The new run of 2-8-2s from Broadway Limited are starting to arrive. I am tempted to buy one for the B&O, but was wondering what experiences anyone has had with Broadway steam. At around $300 it's not cheap, and my experience with their diesels hasn't been that great. Are their steam models better quality? I've sworn I would never buy another Broadway Limited, but it's just so tempting. I've also sworn I would never buy more Bachmann and yet I keep making that same mistake, although fortunately it's not as costly. Now is your chance - sell me on the idea, or push me out of the way of that train coming down the tracks!
I have several BLI steam locos (PRR M1a/M1b and PRR T1) and I'm happy with them. No issues with any of them. I'd buy more BLI steam based on my experience.
I am also looking at them, but at around 300 bucks they are a bit pricy. Spookshow.net gives these an A, but I would still like to hear firsthand opinions before jumping in.
I have a BLI mike and a Pacific, as well as a number of diesels. I had one E6 that fried a board and BLI replaced it. I've also had some issue with the decoders "forgetting" the programming. I was told to "lock" the decoders after programming, which may solve the problem, but I haven't yet since I'm in the middle of building a layout and it's hard to program some functions on my little test track. Other than that, BLI stuff looks great and runs/sounds good. $300 for a steam loco with DCC and sound is a deal, and if you add in the "keep alive" feature on the Paragon 4 boards, it's even better. I've had 40+ cars behind my 2-8-2 on flat track with no wheel slip.
Moose has several BLI steam and disease'el locomotives, and have had issues with all but one. Specifically, three of four 2-8-2's have issues. They are notoriously finicky about track; slightest speck of dust seems to make them stutter or stop. The T-1 acts like one of it's drivers has become out of quarter, after only a few runs on the layout. They do look and sound nice though. Have bought a few refurbished BLI locomotives through the BLI website for less than typical prices through retailers.
I have two of the USRA light 2-8-2s. I like mine. I do not have any problems with them. I run them on DC. I am not a DCC user.
I took the plunge. Couldn't resist SOU 4501; the first steam engine I rode behind in the 1970s. It's spendy fasure. I have 6 BLI E-9 diesels from about 10 years ago and all are finicky on dirty track. I am holding out hope for BLI 4501.
BLI had made some significant improvement on their Paragon 4 sound decoder equipped locos. As MRLdave mentioned... the 'keep alive' feature will help keep these running on less than idea track conditions. The Paragon 3 (and earlier versions) versions released a few years ago did not have 'keep alive' and many have claimed they were succepible to losing the signal on imperfect track conditions. I have a lot of the Paragon 3 steam and diesel models which work fine on a perfectly clean programming track... but I don't have a running layout to note any of the claimed problems of imperfect track conditions. I wonder if BLI can add after-market 'keep alive' to the Paragon 3 versions... it would likely save alot of headaches.
I bought one of of the Re-furbished Mikados from BLI. Had to send it back with a gear problem. They fixed it promptly and returned. Running fine ever since. 2 monthes now. It pulls quite well even on a 2% grade. Also have a T1, (2) M1's and 11 of their F and PA units. everything runs great except the PA's. I would at best give the PA's a "C".
The keep alive on the new decoders is certainly interesting. The issues that I have had with the diesels I have purchased has been a total inability to keep them running without stalling non-stop. No amount of cleaning seems to help, not for any length of time. Maybe the keep alive resolves this? Have to think this one over some more, but I appreciate everyone's feedback!
Found an image showing pads on Paragon 2 and 3 decoders for a keep alive at the address below. Maybe someone else here who is familiar with these can comment. http://www.broadway-limited2.com/support/Adding a Keep Alive.pdf
I have some on the earlier run with Paragon 3 decoders, and they have trouble on my club track. The Paragon 4 version is likely better if there is more capacitance on board. They do look and sound good. Pulling power is okay, but nothing special. If you're layout isn't flat, expect to only be able to pull maybe 10-12 cars. I'll note that I have other BLI steam with Paragon 3, like the PRR T1, that run very well on the same layout, so it's not just the decoder but also the pickup. I assume the longer wheelbase of the T1 makes the Paragon 3 decoder work better. I have other engines with ESU, Digitrax, etc decoders and run well, so it's hard to say why the previous 2-8-2's are so bad for me. Trackwork, decoder, and pickup are all factors. If you swore off Broadway Limited because of the first two generation, it might be time to take a chance again. They haven't become perfect by any means, but are much improved. Jim
Hi Moose2013... Thanks for the heads up on the PDF regarding adding 'keep alives' on BLI's earlier Paragon units. Now the question will be 'where' to put the 'keep alive'... since there is not much room inside these models.
