Do BLI locomotives have good pulling power?
Yes, they are good pullers, and the Company even provides apair of traction drivers (one axle) in the event that you pull long trains up steeper grades.
Edit- My experience is with their steamers, though, no diesels.
My heavy Mike with the traction tire will pull everything I own up a 4% grade. I double head it only because it looks good.
It also has great sound. I love it.
Are you talking about the Steam or Diesel?
Brian,
The Heavy Mike that Art is referring to was the 2-8-2 “Heavy” Mikado - as opposed to it’s lighter sibling, the “Light” Mikado. The “Mike” was a steamer and was very prolific up till the end of the 50’s, when diesels started taking over the railroads.
Tom
The Mike is the Mikado 2-8-2. The diesel is there for effect. I also double head it with my 2-6-6-2, but the Seirra does not do much of the work. The 2-8-2 will pull those coal cars all by itself.
Among the best with or without the traction tires for steam models. The diesels are excellent also and the running qualities are good.
Enjoy!
I’ve got the BLI Mountain and really like its pulling power. It doesn’t like any thing under a 24" radius curve, which it found tight spots in a yard throat. I use it to test any new track additions. If it will negotiate the track then anything else I have will. Its a lot more finicky than the three articulated engines I have and will pull more cars than those also.
What about the diesels? I’m thinking of getting a EMD NW2, Phase V, GN #151
Does anybody have this locomotive? If so, then how well is it’s pulling power? And does it look good?
My BLIs pull very well. I highly recommend them.
Arthill…COOL LAYOUT!
I can imagine sound equipped locomotives running with the reverb set to high/ echo. Adding to the effect of the present mountain terrain.
I have a BLI 'Heavy Mike and a Hudson. Both are good pullers. I have never even tried the traction axle with the Hudson. No need on the BRVRR. They pull well and the sound is awesome!
If I can find a BLI E8 in NYC “Lightning Stripes” for a decent price, I’ll let you know about the diesels.
Yep, I highly recommend BLI loco’s , The diesels all pull very well.
I have a BLI SW7-basically the same model as the NW2. It can pull just
about anything I would have an occasion to have a switching locomotive
pull. It also runs quite good. By coincidence, I have mine painted as
GN 166. Appearance of these locos is adequate. I upgraded the details
considerably on mine but am satisfied with the overall looks.
I had a BLI SW7 (Or NW2?) shove 15 cars upgrade once. It did not get far but I wasnt expecting it to make it with that cut of 15 cars anyhow.
The M1a and Heavy Mike are good engines but I consider my 2-10-4 J1 really “Picky” anything sloppy track or under 24" forget it.
I have a Cab Forward from BLI and it will pull the benchwork. Ok, so maybe a slight twist fo the truth. Every BLI I have seen has been a good puller. Smooth,strong drivetrains and for sound units, they are pretty heavy. Great combo.
Art, I am not sure what possed you to put that big ole mountian in that room, but that is just killer[:D]. I would love to have somethign that striking in my layout. And the bridge, well… that is just a thing of beauty.
The steam engines pull well, the diesels are not better than any other brand. I have not bought any of the diesels due to all the details discrepancies they have on them such as railings, paint, and fans.
I have two NW2s which I use as yard switchers and for industrial switching. I found that with my longest trains (25+) cars, it would spin its wheels in my flat yard. I have to double up the switchers to break up my longest trains. Trains under 20 cars it has no problems with but I don’t use them on grades. My guess is that it would have trouble with a 10-15 car train on my 2% grades.
Brian,
Keep in mind that the NW2/SW7 was a yard switcher and wasn’t originally built to pull long strings of cars. With that said, they are still very nice locomotives.
Brian, if you want a real deal on an early diesel locomotive (circa 1940-1950), Trainworld and M.B. Klein have the Proto 2000 Alco S1 switcher for $29.99. (Originally, $110 MSRP. That’s 70%+ off list!) It runs like a dream and is beautifully detailed. I’ve heard the Atlas S2s are nice, too.
Tom
With NW2 I can pull out a string of 20 cars for classifying. They would also be great with 10-15 car local switching turns.