Broadway Limited SW7 Switcher REVIEW - N Scale

[@koho-n9d]

Regarding the decoder address reset, I had the same issue. My BLI support reply was that there is a small reset button on the decoder. The problem was that one of the wires was pinched between the button and the body shell causing it to be always pressed. When you cycle the power to the unit, it resets back to defaults with the button pressed. The fix was to remove the shell and re-position the wire. Obviously we shouldn't have to fix issues like that from the factory, but that did fix it for me without replacing or repairing the decoder.

[@cee1667]

I got the CP and CN versions of these on the BLI Refurb site, and I love them. They have no trouble pulling a 15 to 20 car train on a level loop

[@ronhart4166]

I purchased the North Western a while back and the loco ran well for about a month and just stopped. I removed the cab and found the black wire to the truck's had warned through. Thinking I might be able to replace the wire myself. I went to unplug the connector to the decoder. To my surprise. ALL the wires came loose !! I was blown away at this point. Being older, there were noway for me to repair the unit. I could not believe how small the wires and components were on this unit!! Needless to say, I sent the unit in for warranty. It took 3 months to get the loco back. I have found the loco is super sensitive when running through turn-outs and the track needs to be SPOTLESS in order to run properly. Needless to say, I will stick with my KATO LOCOMOTIVES. They are Much easier to work on and maintain and perform well. JUST MY TWO CENTS THOUGH, I am hearing great things about SCALE TRAINS. We shall see. Nice review as always.

[@nscaler454]

was yours the same Paragon 4 version?

[@srigelhof]

That's a bummer about the decoder issue. I have a few BLI Paragon 4 locos and they seem to operate fine. I also have a BLI Paragon 3 SD40-2. I want to like it, but am looking forward to the Scale Trains versions coming out soon.

[@gat-x105strikegundam5]

Definitely would recommend the scaletrains SD40-2s, they are incredibly detailed.

[@cee1667]

I have the CN version bought through the BLI refurb site. I'm very impressed with it. Pitty that the cab does not light up

[@nscaler454]

Yeah it would have been nice to have cab lights.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Im pretty sure I didn't miss anything but watched this while at work so it's possible I missed the single thing i'm about to ask about but.. Did you test the "capacitor" function? Did you pull it off the track and see if it stayed alive at all? I've got one of their Paragon 4 NW2 switchers and it behaves like this feature does not exist and is fairly inconsistent on my spotless test track. I may have to give BLI a call and get their thoughts. But otherwise my NW2 is a GREAT looking locomotive. Just need to get those kinks ironed out. I I've got several other BLI N scale locomotives and they've all been great. I just picked up a F3A off of their factory refurb site and it was an EXCELLENT deal. As an aside. Been watching a BUNCH of your earlier layout building videos. I'm getting ready to dive into actual landscaping, etc. on my channel and have been trying to prime myself with as much info as I can as i've never done any of that before. And your channel has been a BIG help.

[@nscaler454]

I didn't go as far as to pull the loco off the track, but I did run it through my turnouts and gaps that have a break in connection. It ran flawlessly.

[@patterrana1581]

You would need a high speed camera and timer to test it. The capacitor is tiny and gives roughly half a second of power. More so to help sound from cutting out while running over switches. To get like 3 or 4 seconds time, you'd need a cap bank the size of the cab.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Great review! I agree with what you've found. I've got the CNW and MILW versions of this model. Both were very good runners out of the box, which impressed me given the size of these models. They look great on branch line and yard service. They are LOUD for sure.

[@GoingTrackSideinAlberta]

That's actually a SW9u one of cp's very few on the roster at the time. Btw, fellow N scaler here modeling CP in Edmonton Alberta

[@nscaler454]

Thanks for clarifying. I just go off what BLI says haha. You should post some vids of your layout!

[@roncrook8656]

I have three of these locos, as well as a few more BLI locos. I've experienced the same issue getting the address programmed on some of these. I was able to get the addressed programmed on the ones that gave me fits after several tries. It seems to me that after putting on the track, letting it get power for a bit, operating the headlight on and off was key for me to get address to stick.

[@rcav8r2]

I am just getting started and have a Kato loco and a BL Loco, and am now looking for a switcher. As a newbie the Kato just seems far superior to the BL. It worked right out of the box ( although it was DCC ready so I had to add a decoder) and runs WAY smoother than the BL. I too had an encoder issue the my BL, and had to do the decoder shuffle too. Being a newbie , the BL being my first loco, and using a DCC++ system I just built, it took a while to determine the issue; bad decoder. BL support was great in that regards, but not too promising that you too had the same issue I had. Still looking for a DCC switcher; sound not needed.

[@nscaler454]

When you replaced your decoder on the BL, did it fix your problems?

[@rcav8r2]

@@nscaler454 Yes it did. Although for some odd reason I can not adjust the volume/mute and as you noted, it is rather loud.

[@NAK_Main_Channel]

Jeez that is quite the sound for that little loco!

