Review: Broadway Limited Challenger 4-6-6-4 Loco w/Paragon 3! Steaming Whistle! BLI

[@mach533x]

So, your video's alone, forced me back into this hobby. lol thanks!

[@ovationpdh]

That steaming whistle is fricken awesome!

[@simonthetrainguy]

I have a rio grande challenger by Broadway limited

[@thefutureofyesterday8136]

That’s one good looking loco. right there. I want one. Good review from a new subscriber.

[@MuLuMeThePussycat]

From what I see in this video, I think this is one really nice version of the Challenger, probably one of the best on the market! I also really like this review with the train's historical and mechanical information being added which can help new model railroad hobbyist learn more about the locomotive. Keep up the good work! : )

[@BlueRidgeGuy]

Love your reviews, very informative with "just right" amount of information & detail! You've helped me greatly in my purchasing decisions & you have a big fan!

[@samodelrail6976]

Really adds to the review when you put the historical information on screen. Thanks!

[@richbuege551]

Got mine a week and a half ago. Tiny bit of minor damage, no big deal. James, maybe try doing a reset, mine runs at speed step one perfectly. And for those of us that don't want to be spewing oil vapor all over, you might mention the switch to kill smoke under the cab. Handles 18 inch curves just fine, just doesn't look good doing it. Nice review.

[@LordRusty5]

Dynamite Engine and great video review, James! Kind of like that it's pre-coupled! Looks nice and close!

[@jacko9759]

GOOD REVIEW, it almost makes me to go all go, like you said beautiful engine, BL has done it again, adding the more features that ever....Thanks for sharing!

[@bluelineaviation7122]

Got this engine today. Beautiful model

[@TMCCABE]

Challenger will be back in action in 2021 or 2022

[@mr.theengie9010]

That is a beautiful model, exactly what we expect from Broadway these days.

[@Mumbles19852007]

Hey, nothing wrong with being a UP heritage guy. I'm a Chessie System Guy. Beautiful locomotive and great review.

[@nickbarman4145]

Great video as always

[@NS3644]

will be getting one very shortly. i'll have to turn smoke off or else all my smoke alarms will go crazy. very well done and very informative vid, James. ty

[@TheSaint0358]

So how is it, have one too.

[@joenewstead4848]

Your alternative whistle is a dead rigger for the 3985,s Whistle. That is a nation Hancock three chime.. the 800, the challenger, and the big boys all had Nathan Hancock three chimes.

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

In January, 2020, Union Pacific officially retired No. 3985 from excursion service. The UP steam program manager, Ed Dickens, said that the team felt that maintaining three historical steam locomotives at the same time would be too much for them to handle. The locomotive also required a full rebuilding due to its poor mechanical condition. Therefore, No. 4014 has officially replaced No. 3985 in excursion service for the foreseeable future. No further information about the future of the locomotive has been released and No. 3985 continues to remain stored at the Union Pacific roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming as of 2021, with no plans to bring it back to operation anytime soon - Wikipedia It sucks that they just abandoned 3985. We could have had a Challenger AND a Big boy back at the same time. I’m glad we have 4014, but at the same time it stinks to lose 3985.

[@Fidgetdidget]

idk if you've heard, by now you probably have, 3985 is making a full return!

[@GMTX-kg8ep]

I really hope they put the Big Boy out again. I saw it’s not even on the site but, I saw it and I missed my chance

[@thekeytoairpower]

mth is dropping one in the next few weeks

[@pokeyrailfanning]

Amazing I love the challenger one of my favorite trains I love your videos best channel ever!

[@phyllisherbert]

I’ve heard that putting smoke units in ho trains are difficult so the fact this has 2 maybe 3 is amazing

[@zechariahfrink3707]

Great engine! Has awesome sound and smoke!

[@zechariahfrink3707]

@Zechariah Ponder That's crazy! And spelled the same way! I've met a few "Zach's" and "Zacharys", but never another Zechariah spelled like in the Bible lol! And since you commented on here you're into trains right?

[@zechariahfrink3707]

@Zechariah Ponder That's awesome! I was born in 1991. I'm gettin old lol! I actually model in three rail O scale, but I love watching and checking out other scales and manufactures of model trains.

[@TheSaint0358]

I just got my 3985 from broadway limited imports about a month ago

[@thekeytoairpower]

Bought one of these for my son for Christmas.... it was great for about 15 mins, then it shorted out. Lil man was pissed but was as stoic as he could be. I contacted the hobbyshop the next day and they said I could send it back or I could buy another one and they would give me my money back for the first one when they got it back. Cool... so I order the second one at it comes in and it works for about an hour.... Contact the hobbyshop again and they say I can return the second one. I still have not had the money clear back to my bank account on the first one, so am $840 in the hole on these. Beautiful product. Was great whilst it worked but there is obviously a flaw in the electronics somewhere.... Even if there is an average fail rate of 1 in 10 which would be abysmal for a modern product, the odds of getting two bad one in a row is 1%. Couple of points that I have found from further research: BLI has a bunch of refurb units of this model on their website. BLI does not answer their phones. BLI apparently went to 3 pole motors when they went to paragon 3, the usage of 5-pole motors was advertised with paragon 2 but is missing on their website for paragon 3: these motors draw way more power and either short out or put the decoder into self protection mode.

