Problem BLI Blueline consists

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have some problems with BLI Blueline consists. I have converted several BLI blueline locos to DCC. Before I made consists, everything works fine. I can play sound, light. No problem. One day, I tried to play consists, fine, no probelm. But after I broke/kill the consist, one loco has light but no sound and the other has sound but no light. I tried differnt ways to figure out what is going on. After killing the consist, I reset the decoders to factory default values, still either no sound or no light. I then removed the DCC decoder and play them in DC, then I have light and sound. So what is going on? I will call BLI in a few days, but would like to listen to any suggestions you may have. Thanks!!

Jerry

2

I am aware of numerous problems with bugs in the BlueLine decoder series. Your best bet is to contact BLI with your issues, because they sound like a decoder bug to me.

3

[banghead] BLI

David B

4

I have encountered a similar problem of the Blue Line decoder not supporting consisting or malfunctioning when trying to create a consist with a different brand, and I don’t think the problem is with the motor control decoder that I added. The Blue Line Technical Reference Manual was no help at all in this regard. The problem seems to be that BLI"s Blue Line decoder simply does not properly support advanced consisting.

Buy cheap and you get what you pay for…

5

You can direct questions directly to BLI on the following web site and get some updates. The various problems that come up with a new and unproven product like the Blue Line DCC sound need to be fed back to BLI so they can work on them.

It would seem that the units were not tested extensively and many problems have come up.

Customer Service

For technical support and other customer service related issues, PCM has a dedicated email support system.

Please email all service related questions to:

service@precisioncraftmodels.com

Broadway Limited Imports, LLC
Precision Craft Models, Inc.
4 Signal Ave., STE A
Ormond Beach, FL 32174

tel: 386-615-1912
FAX: 386-615-1720

.

6

Im astounded by the ability of Blueline to generate issues. [banghead]

Maybe they should call it Bugline.

Talk to thier service people first before anything.

If it was me (Never) Id pull the motor DCC Decoders out of the units and see if they reset as they were when they left the factory. Seems to me you have two decoders to run each unit on DCC and something has to give. Two cooks in the kitchen does not a good meal make.

Breaks my heart to see a first class company do a “titanic” on what otherwise are good products.

7

Why not just run Blueline for what it is made for? DC! How about people dont be a cheap ass’s and buy a blueline unit for DC then whine about how it doesnt work when you could buy a fine working sound unit for $50 more.

8

I’ve been doing DCC since 1993 and have owned just about every decoder combination in the book over the years.

My preference after trying the Blueline series and finding a boatload of issues with the dual decoder approach will be to buy the non-decoder version of the loco and put a single sound decoder of my choice into it.

Far less hassle than the unfortunate Blueline series has turned out to be.

9

You guys are really scaring me! I am going to be getting my first blueline in a few weeks and I just want to slap a DCC decoder and go. I sure hope I do not end up with a diecast paper weight. The other option is to spend another 100 on my own DCC setup? What a waste.

10

If it is only for DC then why is it advertised:

“And for all the DCC users out there, BlueLine doesn’t disappoint. We’ve included a NMRA Standard DCC Socket so you can quickly easily install your favorite decoder.”

It says this on every blueline loco at the website. So i guess that would mean it is for DCC users TOO[^]. WOW I guess that means I spend an extra $30 for a decoder and then take the loco apart. Install and program the decoder. Put it back together then hope it works. So i guess it is comparing cheap to lazy. [}:)]

11

Alroight, let’s do some scaring around here.

There was DC in the beginning and the Lord smiled when the trains ran well and gave joy.

Then man learned to make DCC. You had either the traditional DC analog way of driving trains or you had the new DCC way. Not content with silence, one company called Broadway Limited made noise with the new factory sound units. Suddenly anyone can have a DCC engine with sound that actually knows if it is being put onto DC 12 volt rails.

Later on the company decided that they needed money fast, they stopped the fancy QSI stuff, sold off the fancy DCC engines at prices very low and redid everything to please the DC user.

Little do they know that they are confusing the hobby badly with this Blueline series. You cannot have it both ways. You are much better off running it with a 12 volt throttle.

If you WANT the full DCC stuff, then go to the hobby shop, buy a DCC control system and then you can enjoy the DCC engines how they are; without errors, loss of control and other frankencraith problems that seems to totally destroy any last ray of joy a buyer might have had with Blueline.

Yea, Im sad to see a product line totally screw up a very large segment of population who are stuck between DC and DCC. You get what you pay for.

now, if I offended anyone, I dont say sorry. I say sort out where you are going with your trains… DC or DCC. Then get off your chair and BUY it.

Most everyone is sliding towards DCC. Then they find just how franken the Blueline series is. Or worse, they try to stay in DC and find just how onery a blueline is.

Save yourself the hassle. Buy a nice engine that is equippted with a decoder plug. Then when you buy yourself a DCC system you can go forth, buy a decoder and enjoy DCC and later on sound. OR… buy it already built at the factory and have it all.

