BLI E-6's have hit the shelves...

[rogergperkins]

  I do not recall when I have had some much fun running an new n-scale engine!!
My B&O A/B set arrived yesterday, 25 May 2012.  I have an NCE digital system, so the basic functions were easy to test.
I already had passenger trains on both mainlines, so just removed the engine from one train and placed E6 set on to run alone.
Too busy running it to do any movies. 

[SkipGear]

I hope Broadway won't use the excuse that N scale doesn't sell any more...

The B&O sets are sold out at distributors and only a few places on line have them left. Even Factory Direct Trains, Broadways back door sales shop is out of them.

Santa Fe's look to be the same.

[spookshow]

Unfortunately, they don't appear to have any N scale models at all listed on their "Delivery Schedule" page. They do still have that PRR M1 fishing expedition going on ("if we get enough preorders we'll build it"), but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Cheers,
-Mark

[rogergperkins]

/>My apologies for some clumsiness.  Had trouble filming and running DCC at the same time.

[rogergperkins]

I would purchase a second B&O set based on owning one and running it.
My first locomotive with sound!! 

[SkipGear]

Roger,
 I wish we had the option to get another set. They did one A/B set (powered/dummy), and a Powered A and Powered B seprately in a second number. If you really want a second number, the price is not quite double for the second A/B pair, but they will pull the paint of the walls. I have a CBQ powered A/A set that is unstoppable, and it's only use is to pull a Zephyr at train shows. Both units cranking out sound is pretty nice though and they have some unique features that become available in a dual sound unit lash up.

[rogergperkins]

  I found another A/B set and ordered it.  Now I am trying to decide which B&O passenger train consist that I will use it with.   I have the first A/B set pulling a string of ConCor B&O smooth sides.  I think it looks nice, perhaps no prototype for it, BUT....................

[atsf_arizona]

Anybody's BLI E6A's have a 'stiff front truck'?

Mine is that way and couple other Forum-ers report same....  mine is stiff to the point that the loco
derails on 12" curve - that's bad. 

I figure I can fix that by disassembling the mechanism and tuning... but it's irritating that on a new
loco from BLI that I need to do this....  anyone have any tips on how to resolve 'stiff front truck' on the new
BLI E6A's? 

Thx.

[spookshow]

I haven't had any problems with mine. But having said that, I have noticed that there isn't a whole lot of room between the truck sideframes and the step ladder extensions. You might try sanding the backs of the ladders a little thinner to give the trucks more room to pivot. Either that or pull the shell and check that the truck wiring isn't somehow interfering with the truck's ability to pivot.

Cheers,
-Mark

[SkipGear]

Anybody's BLI E6A's have a 'stiff front truck'?

Mine is that way and couple other Forum-ers report same....  mine is stiff to the point that the loco
derails on 12" curve - that's bad. 

I figure I can fix that by disassembling the mechanism and tuning... but it's irritating that on a new
loco from BLI that I need to do this....  anyone have any tips on how to resolve 'stiff front truck' on the new
BLI E6A's? 

Thx.

John,
 Yours must have the shell setting on the body properly. After I fixxed the problems that kept my A unit shell from snugging down fully on the chassis, I had problems with the front truck. It is easy to resolve though. Take a swipe or two off of the back side of the front stirrups. The truck bearing details hit the back of the stirrups when the truck rotates. It doesn't take much.

Stirrup Before - [] <- inside
Stirrup After - [) <- inside

[atsf_arizona]

Thx for the tips, I'll let you all know what resolution was when I get to doing the tuning, thx again. 

[sizemore]

John,
 Yours must have the shell setting on the body properly. After I fixxed the problems that kept my A unit shell from snugging down fully on the chassis, I had problems with the front truck. It is easy to resolve though. Take a swipe or two off of the back side of the front stirrups. The truck bearing details hit the back of the stirrups when the truck rotates. It doesn't take much.

Stirrup Before - [] <- inside
Stirrup After - [) <- inside

Knowing Johns into detailing, maybe a GMM stirrup and handrail kits might be a worthwhile upgrade?

T

[spookshow]

I hadn't done this initially (my bad), but I finally tried mine out on the 180-degree 9.75"-radius curves of my "torture test" mini-layout and the pilot truck did indeed derail (although oddly enough, only in one direction). No problems on 11"-radius curves though.

I didn't try Tony's fix since I don't have curves that sharp on my "real" layout, but I assume that's going to be the answer. And I did add this information to my review, although I don't necessarily view it as a negative since operating a streamliner passenger train on curves that sharp seems a bit overly optomistic to me

Cheers,
-Mark

[rogergperkins]

I am thinking about buying a E6 B unit with DCC to run with my Kato E8 to add the sound.
Is this feasible?  Thanks for your help.

[spookshow]

I don't see why not. Assuming they'll both have DCC, it's just a matter of matching up the speeds via the CVs.

Cheers,
-Mark