[@rayhagele]

Hi, I had a similar problem happen to my BLI Big Boy. After some investigating with the audible multimeter I isolated to a wheelset. The drivers are in two pieces and slipped loose causing the short. A phone call to BLI and $10 later I had the part shipped to me. I installed it and it runs like a champ. I hope this would help you. There shouldn't be a circuit while the engine is sitting on a piece of dead track.

[@Riogrande6400]

Thank you my locomotive has been shorting out now I know where to look

[@Riogrande6400]

Hi James have you had any problems with your Bli challenger motors. If you have how did you fix it. I love your videos helps me find out exactly what I want to purchase.

[@DCoombs928]

I knew that this review was coming!!! I so want one but have to start saving some money first!

[@thekeytoairpower]

beautiful loco. crap internals.

[@bbrockRailFan]

This is on my list now.

[@mjmonjure]

Great Idea! When will you be making a video on the MTH' version of this new bigboy (2020)? I would like to see how they compare,

[@jessedax7333]

Great vid James! Thanks! I'm ordering the coal tender version although I'like this one too. How do you make the driver's go out of sync? You mention that there is "a little work to do". Cheers!

[@daveiejp21]

I really appreciate your reviews, very helpful. May I ask which round house you use, and does the challenger fit in it?

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

The first whistle kinda sounds like N&W 611.

[@sherryscales6686]

The Union Pacific Challenger, 3985, is the most popular steam engine of all time!

[@Trainman3985]

Amen to that brother

[@dmgraham69]

bell should be fixed on 3985. not supposed to move powered by air. just like big boy. beautiful model none the less

[@TheSaint0358]

You can move the bell and center it

[@TheSaint0358]

Oh well it’s easier for the bell to be powered by air and not the fireman, it’s easier for everyone, that’s how it was when it came out of Alco in 1943

[@muhammadnimji4626]

Great Review. I'm just starting out and wanted your input into AC or DC systems. What would you recommend and why? Are their more options in terms of Loco's in terms of AC or DC? Power /torque and burnouts between each system.

[@mr.epicmemerman131]

Is there a coupler in the front? I see a little outline of a square on the cow catcher.

[@markiewodi3371]

Whoooo hoooooo!!! James man, great video once again!! I know that I was ones givin ya a bit of a hard time with the couplers. The only reason I do, is that I belong to a club, and some of our “new cats” get frustrated when the trip pins hang up on turnouts/grade crossings or unwanted uncoupling. I just want to keep the “new cats”, young or old coming back and enjoy running trains. So thanks for doing another great video, and doing the coupler gauge correctly!!!

[@Zidaddy]

Oh and also what remote and tracks do u use for this

[@kyleschessiecumberlanddivi5581]

To be honest, I really love that box design, I'm wondering if the Greenbriers will be the same way. Will you be doing a review of them when they come out?

[@rockyfanatic6846]

The 3985 broadway limited box is the longest box you ever seen

[@bobthomas2812]

Wow, you get what you pay for. I have a big boy and love, hope I can get one before the are gone.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

How would it be to have a functional reverser gear! Or at least seem to be functional.

[@delysweightman1851]

Where do you add the liquid to make the train smoke? Inside the two holes at the front of the train?

[@choochoo3985]

Couldn't help it. Got one that same evening (April; 24on E Bay for $547.Being choiochoo3985 I had no choice and it will look so cool next to my BLI 4014.

[@f1muffin643]

Is this the challenger that is shown on Modeltrainstuff?

[@one_shot_boy3650]

Great vids! In your opinion what is better BLI, or MTH?

[@thekeytoairpower]

MTH. had 2 of these fail with a combined 75 mins of runtime.

[@IamMagPie]

If BLI can't make a decoder/motor that starts very smoothly and slowly, they should contact ZIMO and Roco. For this price I expect the model to perform flawlessly. (I own this model).

[@austonbraman2328]

Where would you recommend getting this product?

[@newriverproductions12]

Majestic!

[@GMTX-kg8ep]

Is there a deadline or when is the best time to order before they sell out?

[@calebg844]

I feel like the Rivarossi Big Boy box was longer than that one

[@Dannydevito05]

Is there any particular place where you buy your trains for maybe a discount

[@Donnie67654]

I feel like it has been ages since you uploaded, and it's only been a week. Are you going to do a review for any up coming Rapido trains including their F40's?

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Hi could you do a review of Broadways Hybrid Brass Locomotives ?

