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BLI Union pacific 2-10-2
I think it was worth the wait. The only thing I could find about my Cab number 5053. It was built by Lima 1923 with a 12,000-gallon 20-ton tender. A Builders photo is on page 150 of “Motive Power of the Union Pacific.” It is very well detailed. The cab interior has a light that is illuminated while standing still and will stay for a short period during movement. The backhead is has gauges and levers with a fireman and engineer. It is a version that was in service towards the end of steam era.
This has the extended water bunker and large snow that gives it the character that is unique to the locomotive. It runs very well the sound is great on my Digitrax system. It would start moving on 1.
Nice review… Thanks!
They should do a better job when they pakage the locomotive. THey need to think about removal.
Recommendation would be to have holes in bottom so you can push out the locomtive. Example Walthers Proto 2000.
When I when to take my 5053 out the box the marker light either came off or was off during packing.
The unit runs good at this time.
Have had Loco for 2 weeks and still have not run it. The rear truck on the tender came apart taking it out of the box. The “E” clip that holds the truck wheels in place was missing. I contacted the importer and they said they would send the part, still waiting!!!
I’m still waiting for my TTT to arrive, but I think the description of it as having a brass boiler is incorrect: As a “hybrid” model I believe the boiler will be white metal (diecast), with brass add-on parts. The level of detailing will not match that of the all-brass version released by BLI a few months back; e.g. no electrical conduits to the lights. But since it is only a third of the price this is hardly surprising !
great magazine and online service. I am new to the computer and intrenet so I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO READ THIS.
Dear PROF TOM WATSON,
I have read your comment and would like to clarify something. After removing the boiler from the frame on the underside there is a seam line running the length of the boiler and is indented, there is a removable weight, and the metal on the boiler is thin. Plus there are several soldered seam lines inside the boiler indicating brass sheet construction. The probable reason for the low cost, is the omission of high detailing and the use of special high detailed castings, made for the model and used in areas like firebox front, pipping, and the air and feed water pumps and there brackets. I hope this adds some more helpful information about the locomotive and the way it was made.
I agree with Mr Ficca. When I took my model from the styrofoam, the headlight became detached. I ended up having to resolder it to the locomotive. Also, the locomotive is very long and, though it says it will operate on 22" radius curves, it is a tight fit. The detailing on the locomotive is great and the sounds are very accurate.
Model runs pretty good. Start voltage CV is set to 22 (per sheet of default values )but I still need to advance the Digitrax throttle up quite a bit before it actually starts running. Then I can back down if I want it to run very slow.
Packing need to be improved. Both of the boiler marker lights were bent due to being imbeded in the styrofoam which was quite stiff (go back to the foam used for years in packing brass locos.). One was bent back okay but the second came off when I tried to straighten it out. I have not fixed that yet, but I believe it will be simple to do. Also programmin switch under tender hatch was in programming position when unit arrived. This caused only a little problem becaues a BLI Cab Forward I got a while ago had the same situation with that switch.
I think the China firm making them needs better Inspection & QC as well as stateside checking of each unit by BLI before shipping out to the stores.
At $450, the price is steep and you certainly should not get bent parts and a switch in the wrong position.
I got mine for X-mas from my girlfriend. Markerlights were broke off, the plug and harness from the tender was damaged. I called BLI so I could have them fix it , they told me Eight weeks. They were sold out so I couldn’t replace it. I sent it back to my dealer. Really not that nice of a Locomotive.
The long wait made it even more flustering to receive the unit and the back up light not operate properly.
Shipped the unti back to BLI and they repaired at no cost just an aggravation of having to deal with the nonsense of it all
I echo all the other comments regarding packing. It seems they skimmped on the packing which is obviously critical to maintaining the integrity of all parts. Especially when the unit is priced in a range that one would expect better quality packing.
The unit runs well, the sound was a bit disappointing but not worth making a big fuss over.
I’ve owned a BLI Norfolk Western for 4 years and the quality of sound is superb for that unit.