Broadway Limited Imports SD40-2 - N Scale - Review!

[@rickstrainhouse2025]

I purchased a Stealth SD40-2' and it ran great. Just some slight gear noise and a little jerky at slow speeds. After 20 minutes of run time, the Jerkyness went away and the gear noise is hardly noticable. I liked it so much, I purchased a 2nd one. Now that one ran similar to the one in your video. Same odd gear noise and would hesitate at slow speeds. I did not have the stalling problem over turnouts. I found that one of the wheels on each truck set was binding. I removed the binding axles and reinstalled them and they were now free. It ran perfect after that and the weird noises were gone. It was like the axles were pressed in too far. I tried to installl an ESU decoder but it was a little tight in the shell. I purchased a Tunami 2 sound decoder as it is .5 mm narrower then a ESU and it fit perfect. Runs great! Sounds Great! I have been running them both for the past 6 months with no issues. BTW, I have an older BLI SD40-2 with Paragon 3 and it will automaticly notch up the throttle on uphill grades and will notch back down once grade levels out. It is suposed to do that per BLI to simulate the real locomotives. I really think it works and sounds great.

[@Cee_Eff]

I bought one from the BLI refurb site, and I love it. Fast and strong puller. OTOH, mine didn't make those funny slow speed noises

[@FortWorthNScaler]

I have 4 of these. I LOVE the sounds. past that the gear noise is terrible and overall the same issues you have. Disappointing purchased from BLI so far. LOVE The channel, keep doing the great work!

[@mustachemike802]

That certainly an odd sound. It almost sounds like there's a chip in the worn gear. I have 3 BLI SD40-2 and they ran like champs straight out of the box. And they pull like a beast!

[@nscaler454]

I'll need to check it out for sure. I hope I don't have to send it in.

[@cpwhiskycreek]

I got mine from the refurb site and love it so far

[@pieroluciano3272]

Sweet trains! Back in the day, my go-to trains were those Life Like F7 CN units and the legendary Tyco Alco Super 630 Golden Eagle! 😎👍

[@Steve_Larson]

Sound somewhat like when I get a piece of ballast in my gears. My BLI SW7 (Paragon 4) also has really weird RPM response as well.

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Nscaler454 & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Nscaler454 & Friends Randy

[@Skywarriorguru]

I have to say BLI should install ESU Loksound decoders. The sound is much better

[@tommynorwood5184]

Hi Nscaler454 , I’m not a fan of BLI locomotives . I have 4 SD40-2s 2 in Southern and 2 in North and Western. I wish that I never seen them. They stop and start up while I’m running them, horn sounds at anytime , and they take off at a high speed then go back to normal speed . I sent one back because just quick running and won’t restart. Got it back still just wasn’t working properly. I’ll never buy another one of there locomotives again. If it’s not an Atlas ,Kato, or Scale Trains it want it get bought by me. Sorry you’re having a problem with them . Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. 😎😎. 👍

[@nscaler454]

Sadly BLI and Rapido are on my list to never buy again.

[@craiglautenslager]

I have two Union Pacific BLI sd40-2 and they also make the clicking noise. Seem to run fine otherwise.

[@readingthebible5413]

I just snagged 2 bli diesels. I hope they are good.

[@nscaler454]

hit or miss it seems. I hope yours are good.

[@readingthebible5413]

@@nscaler454 are you sending your back? What’s interesting is I have an Intermountain train with an ESU Loksound select decoder that does the same thing with the engine sound. I’ve reset it multiple times to no effect.

[@someguy2637]

Some times, you just need to get some run time hours on a new locomotive; no matter what manufacture you choose. Do you have a break in track loop? I find the average run time hours vary. The professionals once told me 100 hours. I have yet to need to run a new loco that long. Almost forgot, both directions.

[@nscaler454]

If I had a loco that required 100 hours of run time before it was good I'd send it back haha. That would be about 1100 laps around my layout.

[@readingthebible5413]

I agree. That’s ridiculous. Unfortunately I paid for both of my BLI’s right before I started reading up all of the problems. I got mislead by a certain N scale channel, who I believe he said got his sent to him from BLI. Of course he said they are “fixed” and great. So now they are on their way to me and I’m concerned.

[@MoandPapaw-qe1ts]

I think you still may have a little something on either the track or wheels. Sometimes the wheels don't make good enough contact with the track, or it could be one of those made in china and, well., enough said.

[@mrsoandsoso2537]

The bli sd 40's seem to be problematic i have on and several people in the club i am inhave them and they tend to get cranky on dirty track and switches without powered frogs . However i have a bli powered a and b f unit and they run incredibly well no studdering or anything sound always works perfectly as well on any type of track

[@jacksonthomas1851]

Did you buy the stealth version or the one with Para4?

[@nscaler454]

Paragon 4

[@Nscalestuff]

My BLIs dont like the slightest spec if dirt or any minuscule discrepancy in the rail. They will shut off. Mine also change rpms alot, they're really sensitive to rolling resistance.

[@nscaler454]

which BLI locos do you have?

[@donaldshroyer8633]

If you're going to review BLI locos, you should become better acquainted with how Paragons work. Do both locos have the periodic grinding noise with sound off?

[@nscaler454]

I have a BLI switcher with Paragon 4 and the sound isn't weird like these ones. Only one loco has the surging and grinding

[@donaldshroyer8633]

@@nscaler454 Sounds like the grinder should be returned for exchange or refund.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

​@@nscaler454CV 246 bit 1 can be used to turn off motor loading if you think it's so weird.

[@David-yo5re]

I bought 2 HO scale BLI SD40-2 locomotives a couple years ago and I will not purchase anything else from BLI. They ran great for about a year or so and then they started surging. And then the sound effects were okay, but the horns sucked. I sent them back to BLI for the surging issues and they didn't fix them. I asked for replacements and was told they don't do that. So to hell with BLI.

[@odeooo16]

So you got some reliability issues with bli, picky with rails on scale trains, and not a ton of detail on Kato. Wonder who will get it all figured out first.

[@nscaler454]

Almost need to build some sort of hybrid between them.

[@readingthebible5413]

It shouldn’t have cut off I wouldn’t think. They are suppose to have a keep alive.

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

I have 2 Broadway Limited locomotives. They will be running along and randomly both will slow down and stop, sit there for a moment at idle, and then throttle up and proceed.

[@nscaler454]

I've noticed that with one of mine as well

[@jasonsharpe6505]

I'm sorry you spent your money on a Broadway limited 🤣

[@kanel.6326]

is it not good?

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

I have heard and viewed many complaints about Broadway Limited locomotives. I stay away from them because of that. For that price you would think they would paint the handrails also ? Can't go wrong with Kato as for performance and my favorite, 'Scaletrains ' for sure.

[@nscaler454]

Yeah these definitely don't compete with my Scaletrains. I just wish Scaletrains would come out with some CP multi mark or CN SD40-2's of their own.