To those who bought the hudsons on sale from Factory Direct, how do they run?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

There is one at my LHS that I forgot all about, after watching some videos of it, I might consider getting the paragon 2 hudson before anything else, considering these things did run though much of Ohio, the area I am modeling. The smoke looks amazing, I really like the whistle even though it sounds like the Blue Line J1.

Its in this amazing video. I love the guy’s scenery, and the fact that sometimes the hudson seems to sitting next to a beautiful N&W Class J. Btw the smoke does go out a few times, but I think thats because the owner turned it off, I doub’t its malfunctioning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AVSsYYk0oc&feature=related

I have heard tons of complaints from other stores about BLI’s quality control concerning these hudsons, customer’s getting a refund and such, tender problems, sound goes in and out, you name it.

So, to all you guys that bought the half priced hundsons from FDT, how are yours running, any complaints.

I’m really considering getting one, but the problem is its about $300, including tax.

It seems like russian roulette, with these paragon 2 hudsons. But again, after watching videos of, the slow speed is great and the level of detail is excellent.

Or should I hold out for the far more reliable MTH Empire State Express, I can always get that in a few months, more as a collectors piece that I will run occasionally.

Of course I’m still considering the MTH HO Mowhawk, better sound, in my opinion, also, the whole thing is die cast.

How do BLI’s plastic hudsons handle smoke residue.? Its a shame too, because sometimes plastic engines like the BLI hudson look very realis

2

I do not have any Paragon 2 locos yet but all my other BLI steamers run great. 6 Blueline, 2 PCM I1sa, and a couple of the original paragon engines run superb. IMHO my Bluelines with the TCS BEMF decoders run better than the others and don’t sound like they are inside a tin coffee can.

Pete

3

I bought one of those from FDT just 2 weeks ago. I have ZERO complaints. Everything works as advertised and the sound is incredible. It’s my favorite engine, and I’m a Diesel guy [^]

I just purchased some Walthers Pullman Heavyweights to go with it on sale at MB Klein for $14.98 each and they look awesome. This train is for me to “show off” to visitors what incredible sound and quality DCC now has to offer train enthusiasts.

4

I have 4 BLI Steamer’s and 2 PCM Steamers. My BLI are the orginal Paragon not the new ones. As a whole I have had bad luck with BLI, there QC has been lacking. Main thing has been lack of lub from the factory.

There strong point is there repair deparment, these guys have bent over backwards to help me with either free parts or doing the repairs.

I will buy BLI again, they look great and sound is OK.

Cuda Ken

5

Yep, I shoulda nabbed one for the Riley. They didn’t all have the ears…

Also, the whistle is apperantly quillable, there’s another video, and at least 2 whistles. The one in the video, one that sounds like an N&W A class that had it;s foot stepped on, and one that hints at being for the Northern, but is venting to much air and not enough steam. BLI: Does this mean we’re finally nearing the Daylight?

6

I never did smoke engines in HO. O yes, but not HO.

I owned a bunch of BLI Engines in the past, the old fashioned dual mode QSI Decoder equippted ones. All of them have had no issues, except one the Reading T1 which did not hold up well to constant running as happened to favorite and good running engines. I sold them all off prior to my move into On30.

I did keep several P2K engines though.

Would I buy FDT? I dont know. I always bought mine retail. At least if there was a problem, they can go back to BLI.

7

I own 10 BLI steamers now, two of them are the NYC J1e Hudsons and both work beautifully. I have not had any issues with my steamers from BLI. I do have an SW7 switcher that is going back because of sound issues. I do not own any of the Blue Line locos, but I am sure they are ok too. BLI has excellent customer service and easy to deal with.

I even purchased a refurbished steamer that I wanted and no issues with it either.

Jeff

8

Thanks for sharing. I just might buy one of those J1e Hudsons. Glad to hear you and others on here haven’t had any problems with them.

The hudson would sure fit my layout better than the Empire State Express (although I still can’t get over those driver lights and the overall beauty of that engine). I still might get it as a collectors item, I don’t think I can resist.

For me right now, its a toss up between the Paragon 2 hudson and Mike’s L3c Mowhawk.

The Paragon 2 hudson is considerably less expensive yet still performs greatly at slow speeds, the level of detailing is exquisite, just by looking at it alone, its hard to believe its plastic. And I love the extra sound features, particularly the crossing signals effects, and the quilling.

Mike’s L3c Mowhawk on the otherhand is all diecast, has great smoke effects, excellent sound, and best of all, its purely a freight engine which is what I would prefer to start with as my first NYC engine. I would rather focus my passenger operations on PRR and N&W.

I definately want to get into the NYC, I believe it goes well with the other two.