I wonder about the issues regarding 'dirty' track affecting the performance of our model trains. I recently saw a trackwork video on YouTube where the modeler was claiming that the use of Walthers Briteboy and other abrasive pads actually promotes issues leading to poor performance. He alleged that these products are actually etching microscopic grooves onto the rails which then get filled with 'dirt' creating lose of conductivity. His suggestion is to use a flat metal washer to remove dirt without etching the track further. Just a thought since everywhere I have run trains... these abrasives are used to clean trackwork. They do work... but perhaps they also lead to more required cleanings there after.
I never use a Brite Boy and anything abrasive for those reasons. The washer procedure is called gleaming.
I have one of new NW switchers.....switchers are notorious for having issues losing contact . With the Paragon 4 it seems to not care what you run it thru......having said that I really haven't noticed too much stalling with any of mine, and most of my running right now is on the club NTRAK layout, which are notorious for having less than ideal track joints.
I have been very happy with the four BLI steam locomotives that I have... one T1, one Heavy Pacific, and two Heavy Mikados. I’m sure that with any manufacturer there will be some hits and some misses. While it appears that BLI models are pricey, inflation has taken a serious toll on the prices of steam from other manufacturers as well, such as Bachmann; their products with similar features (DCC, sound) sell for similar amounts. While Kato prices appear lower, keep in mind that they don’t come equipped with factory DCC or sound. Also, at least with steam, they’ve been focusing only on prototypes that have been preserved (and therefore can appeal to a broader audience) - such as GS4, FEF3... they haven’t re-released their Mikado in many years. Jim
As Jim67 mentioned, Kato has not released their Heavy Mikes in favor of the GS & FEF models. These have superior mechanisms to the Mikes. They are also working on a new Big Boy in N scale. I think that the technology used on their Mikes is ancient by current standards... easily being out performed by both Bachmann and BLI models released in the past 10 years. Kato might have to retool their Mikes to compete and that would probably not be a profitable solution... given the existing competition in that class. I have two Kato Mikes which are not DCC equipped... and the earliest version from around 1996 is not DCC friendly. The other one was released about 2010 and is more adapable to DCC... but I have a BLI Paragon 3 DCC/Sound version with different WP road number... why bother upgrading the Kato version?? As it is, even Kato's newest diesel releases face stiff competition from other brands. There are many other models which Kato could focus on and be the only one (or at least first) in that space. I know some have stated that Kato doesn't care about competition in the same class of locomotives, but it has to hurt their bottom line if sales are much lower than the cost to tool a redundant class of models.
Gleaming followed by CRC6-26 is my preferred method. I use a bright boy only to clean off the heavy residue from glue or other scenery products. Maintenance wise I use one of those Walthers sticks, seems to be reliable. I only have one BLI, a T1. It was a nightmare loco, and now has a Loksound decoder and a new motor. That fixed all of it's issues, so I am on the fence for BLI. They do have good service, but that is a secondary concern. I want to purchase a spendy locomotive that runs well and stays running well. So, it seems to be they have made some improvements since that unit was produced. I'll be glad to hear how your unit works out.
I'm preaching to the choir here.... After doing some research and reading in the forums you can see BLI is a risky option. It sucks because they look very nice. I happen to notice too they take up most of the stock on popular websites for the hobby. I have two myself and am happy with them. They took more than 6 months to straighten out with BLI and Even the last time I got them back I had to make some adjustments. This was also right after the pandemic hit so times were not so good. But hey the two I have work great now. The time getting them there sucked. With that said I wouldn't by any nice steam engines from BLI unless it was in HO scale. I dont think buying them in N scale is worth it. Other steam engines ya but the BIG BOY. I dunno.
