Just received my on-line flyer for their specials. Have tried to order but the links just hang up my computer. Anyone else try to order or access their site?
HTTP 500 error at the moment (server side problem)
looks to me like they took the site down for a bit, though it’d be nice if they used a placeholder site to say what was going on. My money’s on something broke on their (or their webhost’s) server.
If you can get through they are having a blow out sale on several engines. I just got a PCM N&W Y-6b with sound for $255 including shipping.
Not only Y6b’s are going, I just bought an ABBA configuration of F3’s for the Supeprchief for 400$.
Magnus
Well, unless there’s a major hiccup in FDT’s online ordering system, my money’s now on a new PCM New York Central F3a (powered A & B) w/sound:
This will be my first PCM and my second locomotive with Loksound. (I’m assuming it comes with the newer v. 3.5 sound decoder.) It was just too “pertty” to pass up for the price. I’ll be curious to see how the low-end response of the PCM F3a compares to my Stewart FT.
And, Don, I had the same problem you did. It took me next to forever for each segment of the order to load onto my monitor. Literally, I’d click the button, walk away, and return 5 minutes later.
All in all, I took me probably 20-25 minutes to actually submit the order online. I would have to agree with Dan that there is definitely some sort of glitch with FDT’s server.
Tom
FDT is always kind of slow, after last nights e-mail my guess is that they are being stampeded with people wanting to but. At those prices it’s hard not to buy. I know I’ve spent quite a lot this last week there.
Magnus
Same here just ordered 1 NYC set. I have a few Loksound equipped European locomotives previously and I even have the Lokprogrammer[:)] So I can tweak the sound.[:P]
I recieved this flyer also. The Y6b is going for 249 dollars. To me that is the lowest I have ever seen on any model by percentage anywhere.
The web pages for Broadway is in errors last night since the mailing came out. I dont know what happened but Im sure someone will set it right soon enough.
Good luck with that Tom [;)]… wish I had that kind of money to be spending on MRR. Yet another reason to verify my argument that school gets in the way of having fun…
Thanks, Dan. Since I did receive a confirmation e-mail from FDT this morning, I think my chances are pretty good. [:)] Wish it had been a NYC “Cat Whisker” FT instead…[sigh]
Tom
Yeah… those would be nice. It appears that Empire Northern’s set was dropped by Bowser/Stewart again…
I have yet to work with BLI/PCM/FDT for anything yet, though from how everyone is praising them, looks like I should start considering their locos… though the price tag is a bit out of reach for me.[V]
I can verify that FDT is the best retailer out there. At least in my opinion, they ship the same day, they are honest about what they have in stock and Joe(the owner) answers any e-mails quickly and with correct answers. I must say that FDT’s customer support is the best. Lately I’ve been doing all my BLI/PCM purchases there.
Magnus
I am the happy owner of a new PCM Big Boy undec w/out sound for $199.00. I called at 9am this morning and bought the last of 13 he had on hand. I plan on putting in a Tsunami and decal it for a road that I shall not mention. It will be a good running mate for the PCM 2-8-8-2 I already have also in the un-mentioned road name. Life is good! I was planning on getting a Blueline BB this fall for $199.00 but the PCM version even with out sound is a better loco and a better buy. Now if I just had a layout!!
Terry in Florida
I don’t understand how that is a better deal. The Blue Line Big Boy is just a PCM Big Boy with PCM/BLIs own sound system (the models themselves are the exact same thing). I would think that the Blue Line is a better deal since they come with sound.
I have spoken with a couple of people that are under the impression that the Blue Line locos are somehow different and of lower quality as far as detail goes. I don’t know where that came from. BLI/PCM even states that there is no difference in detail.
As of 16:36 EST, it appears that both the BLI/PCM and Factory Direct Train (FDT) web sites are off the grid. I read or heard somewhere that FDT is not affiliated with BLI/PCM but does have permission to sell their inventory. I guess we can assume that they must use the same server though? [:-^] The “Error Occurred While Processing Request” message is exactly the same for both sites.
Tom
Update: 17:46 EST - They’re both back up again.
Smitty - My money says the blueline BB will not weight in at 54 oz (or whatever the PCM BB is). They may use the same mold but I don’t think it will have near as much cast metal (weight). Also anytime you have a motor decoder and sound decoder working independently you lose all of the sound enhancements based on Loco work load like going up/down grades etc. (sound of power). I have the Blueline SD-9 and once it is crusing nothing changes the pitch or sound of the exhaust including grade changes. One nice thing about the BL though is on the steam they have the exhaust cam/magnet for correct chuf rate. Another aspect of this deal that appeals to me is that a Tsunami is far superior to the Lok sound. I have the PCM 2-8-8-2 with lok sound and am not really impressed with it. So for ME anyway this is a cheaper way to get a top of the line loco that I can upgrade even further with a Tsunami. I am even considering putting a Tsunami in my 2-8-8-2. So I agree with your statement that the detail is the same on the BL and the PCM however other aspects will suffer I am sure like weight. Like they say there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Terry in Florida
I asked because I am hearing so many different opinions about the Blue Line stuff. BLI states that the running and pulling capabilities are the same as the Paragon stuff. If they cut the weight that is inaccurate, so I am curious to see how all this comes out in the wash. I was wanting a Big Boy myself and was sort of waiting to see what the Blue Line is like, so this should be interesting. I am starting to see and hear conflicting info from BLI/PCM on details for the Blue Line models. On their video about the Blue Line, they say the details are the same, but in the FAQs, they say there is a difference. What the heck!?!?!?!?!?!?
Smitty - I’m like you I have heard many rumors running around. As far as my statement about weight etc. That is my personal opinion based on nothing but speculation. I need a BB like a hole in the head but like you I was contimplating the BL BB but when this came along I jumped on it. It will cost me another hundred bucks to put sound in it but I think it will be a keeper. I guess we shall see. It just seems to me that several hundred dollares difference in the Paragon and the BL has to be cut somewhere. Maybe they will cut the weight and put on traction tires. Sorry I didn’t mean that. That wasn’t funny. [:D] I get the feeling that BLI/PCM is kind of winging it at the moment. Maybe they don’t even know what they are going to do yet. That would explain the different data put out by them and the mods don’t seem to answer those types of questions on the BLI forum. I have had a mod question on that forum concerning the NW Class A and traction tires and haven’t got an answer and it’s been a week.
Terry in FLorida
I have both BLI QSI SD40-2s and Blueline SD40-2s, all in NS roadname. Except for the different sound system and a lack of motor DCC controller, they appear to be identical in every way, including weight.
Gruppa owner of BLI has a brother who is owner of FDT. That is the way I understand it.