Can anyone give me any input on Broadway Limited Steam Locomotives. Looking at a 2-8-2 light Mikado with Paragon 2 sound. DC / DCC. I operate in DCC. What’s the word on their products? Not familiar with Paragon 2 sound.
I have two of the older BLI Paragon 2-8-2 Mikados with QSI sound, and a few diesel locomotives with Paragon2 sound. In my opinion, the Paragon2 sound is better than what QSI had, and the new decoders seem to have good motor and light control as well.
Just getting back to the hobby this year, my experience is limited. That said, I was watching for the BLI UP DCC Paragon2 light mikado release to occur and received one last week (from MBKlein). The popularity mau be indicated by the 11 UP items they had when I ordered, and only 2 left 7 days later. Unfortunately, it had a major problem as it would not go or would go in fits and starts, sort of hopping. Discussed with MBKlein and they nicely offered for me to return it (they provided UPS label) and they will be sending me a replacement. I did not want a refund as this is a bit of a fluke, we concluded so I will still plan for this loco in my fleet. I bought an older BLI 4-8-2 DCC Paragon mountain that my LHS happened to have and am happy with it. Ditto a diesel switcher.
Looking over a number of threads on the forum beforehand, most folks were pretty happy with the BLIs. If you acquire one, unpack and handle it carefully; e.g., the MBKlein person advised a couple people broke off their headlight unpacking it (it has an extra cushion around it that can bind up when removing the loco from the foam).
Others will have more insight on BLI steam locos performance, or search at the box in the right column; e.g.,
I have a PRR BLI light mikado, very nice engine. Not the best puller in my fleet, but I generally have heavy steam and it is a light mikado[:)]
I have one of the older BLI Paragon 2-8-2 Mikados with QSI sound.
It is a smaller, lighter steam engine but it looks good, runs good, pulls good and the sound is fine.
No complaints, no problems.
Rich
That same loco is a recent addition to my roster. I am very pleased with sound and operation. I recommend this loco to you.
Dwayne A
I have one of the light USRA Mikados made a few years ago also and it is a nice running model. My thought on any BLI models made recently is this question: Who are they using to produce the latest models. They moved their production out of Korea two years ago and some of the latest models from China do not run well.
I purchased two of their GS4’s last year and their running qualities is below par. They seem to short out on normal track and reset the BLI sound fairly often. I purchased two of those and both are much the same and not usable. I use mine on the display shelf along with the Intermountain AC12. They do look nice but I was hoping they might run well also.
CZ
I have one of the AC6000s with sound from the latest run and its the worst running engine I have ever seen. After about 5 min of running the electronics heat up and the unit begins hesitating/surging wildly. The most recent Paragon 2 decoders from China are VERY poorly made. The mechanism itself run without the decoder is as smooth as a swiss watch. I will be eventually ripping out that Paragon 2 trash and replacing it with a soundtraxx decoder.
They are hit or miss with quality now due to Chinese manufacturing. About anything you get from China is crap these days. My other engines that are older are absolutely fantastic. I had to send one of the new Paragon2 BLI heavy Mikados back as it would not run correctly right out of the box. Had a bad wobble and bind in the gearing. If they had stuck with Korea they would be fine. Seems like the Chinese sabatoge everything now days. I have had alot of problems with Bachmann Spectrum engines from China also. They are hit or miss.
I bought one a few months ago and ran it on both DC and DCC. I am really pleased with the way it runs. I don’t have much experience with sound locomotives but i like what I ear. A nice addition to my fleet.
It is good to know that some of them run well. It seems like the hit and miss phase is the best way to describe the latest BLI products from China. If you can buy it locally and run it first to verify the operating quality, then it might a safe buy.
CZ
Hi,
I have several BLI locos - all with DCC & sound. IMHO, they are great!
Now I did have a problem with one, and BLI took care of the difficulty with no problem.
Most of their locos are very prototypical, but they have slapped markings on steamers that were never owned by the railroad so named (I.E - ATSF USRA Mike).
By the way, I’ve got an awful lot of power units, and my favorite is the BLI 4-8-4 Santa Fe w/sound
I purchased the BWL 2-8-2 Light Mikado PRR a few days ago from MB Klien, it was just released with the paragon2 sound system. It’s now on it’s way to me, hope I didn’t make a big mistake. Have made a few mistake lately in purchasing Model RR merchandise, hope this isn’t another.
Be sure to report back and let us know.
