hello james its is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks and broadway limited sd40 w/paragon 4 up csx and sp!bli dcc /sound is cool james thanks friends randy
Broadway has done some really good work with many of there offerings. The one weakness I've had to deal with is starting speed. You can adjust CV 2 for this, but if you do, there's a real penalty in smooth operation. This may be a decoder issue or a motor decoder combination. I've tried replacing both or one to get better performance but it's a roll of the dice in some cases. I hope they can improve this. It wouldn't take much do a better job. TCS are masters at smooth ultra low speed ops. No doubt this could be emulated by other manufacturers.
Absolutely sir totally agree about ss1. BLI do make some stunning locos,but I have big issues with the start speed.on nearly all their locos.They put all their emphesis on gimicks in the sound system, but cant make a loco run protypically by not being able to start off prototypically.They are really well behind in that respect & comes to a decoder issue.not having good BEMF. Vertually all their locos suffer the same issue especially their steam locos.This SD40 is a shocker. Their only chance I would buy is a straight DC model, but I understand they only produce certain models in DC.
Great video. So i have an Athearn RTR SP 8411. I can see that the BLI have slightly better details and more lighting features. 8411 was an as built and renumbered later on to the 7300's series. Not sure what 8411 became.
James, cool review. Thanks. I guess the prototype didn’t have or later modified to have ditch lights? Also, at the close of the video, you operated all 3 loco’s in a consist, did you happen to do anything with speed matching them prior to the video?
What do you mean by toy sounds as I love sound Locomotives 🚂 they are so much more enjoyable and more fun than models without being sound equipped by default.
This honestly sounds way better than their past offerings of similar locomotives. It's sounds much closer to a prototype SD40/SD40-2, maybe not as close as, say, ESU Loksound or Soundtraxx, but it still sounds good! Edit: the sound of the doors opening and closing is actually to simulate the crew prepping the locomotive for startup, it is actually prototypical, it's just the volume for that sound needs to be lowered.
That is actually the sound of the engineer racking open the hood door locks and opening the 4 metal doors to access the engine start controls. I think that's an awesome sound feature. Highly realistic. Can't believe anyone would even complain about that!
Just got this from waltzers not many left from other distributors. Will always have BLI locomotives because of their rolling thunder. No one else has this feature and makes the switching layout come alive. Had loksound and tusnami2 both sound great but no bass sounds make them sound anemic just my opinion 😊
the SD40 has a shorter porch and rides on flexicoil trucks; SD40-2s have distinctively longer porches and ride on ht-c trucks except for conrail’s which are on flexicoils
The SD40-2 also has upgraded electronics - known as Dash 2 electronics. They changed from multiple mechanical relays to removable modular electronic cards to simplify diagnosis and repair and improve reliability.
Detail is awesome, overpriced? Yes. Bli should sell locos that are DC only with a socket for DCC. This might keep the price down. There are still some of us that want no sound or DCC.
BLI has really stepped it up in the quality of their sound, the locomotive looks good too, nice review James!
hello james its is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks and broadway limited sd40 w/paragon 4 up csx and sp!bli dcc /sound is cool james thanks friends randy
Broadway has done some really good work with many of there offerings. The one weakness I've had to deal with is starting speed. You can adjust CV 2 for this, but if you do, there's a real penalty in smooth operation. This may be a decoder issue or a motor decoder combination. I've tried replacing both or one to get better performance but it's a roll of the dice in some cases. I hope they can improve this. It wouldn't take much do a better job. TCS are masters at smooth ultra low speed ops. No doubt this could be emulated by other manufacturers.
Absolutely sir totally agree about ss1. BLI do make some stunning locos,but I have big issues with the start speed.on nearly all their locos.They put all their emphesis on gimicks in the sound system, but cant make a loco run protypically by not being able to start off prototypically.They are really well behind in that respect & comes to a decoder issue.not having good BEMF. Vertually all their locos suffer the same issue especially their steam locos.This SD40 is a shocker. Their only chance I would buy is a straight DC model, but I understand they only produce certain models in DC.
At 16:03 you can see the red light working, even at the angle of the camera.
My red green color blindness strikes again 😂
Great video. So i have an Athearn RTR SP 8411. I can see that the BLI have slightly better details and more lighting features. 8411 was an as built and renumbered later on to the 7300's series. Not sure what 8411 became.
The sound is great along with all the functions. I think I will have to add this to my SP collection. Good review as always.
Great Video! BLI engines are a step above the rest right next to Scale Trains both great Models!
I would get rid of those long shank couplers right off the bat, and install some short shank couplers so that I could close couple them together!!!
Hey James, those hoses behind the plow are for the independent brakes: actuate on, actuate off, and sanders.
Thanks for the video of the BLI SD40
Why the hell would you want a chainsaw sound coming from your SD-40?
I'd love to get the Broadway but the 2 ex SPs I want to model were interchanged with GE trucks....athearn made that easy...
James, cool review. Thanks. I guess the prototype didn’t have or later modified to have ditch lights? Also, at the close of the video, you operated all 3 loco’s in a consist, did you happen to do anything with speed matching them prior to the video?
Hopefully they will have a n scale version available for the n scale modelers
How is the BLI SD 40 holding up after 1 year? Is the decoder reliable? Still enjoying the engine? Thanks!
Are people saying…. Nice engine.. but not worth the cost? Thoughts?
I really wish they would get away from the "toy" sounds, opening and closing the cab door, really?
What do you mean by toy sounds as I love sound Locomotives 🚂 they are so much more enjoyable and more fun than models without being sound equipped by default.
Loksound 5 projects often have cab door sound effects and you can toggle it when you feel like it; it’s not built into the startup sequence
This honestly sounds way better than their past offerings of similar locomotives. It's sounds much closer to a prototype SD40/SD40-2, maybe not as close as, say, ESU Loksound or Soundtraxx, but it still sounds good!
Edit: the sound of the doors opening and closing is actually to simulate the crew prepping the locomotive for startup, it is actually prototypical, it's just the volume for that sound needs to be lowered.
That is actually the sound of the engineer racking open the hood door locks and opening the 4 metal doors to access the engine start controls. I think that's an awesome sound feature. Highly realistic. Can't believe anyone would even complain about that!
Just got this from waltzers not many left from other distributors. Will always have BLI locomotives because of their rolling thunder. No one else has this feature and makes the switching layout come alive. Had loksound and tusnami2 both sound great but no bass sounds make them sound anemic just my opinion 😊
What is the difference between the sd40 locomotive and the SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive?
the SD40 has a shorter porch and rides on flexicoil trucks; SD40-2s have distinctively longer porches and ride on ht-c trucks except for conrail’s which are on flexicoils
The SD40-2 also has upgraded electronics - known as Dash 2 electronics. They changed from multiple mechanical relays to removable modular electronic cards to simplify diagnosis and repair and improve reliability.
Pretty much im you but better
What's the deal with those ugly long couplers?
Same as the SD45. Ridiculously overpriced, no detail, poor quality
Detail is awesome, overpriced? Yes. Bli should sell locos that are DC only with a socket for DCC. This might keep the price down. There are still some of us that want no sound or DCC.
@@stpaulisland an athearn RTR loco from 7 years ago that costs $165 with sound is more detailed AND sounds better than this. Let that sink in.....