P2K 2-8-8-2

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

Greetings Mike and the NHWS members,

I would like to add to this thread (Class A vs Class Y whistles).  Mike 
mentioned that his Class A doesn't run all that well.  I have a similar 
problem. I pre-ordered two Class As in June 2003 through one of the large 
mail order houses and did not receive them until late December (remember 
the delays?).  Only one run out of the box and then only briefly; the other 
was DOA (electrical or electronic problem).  Both engines were sent to BLI 
for repair (electronic, cosmetic, and mechanical defects) and were 
eventually returned in July 2004.  One engine works and the other is still 
DOA (same problems) and is now a display model.  The whole experience to 
that point had soured me on BLI products, especially since these engines 
had cost almost 2.5X what a good looking and well running Spectrum engine 
costs.

I did decide to give BLI another chance with their release of the C&O T1s 
and ordered two through the C&OHS.  These engines arrived in perfect 
working order and run very well.  The sound is needs adjustment and 
balancing and the detail is OK.  Not bad for $300+ each.

Overall, I would say that the hobby will continue in the direction of "more 
bell and whistles" with greater detail and prototype fidelity, all at a 
greater price.
For that greater price, I expect that the product will be well designed and 
well built, prototypically accurate, and run properly out of the box.

Later,

Peter E. Franson
3816 Highland Oaks Drive
Fairfax, VA  22033
pfranson at erols.com



At 03:47 PM 1/14/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>The whistle sound is the same as the Class but it NOT the same chip!!!!
>
>My Class A do nt run well at all but the Y's run just great. The A's will 
>not take proper programming but the Y's will. I have done research on 
>switching chips form another BLI loco to the class A to get better 
>results. I was able to obtain a Pennsy J 1 chip through my sources and 
>installed it into the Class A. The results were outstanding except for the 
>Pennsy whistle and the chuff rate.
>
>All of you who have a Class A that does not run correctly please let BLI 
>and QSI know about it and maybe together we can get a new chipo burned or 
>maybe some of the Y3 chips.
>
>Mike Ritschdorff
>>From: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
>>Reply-To: "N&amp;W Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
>>To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
>>Subject: Re: P2K 2-8-8-2
>>Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 00:24:02 EST
>>
>>
>>
>>In a message dated 1/12/2005 10:38:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>>nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org writes:
>>
>>Hi  all,
>>
>>Life-Like recently released another run of their Proto 2000  2-8-8-2's.
>>One version is supposed to be the VGN USA Class of which I  purchase No.
>>719 equipped with sound.  I have noticed that it appears  Life-Like used
>>the same sound chip Broadway Limited used in their release  of the N&W
>>A's as the whistle sound is identical.  Is this even  remotely accurate?
>>I'm on the verge of returning the loco over this, but  wanted to check
>>with the group first.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Jim  Slack
>>Wichita, KS
>>
>>
>>
>>While I have not had the P2K unit in front of me I imagine it is the  same
>>decoder as the "A". I believe the same co. produced decoders for both
>>engine
>>producers. The whistle is correct for the "A" and a N & W Y3. I am  not sure
>>what the VGN would have used but I seem to remember hearing a VGN  whistle
>>somewhere and it was a very high pitch one. Not the low moan of the N  & 
>>W whistles.
>>
>>Ray Russell
>>NMRA-40609
>>"Norfolk & Western Railroad"   "Pocahontas Division"  "Circa 1958"
>>Visit The "NEW" Pocahontas  Website at:
>>_http://www.nandw-pocahontas-division.net/_ 
>>(http://members.aol.com/rruss45826/public_html/index.html)
>>________________________________________
>>NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
>>http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
>
>
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