BLI vs. TRIX

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I want to have a German steam, I have two options:

TRIX 22020 - DB CL 01 EXPRESS LOCO/TENDER 06

The locomotive has a controlled C-Sine high-efficiency propulsion in a compact design with a DCC/Selectrix decoder and a sound generator. 3 axles powered, 2 traction tires. The tender is made of metal. There is a close coupling between the locomotive and tender that can be adjusted for different curves. The locomotive is ready for installation of a smoke generator. The locomotive has LED triple headlights that change over with the direction of travel and a smoke generator contact. Both will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The locomotive whistle and steam locomotive operating sounds as well as the acceleration and braking delay can be controlled digitally with DCC, Selectrix, or Trix Systems. The sound of air compressors working, the flickering light of the firebox, the sound of brakes squealing, and a short whistle blast can be controlled with Trix Systems. Three additional sound functions (the sound of steam being let off, the sound of coal being shoveled, and the sound of the grate being shaken) can be activated with the Trix Systems Central Station to be delivered in the future. There is a close coupler with a guide mechanism and an NEM coupler pocket on the tender. Minimum radius for operation 360 mm / 14-3/16". Length over the buffers 275 mm / 10-13/16".

PRICE 495.00

PCM

Deutsche Bundesbahn BR01 4-62

Features:

  • Beautifully Detailed, Accurately Modeled Locomotive and Tender Body
  • Authentic Design, Paint and Color Schemes
  • Authentic Sounds (Sound Equipped Units Only) and Prototypical Operation
  • Many Separately Applied Details Including Brass Bell / Rails
  • Detailed Backhead
  • Constant
2

GTX,

As I mentioned in the other thead, I have a Trix 2-8-2 Mikado that I’ve had for over a year now. From both a detailing and operational standpoint, it is superb.

I don’t have any experience with PCM. But I have seen there American locomotives at shows and they are impressive looking.

Although I don’t think you can really go wrong with either one of them, my guess is that the low-end response on the Trix will be smoother. My Trix Mike really crawls. [^][tup]

Tom

3

I know but $500. Gosh does the sound on a TRIX work as well as a BLI? I need a good reason to spend an extra $100. I know TRIX is made in Germany and has a good motor and lots of metal. This is a very hard choice. The PCM model is out of production so every place that has one is asking alot.

4

GTX,

It doesn’t seem to indicate which sound decoder is in the Trix locomotive you have listed. (My Trix Mike has the Loksound v.2.0 decoder.) The PCM locomotives come with the newer Loksound v.3.5 sound decoder. Sound-wise, since they are the same decoder, I would assume that they will be pretty much the same.

[Edit: It looks like the Trix comes with the “Selectrix decoder and sound generator”. I’m not familiar with that one. I’m wondering if they are going the same direction as BLI with a separate sound decoder and motion decoder.]

If you are referring to the QSI sound decoders that BLI has used in their locomotives, in some respects, I like the sound of the Loksound decoders better than the BLI QSI decoders - particularly the chuff. It’s more “throaty” with the Loksound decoder than the QSI decoder.

For me, although sound is fun, it can get annoying after a while. I would rather buy a locomotive that runs and looks well over one that sounds better and doesn’t look quite as well. Obviously, both would be a plus…

Tom

5

Hi

both manufacturers make an absolutely wonderful looking locomotive. From past experience I know that my Marklin locomotives were wonderful engines. They ran very well and were very rugged and reliable. This layout existed from the 70’s to the 90’s when a house fire destroyed it all.

As for BLI there is nothing that I can say. Waiting for an AC 6000 from them.

Just wondering if you also checked out Fleischmann and Roco. They also make very good locomotives. Here are their links.

[img]http://www.fleischmann.de/[img] for Fleischmann

[img]http://www.roco.com/categories.aspx[img] for Roco

These sites are just a suggestion, also there is a large selection of other locomotives from Europe on these sites.

I remember as a little child watching this engines lighter version the 03 pulling passenger trains back home. They were good looking locomtives that performed to about the middle of the 70’s.

Frank

6

Go with the Trix.

BLI is converting to BLUELINE and dispenses with QSI. Yes PCM has Loksound with has limitations.

And Trix might be availible right now while you probably will still be waiting for the BLI model which was announced a LONG time ago and I never have seen the German model anywhere yet.

7

Safety Valve,
On what do you base your statement that BLI is “…converting to BLUELINE…” and doing away with QSI sound?

