BLI PRR-P5A In Now

[nkalanaga]

Peteski's right.  With three axles, even if it does "teeter-totter", there should be two axles (four wheels) in contact at all times.  With this loco, since one end axle has traction tires, and the center one doesn't touch the rails, only one driving axle (two wheels) can make contact.  Three plain wheelsets, even in a rigid frame, would give at least twice the contact.  And, like him, I haven't had any problems with three axles in a rigid frame.

Now, if the pilot trucks can also pickup power, that would improve the situation, but having all three driving axles available would be a big help in any case.

[bbussey]

Got the pickup fix video done.  It shows (the best I could with the phone) what the problem is, the two parts to fix it, and installation.  Enjoy!

Mark — it’s an elegant non-intrusive style fix, and one that requires very minor disassembly to install. Nicely done, I look forward to implementing it.

It appears in your operation video that the stretched springs are not a detriment with your fix installed, so I’m not going to readjust them. It also means it no longer is mandatory to replace the two drivers, although I’m still going to pursue that with BLI just on principle. This isn’t the first time I’ve had a frustrating experience with their models and service department.

[160pennsy]

Now, if the pilot trucks can also pickup power, that would improve the situation, but having all three driving axles available would be a big help in any case.

If you watch @narrowminded / Mark G's 2nd video where he installs his "fix" you'll see that the pilot trucks do have pickup power wires

[dem34]

Glad it was a fairly simple fix, so I guess its good I sat on returning mine until the week.

[apudelek]

@narrowminded all of us Pennsy modelers owe you big-time for coming up with such an incredibly simple and timely fix.  Well done, sir.

Andrew

[narrowminded]

Mark — it’s an elegant non-intrusive style fix, and one that requires very minor disassembly to install. Nicely done, I look forward to implementing it.

Thanks Brian.   When I was being solicited to join an engineering consulting group after I sold my industrial, specialty machine design and build business, the thing they identified as one of my "areas of expertise" was described in advertising/ marketing lingo (those silver tongued devils) as "economy of design".  I found that to be complimentary but also verging on comical.

It appears in your operation video that the stretched springs are not a detriment with your fix installed, so I’m not going to readjust them. It also means it no longer is mandatory to replace the two drivers, although I’m still going to pursue that with BLI just on principle. This isn’t the first time I’ve had a frustrating experience with their models and service department.

Ah, yes.  I too have the stretched springs in mine as shown.  That is why I want to test and adjust the height of the support bar with the original springs installed before to call this complete.  I suspect that the original spring was carefully sized in the design phase to optimize the available weight and will have sufficient force if compressed to its optimum position but that could easily be +/-.010" higher than now exists with the stretched spring.  Too much force (aggravated by the stretched spring) and it virtually lifts the drive wheels off the rails and allows it to tip side to side when negotiating a turn (I can attest to the truth of that) but less than optimum forfeits very valuable force.  This may seem like overthinking to some but we're still talking give or take a few grams where those few grams are actually very impactful on the performance.  This is all at a very careful balance and I want it optimized when it will take only a small effort to prove that out... and a set of the original springs.  

Because you have already stretched your springs and are intimately familiar with the issue I'll forward a set of these parts for you to try but as far as a fix for the unmolested units, I want to be sure the parts are optimized for the original springs.  Make sure it's a true drop in fix for all of the units out there, as they are shipped.  Having identified the problem we sure don't want to miss on the second swipe at it.   How sad would that be?

[narrowminded]

Glad it was a fairly simple fix, so I guess its good I sat on returning mine until the week.

I hear you.  I absolutely love these things and would hate to see them fail over something this small, or I guess you could say this BIG, when there is so much so right about them.   And this single dumb thing could really be devastating for the success of the model for BLI.   I guess I should offer these parts to them so they can address the issue immediately when the calls and returns start.  And it's so easy that even I could install them myself.

Make sure to PM your mailing address so I can get a set out to you in a week or so when they are proven out with the springs unstretched.  Of course, that's unless BLI decides to implement them and then you could get them from them.

[bbussey]

Too bad they cost a pretty penny, otherwise it would be cool to triple-head them.

I got word from BLI support an hour ago.  They are sending two rear driver assemblies later this week.  I was told I should have them two weeks after that.  So, mid-March.  If the unit doesn't pull enough, I'll be able to swap the original front driver assembly back.  But I don't anticipate any issues.

[narrowminded]

I too got a reply and they are sending a couple of replacement springs for those that I stretched in the early stages of sorting out what was going on with this. They have always been cooperative the few times I've had to use them.  They are suggesting it could be up to a couple of weeks until I receive them.  This will allow me to get honest numbers on what the original springs have and finally optimize these parts.

I have received requests now for over a dozen of these parts sets and will send them out as soon as I get the new springs and can decide the final dimensions.  Patience, please.  

[bbussey]

I just received email notification that the driver assemblies are being shipped tomorrow.

[narrowminded]

To all who are requesting these when they're ready, please send your mailing address in a PM here on Railwire.  That will keep them all together in one place so nobody will be missed when they are ready.  I have gotten a few of them in my e-mail account and I fear they will easily get lost there.  I'll keep folks posted on progress in this thread.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

To all who are requesting these when they're ready, please send your mailing address in a PM here on Railwire.  That will keep them all together in one place so nobody will be missed when they are ready.  I have gotten a few of them in my e-mail account and I fear they will easily get lost there.  I'll keep folks posted on progress in this thread.

Would you like me to setup a quick sign up form for you?

[CBQ Fan]

I am glad I didn’t speculate on the GN or Mil Rd for grins and giggles.

[narrowminded]

Would you like me to setup a quick sign up form for you?

If you were to start that and it required folks to re-sign up I'd say pass.  Otherwise, yes.  So far the PM's look like they'll work, too.    There are over a dozen already and they're coming in a few more every time I check so... 

[eric220]

If you were to start that and it required folks to re-sign up I'd say pass.  Otherwise, yes.  So far the PM's look like they'll work, too.    There are over a dozen already and they're coming in a few more every time I check so... 

If it would be helpful for you, I’ll happily re-sign up!