I own one of these (Paragon3 also) and it runs great on various club layouts using different control systems. Compared to my beloved Intermountain AC-12’s the BLI is a little more user friendly with various DCC controllers. I’ve looked into getting an older MTH AC unit but I’ve had bad experiences with two of their compound steam locomotive models and don’t intend to have a third.
It's a gorgeous Engine and one of my dream steam engines, I'm so excited to start my first prototype model railroad after the holidays. You were a major contributor to my decision to go HO scale!
Robby Tobor id love to do N Scale I have such a large space I feel the smaller I go the bigger my layout can become. Yes N Scale is cheaper but I have to factor in my dad's old trains I hope to acquire one day they are all HO scale I also like the extra details of HO scale.
The markings on the cab under the road number are probably AC63 and AC5, the AC stands for Articulated Consolidation, which was the class, 63 is the driver diameter, and AC5 is because it's from the 5th order.
God I love the fantasy paint scheme! This locomotive has no place on my set with modern passenger trains but I don’t care! I want it so bad! Saving that paper man!
I'll tell ya'. BLI is a cut above. I have a Consolidated 2-8-0 that stopped working except for the sound. I emailed BLI and without proof of purchase or even that I actually owned the locomotive they sent me a new decoder without hesitation. It fried too, but I sent it to BLI along with my receipt and they fixed it in a couple weeks. I still haven't fill out the warrantee registration. Don't expect THAT from Bachmann. Cheers, Dan
That is a gorgeous loco. I never cared for anything that did not have smoke and choo choo. I am strictly American flyer because of that and the perfect size for us older folks to see and handle easily. But if I win the lotto I tell you that I would have an H O layout built with Broadway limted and Athearn steamers that all smoke like crazy and have those great sounds like the whistles and bells and choo chcc sounds. I love your show and the Merry Christmas and tree ad logo from JLWii2000. Can you demo some of those new American Flyer Steam engines Lionel has made for American Flyer folks.?
I'm looking for a heavy hitting steamer to supplement my existing Bachmann consolidation and Berkshire. Thinking this could be what I'm after, as they're available for well under $400, but the BLI light Mike looks more normal, available in many roadnames and is under $300
Nice locomtive just not a road I am interested in.I think BLI needs to do some of the unique B&O and Eastern articulated and turbine locomotives. I have always noticed at train shows most model railroad collectors are from the upper Midwest and New England. I wouldn't even bother much with the collectors from the southern region their isnt many of them. Look at where most train shows take place. That is a good indication what people are interested in.
Was I seeing correctly that the puffing of the smoke is actually in sync with the sound and travel? If so are there any other steam locos that have that feature? That is terrific if so :)
Mint Roses the cab forward was an oil burning locomotive, that allowed SP to flip the locomotive around because oil was able to flow from the tender to the firebox.
Hey, what would be very helpful in the future is if you could also give some explanation of how for example this release is different than the previous releases of the same engine by the same manufacture. I love cab-forwards, and am willing to buy another, but would love to know what the differences between this one and the one I already own from BLI.
I will love to see it side by side or in a consist with the Intermountain AC-8 - AC-12 models love my cab forwards one note I feel off with this is the air pumps exhausting sound, AC-1 to AC-7 didn't have the seperate air pump exhaust sounds that the AC-8 to AC-12 Cab Forwards were known for
Is that a steam loco? I had never seen a steam loco with the cab in the front. Pretty interesting. I suppose it burns heavy oil or something similar, not coal. Beautiful loco and as always, excellent review.
AC-4's and 5's sound the same. The AC-6s and on-wards have a different sound as they had their air compressors moved to the back and pipes that exhaust straight into the air rather than through the stack like the ones before it. The sounds for this model in the video are completely wrong.
How come the first run is perfect but the second run isnt it’s missing distinctive air pump sound, the air horn, the lighted number boards, and the correct whistle that was on the first run
Thanks for the review, James. Another beautiful locomotive with toy quality sound and features. Crew chatter and an air horn on a locomotive built in th 20's, shameful. The only thing worse than their steam sounds are their diesel sounds! When will BLI get the picture and rid themselves of their AWFUL system!? You tried, you failed, move on...
![ค้าง (STILL) - GEMINI [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ftxx3hk5vkU/mqdefault.jpg)
I own one of these (Paragon3 also) and it runs great on various club layouts using different control systems. Compared to my beloved Intermountain AC-12’s the BLI is a little more user friendly with various DCC controllers. I’ve looked into getting an older MTH AC unit but I’ve had bad experiences with two of their compound steam locomotive models and don’t intend to have a third.
I really appreciate that you do a pull test with these locomotives. It's a good bit of information. Thanks.
It's a gorgeous Engine and one of my dream steam engines, I'm so excited to start my first prototype model railroad after the holidays. You were a major contributor to my decision to go HO scale!
Robby Tobor id love to do N Scale I have such a large space I feel the smaller I go the bigger my layout can become. Yes N Scale is cheaper but I have to factor in my dad's old trains I hope to acquire one day they are all HO scale I also like the extra details of HO scale.
@@Oompalompa35 CHEAPER I saw a Milwaukee road coach for 300$
The markings on the cab under the road number are probably AC63 and AC5, the AC stands for Articulated Consolidation, which was the class, 63 is the driver diameter, and AC5 is because it's from the 5th order.
