Don.   Does the draw bar

Don.

Does the draw bar have two holes for the tender pin? Try the last hole on the draw bar. Some BLI steamers have a draw bar that touches the axle of the front tender truck. As for the lurch it sounds as if there is a quartering issue with one or more driver wheels. If you are not comfortable with fixing it yourself you may have to send it in again.

Pete

Have tried it

Pete,

Thanks for the heads up.  I have tried it, and even running with the draw bar free.  It's just the darndest thing.  Why would it work in one direction but not the other?  

Don

BLI

I have the BLI Espee GS-4, the main gear on the axle cracked, and the upper and lower gearbox sections and the motor mount! I sent the engine back to BLI for repair, they had it for 2 months. When I got it back, the drivers had a jerky motion to them. I discovered springs missing from the drivers. They said they would send me the springs. The J was replaced; the replacement then needed a new decoder. The J would run, then suddenly stop. My RR is strictly DC.

I have the older BLI models with the QSI sound, GG1's, an AC-4 and a K4, they run great!

While I think BLI makes beautiful models, I feel the mechanisms are lacking in quality.

Still stumped

Rick, I agree with you that BLI does make nice models.  The 2 Mike's I have run flawlessly.  I worked on the engine some more this morning but still cannot come to any conclusion other than the engine will get sent back for a second repair.  None of my 5 other steam/diesel engines exhibit the behavior this one does.  Will ALWAYS short when going into a curve counterclockwise, anywhere on the layout.  Runs fairly well in a clockwise manner.  Thanks for your input.

Don

My experience with BLI

has been one of complete satisfaction.  I have five locos including an E-8, two SW switchers, a Mikado and a Pacific, and they all perform flawlessly.

BLI

Don:

If you plan on sending it back again, be sure to contact their repair dep't between 1P and 4P and get a return authorization so you don't pay for the shipping.

Rick

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up.  I sent it with an RMA the first time and was never told about them paying the shipping.  Do I need to talk to them personally versus email?

Don

BLI Repair

Don:

Contact Vinny in their repair dep't between 1P and 4P M-F. Their # is 386-673-8900, then press 2.

Definitely explain the problem.

My friend has had many issues with BLI models too. He had 2 PRR H10 2-8-0s on order; he cancelled them.

Rick

Mystery Solved

I couldn't let it go.  I had to work more towards solving the problem.  After some more head scratching this afternoon, the only thing I could come up with is that the pilot may be touching the frame and causing the short.  After removing the pilot, voila, no more shorts.  Somehow when the engine swung left, the pilot touched the frame, but not when it turned to the right.  I reattached the pilot but backed off on the screw holding it in, and now it doesn't short.  

I will still be getting in touch with them over the excessive rocking and binding.  Thanks for all your suggestions!

Don