Awesome loco, I was a volunteer on a 2-8-2 Mikado the Southern Pacific 786 back in the early '90s during its rebuild and operation in Cedar Park, Texas. A lot of hard and hot work but it was worth the experience.
I have the BLI light Mikado and it came with traction tires installed, and an extra set, which is probably what you were looking at. Programming issues aside, I'm satisfied with the loco.
Hi Donald. Yes, I'm not used to working with steam locos. The traction tires in the box were an extra set. There was a set on the wheels, they were just hard to see. 🤔
Great timing for the review Ron as I’m looking to add the CQ&B roadname of this locomotive to my layout and the fact the sound can be turned off helps too.
I had to do a double take, that building next to your right elbow looked like a bank of power outlets....Looked again and it is a building...Familiar shapes can fool the eyes
I own a BLI light mike just like this. Althought the chuff sound dosent sync very well with rod and piston motions, I would say she's still a decent loco and quite fun to operate.
I also grew up chasing MoPac trains, and I have one of these in HO Scale among my GP38's & GP15's, but didn't locos of this class have doghouses on the tenders? Not a member of the MoPac Historical Society so I don't have access to many photos, but most of their larger steam engines of the later era had them as far as I can tell.
Looks nice Ron. Thanks - I was looking for a new steam engine to pull my coal cars up a 2 per cent incline. It looks like this is the one that is close to our New Zealand engines. Many thanks...Graham
All my HO BLI locos come with traction tires already on the model and an extra pair in the box to replace them when the originals wear out/dry up. Are you sure the N-scale model didn’t already have them on?
No problem, Ron. I have no experience w/ N-scale, but I was taking an educated guess. Another thing that MIGHT carry over with BLI N-scale locos, on the HO models they usually offer (for purchase) a non-traction tire set of drivers for those who want them. Also, it should be noted that traction tires - I’m not sure what they are made of - wear out/dry out over a period of time. If you clean your tracks with alcohol, wipe them off or be sure it is dry before running a loco with traction tires. Alcohol tends to speed up their wearing out. And when you have to go to buy more, they are not cheap!
It seems like BLI fixed the common complaints we had with their other N scale steam engines with this model. Chuff is more aggressive, sound is much crisper, and superior speakers. I don't know for sure if I will be getting this model, but I'm considering it. I hope BLI will make a large articulated steam engine in N scale (like an Allegheny or N&W Y).
I would be very happy to see BLI bring out a SP AC9 2-8-8-4 in N scale. This locomotive has only been available in Brass, Since BLI does a great job brining out less then common steam locomotives, especially for the PRR fans. This would be a natural for them. There are a lot of SP steam fans that would go crazy over this engine, I sure it would be a good seller
Thanks for the review, very nice loco. Quick question what is the track to track separation between the two decks behind you, and the elevation of the lower deck? Thanks.
I bought two of the first run UP light Mikados. One ran about 39 feet before it died. The second ran about 3 hours before it died. It was able to pull 20 cars up a one percent grade with 15 and 18 inch radius curves. I really liked the sound, just disappointed with longevity.
Hi Andy. That is very unfortunate. It seems like people's experiences with BLI is greatly varries--they've either had great luck or they had problems right out of the box. Seems very inconsistent from BLI from what I'm reading in comments.
Ron great review on this one wish we could see more details thought, try something like James Wright or TSG does, you are right it looks great and even with traction tires I'll bet it does great, just a hint - I have a ho cabfoward locomotive that the tires keep coming off so I just left them off and it pulls just fine ..thanks for sharing....Jack
@@RonsTrainsNThings So why do I have to pay another $150 for $20 of Chinese electronics I'm not going to use? Noisemakers in model trains are universally awful, and yet we're being forced to pay for it.
Very informative, and while perhaps outside the scope of the review, some background information on the prototype might be useful for some modelers. Keep em coming, Ron.