Paul A. Cutler III

Weather Or No Go New Haven

8

http://www.broadway-limited.com/store/index.cfm

I dont need to put words to this image. The entire focus of BLI has been Blueline Blueline and more blueline until they are blue in the face.

Besides QSI is releasing a “Revolution” Decoder for installations into Analog engines in the future.

Now they are creating movies for your Blueline pleasure… low or high speed internet choices.

It is interesting to see a company demonstrate total focus and marching in lokstep to one goal. As they once did with QSI, Silence no more. LOL.

9

You are likely to be happy with either engine…are you not? Really, you must address this aspect of your consideration.

There is something you are not acknowledging here. If it were just money, the answer is obvious. If you are worried about overall durability and quality, the answer is, or should be, obvious. If you have another important criterion in mind, let us in on it so that we can offer you reasonable advice.

As things stand, BLI/PCM good and less costly, Trix better and more costly. If traction were a consideration, I would guess the Trix gets the nod, traction tires or not, but it depends on how you feel about rubber tires on a model.

10

Really I want a German Engine that is good quality and worth the money. I have never owned either brand before. My choices for a german engine for $500 or less is not easy for standard DCC. I am using a Zepher and will hope either one is a good choice but the Trix seems to have more quality involved but if I get a good Deal on the BLI/PCM then I will buy it to spend the extra dollars saved on other train items.

11

Okay, thanks for your response. In that case, and when taking into account BLI’s warranty and reputation for service, I think you really have in mind a few other things you’d be happy to have that will be attainable if you opt for the less expensive engine, and that is BLI.

However, [:-,], not to be unhelpful, the Trix will be a showpiece for you from an emotional standpoint. What will its value be that way over time? You must think in those terms, not in terms of what other people you mention these criteria to will make of your choice. To Joe Blow on the street, a guy who likes powerful motorcycles that he makes from spare parts (not a buyer, in other words) will he care whether you got the costlier, and arguably finer, toy locomotive? More importantly though, and this is my point, do you?

It shouldn’t be a conundrum for you. Your two or three criteria can have assigned weights to them. Say cost is weighted 5 points, with the most costly getting fewer points. Quality and looks rate 4, and what others might think, let’s call it Pride of Ownership, gets a 3. The BLI is what, $300? Let’s assign it a value of 4/5. The looks only rate a 3/5, and how you and others may feel about it later rates a 2/3 because you guess you’ll not be quite as thrilled over the lesser quality as time goes on.

Now, for the cost criterion, the Trix rates a 3/5 because it costs quite a chunk more than the 4/5 BLI. The quality and looks give it a solid 4/4. Your pride of ownership earns it a 3/3.

Now, we add it all up. The BLI gets a score of 9/13 (adding numerators and denominators makes it simple instead of doing the real math to find a common denominator), while the Trix gets a score of 10/13. So, using that methodology, the Trix is somewhat ahead, but numerically definitely the superior choice.

Now, you have

12

Excellent Answer.

This answer should be framed [:D][tup] I will order the TRIX and go for it. I am wiring and testing the track this weekend and over the next few days. Then my German Steam will arrive and the true test will begin. Thanks for your intel and time to answer. [bow]

13

Hi,

please keep us posted with regards to the engine when you receive it. Love to read a review if you do not mind.

Frank

14

And how it pulls. Does it beat the BLI Heavy Mike’s 16 car (on a 3% stopped) restart ability?

15

My opinion :

Trix - excellent mechanism, good looking, real good running, limited variety of accurate prototype variations (which means squat as long as they have what you want), rather average sound (Loksound Ver. 2). Traction should be okay to great with tires.

BLI/PCM - good to very good mechanisms, good looking, real good running, decent variety of accurate prototype variations (ditto above comment), above average to great sound (QSI, Blueline, and Loksound Ver. 3+) depending on specific model. Traction okay to great with tires.

BLI/PCM are not cheap, but you can usually find a decent deal if you are not one of those “got to have the first one in my state” kind of guys. Trix is overpriced unless you get a real deal. The Trix Mike was lovely, but you got jobbed at $400 or more. At $200 or so it is well worth it.

If they both made exactly what I wanted, I wouldn’t spend any more on one versus the other.

I do not know how good Trix is relative to parts/service; not saying they aren’t fantastic- I don’t know. So far I find BLI/PCM excellent to work with. I do NOT return whole locos to the factory distributor to fix, and I have only had one small issue.

16

My TRIX will be here in two weeks. I will let you know how It is.