BLI SD40 is good. Sound is loud enough and all the extra sounds are fine (like the louvres…awsome!) But the engine sound is incorrect. It sounds like the Proto2000 GP9 I have, and that is a first generation EMD. A SD40 has a second generation EMD engine…Too bad, but it is as it is. But I still think that the BLI SD40 is a good loco. Oke, the detailling isn’t that great, but the overall look is very good. The one I played with in the shop was a UP.
Switchers also there; looking fine! Sound isn’t very loud (who needs that), but the horn sounds great. Mmm, I think I will buy one…(Btw, sound volume is very easy to adjust, by volume control and by programming)
Great news. thanks for all your input, I’ve got two on the way from Tony’s and a 2-8-2 light
Ken.