BLI units

[thomasjmdavis]

"Oh, it's because the Kato version is too low"

No problem. Just photoshop the pics you have of the prototype to match the Kato model.

[garethashenden]

No problem. Just photoshop the pics you have of the prototype to match the Kato model.

Complete with molded on grab irons?

[peteski]

Complete with molded on grab irons?

Yeah, molded on grabs to me look more realistic than the factory-added separate grabs which often stick out a foot off the body.    

[lock4244]

Something to add to this: I believe Kato has been gaslighting us for YEARS about how model locomotives "should" look.

I realized it when debugging my impressions of the Intermountain SD40-2s.

"Why do these seem to ride so high compared to Katos?"

"Oh, it's because the Kato version is too low"

It was an eye opener.

Now, I don't have a fix, because, to my eye, the Kato units still look "right", but it might be a contributing factor here.

The IM SD40-2 could be a superior model to the Kato SD40-2 if they ran as well as a Kato, were as quiet as a Kato, and were designed as well as a Kato. IM gets points for doing road specific models as a more scale hood width for sure, but they're assembled poorly and with glue. And their mechanisms are, in my experience with 12 SD40-2W's, eight SD40-2's, three tunnel motors, and a dozen F units, hit and miss at best, crappy at worst.

I feel IM F units are their best models overall. But Kato QC seems bulletproof.

I think a Kato chassis under an IM shell is the better solution... just need to grind that thicc Kato chassis.

[oakcreekco]

^^^this^^^

100% agree, and this is why I won't even consider IM anymore.

[JMaurer1]

It is your railroad (or collection): buy what *YOU* like. 

I like turtles!

Why do I have an image of a turtle with wheels running on Peteskis layout. Probably painted in Northern Pacifics pine tree paint (cuz turtles are green).

[peteski]

Why do I have an image of a turtle with wheels running on Peteskis layout. Probably painted in Northern Pacifics pine tree paint (cuz turtles are green).

LOL!  Yes,  turtles, giraffes, lions and tigers and bears . . .

But I really had this oldie in mind:

[CBQ Fan]

Makes me think of the Walthers E unit noses. Just off and wrong.

[JMaurer1]

...zombie turtles?

[nscaler711]

@peteski

[peteski]

@peteski

LOL!  I guess in the typical TRW traditon, we have officially derailed this thread. 

As for BLI models, I guess they are ok, but I think they are generally overpriced for the design/construction quality, and the ParagonX decoders are not very good!

I guess they'll be selling decoderless models, but I wonder how that will work out. In the locos that I have actually worked with so far, the decoders use common negative function wiring. If the  use the same headlight circuit boards for those non-decoderized models, adding standard DCC decoders will be problematic.

[lock4244]

I guess they'll be selling decoderless models, but I wonder how that will work out. In the locos that I have actually worked with so far, the decoders use common negative function wiring. If the  use the same headlight circuit boards for those non-decoderized models, adding standard DCC decoders will be problematic.

What I'm facing with the 11 Atlas GP40-2W's I bought as DC. I lothe sound and won't pay for it, so unfortunately as I'm now on the cusp of actually having a layout again and can begin to buy DCC equipped units, the sound thing kills my joy as there is no drop in board to DCC them when delivered as DC.

[Cajonpassfan]

...
As for BLI models, I guess they are ok, but I think they are generally overpriced for the design/construction quality, and the ParagonX decoders are not very good!
...

Can you please explain why the Paragon 4 decoders are "not very good"?
I have a couple dozen P4 equipped locos, and a number of P3's, work them hard on the layout, and love them all.
Motor control is very good, the sound is quite impressive, and the lighting controls with the P4's do everything I need.
Never had an issue with one.
Maybe I am missing something...?
Otto K.

[kiwi_bnsf]

What I'm facing with the 11 Atlas GP40-2W's I bought as DC. I lothe sound and won't pay for it, so unfortunately as I'm now on the cusp of actually having a layout again and can begin to buy DCC equipped units, the sound thing kills my joy as there is no drop in board to DCC them when delivered as DC.

There are several non-sound DCC drop-in boards for the current Atlas Silver series ESU sound ready locos including:

 - ESU LokPilot 54650
   https://store.sbs4dcc.com/ESU54650LokPilotV4.aspx

 - Digitrax DN166I3
   https://store.sbs4dcc.com/DigitraxDN166I3Series6DCCDecoder.aspx

Hope this helps

Cheers

[peteski]

Can you please explain why the Paragon 4 decoders are "not very good"?
I have a couple dozen P4 equipped locos, and a number of P3's, work them hard on the layout, and love them all.
Motor control is very good, the sound is quite impressive, and the lighting controls with the P4's do everything I need.
Never had an issue with one.
Maybe I am missing something...?
Otto K.

I just don't like them.  Just a personal choice.  Some of the sound  is good, some is sub-par to my ears.  For example the T1 chuffs to me sound like someone blowing compressed air into empty tin can with some reverb added.

The centipedes  are a disaster, both mechanically and the decoder.  Wheels are all too tight in gauge causing them to derail on every Atlas C55 turnout, and the decoder goes through a lengthy reboot every time it looses power just for a microsecond. After the initial run mine are still taken apart awaiting fixes.  For the price I paid, the quality is laughable.

We have also heard all the issues. with the E-units.  Plenty of reviews on the Internet I still have my B&M set untouched. Another project waiting for bench time.
We also all witnessed (here) P5a electric pickup problems, and the 3D printed workaround (which is no longer available)

Paragon decoders are also nowhere as flexible in programming as other brands, and I much rather use ESU or ZIMO sound decoders in my models.  Question was asked about opinions, so I gave mine.  As you can see in this threads, I'm not the only one not thrilled with the Paragon decoders. If you find them adequate (or even very good), the more power to you.