@@RonsTrainsNThings I have not tried it but you would certainly have less traction as now that wheel set does not even touch the track. I have not tried to put on my extra set yet so do not know how much an issue that may be. Thanks Ron . PS the loco runs great !!!
I thought "Mikado" had a long a sound... Mik-ah-do... I see by googling the pronunciation that pretty much every resource says I've been wrong all along.
Well, you never know. There are ton's of arguments (believe it or not) over the correct pronunciation of gondola for North American railroad purposes. LOL.
Ron them wheels under the cab ,are trailing wheels. The pilot wheels as you called them are at the front of the engine.It only takes a minute to get the facts right. P kinsey
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Awesome loco, I was a volunteer on a 2-8-2 Mikado the Southern Pacific 786 back in the early '90s during its rebuild and operation in Cedar Park, Texas. A lot of hard and hot work but it was worth the experience.
You wouldn’t recognize Cedar Park today
@@paleo704 yeah I know, I have a friend that lives in Liberty Hill and that area is unrecognizable today. LOL
@@stevenV57 yep
I drool over Broadway Limited locos 👍👍
I have the BLI light Mikado and it came with traction tires installed, and an extra set, which is probably what you were looking at. Programming issues aside, I'm satisfied with the loco.
Hi Donald. Yes, I'm not used to working with steam locos. The traction tires in the box were an extra set. There was a set on the wheels, they were just hard to see. 🤔
@@RonsTrainsNThings I appreciate hands-on reviews like you did. Especially in the current environment where physical shopping is ill advised.
Hi Ron, I got this Heavy Machado in Santa Fe from a previous run trust me people it's great. Im using it for a excursion train
When was the previous run of BLI’s n-scale USRA Heavy Mikado?
@@Iabrams3985 I got my Heavy Macado from Broadway Limiteds referb store last July
Chris Mitchell I got mine this week. It runs better than any HO scale steam I’ve had over the years despite being so small as an N scale model.
Great timing for the review Ron as I’m looking to add the CQ&B roadname of this locomotive to my layout and the fact the sound can be turned off helps too.
I definitely want one of these to add to my collection. Thanks for the review.
This is a sweet little locomotive. I think you'll like it.
@@RonsTrainsNThings am more of a steam guy.
Beautiful. Great test and review, Ron. Thank you.
Well good morning
Time to watch!
I had to do a double take, that building next to your right elbow looked like a bank of power outlets....Looked again and it is a building...Familiar shapes can fool the eyes
Nice video ron this will be another steamer i'll buy.
Let us know how you like it.
I own a BLI light mike just like this. Althought the chuff sound dosent sync very well with rod and piston motions, I would say she's still a decent loco and quite fun to operate.
Cool loco 👍👍👍🚂👌
Greetings from Germany Gert
Thanks for review Ron I will be buying one of these this August.
Let us know how you like it.
@@RonsTrainsNThings already have the one I want pick out at Midwest Model Railroad
I also grew up chasing MoPac trains, and I have one of these in HO Scale among my GP38's & GP15's, but didn't locos of this class have doghouses on the tenders? Not a member of the MoPac Historical Society so I don't have access to many photos, but most of their larger steam engines of the later era had them as far as I can tell.
Great video!!! 👌👌💯
Looks nice Ron. Thanks - I was looking for a new steam engine to pull my coal cars up a 2 per cent incline. It looks like this is the one that is close to our New Zealand engines. Many thanks...Graham
All my HO BLI locos come with traction tires already on the model and an extra pair in the box to replace them when the originals wear out/dry up. Are you sure the N-scale model didn’t already have them on?
You see, I am a total noob to modeling steam. Since you posted I looked closer and yes, it did. 🤦♂️
No problem, Ron. I have no experience w/ N-scale, but I was taking an educated guess. Another thing that MIGHT carry over with BLI N-scale locos, on the HO models they usually offer (for purchase) a non-traction tire set of drivers for those who want them. Also, it should be noted that traction tires - I’m not sure what they are made of - wear out/dry out over a period of time. If you clean your tracks with alcohol, wipe them off or be sure it is dry before running a loco with traction tires. Alcohol tends to speed up their wearing out. And when you have to go to buy more, they are not cheap!
