Review: HO Scale S2 Turbine 6-8-6 PRR Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) Paragon 4 Brass Hybrid

Review: HO Scale Broadway Limited Imports Paragon 4 Brass Hybrid Pennsylvania Railroad S2 Turbine
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There are some HO scale items that I'm looking for; perhaps you can help me find them?
docs.google.com/document/d/14...
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There are some HO scale items that I'm looking for; perhaps you can help me find them?
docs.google.com/document/d/14...
#modeltrain #modelrailroad #hoscale #hogauge #modeldiorama #modellocomotive #miniaturerailroad #train #locomotive #railroading #neje #lasercuttingmachine #lasercutting #diorama #modelrailroading

[@OriginalBongoliath]

When Broadway Limited was founded one of the original partners was Bob Zimet of QSI Industries. This is why Broadway Limited continues to use their crappy Paragon decoders which are just rebadged QSI decoders because they got them for virtually nothing so they got to save a ton of money and cut costs. They may have been okay when they first come out in the early 2000's since DCC Sound in HO was new but that was over 20 years ago and technology has moved on. No one uses QSI anymore (even though I think they are still around) when superior options like TCS, Soundtraxx, and ESU are around. Those are the ones modelers and manufacturers with a brain use. The only reason I put up with Paragon is the warranty and smoke. Hopefully Scaletrains forces them to re-evaluate things like they did with DCC Ready options.

[@DoctorHobby]

Oh, this is very interesting information, indeed. QSI is still around, but they haven't done anything new for quite some time. I guess Paragon is, in many ways, the continuation of QSI into the present. At least BLI does somewhat stand behind their product---and, yes, like you, I really enjoy the smoke along with the options BLI has given us. I do hope they improve--especially upon things like electrical pickup, that seemingly has long-been perfected by this point.

[@gonebamboo4116]

I think their sounds suck. Now I know why, thanks.

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Bruce: Glad to have you back. Beautiful locomotive(s) and always fancy the elephant ear smoke deflectors. Beautiful consist too. I get my Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #262 steam locomotive tomorrow via UPS. The S2s are a little out of my price range. To be honest, I agree with you that maybe should be die cast abs to keep the cost down. Thanks for sharing and happy rails.

[@DoctorHobby]

Oh, that #262 will be a lot of fun for you! It's a beautifully laid-out locomotive and looks really handsome on the track!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I would like to see an SD-70 in brass . Thank You for your great review .

[@DoctorHobby]

I have one of those that’s on the table now! I’ll get it in the mix! Thanks for watching!

[@RailKingMell]

I'm really tempted to purchase those fleet of modernism cars. They look so good with it😲👀

[@James-Railyard]

I love the Tuscan color on the new S2. If that’s the Tuscan they use on the new run of the Q2’s coming this year then I’m definitely ordering the Tuscan one.

[@DoctorHobby]

If think it would be, and, you’re right, it’ll look great!

[@jimtrack3786]

Doc, I agree about the brass construct. It makes sense that they went this route if it helps their bottom line. Still it prices me and others out of the market. As always a fine review. Thanks!

[@DoctorHobby]

Luckily, the more of them that they make, the more that’ll be on the used market in the future!

[@RetiredEE]

I have an older S2 and would definitely pick up an unpainted (stealth/non-sound) version when available. Great review 👍

[@DoctorHobby]

Thanks tons for checking in! Best of luck when you finally pick it up!

[@JamesHunterPhotos]

How am I able to change cv settings to paragon 4 locomotives via a computer? Is there a program I need to install and how do I connect a locomotive? Thanks.

[@DoctorHobby]

You'll need a DCC-computer interface. I use a ESU LokProgrammer for this.

[@officialpennsyjoe]

Were you able to open the gear box? When I checked out mine, I found white gears instead of the usual black/graphite color gears. Which makes me kind of concerned about material composition. They did nylon gears like 20 years ago, so I hope they are not price cutting on their drive system. Your thoughts? Also, I found that the S2 is definitely the best model they have made recently, which is a shame.

[@DoctorHobby]

I didn't pop anything open, no, but if they're using the same type of plastics they did just over a decade ago, that could be a real problem. I'm hoping it's just a color thing and not a materials thing...

[@evanhizon8112]

I have the Paragon3 version of the S2 Turbine with the Smoke Deflector. Does Paragon4 offer any improvements over Paragon3? Is it worth selling my Paragon3 to get the Paragon4 version if there are any differences in terms of looks and performance?

[@DoctorHobby]

No improvement at all except for the capacitor, but the S2 doesn’t need it, so save your $ and purchase from one of my sponsored links in the description ;)

[@nycderailed]

What is the model you show in the intro? It’s beautiful!

[@DoctorHobby]

They’re beautiful, indeed! See my review of the, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2modHukpbqmpas

[@sparky107107]

nice to see BLI running well. but I am still not sure. all my BLI's just stop and start all over any sigh of dirty track.

[@DoctorHobby]

I hear you-most of mine that are Paragon 3 and up are terrible. This one seems to get it done, right, tho! Thank you for watching!

[@Fidgetdidget]

F3 works if you press it, then move the locomotive

[@DoctorHobby]

Ah. .that's right. Not sure why that has to be the case, but thanks to reminding me that it is, indeed, the case..