[@salahmed1890]

The 3985 is no longer in operating condition. In 2010 the FRA certificate expired and it has been waiting since then 1472 day or 15 year boiler inspection and rebuild. Because of the Big Boy 4014 the 3985 has remained dormant in The Round House in the roundhouse in Cheyenne. I heard on Facebook that Ed Dickens officially retired the 3985. I'm not sure what the future of 3985 will be. It may sit in definitely on display in The Roundhouse and Cheyenne or maybe someday, someday they will rebuild 3985. Right now they've been Focus for many years on the 844 and 4014

[@designhawkbed8773]

I just know it share the same tooling with Trix version, I wonder does it has metal gear?

[@Railfan_3751]

Could you do a review on the paragon 3 3751? Its a lot better than the paragon 2 3751 that you got.

[@stevemellin5806]

Very cool thank you

[@SndrewAonkin]

Nice video

[@Ellaamericasbestdecapod]

Did anyone notice that when he blew the whistle smoke came out from under the boiler?

[@simonthetrainguy]

I have the same with Rio grande and coal tender

[@jessedax7333]

Is it ok to use other brands of smoke fluid or will that ruin the smoke unit. I'm told that the Bachmann fluid is a little lighter the the BLI one and it lifts better even when the loco stands still. There is also the Mega-Steam fluid. But I don't want to risk to ruin the steam unit. What do you think, can they be used on BLI units? Thanks!

[@struck2soon]

Jesse Dax It should be fine to use any smoke fluid...the basic units work the same.(just basically a heating element, with small fan on BLI and MTH) I use the Mega steam fluid in my BLI and MTH locos. Happy smoking!

[@Zidaddy]

Will this work with e-z track ho bachmann

[@SH-ei3ql]

Just a dumb question but, does anyone know the difference between the Big Boy and the Challenger. People keep telling me that they are different trains.

[@axle17921]

They have different wheel arrangements. The challenger is a 4-6-6-4 and the Big Boy is a 4-8-8-4

[@8ablheza]

After you break the locomotive down for a few hours the slow speed will improve greatly.

[@PABackyardRevivals]

is that a F3 or F7 or nether

[@axle17921]

I think the whistle steam effect is great but from what I understand the UP used air to power their whistles not steam

[@bbrockRailFan]

Great Review keep er coming. LOL what about Choo Choo shoes for old farts like me?

[@sort187]

Um, the box you're presenting was upside down in the first few seconds. Geez.

[@jlwii2000]

sort187 oh the horror.

[@sort187]

It gave me a good laugh early in the morning. The video was of the usual high standards. Keep on keepin' on.

[@newriverproductions12]

omg the worlds gonna end

[@sort187]

RailMan3416 Why? Did Hawaii declare another incoming missile?

[@newriverproductions12]

(facepalm)

[@SRRC245]

how does a ho vision whistle even work

[@choochoo3985]

I like it and will get one, but why on earth do these production people coordinate the drivers so they are in sync? They need to be at least 30 degrees out to get the double c Great review as usual.huff. Not just BLI, but Athearn, TRIX, MTH...Dag-Nab-It get with the program. Still want one to go with my BLI BIG BOY! Great review as usual.

[@choochoo3985]

Correction I just purchased one from VZTECH on E Bay for $546.95 Free Priority Shipping April 24th 2018. Go for them, he may have more, if not there were other 3985's listed. Good luck.

[@nc_mtbmedic1399]

My local hobby store says, quality is questionable is this true?

[@Iabrams3985]

Like every other manufacturer, Broadway had some quality control issues. In general, that was years ago. Every Broadway limited loco I've purchased in the last few years has been well-designed and assembled, and has performed well, too.

[@thekeytoairpower]

Had 2 of these fail back to back... sending the second one back for credit towards a MTH Big Boy

[@TailsFan369no2]

Lionel will be so jelly

[@Mr300bowler]

Broadway limited is doing C&O class j3a 4-8-4

[@TheSaint0358]

I want it, but not released yet

[@alexander1485]

i think the proper wording would be "front to rear" or "engine coupled to tender" and not "side to side"

[@mattjackson3712]

Love broadway, hate the sounds...

[@azmike1]

These locos are so nice. But too fragile for one like me that will actually run their trains often. I for one would probably break off details almost every time I put it on the track. Don't start me up about removing it from the track. Too much money for my liking. I run trains. I run them hard. I stick with the DC Atlas Locos of late in the blue box. Good enough. Durable and reliable. Broadway Limited? Over the top.

[@thekeytoairpower]

Honestly the construction feels relatively robust... they did not feel like they were about to fall apart in the hand... and the quality of the plastic details was just about right... hard enough to feel robust, malleable enough to not be brittle. Electronics are terrible.

[@sherryscales6686]

The Union Pacific Challenger, 3985, is the most popular steam engine of all time!

[@fuzzcopter467]

Sherry Scales mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm it was

[@basedjorts]

Give it a few more months. Once 4014 is back under steam, there won't be any comparison.