Yesterday I made a reservation for the BLI SD40-2 in the Rock Island. This unit will be the first BLI model I’ve owned. Most of my units are Atlas, Kato, Proto 2000 and some Athearn. On thing I’m little worried about is BLI’s painting because I had seen how they screwed up the paint job on the BN SD40-2. I like to know what everybody’s thoughts are on this model. Is it worth the money or should I stick Atlas and others? Thanks!!
The detail on the shell is poor. There are some real problems with the short hood and cab. Many of the details are thick compared to other manufacturers models. Take a good look at one of the existing runs before you lay your money down for one. I tested 4 of them, all different road names, of the original run. All of them had very loud gear noise issues. You could hear the gear whine over the sound. They were not smooth running either. (I’m sure that would improve over time.) These were greased so that wasn’t the problem. That is one of the reason the original run units are sitting on shelves. I know a few people that have them and love them so look at one and decide for yourself. Me, I’ll never buy one, ever. If they re-did the shell with a decent rendition of the SD40-2 I would buy a bunch, even with the gear noise issue.
If you look at some of the past subjects, this was a big item more than once by several people.
I read the reviews in Model Railroader, and you can go there and read it to get the information on the first release.
The web page below is the review.
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/964nqged.asp
Bangert,
Thanks for the info! Sounds like most of the problem are with the details but, not with the mechanical part.
If you want the non-sound units the only real issue is the shell. The mechanism is good enough, but not great. If you care about the sound then you’ll be disappointed. The sound is the worst I have ever heard. It sounds nothing like an SD40-2.
Yeah. I reserved a non-sound unit. I didn’t want to fork out $250 for all of the bells and whistles and not like it. I would think with this next run BLI would have some of the “bugs” takin’ care of.
I wouldn’t bet on BLI correcting the SD40-2 problems.
That’s why, even though a QUALITY RI SD40-2 is no. 1 on my wish list, I will wait.
I refuse to spend that much money for something that is not right.
Perhaps Kato will re-issue theirs with improved electrical contacts and in CRIP.
Or maybe Walthers will make a P2K one.
If not, I will super-detail and be content with my Athearn.
Love mine have two of 'em sound great, look good, price was ok even in NZ dollars.
wouldn’t let them go if ya offered double the price!!
They were a little noisey when I first ran them but Jimmy at BLI put me right and I toothpasted and lubed the gearboxes, now they are as smooth as.
Ken.
RockIsland4309,
Don’t give up on sound though. Digitrax and Lok Sound will have their sound decoders available this fall. Consider saving up a little and have the sound installed. The EMD 645 diesel sound that would be appropriate for the SD40-2 will be included in Digitrax and Lok Sound’s decoders.
Roger that.
I am in no way an expert on HO trains. Anyway, I bought a BLI SD40-2 with sound last Christmas … my start in model railroading. I have since bought engines from BLI, Atlas, and Kato.
The particular SD40 I received runs smoothly. Mine has no gear noise. The sound quality I feel is no different than my other engines, but I do not know if it is correct for a SD40 or not. If I study it very closely, I can see the complaints about some of the details, however, that stuff means nothing to me. The paint job is definately sharp.
I’m way more into quality performance, than rivet counting, so I look forward to more stuff from BLI. maybe its not for you though.
Jim
Ughh, I hope that there aren’t the same problems with the C30-7. If so, please feel free to warn me before I waste my money[:D]. Maybe Walthers/P2K or Atlas will come out with an SD40-2.
I recently posted a warning about removing the shell on this model. I got a CSX unit a couple of weeks ago for about $170 including shipping. Generally I like it. Using the 3 foot rule you cannot detect the “softness” of the detail or the inaccuracies of the cab or short hood. I plan eventually to convert it to a high hood SOU unit anyway. The sound seems right to me but I haven’t spent years either working or living near one.
The loco with the sound turned off is as quiet as any Atlas or Kato loco. As I stated in an attempt to correct a small problem with the shell seating on the chassis I managed to damage a component on the circuit board attached to the weight at the end of the long hood when it caught on a grab iron. I have contacted BLI and they are sending me a replacement circuit board.
Finally, would I pay $300 for this model? NO. But if you can get one for under $200 I feel it is worth the price.
Bob DeWoody
I too purchased one of these in CSX graphics. So far so good. I am going with sound equipped locos from here on out. My next purchase will probably be an Atlas. I have some of their earlier models, and they are a quality product. I hear Athearn is going with the MRC sound system, which is supposed to offer numerous horn options. This technology is still in it’s infancy, but the future looks bright.
USPSCSX
Haven’t seen it but I heard the sound sample for the C30-7. IT IS NICE! As a railfan I hung around GE and EMD locomotives for years. The sound of the diesel engine is very accurate, which is what most of us are concerned about.
The horn sounds like an Nathan M3 or M5. The catch with locomotive horns is that railroads tend to favor certain horns based on company preference. A UP C30-7 and a CSX C30-7 are virtually identical, but the horns will be different. But if the horn is not an issue, then you’ll be quite happy with the overall sounds.
I’m a “horn nut”, which is why I’m looking forward to Digitrax’s and Lok Sounds new decoders. These decoders, by way of computer, will allow horn sounds to be downloaded into them.
I would have to agree with Antonio on the C30-7 as well. I can’t find anything to complain about on them. The shell is about the same as the Atlas C30-7. The only thing I noticed is that the side windows appear a little small compared to the prototype. Most people wouldn’t notice this though and they are close enough for me. The only reason I’m not picking up any of them is because my BN C30-7’s, UP C30-7’s, and N&W C30-7’s all have Digitrax sound installed in them so I’m all set. If I hadn’t converted them to sound I would definitely be picking a couple of them up.
Sorry about the blank message; hit the wrong button.
I don’t like the sound of my BLI chime; it sounds
distorted. Turning down the manual volume control
did not help. Sent it to BLI and they say the
speakers are OK and this is the normal sound, same
as another they pulled off the shelf.
Hal
After running and listening to a BLI SD40-2 at the club,it sounded more like a GP9 then a SD40-2 [V]
That’s because it is a GP9 sound chip Larry! You obviously have a good ear. They are easy to tell apart if you have been around either.
I’m happy to hear that people that have bought them are mostly happy with them. Remember folks, it’s your hobby. Have fun and if you like it that’s all that matters.