BLI Heavy Pacific Operating Characteristics

[Scott Lupia]

I was looking at using the N-scale BLI Heavy Pacific for a project until I ran one at my friends shop.  It operated pretty poorly with very little slow speed operation, frequent hesitation and a wobbly boiler.  Is this common for these engines or did this one just happen to need some help?  I don't usually run BLI stuff so this is a bit out of my realm. 

Thanks,
Scott Lupia

[CBQ Fan]

I have 2 and they run flawlessly.   How clean is the track?  DC or DCC?

[nickelplate759]

Wobbly boiler suggests that something mechanical is out of whack.  Is the wobble period synchronized with the drive wheel rotation?  If so, the first thing I would check would be the traction tires - make sure they are seated evenly all around the wheel.   If that's not it, check for a drive wheel that is slightly crooked on the axle - and if you find that, consider send the engine back to BLI for service.

Poor slow speed and hesitation could just be dirty wheels and/or contacts.

[CBQ Fan]

My experience with BLI customer service on a troublesome E unit was superb!

[Cajonpassfan]

A wobbly boiler?
I’m waiting to see if I want to order a light pacific for a project, so this is discouraging. I do own four BLI mikes and they are all excellent runners.
Otto K.

[Scott Lupia]

Ok, I kinda figured that that particular engine just had some issues with it.  I just wanted to make sure that this was not the norm.  I did some youtube video searching and the ones I saw did run pretty well in the videos.  Thanks for the input on this guys.

Scott Lupia

[Scott Lupia]

 I purchased one from BLI and it is everything you guys said it was.  The one I tested at my friends shop obviously had some issues.  Thanks for the input on this engine.  It’s going to be a nice project for me to work on over the next few months.

Scott Lupia

[Cajonpassfan]

That is good to know! Thanks, I’ll be getting a light…
A (minor) thread drift: are they equipped with the smaller-than-MT MT clones like the mikes? I believe those are the best looking/operating commercial couplers in N scale, and yet they get very little love and virtually no coverage I know of.
A bit of a BLI bias perhaps?
I wish I could buy them by the dozens…the couplers, not engines
Otto K.

[peteski]

That is good to know! Thanks, I’ll be getting a light…
A (minor) thread drift: are they equipped with the smaller-than-MT MT clones like the mikes? I believe those are the best looking/operating commercial couplers in N scale, and yet they get very little love and virtually no coverage I know of.
A bit of a BLI bias perhaps?
I wish I could buy them by the dozens…the couplers, not engines
Otto K.

It is the RMR coupler. See https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=51455.0

[ncbqguy]

A number of years ago I shared the RMR coupler with Broadway Limited Imports.  They never commented on it.  It apparently appeared on the USRA 2-8-2 which was released after they no longer were a client. 
I don’t know any of the details of how they implemented the design; I’m glad to hear it works well.  Too bad it isn’t on any other models...
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

[peteski]

A number of years ago I shared the RMR coupler with Broadway Limited Imports.  They never commented on it.  It apparently appeared on the USRA 2-8-2 which was released after they no longer were a client. 
I don’t know any of the details of how they implemented the design; I’m glad to hear it works well.  Too bad it isn’t on any other models...
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

As mentioned in the thread I linked to in my last post, Arnold/Hornby also used it in SW1 and the U-something.  The SW1 (few years ago) was my first encounter with that coupler.

[Cajonpassfan]

It is the RMR coupler. See https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=51455.0

Ah, thanks for flagging that Pete, I must have missed the thread. RMR it is!
And we should all thank Charlie for developing it! And, I think that’s big enough news to deserve it’s own RMR Coupler thread!
I wish one could buy these separately in bulk packs to be able to test them on an entire train in variety of conditions; those bouncy-bounce MT slinkies are driving me nuts on my mountainous railroad, especially on the 3% downhill line.
So, do the new BLI Pacifics come with the RMR coupler as well?
Otto

[peteski]

Ah, thanks for flagging that Pete, I must have missed the thread. RMR it is!
And we should all thank Charlie for developing it! And, I think that’s big enough news to deserve it’s own RMR Coupler thread!
I wish one could buy these separately in bulk packs to be able to test them on an entire train in variety of conditions; those bouncy-bounce MT slinkies are driving me nuts on my mountainous railroad, especially on the 3% downhill line.
So, do the new BLI Pacifics come with the RMR coupler as well?
Otto

Well, that thread I pointed you to is about the RMR coupler.  Only 2 manufacturers so far have used that design: Arnold/Hornby and BLI.  I think each company "rolls their own" instead of getting them from some 3rd party supplier. Also, while the design of the head looks similar, Arnold uses a split shank and slinky spring like MTL couplers, while I believe BLI uses plastic whiskers (I'm just speculating because I don't own any of the BLI models with those couplers).

The problem with RMR is that neither company makes those couplers available as anything but replacement parts for their models.  No individual or bulk packs are available.

[ncbqguy]

Peteski-

You are correct on all of your observations.

Both Mark (aka Elgin Locomotive Works) and myself (Railroad Model Resources) are still actively developing and promoting the coupler.  I developed the outline specifications and basic concepts and Mark has made them into 3D engineering drawings.  We have refined the designs over (too long of a) time wrestling with contour, springing and other details. 

If it becomes commercial we will allow our clients to make their announcements per our roles as consultants to the Model Railroad Industry.

Charlie Vlk

[peteski]

Peteski-

You are correct on all of your observations.

Both Mark (aka Elgin Locomotive Works) and myself (Railroad Model Resources) are still actively developing and promoting the coupler.  I developed the outline specifications and basic concepts and Mark has made them into 3D engineering drawings.  We have refined the designs over (too long of a) time wrestling with contour, springing and other details. 

If it becomes commercial we will allow our clients to make their announcements per our roles as consultants to the Model Railroad Industry.

Charlie Vlk

That's good to know Charlie - thanks for the update.  First, the ProtoMate coupler development seems to be progressing and now RMR.  That's a good news all around.  I also think we should really be discussing this in the other RMR coupler thread (since this one is about BLI Heave Pacific).