God I love the fantasy paint scheme! This locomotive has no place on my set with modern passenger trains but I don’t care! I want it so bad! Saving that paper man!
I'll tell ya'. BLI is a cut above. I have a Consolidated 2-8-0 that stopped working except for the sound. I emailed BLI and without proof of purchase or even that I actually owned the locomotive they sent me a new decoder without hesitation. It fried too, but I sent it to BLI along with my receipt and they fixed it in a couple weeks. I still haven't fill out the warrantee registration. Don't expect THAT from Bachmann. Cheers, Dan
I got mine from Trainworld for $350, but true enough.
that looks awesome , and could you please do a how to video about adding marker lights and diaphragms to the Walthers Proto Superliners.
It would be nice to see a real one restored.
Great video, those cab forward locomotives sure are unique
That is a gorgeous loco. I never cared for anything that did not have smoke and choo choo. I am strictly American flyer because of that and the perfect size for us older folks to see and handle easily. But if I win the lotto I tell you that I would have an H O layout built with Broadway limted and Athearn steamers that all smoke like crazy and have those great sounds like the whistles and bells and choo chcc sounds. I love your show and the Merry Christmas and tree ad logo from JLWii2000. Can you demo some of those new American Flyer Steam engines Lionel has made for American Flyer folks.?
I'm looking for a heavy hitting steamer to supplement my existing Bachmann consolidation and Berkshire.
Thinking this could be what I'm after, as they're available for well under $400, but the BLI light Mike looks more normal, available in many roadnames and is under $300
Always a good review. Need to do some more freight cars, like the genesis or scale trains etc...
I am hoping to get a cab forward for my layout sometime in the next three years.
I miss this old intro. What song was used for it?
Are the number boards lit? I couldn't tell in the video
Nice locomtive just not a road I am interested in.I think BLI needs to do some of the unique B&O and Eastern articulated and turbine locomotives. I have always noticed at train shows most model railroad collectors are from the upper Midwest and New England. I wouldn't even bother much with the collectors from the southern region their isnt many of them. Look at where most train shows take place. That is a good indication what people are interested in.
Was I seeing correctly that the puffing of the smoke is actually in sync with the sound and travel? If so are there any other steam locos that have that feature? That is terrific if so :)
I got an amazing from my hobby shop for the same loco 250$ love it amazing review
can you change the whistle on the loco
Hey James! Can you do a video on some of your favourite trains on the layout? I love your layout and would love to see some trains running around it!
i have one question.
How does the coal from the tender go to the smokebox? if it runs on coal
Mint Roses the cab forward was an oil burning locomotive, that allowed SP to flip the locomotive around because oil was able to flow from the tender to the firebox.
Caleb Klinzing yeah a few days i wrote this i foubd out it did
Would this work with Bachmann EZ-Command?
I love how the bells spazzing out
Hey, what would be very helpful in the future is if you could also give some explanation of how for example this release is different than the previous releases of the same engine by the same manufacture. I love cab-forwards, and am willing to buy another, but would love to know what the differences between this one and the one I already own from BLI.
Gotta get me one o' these!
BLI vs MTH.......which engine did you like the best and why’?
These reviews are awesome, thank you.
how do you do it you have so many trains all i have is powertrains
I will love to see it side by side or in a consist with the Intermountain AC-8 - AC-12 models
love my cab forwards
one note I feel off with this is the air pumps exhausting sound, AC-1 to AC-7 didn't have the seperate air pump exhaust sounds that the AC-8 to AC-12 Cab Forwards were known for
Does anyone know why most ho and o scale steam engines have the valve gear permanently set to neutral?
You should make a running session video.
Is that a steam loco? I had never seen a steam loco with the cab in the front. Pretty interesting. I suppose it burns heavy oil or something similar, not coal. Beautiful loco and as always, excellent review.
Yeah it is a very unique locomotive! Go check out videos of the Southern Pacific Cab Forwards and you'll be very impressed and amazed!
Mario G it's a stean
It looks like a beautiful model but that roof seam gap is driving me crazy!
Can you do a ac-12 cab forward 4294?
Does Broadway Limited make a SP AC-9?
No, only AC4 and AC5
Mike Pericolosi, I Aisha they would make them as brass hybrid.
Does anyone know if the SP AC-4 sounds are different or the same as the AC-5
AC-4's and 5's sound the same. The AC-6s and on-wards have a different sound as they had their air compressors moved to the back and pipes that exhaust straight into the air rather than through the stack like the ones before it. The sounds for this model in the video are completely wrong.
Great review!
The alternative whistle is better.
WOW
Great review
How come the first run is perfect but the second run isnt it’s missing distinctive air pump sound, the air horn, the lighted number boards, and the correct whistle that was on the first run
ESPEE!!!!!
Pretty loco!
Permission to save video 🙏👍
Coal Auger sounds? Hahahaha!!
🤩🤩🤩🤩🏆🫶👍
i am cab fowrward
Thanks for the review, James. Another beautiful locomotive with toy quality sound and features. Crew chatter and an air horn on a locomotive built in th 20's, shameful. The only thing worse than their steam sounds are their diesel sounds! When will BLI get the picture and rid themselves of their AWFUL system!? You tried, you failed, move on...
I guess you can turn the sound off if you don’t like it.
It would be better without the annoying sound