[@terranempire2]

I find the Radio chatter hilarious. These locomotives were withdrawn in 1949. The kind of radio chatter played wouldn’t have been possible until the very last years of it’s short service life. As commercially available walkie talkies wouldn’t be available until 1947.

[@DoctorHobby]

Agrees..it’s goofy.. but there are people who use them, apparently.. if it makes them happy, makes me happy

[@GoldStandardTrains]

I feel like Lionel is doing the same with their Brass Hybrids with some of them not really warranting the need for Brass being the engines can be just as detailed in Full die cast.

[@DoctorHobby]

Ah, well, I guess BLI isn't the only one making some missteps in this area.

[@GoldStandardTrains]

@@DoctorHobby I want to eventually do a video comparing a well details full die cast Lionel engine to one of their brass hybrids. I feel it isn't necessary and becomes more of a novelty. Also, I prefer the heavier weight of full die cast.

[@ModelTrainGamer]

What is that app at 9:06 that your using for the sounds?

[@DoctorHobby]

I'm using an ESU LokProgrammer for those. Works really good! Thanks tons.

[@ModelTrainGamer]

Thank you

[@WWIIREBEL]

It's probably just me....but that rev up/down sounds almost like a continuously blowing steam engine whistle in the distance by itself,lol.

[@DoctorHobby]

It makes sense, actually! I think you’ve got a really good point!

[@williamtisher2012]

What DCC computer interface are you using?

[@DoctorHobby]

I use an ESU LokProgrammer.

[@williamtisher2012]

Ok Thank you I thought that might be what your screenshots were showing.

[@exarkun42]

I am the type that wants one of these, because I love weird/unusual things (I own a Hornby Hush Hush, and have a KR Models GT3 on order). Sadly unable to afford it at the moment :( One thing I do notice is that they cheaped out on the cab details. Hornby and Bachmann Branchline models that cost less than 1/3rd of what this does have detailed gauges and (in some cases) flickering fireboxes where this doesn't.

[@DoctorHobby]

Yeah.. they're up there a bit. Luckily, with this second release, there will be more to go around on the used market in a year or so. Might be able to find a good deal them! And, yes, the "extras" were a big miss on this model, for sure. "There's always something with BLI" holds up, yet again, it seems.

[@gilbertporter4992]

​@@DoctorHobby Yes true thanks for mentioning that. I hope to see them in BLIs refurb shop.

[@ScaniaVabis580]

​@@gilbertporter4992did you pick one up in their sale last week mate?

[@ScaniaVabis580]

I did think that this might sound more like a jet aircraft as opposed to sounding somewhat (somewhat) like a diesel in sound. I suppose only people that witnessed the rare beast in operation back then can inform us of how it actually sounded.

[@user-hu9si1ku6p]

NO , BROADWAYS LIMITED IS WRONG ALSO AND IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A GAS TURBINE EITHER .. RUSSIA HAS A STEAM TURBINE ,, THERE IS A VIDEO OF IT ,, IT ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE A VERY LOUD STEAMSHIP .. LIKE HOOVER DAMN POWER STATION AND TURBINES

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

I appreciate your evaluation, but I still won't buy any bli locomotives. Thanks!

[@DoctorHobby]

Totlaly understandable--BLI has burned a lot of good will over the last few years. It'll be hard to get it back. Thanks for letting me know.

[@gonebamboo4116]

​@@DoctorHobby Yepper!!!! Thought this was the goto brand after moving overseas and to half o from O. More than disappointed, more than dissatisfied

[@gonebamboo4116]

Smart move

[@gonebamboo4116]

7:52 ✔️ Fact checked

[@user-hu9si1ku6p]

SHOULD START SETTING START , MID AND HIGH VOLTAGES CV-2 STARTING VOLTAGE CV-6 MID VOLTAGE CV-5 MAX VOLTAGE IF YOUR LAYOUTS TOP SPEED IN SAY 50 MPH EXAMPLE BELOW CV-2 = 000 STARTING THROTTLE SETTING 00 = 000 MPH CV-6 = 030 MID VOLTS THROTTLE SETTING 50 = 25 MPH CV-5 = 060 MAX VOLTS THROTTLE SETTING 99 = 49/50 MPH I HAVE A BACHMANN HEISLER THAT IS SET CV-2 = 000 STARTING CV-6 = 005 MID VOLTS CV-5 = 010 MAX VOLTS ITS THROTTLE SETTING 99= 8 MPH ALL DIGITAL SYSTEMS SAY TO DO THIS ,,,, THIS MAKES THE DECODER NOT WORK THAT HARD AND STAYS COOLER AND REDUCES HEATING OF THE DECODERS

[@jamesmccarthy4777]

A descent BLI loco for a change. Though I still wouldn't buy this. Good review though! I highly recommend reviewing Hornby, Dapool, Bachmann Branchline and other European steamers in the future.

[@stpaulisland]

8:47, seeing how slow that was moving was pretty impressive!

[@DoctorHobby]

Oh..wow… well.. ok.. this one is actually faster than average in my stable. Low speed performance isn’t all that great.

[@roperdoper7812]

The slow speed performance of this model is pretty bad. Maybe if you're used to using DC it's ok but for DCC this is terrible.

[@DoctorHobby]

It's pretty bad, indeed