So ..... What About Those New BLI Switchers?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey guys

I know from postings here that more than a few people were looking forward to getting thier switchers from BLI when they were finally shipped.

Since they were released, I’ve read some complaints … motor direction mis-wired, a tricky truck, the notice at Tony’s about the software bug in some.

But, does anyone have anything good to say about them? The mechanism? The sound in such a small unit? My whole layout is about switching, and I sure would like to get a couple.

Thanks
Kenny

2

This topic comes up from time to time. The issues you expressed are present in my switcher. However it managed to shove 15 cars up a increasing grade to clear a switch and for such a tiny engine it did well.

The sound is too quiet for me. Possibly because there is a pack of BLI’s panting and pumping air all around waiting for thier trains.

Final verdict, I did not waste my money however BLI is sure to make a few improvements in the future.

3

A couple guys have them at the club. I think they are kewl!

4

i got an NW7 a few months ago and it was wired wrong but was easy to fix, i run on DC and am very happy with it, on level track it will pull / push 12 walthers bethgons around but slips a bit on the curves, all the sound effects can have the volume turned up or down to suit you, three quick flicks of the direction switch upon starting gets you into programing mode, the loco talks you through the options starting at “option 1” and so on. As for de railing, it only happens a little bit, the trucks seem stiff, i think it’s the wires to the trucks,?
overall i am very happy with these models and have more on the way.

5

Since the BLI switchers seem to be prone to nearly every QA problem that BLI has had (nobody’s reported stripped gears on them yet, though), I’ll just suggest that you treat them the way many of us treat Bachmann Spectrum stuff- test run the one(s) you plan to buy before you buy it/them.

There are good ones out there, but you may have to look a bit to find one. I’d be very hesitant to suggest buying one sight unseen.

-Fritz Milhaupt

6

I really want one, but i’ll wait for a second release to see if they fix the problems, My old Life Like P2K C&O phase II SW7 is too beat up to go on, one of the BLI’s would be a suitable replacement.