BLI PRR-P5A In Now

[peteski]

The lack of play in the center driver definitely has to do with keeping the driver in line with the worm gear.  There is no margin for error in the alignment it seems.  Now that I have flanges on the center drivers, I'm not going to worry about the float in the outer drivers as it's not excessive and probably is a benefit while transitioning into curved trackage.

I believe that earlier in the thread you mentioned that the gear on the center axle was narrower than the other axle gears.  Looking at the parts diagram it shows that all 3 axles use the same gear (#92).  Did BLI change the design?

[bbussey]

All the axles and gears appear to be the same to me.  The only difference is the added bushing on the blind wheels.  Nevertheless, I took the cautious route by keeping the center axle/gear assembly and swapping the wheels.

Actually, now that I think about it, the gear diameter may be slightly larger.  I remember trying to swap in a standard axle and it would not engage with the worm gear.  It was free-spinning.

[narrowminded]

Has anybody who requested parts NOT received them?  I had a few that were very late (2 weeks?) but did arrive.  One going to Texas is late enough now that we're concerned it's lost.  Anybody else?

[spookshow]

I finally got a chance to check out my P5A and now I'm confused. I took it out of the box, put it on the rails of my "torture test" layout, and then proceeded to run it around in circles at speed step 1 without so much as a single hiccup (plastic frog turnouts and all). Is the issue that's being discussed here a bad apple / QC-type problem? Because mine doesn't seem to have any problems at all.

Thanks,
-Mark

[nstars]

I finally got a chance to check out my P5A and now I'm confused. I took it out of the box, put it on the rails of my "torture test" layout, and then proceeded to run it around in circles at speed step 1 without so much as a single hiccup (plastic frog turnouts and all). Is the issue that's being discussed here a bad apple / QC-type problem? Because mine doesn't seem to have any problems at all.

Thanks,
-Mark

At the Ntrak convention in Bournemouth earlier this month there were 5 P5’s, all running without any problem, so I do suspect there is some variations between samples.

Marc

[narrowminded]

I finally got a chance to check out my P5A and now I'm confused. I took it out of the box, put it on the rails of my "torture test" layout, and then proceeded to run it around in circles at speed step 1 without so much as a single hiccup (plastic frog turnouts and all). Is the issue that's being discussed here a bad apple / QC-type problem? Because mine doesn't seem to have any problems at all.

Thanks,
-Mark

I'm glad to hear it's running good!  That's all it has to do.   I've heard others say they've not experienced the problem and a few more that had.   

My two samples, the only ones I've seen, were both troublesome as outlined and those pieces fixed both of them.  I would have much preferred my first one to run without trouble right from the start but once fixed I was happy enough with the whole model to purchase a second one.  I really do like these things.

[dem34]

I don't get it either, I tested the ones at the LHS and they didn't seem to have the pickup issues that mine had. I wonder if there is a difference between the Freight ones with block lettering that most of us here got and the Passenger ones that I see a lot in shops. 

[spookshow]

Mine is a passenger version. But unless the two versions were built at different factories, I can't imagine how a few extra shell details would make a difference in performance.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Anybody else having problems with the teeny weeny couplers? I can't make a lap around my layout without the cars coming uncoupled.

-Mark

[bbussey]

Mine is a passenger version. But unless the two versions were built at different factories, I can't imagine how a few extra shell details would make a difference in performance.

They could have been made in two separate production batches though, whereas something was done differently with the freight batch where it doesn't adhere to spec.

[spookshow]

Anybody else having problems with the teeny weeny couplers? I can't make a lap around my layout without the cars coming uncoupled.

Weird, I took the shell off and all the uncoupling problems went away. Were these models assembled inside of a haunted house on Friday the 13th?

-Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Weird, I took the shell off and all the uncoupling problems went away. Were these models assembled inside of a haunted house on Friday the 13th?

-Mark

Lol, or one shipment was actually a bunch of Amazonfakes...

[spookshow]

Mine started squeaking like a box full of mice after 2 days of running, but applying some conductable to the ends of the driver axles took care of that.

Does anyone know how to disable the startup sequence so that the locomotive just goes when you give it some throttle? The Paragon4 manual is rather huge and I didn't find anything obvious in there, but not knowing the exact terminology I didn't know what to search for.

Thanks,
-Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I saw a checkbox for it in JMRI the other day.

[Snark45]

Anyone have a suggestion for disconnecting the DCC/sound altogether?

I have an old-fashioned plain DC throttle and like running that way.

Appearance-wise, this is a beautiful model, BTW...

Regards, Harry