Outlet Direct PRR J1 (BLI)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

After spending a week in AZ, I arrived home to find the alarm system dead, phones too, house at 10 deg C, and post office notice that my J1 needed $46 duty to be liberated. Took me an hour, but everything is back in order.

I am happy to say that, true to its report, MR Mag was correct: the J1 from BLI will run on 22" curves. The BLI’s literature says the min is 24". THAT’S a new one!

As I always do, the first thing was to place it on my counter top. The middle driver was suspended, but on closer inspection I saw that it is blind…no flange. Later, when I placed the loco on the track, it sat perfectly, and probably did okay on the 22" curves because of that blind set of drivers. Included in the box are the real McCoys if you want 'em, and as is standard practice for BLI, another set of rubber traction drivers.

Now, I won’t say that the loco likes the sharp curves. It binds noticeably, but I could not get it to derail in the five minutes I made it go back and forth in front of me. It probably helped that both my Lionel Challenger and BLI NIagara had given me fits over trackwork when I got them. I must have all the kinks ironed out.

The J1 sounds great, took my readdressing and other CV changes nicely, and looks wonderful. That whaling boat of a tender is awesome!

Anyway, I wanted to let those of you who are considering buying from Outlet Direct know that my second loco (Niagara was the first) seems to be just fine, and arrived in good order. So far, so good. And the price is pretty good, although the customs bites.

I will say that I think I noticed a couple of hitches, or lurches, when it first moved forward, and it has repeated, although inconsistently. It doesn’t seem to do it in reverse. I’ll keep an eye on it, and check the quartering tomorrow if it continues. This loco, as is the Niagara, is much more quiet in the running gear than my year-old J1d Hudson. The Hudson is noisy in reverse. BLI warrants these locos as i

2

Crandell,

Congratulations on the J1! [tup] That always looked like such a regal locomotive.

It’s also good to know about those who have personally bought from BLI’s Outlet Direct. I tend to be somewhat leary about reconditions so hearing that you’ve been satisfied TWICE now with your purchases says a lot. Keep us posted on your newest acquisition.

So, Crandell, how many different lines are now represented on your layout? [:)]

Tom

3

One thing that might be advisable is to check carefully through the literature that came with your locomotive and lubricate it before too much operation. I don’t know if BLI has changed, but their engines used to come from the factory without lubrication, and this could be the cause of the lurching.

4

Thanks for the feedback, you two.

Tom, it is still four. WP&Y Mike, NYC Hudson and Niagara, PRR K4s, FA2/B2, and the new J1, and the UP Challenger. My Heritage 0-6-0 is being redone with a new decoder…I was disappointed with the 100LC. When it returns, I will eventually label it Sentinel Coal Ry.

That J1 is one honkin’ loco. It looks entirely different from the high-drivered Niagara and Hudson with its more rapidly spinning drivers at a given speed. Nice effect.

Charles, thanks for the timely reminder. I was thinking that very thing last night before I retired last night. Oddly, neither my Niagara instructions nor the K4s alluded to this, but my Hudson manual and this one do. Regardless, you are absolutely correct: the drive train on the exterior may be bone dry.

Thanks, again, fellas.
[:)]

5

Crandell,

Huh, that’s interesting. My BLI Mike manual mentions it right off the bat - at least to check and/or lubricate it BEFORE running it.

Tom

6

Well, the J1 is a big beast and requires TLC.

I celebrate a successful acquisition of this engine and makes me consider that the Outlet Store might actually be “rescuing” good product if only the box is damaged or whatever.

I was aware of the fact that some BLI engines may not be Lubed at the factory especially around the main worm drive gear on top of the tower at the motor. I usually try to get something on it along with the drive rods and axles.

Maybe BLI is improving the lube procedures to cut down on tech support calls from products that suffered a premature failure or breakdowns due to no lubing at the factory.

The J1 is one of the best engines in my stable that has other BLI’s each one being very good engines in their own right.

7

Ditto on a good experience with BLI Outlet Direct.

My C&NW E7 works like a champ. I’m very happy with it.

P.S. It came properly oiled.