It seems like BLI fixed the common complaints we had with their other N scale steam engines with this model. Chuff is more aggressive, sound is much crisper, and superior speakers. I don't know for sure if I will be getting this model, but I'm considering it. I hope BLI will make a large articulated steam engine in N scale (like an Allegheny or N&W Y).
I would be very happy to see BLI bring out a SP AC9 2-8-8-4 in N scale. This locomotive has only been available in Brass, Since BLI does a great job brining out less then common steam locomotives, especially for the PRR fans. This would be a natural for them. There are a lot of SP steam fans that would go crazy over this engine, I sure it would be a good seller
Thanks for the review, very nice loco. Quick question what is the track to track separation between the two decks behind you, and the elevation of the lower deck? Thanks.
It is 24".
Top Notch Review Ron!!! Tyvm !!! 👍
Wow ! Cool locomotive ! I wonder if it comes in HO Scale
Hi Ron you can use it as a excursion train
Great sounding locomotive.
Very nice steam locomotive 👍🚂 nice review .
I bought two of the first run UP light Mikados. One ran about 39 feet before it died. The second ran about 3 hours before it died. It was able to pull 20 cars up a one percent grade with 15 and 18 inch radius curves. I really liked the sound, just disappointed with longevity.
Hi Andy. That is very unfortunate. It seems like people's experiences with BLI is greatly varries--they've either had great luck or they had problems right out of the box. Seems very inconsistent from BLI from what I'm reading in comments.
Ron great review on this one wish we could see more details thought, try something like James Wright or TSG does, you are right it looks great and even with traction tires I'll bet it does great, just a hint - I have a ho cabfoward locomotive that the tires keep coming off so I just left them off and it pulls just fine ..thanks for sharing....Jack
This would look great pulling a center depressed car granite train, about 6 cars
Good looking locomotive, too bad they don't make it available without the noisemaker.
You can turn sound off or reduce the volume.
@@RonsTrainsNThings So why do I have to pay another $150 for $20 of Chinese electronics I'm not going to use?
Noisemakers in model trains are universally awful, and yet we're being forced to pay for it.
@@pdbnc You are not forced to buy it .
Very informative, and while perhaps outside the scope of the review, some background information on the prototype might be useful for some modelers. Keep em coming, Ron.
@Lactrix BLI Paragon 3 decoders are pure garbage. I'd gladly purchase a DCC ready version of the Mikado, just so I can have the sound I want.
Expect the traction tires to go bad and fall off in about six months.
How will it run with none?
@@RonsTrainsNThings I have not tried it but you would certainly have less traction as now that wheel set does not even touch the track. I have not tried to put on my extra set yet so do not know how much an issue that may be.
Thanks Ron .
PS the loco runs great !!!
I thought "Mikado" had a long a sound... Mik-ah-do... I see by googling the pronunciation that pretty much every resource says I've been wrong all along.
Well, you never know. There are ton's of arguments (believe it or not) over the correct pronunciation of gondola for North American railroad purposes. LOL.
@@RonsTrainsNThings PFFT!
"Gone-duh-la"... Both grandfathers and an uncle in the Burlington Northern. I'm goin' with that. 😃
The word “ Mikado” is Japanese; typically all syllables would be unaccented.
Ron them wheels under the cab ,are trailing wheels. The pilot wheels as you called them are at the front of the engine.It only takes a minute to get the facts right. P kinsey
Yes, I misspoke. It happens.
Pilot wheel detail... you mean trailing truck detail 🤔 don't you ?
Yes, that is whatbI meant. I misspoke.
Well that's something you don't see every day , a steam engine pulling BNSF cars .
Traction tires should be installed by factory... not me ! $275 n I am responsible to install things !
I misspoke on video. They were installed but it came with a backup pair.
Look very very nice good video but it should be HO scale