This week I decided I needed a small switcher to work some textile mills on my layout. I really like the Broadway Limited Plymouth diesel but, alas I cannot find any and the last post on the BL website appears to be 2014.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
I guess I can just keep watching Ebay for one to come up for bid.
I can’t shed any light on the BLI model. But Walthers offers a nice little model… On sale now BTW on the Walthers Website!
Simon
Hello All,
I purchased a BLI Track Mobile a while back because I love “critters”!
This unit definitely requires live or powered frogs. I don’t believe you can put a “keep-alive” device in its small space even though it is DCC.
I will be only using this critter on straight powered track.
As far as the Walthers Plymouth switcher, it has a “keep-alive” and is DCC.
Thanks for the heads up…
Just ordered one!
Thank you.
Good luck on the BLI, but the Walthers might be a better option.
Hope this helps.
We bought a Walthers Plymouth for the Boothbay Railway Village layout. It has DCC with a keep alive module. Great puller and the keep alive kept it running for almost a foot on track that I insulated with a paper towel
https://www.walthers.com/search/category/products/trains/mode/list?q=Plymouth+Diesel+ho
Hello All,
Just got the Walthers Plymouth ML-8 switcher.
What a fantastic unit!
It’s truly a “little giant”, the pulling power is amazing!!
If you’ve ever considered a smaller, “critter” type locomotive, get one of these!!!
This unit is on sale now.
The decoder in this unit is a non-sound ESU LokPilot Standard. This decoder has an amazing array of CVs.
For comparison, I got out my Athearn Roundhouse EMD Model 40 with DCC. This unit does not have a “keep-alive” device, while the Walthers does.
After running them “side by each” I have decided to install a TCS KAM4-LED decoder in the Athearn Model 40.
Yes, it’s an expensive upgrade to the Athearn- -almost equal to the sale price of the Walthers unit.
However, this decoder upgrade will allow the Athearn unit to complement my roster of “critters” and be as reliable as the Plymouth ML-8 Walthers unit.
Hope this helps.
Dies the new one witht he Lokpilot use an ESU 3 wire keep alive, or still just a basic 2 wire one? I ask because I have the older Walthers one with the Soundtraxx motor only decoder and keep alive, and the keep alive duration is simply WAY too long. The 3 wire type that go with ESU decoders are more expensive, but they also allow you to set the duration to something other than “until it runs out of juice”.
–Randy
Hello All,
On the new Walthers Plymouth ML-8 Switcher the “Keep-Alive” is built on to the ESU LokPilot Standard V1.0 PCB decoder. Similar to a TCS KAM series but in a PCB form.
No external capacitive devices!
Pretty slick!!
Pick one up if they are still available.
Hope this helps.