BLI ES44AC have landed

[reinhardtjh]

Spookshow's Review

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/blies44ac.html

[peteski]

Mark seems to like these. The handrail color is also markedly different from the gray paint, even in Marks photos.
I'm also not impressed with the thick added-on plastic grabs on the nose, mixed with molded on ones (which actually look better to me).  The fit of the windshield panes is also not optimal.

[spookshow]

Mark seems to like these.

Mark isn't anywhere near as fussy as y'all. Just trying my best to provide information that might be useful to the average Joe 

Cheers,
-Mark

[peteski]

Mark isn't anywhere near as fussy as y'all. Just trying my best to provide information that might be useful to the average Joe 

Cheers,
-Mark

That's ok, we like you anyway. 
And your reviews provide lots of very useful information about all those countless models you reviewed. I thank you, and I'm sure others feel the same way.

[ek2000]

+1 to Pete. I usually start my search of locomotive reviews by tagging spookshow in the Google search. Thank you Mark !

[tehachapifan]

I also find Mark's reviews to be very helpful, informative and quite accurate. I also appreciate that he come's from more of a regular Joe's point of view as I know we can be a bit over-the-top here.

Also, the pictures of this loco at his site are way better than those shown above. Model looks quite a bit better, IMHO.

[Mark5]

I find Mark's website to be a tremendous resource.

Like he said he is not as picky about the details (as me!), the reviews don't really give us a long term view (how does it run after 25 hours of use?).

Mark

[wazzou]

Are the handrails supposed to be gray?

[spookshow]

the reviews don't really give us a long term view (how does it run after 25 hours of use?).

I usually don't mention it, but my general modus operendi is to run a locomotive nonstop in roundy-round fashion (forward and backward) for a couple-three days before writing a review. I figure that's enough time for any weirdo problems to emerge. For example, that's about how long it takes for the axle ends on the GEVO to start squeaking.

-Mark

[Mark5]

I usually don't mention it, but my general modus operendi is to run a locomotive nonstop in roundy-round fashion (forward and backward) for a couple-three days before writing a review. I figure that's enough time for any weirdo problems to emerge. For example, that's about how long it takes for the axle ends on the GEVO to start squeaking.

-Mark

That's good to know. Although that would not really reveal the weakness of some electrical pickup systems (off and on use over time). To be honest I don't expect that sort of long term report from ya (so many locos and who has the time!).

Love your site!

Mark

[peteski]

I usually don't mention it, but my general modus operendi is to run a locomotive nonstop in roundy-round fashion (forward and backward) for a couple-three days before writing a review. I figure that's enough time for any weirdo problems to emerge. For example, that's about how long it takes for the axle ends on the GEVO to start squeaking.

-Mark

Judging by what we assumed about your test's length you might want to consider including that info in the review (or maybe somewhere else on the website) to make the readers aware that you ran the model for more than just few loops around the test track. I don't expect any specific numbers - even something like you said (few days) would give a whole new perspective to your published test results.  Few days of running is a pretty darn good test.

[rrjim1]

Just received my LV ES44AC and right out of the box it goes threw at speed step #1 (3 smph) 4 medium peco switches. I checked the wheel blacking and mine has very little. Just running it about 15 minutes to break it in has already worn some off. No problem with the hand rails, IMO they match the loco perfect. The only thing that might be a problem is there is no ditch lights, have to call BLI to see if this loco has them.  Very Happy! 

[ek2000]

Good to read that this loco is doing much better than the AC6000. MBK seems to have bet big on this, I counted 398 in stock this morning and certainly they would have sold several dozen by now. All but a couple of the AC6000's have sold out too !

I'm still leery of the finickiness of BLI locos. It is my experience and that of several others that BLI locomotives stall at turnouts where other locomotives dont have a problem. Not sure if that has improved with this model.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Are the handrails supposed to be gray?

Yes, they are supposed to match the UP Gray. What throws it off even more is the bright yellow sill stripe. The color is quite the same as Armour Yellow, but its not as drastic as what BLI has done.

The wings on the nose are a tad too low as well. If you are going to put nose grab irons on, but then mold the front ones, it just looks horrible since one is oversized and the other is "none" The shields next to the Building America is pretty much the same size as the cab numbers, but should be a little bit larger. Something looks off with the flag, but it could just be muted.

Overall I'll stick to my FVM and Kato GEVOs.

Chris

[High Hood]

How do the BLI Gevos compare to the Fox Valley Gevos?