BLI Second Release PRR T1 4-4-4-4

[Dave V]

...worth it? Or at least, any pitfalls of which a potential buyer should be forewarned?

[StewRRFan]

I've not had an issues with mine.  Runs well and handles some tight curves.

[reinhardtjh]

For what it's worth, I think there have been 3 releases of the T1.  The first two had the Paragon3 decoder and the third had a choice of "stealth" (no decoder - DC) or the Paragon4.  If you are getting the one with a decoder, go for the 3rd release with the P4.  People say it's a much better decoder than the previous version.  If you feel up to it, get the stealth and then put your favorite decoder brand in. it will probably work even better.

I have 2 from each of the first two runs with the P3 decoder, but I have no real opinion since I haven't had a layout operational to run them. My plan is to strip the P3 and put ESU in but that's down the road.

[Dave V]

For what it's worth, I think there have been 3 releases of the T1.  The first two had the Paragon3 decoder and the third had a choice of "stealth" (no decoder - DC) or the Paragon4.  If you are getting the one with a decoder, go for the 3rd release with the P4.  People say it's a much better decoder than the previous version.  If you feel up to it, get the stealth and then put your favorite decoder brand in. it will probably work even better.

I have 2 from each of the first two runs with the P3 decoder, but I have no real opinion since I haven't had a layout operational to run them. My plan is to strip the P3 and put ESU in but that's down the road.

OK, good to know!

[greenwizard88]

I have 2 T1's from the first run.

The first came from a hobby shop where a 96 year old man took my order, the second came from the internet because I no longer trusted the old man to get the order correct.

One of them has a slight wobble to it. It's not perfectly quartered, or something. IIRC, that was something that another form member pointed out was wrong with his, so it's not completely uncommon. The other one is perfect. Neither has given me any trouble, and they both look great behind the Kato Broadway Limited.

I would have to agree with reinhardtjh, the Paragon3 decoder isn't very good. The sounds all blend together at speed, and it just sort of makes a whirrrr noise. I'd also recommend a Paragon4 one, if you can.

But, if you're interested in a first run one, PM me.

[peteski]

I have 2 T1's from the first run.

The first came from a hobby shop where a 96 year old man took my order, the second came from the internet because I no longer trusted the old man to get the order correct.

One of them has a slight wobble to it. It's not perfectly quartered, or something. IIRC, that was something that another form member pointed out was wrong with his, so it's not completely uncommon.

I seem to recall there was a good size thread here about these when they were first released.  The tender pickup was really poor (friend of mine sent his back to BLI twice for repair of that).  Basically only one wheel per axle picks up power, and the wipers which supposed to contact the axle for pickup are not properly bent to do their job.  I also seem to recall that the blind drivers actually hover over the rail.

As usual, spookshow has a thorough review: http://spookshow.net/loco/blit1.html Always worth a read.

I would have to agree with reinhardtjh, the Paragon3 decoder isn't very good. The sounds all blend together at speed, and it just sort of makes a whirrrr noise. I'd also recommend a Paragon4 one, if you can.

Or better yet buy the Stealth version and get a real decoder you prefer.   

[reinhardtjh]

As usual, spookshow has a thorough review: http://spookshow.net/loco/blit1.html Always worth a read.
Or better yet buy the Stealth version and get a real decoder you prefer.   

If the first two runs had been available in Stealth, I would have.     As it is, they have the P3.  If they had the P4, Id's consider selling them and getting the Stealth, but I'd probably only just break even, if that so might as well keep them.  So they have an ESU LokSound reserved for replacement "one of these days". 

[Jimbo]

I seem to recall there was a good size thread here about these when they were first released.  The tender pickup was really poor (friend of mine sent his back to BLI twice for repair of that).  Basically only one wheel per axle picks up power, and the wipers which supposed to contact the axle for pickup are not properly bent to do their job.

Did they change this on subsequent runs?

I bought a first run that surprised me early on with what appeared to be intermittent contact - the sound would stop briefly and restart in the startup sequence.  It went away after running in for a bit, but it puzzled me that, even with only half the tender wheels used for pickup, it would stutter.  (On the other hand, I think it’s inexcusable for ANY manufacturer not to leverage every possible opportunity to collect current.)

Thanks,
Jim

[peteski]

Did they change this on subsequent runs?

I don't know as I only own the model from their 1st run.
I doubt they redesigned the power pickup in the tender, but they probably paid more attention to properly adjusting the axle wipers.
Paragon3 decoders were notoriously sensitive to even brief power interruptions, and they would go through fairly lengthy "reboot" when the power was restored, resulting in its very annoying behavior.  I suspect that the Paragon4 must have a new firmware which allows for faster reboots.

[Dave V]

So what's the consensus on Paragon 4? I see Factory Direct Trains has one for under $300...

[reinhardtjh]

So what's the consensus on Paragon 4? I see Factory Direct Trains has one for under $300...

The P4 is better than the P3, but not as good as Soundtraxx or ESU.


Since they are the most recent run, that's not too bad, though FDT usually isn't the cheapest out there.  I just looked at the FDH site - the under $300 PRR T1's are the stealth so they are DC. An okay price, but not great.  The P4 equipped ones are $359.99 currently.  Not that great of a price.  If you can wait, they often have very good discounts for the "Black Friday" sales around Thanksgiving.  Or any holiday. I didn't check prices for the Labor day ones.  The two 2nd run T1's I got I got from FDT for $189.95 each. The order is dated July 2, 2021 so must have been their Independence day sale.  I also got a number of Light Pacifics and Mikados in 2022 on Feb 15th (Valentines Sale) for $199.99 each which was a good price at the time.

You might also keep an eye on the BLI Outlet store.  They don't list an PRR T1's now but they do have them occasionally.  I see they have a really good price on Reading T1 Stealths.  $60 cheaper than what I paid for new ones.

Believe it or not, Tower Hobbies has a better price on a new, Stealth PRR T1 = $269.99  Their P4 price is the same though. 

https://www.towerhobbies.com/search?q=PRR+T1&search-button=&lang=default

HOGTrainZ has P4 T1's for $359.99.  They list Stealth ones but still says "Reserve" so maybe they didn't order any. The price is very good - $249.99 so you might want to inquire.

[Missaberoad]

Model train market has a bunch of P4 units for 340.
No connection but I have always been happy dealing with them.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=modeltrainmarket&store_cat=0&store_name=modeltrainmarket&_oac=1&_nkw=duplex

[nstars]

I have a stealth version of the last run on order and it will get a Soundtraxx decoder.

I do have to mention one major advantage of the first run, it has open drivers, not the closed drivers of the second and third run.

Marc