Rich
I have two older BLI “Powerhouse” Heavy Mikes made in China. Both had poor running characteristics, mostly because of improper quartering of the drivers. I could not use my Northwest Short Line quartering jig because of a big hunk of metal in the center if the driver axles. One of these engines is still operational and the other is in the salvage box. A third “Paragon” light Mikado made in China and purchased around the same time performed quite well. Then,two years ago I reserved another China built BLI Heavy Mike. After waiting a year and a half to receive this engine with the new “Paragon 2” system. I was pleased with the running characteristics, but just hated the sound system. I didn’t have long to hate the sound system because the engine developed a dead short after five days. BLI Customer service said it would take 13 to 18 weeks to repair and send it back. I ripped out the “dead” Paragon 2 system out and installed a Soundtraxx Medium steam decoder. Now I have a locomotive that runs well and sounds great.
Going along with others in this thread I would recommend testing any BLI locomotive prior to purchase. I know that this is not very realistic unless you happen to live near a major hobby shop or distributor. BLI products seem to be hit or miss in many many cases. You roll the dice if you buy one off the internet…
Split Reduction
I got my BLI heavy Mikado from MB Klein yesterday. It hasn’t made a complete loop on my 4X8 layout yet! It seems to derail & wobble and the synchronized chuff wobbles with it. I have some trackwork issues as this is my only 8 wheel loco so I cannot blame the loco fully. Sound is impressiveto me.
The UP light mikado I ordered just came in the mail a few days ago.I already had two of the “BlueLine” versions (I put lokpilot decoders in them),and have been very happy with them. This new Paragon 2 version seems to run well,sound is good(after some CV adjustments),but there are two issues you might be interested in.
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Traction tires - I don’t want to start anything here,I know many people like them. I personally loathe them,and the engine doesn’t come with a non-traction tire set for the user to change them out. It’s been awhile,but I think I had to buy the non-traction tire drivers for my bluelines separately.
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The headlight goes OFF when the engine is in reverse. This doesn’t seem prototypical,and it does bother me. I tried to find something in the technical manual to change this… couldn’t… e-mailed BLI,and they replied that at the present time,there is no way to have the headlight on in reverse. The blueline engines DO leave the headlight on in reverse.
I also have 3 of the paragon 2 SW7/NW2 switchers - No way to leave the headlight on with them,either.
I’m not bashing BLI,I have quite a few ot their engines,and I’m happy with them,but the headlight issue seems odd to me
Mike (still in Denver,CO)
I bought the Great Northern version several years ago and it has run great since I placed it on the track the first time. I did take it apart and give it a little oil to smooth out the running gear and relieve an annoying squeak that was driving me nuts!! It will creep along real well and the sound is great.
No experience with the BLI light Mike but have a Q2 with Paragon2 sound for about a year now. Had an internal short that required a chassis replacement and the smoke unit needed replacing. I run my trains 1-2 hours a day. I also had a SD7 and SD9 that needed trips back to BLI for running hesitation, etc. Sounds terrible but I would not hesitate to buy another BLI engine (I have 3 on order). Their service department is exceptional and handled the issues as they came up in a timely professional manner. All units are running perfectly now and the sorting out was worth it. You also get an extra years warranty by registering on line (2 years total). Never had a problem with the sound system. Would never want an engine without sound…it really brings things to life (smoke is great too).
As an aside I have several MTH units that have been back to the mfr, as well for various problems. same experience with the service department…professional and timely repairs. Bottom line: All the new technology if used regularly takes repair support. It is worth it for all the bells and whistles (literally!) Expect that sooner or later if you use it regular you will be sending it out for repair and chose the mfr. wisely based on this eventuality.
Cheers! Bob
Sorry to bring back this thread but as I wrote that I was happy with my newly acquired BLI Light Mikado I must now tell a new story. Running the loco on 28 speed steps I noticed that between step 14 and step 15 there was a greater increase in speed that I can’t correct with any adjustment of the speed table. Annoying but not that much. Recently I experimented with the 128 speed steps and then found a mayor problem. When reaching step 64 the loco will suddenly accelerate to full speed and become unstoppable whatever I do with the cab. The only way I can stop it is to switch off the layout.
I also experimented small problems with programming CVs, specially with sound, the CV’s number will change but the volume will stay the same. Although I can live with that too I am considering changing the decoder for a motor only decoder so I can use the 128 speed steps.
After that experience and what I since read about BLI locomotives, this locomotive will be the first and last from that manufacturer.