BLI F3's/F7's Shipping

[nickelplate759]

From that picture, it looks as if the grill area isn't tall enough.  The lower and middle body panels are very similar in height on both models, but the grill panel looks narrower (shorter) on the BLI model.  That might also explain the noticeably short windshields.

[Cajonpassfan]

This is getting worse and worse.... I'm sure glad I preordered two AB F3 sets sight unseen
Can't wait to get my hands on them...
Otto K.

[peteski]

This is what I noticed...The IM units seem to sit a little high, and the BLI unit matches that, but they don't line up at the frame.One of the bodies must be incorrect, my bet is the BLI unit is a little squatty . . .

Like George mentioned, that could explain the squinty windshields.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

From that picture, it looks as if the grill area isn't tall enough.  The lower and middle body panels are very similar in height on both models, but the grill panel looks narrower (shorter) on the BLI model.  That might also explain the noticeably short windshields.

One wonders if  this is some sort of rounding error on their renderings. Many models have subtle issues with their tooling... A body panel too short. Access doors too narrow. But this has a perfectly symmetrical squished "stripe". It's like the model was fully rendered, and someone noticed that the nose to roof height was off and adjusted the vertical axis between the two points without following up on the details.

[unittrain]

Wow after seeing the narrow grills plus the ride height issue ECT I wished I wouldn't have ordered one, at nearly $200 for single A unit this is inexcusable. I think BLI is starting to lean there products in the direction of being more like expensive novelties in these days of sound equipped locomotives and cattle cars ect, than scale models. Atleast Scale Trains knows how to make excellent models that push the bar on accurate detail and have sound. I can overlook some things but this adding up.

[coosvalley]

From that picture, it looks as if the grill area isn't tall enough.  The lower and middle body panels are very similar in height on both models, but the grill panel looks narrower (shorter) on the BLI model.  That might also explain the noticeably short windshields.

Agreed.


The BLI Fail Units...sorry, couldn't help it...

All the sound in the world won't make up for a poor running loco

[mighalpern]

Just received mine
I put it on my test figure 8  with about 11.5 inch radiuses   
the model runs very well, sounds very good too.  I put the figure 8 board on a slight incline and listened to the engine spool up on the climb and decrease on the downhill.  Runs on speed set 1 very good.  Had some hiccups on my main layout but I had not cleaned the track there.
 Yes the idler gears move side to side, but they appear to at least be halve way engaged at all times.  i will shim for sure.  Just lifting the back end  of the A body i could see a poor solder connection to one of the pick up tab's , so i'll have to definitely remove the shell and give it a good looking.  I'm in the middle with this model.  Not as horrible as some describe, but its my first sound diesel and now lets me have a full NCL train   On the other hand i got 2 more coming so, thats alot of $$ on the line.
I tried to look it up thru JMRI with my sprog II, but it is not detecting the loco.  I wanted to change to 28 speed steps
and lower the main volume. 
  I used the throttle in JMRI and got to the higher functions and played some sounds, and ran the loco   but it doesn't appear that i can get to the CV's.  I can always try it on the main layout with my DT400 throttle.  Anybody got an ideas on the JMRI issue.

[w neal]

First A unit doesn't run out of the box. This has happened with several E units though. The dummy B runs well, with the push of a finger...

[drbnc]

Wow. Just... wow. Refurb F's and E's already on their site. What the ???? I am NOT amused.   

http://www.broadway-limited.com/nscale.aspx

[C855B]

Wow. Just... wow. Refurb F's and E's already on their site. What the ???? I am NOT amused.   

http://www.broadway-limited.com/nscale.aspx

Probably dealer returns of DOA units, now repaired. Reading between the lines is troubling.

All this nonsense makes me think I need to get the PAs I bought two years ago out of my display case and on the layout. I've never run them, might be in for disappointment. However, I bought them knowing the sound decoders were going to be removed in favor of something less fussy.

[peteski]

Wow. Just... wow. Refurb F's and E's already on their site. What the ???? I am NOT amused.   

http://www.broadway-limited.com/nscale.aspx

Actually, I think that is pretty funny.
Ind I'm sure that despite all the negative comments, BLI will make profit on on this models.  Most modelers don't care about wrong grilles, squinty windshields or the fact that the shell is too short and is sittign too high.

[drbnc]

I'm not about the looks, I'm about the gear issues.  I came-up with a solution (hack/band aid, etc.), but it is a pain the arse to finagle tiny little washers. I've emailed their tech support, they say 24-48 hours for response - so far they are at 28 hours.

[drbnc]

I'm sure that despite all the negative comments, BLI will make profit on on this models.  Most modelers don't care about wrong grilles, squinty windshields or the fact that the shell is too short and is sittign too high.

The only issue I had with my PA's was one blown speaker.  50 ohms...?!?  I ordered 4 from them, so now I have them for my other PA sets.  And a spare decoder from SBS4DCC.

[OldEastRR]

huh ... I thought dummy locos in N scale were as dead as a doornail....

[Maletrain]

Strange that the F3/7 refurbs on the BLI site are selling for more than Hogtrainz is asking for the new units.  Do refurbs work better?