DC or DCC. Make your mind up. But DONT TRY to do something halfway like Blueline.

I have been diplomatic. But this morning, the g

12

[:o)]but if the blue line cost less, then buying a simple decoder is fine if it works. Also the blue line has a plug to add a decoder. The customer service section also explains which decoders to use. I have sent an email to BLI to explain what exactly is to be done. I do not understand how previous post on this forum on this subject and people have not had issues with blue line and DCC. Now it is a problem? No it is cheap? So does model power have DCC ready loco’s? Oh wait Bachmann does. Oh but hey have sound and DCC already so someone should write them and tell them not to make it. Better yet the grand forum has spoken and blueline is BUST! We will start a boycott! [:o)]

13

Well on a more series matter instead of hot air being pushed around here is the answer from the horses mouth and I do quote:

"I do not understand how people are having so much trouble with their BlueLine models. And as is normal with the forums, it seems the ones who are having trouble are posting many negative comments about the models before understanding the problem.

To answer your questions, once you install your motor decoder of choice, you will be ready to run on address 3. The DCC Sound decoder is already defaulted to 3. Your motor decoder will be defaulted to 3 also. When you change your address, you should program in Ops mode on the main line so that your commands reach both decoders. There have been some issues with this because most modelers insist on using the programming track because that is what everyone is used to. If you want to use the programming track, you can, the procedure is just more complicated. There are step-by-step programming instructions posted on our website for all systems, and if you have any trouble, we’re more than happy to walk you through any procedures over the phone.

The gentleman with the “Advanced consisting” problem, has a legitimate bug. In the early versions of the software, the normal method for advanced consisting using an NCE controller created a problem when the consist was killed. Thi

14

Falls Valley said:

If you WANT the full DCC stuff, then go to the hobby shop, buy a DCC control system and then you can enjoy the DCC engines how they are; without errors, loss of control and other frankencraith problems that seems to totally destroy any last ray of joy a buyer might have had with Blueline.

AH,Heres the rub though…The Blue line locomotives work quite well in the DC mode by using a side kick or better the Quantum Engineer Controller…Atlas wise up and introduce the QE for DC users so a wider market could be obtain for the DCC/Sound equipped locomotives.Then I suppose Atlas supplied BLI with the QE.

So,with using the QE with QSI one can enjoy the full benefits of sound and lighting effects in DC…

15

I agree with that philosophy. Same with sound. While it is convenient to get decoders or sound as part of a loco, you are stuck with whatever the company provides. BLI is fairly new to making HO models and new also to DCC, relative to the established makers like Digitrax, NCE, Lenz etc who have had time to work the bugs out of their products.

Aside from a few Atlas loco’s which came with Lenz made decoders, I buy all mine without and will be adding decoders from Digitrax, NCE and perhaps a few other established makers. I’ve likewise heard bad reports about the Athearn Genesis F unit sound from MRC and bought all mine Genesis F units plain jane. Its better to research and add what is well established to be a good product (as best we can).

16

I am withholding judgment about BLI’s BlueLine. I am not interested in them because I thought their Paragon lines with QSI were fantastic. Yes, there have been some issues here and there, but they were the front runners with steam once they were running full blast a few years back.

I have no idea what caused them to launch BlueLine, but it seemed to me, at face value, to be a not half bad idea…almost devious in that it encouraged hard-case DCers to play with sound. A half-step towards QSI, if you will. But the bugs are beginning to worry me that BLI is in trouble.

I hope not.

17

The consumer wasn’t holding a gun to BLI’s head. When BLI announced the Blueline series it was touted as better sound than QSI and less expensive to BLI than QSI and therefore BLI could pass the savings on to the consumer. This pronouncement by BLI seemed to this consumer to be another instance of a technological advance in the hobby. BLI’s marketing people probably figured the Blueline approach was a way to expand their market penetration. I don’t believe BLI would refer to this effort as going after the “cheap ass” part of the market.

Some consumers based Blueline purchase on prior good experience with BLI products. I have read many postings on this forum about Bachmann’s solid backing of their products by lifetime warranty, perhaps it’s time for BLI to do likewise before their credibility is totally in the dumpster. If they choose to back the product it shouldn’t be a repeat of their $99 Hudson upgrade of first run units. BLI probably lost some fans with that one. JMHO

Jon

18

Let’s hope we have some forum membership follow up on this one. I’m assuming this procedure is in the literature that comes with any Blueline loco and is not just on their website?

Jon

19

Thank you Brakie, in my steamed state I completely forgot about those.

Sorry again for venting this morning. Had alot on my plate. =)

20

Thanks, folks. I was out of internet connections and just checked the web. I was a little bit scared about Blueline now since I ordered several Blueline engines. So far I think they are fine products and the sound are good. Now I need to reconsider this…

Jerry