[@sharknosediesel]

I have not taken the time to read all the comments so forgive me if someone has addressed this. The coupler sound on BLI decoders does not work when the loco is not moving, as it would not on the prototype. If you turn over the card you found you will see that there are two different sets of function settings. I don’t know why they do not program the coupler sounds on the prototype lighting mode, but I guess they leave out up to us because we might have some preferences for where we want to program certain functions. I use the ESU DCC System and have never had a problem programming anything. Can’t say the same for Digitraxx is still in the 20th century and doesn’t play well with modern sound decoders. Don’t know what system you are using.

[@ronaldjoyce7374]

You’re being kinda generous with your scoring. My opinion is, when you’re paying that amount of money, it should be perfect or close to it. Ron

[@nscaler454]

you aren't wrong. My expectation is always 100% working with anything I purchase. Technically this locomotive does work, I can use it, it just has a glitch. If the locomotive didn't work, or performed terribly, it would get a much lower score.

[@genejablonski9909]

Some of the functions like coupler clack will only work when the loco is moving.

[@nscaler454]

I tried that, it still didn't work.

[@genejablonski9909]

@@nscaler454 Hmm, very strange.

[@PEWPEWPopop]

Sorry you got a dud. I have 4 BLI engines. 2 are paragon 4 and 2 are paragon 3. I have had zero issues. I love them as much as my Katos. For some of the sounds, there are two separate cards at the bottom of the container. If you switch cv128 to 1, it goes into pro mode and the F keys change a little bit.

[@patrickbrown9321]

Just FYI function three the coupler once you press it once you have to pull forward to hear the coupler sound

[@tommynorwood5184]

I agree the quality of BLI is not that good. I have 4 SD40-2s that are not that good. I had to send one back last spring and it was 6 weeks out. It just stopped running would not go forward or reverse but it still had some of its sounds. I got it back and it is still not functioning properly. Pulling power is not that good on these units. You are spot on with your review. I’m hoping some other manufacturer will put out a SW 1500 switcher. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. 😎😎👍

[@carltonbirds]

Very lovely, I want one, and I don’t even have a track layout 👍

[@aceadman]

It’s beautiful. But the decoder issue makes it a no go for me. At that price point, it has to be right. Or they have to fix it fast. Or send a new replacement. Thanks for the info! 😊👍👍

[@cpwhiskycreek]

Thanks for the review, not surprised about the end result. So many mixed results with them it’s hard to spend money on the gamble will it work or not

[@chrisholme5581]

I have three of these, one had similar issues to yours decoder wise. Along the way i increased my DCC track voltage from 10 V to 12 V and this problem has not been seen since.

[@nscaler454]

Someone told me that the antenna under the body was pushing against the reset button and was causing the same issues mine was.

[@havoc_hobby2429]

I love my Paragon 4 SD40-2 from them. Definitely worth the cost of it, got mine from Hobby Wholesale in edmonton.

[@nscaler454]

what road name did you get?

[@havoc_hobby2429]

Canadian Pacific like you.

[@nscaler454]

@@havoc_hobby2429 oh nice. Perhaps it's best I didn't see those there. I might have bought them lol.

[@havoc_hobby2429]

i think they sold out, it was last year i got it, they had a normal unit and a High Hood unit, High Hood was a "remote" unit, had its windows covered. was neat

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

NICE VIDEO THX FOR POSTING.😊😊👍👍

[@someguy2637]

Wonder how it performs on DC?

[@nscaler454]

I don't have a DC setup so I couldn't say for certain. But since DC only uses the moving functions, I would assume it would work fantastic in DC.

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video

[@roady1710]

You forgot to move the bell up on top it' swivels how about that.... Now that's awesome

[@nscaler454]

No way! I had no idea it moved.

[@roady1710]

@@nscaler454 yippee ki yay

[@BriansModelTrains]

Your not alone. I stay away from BLI and stick with Kato locos.

[@captainjohn787]

A significant number of these locomotives had full length handrails and stanchions on the long hood, but I've never seen this feature incorporated on the model by any manufacturer. Noisy little unit, isn't it?

[@K5_BlaZer]

Unfortunate results with the loco and more specifically the decoder. I have no affiliation with BLI, but as a fellow N scaler, I can add that I have sent a locomotive into BLI for service (I'm in the states) and had the loco back in less then 2 weeks. I suspect BLI under promise and over deliver. I have also sent in locomotives to Atlas and waited 2 months (about 9 weeks) before even hearing from anyone, and when I did hear from Atlas, they told me my problem of non working ditch lights "That's a design flaw...." despite being a selling point to the locomotive. But your volume issues are not unique to you, my BLI Diesel and T1 are loud. I had to adjust the volume WAY lower.

[@larrybaughman618]

🖐🚂💭

[@Microbus]

Having to send it back out of the box…yikes. At your own expense…double yikes!!

[@randydobson1863]

hello nsacler454 it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks nscaler454 thanks friends randy and i am enjoy yours video is super thanks friends randy