BLI SD9, Bachmann Tanker, Woodland Scenics General Store - Reviews

A trio of reviews today.

First, from Broadway Limited Imports, an EMD SD9.

SD9 History: Built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) as part of their "Special Duty" line between 1954 and 1959, 515 units were produced in total, mostly for the US market, with 44 being exported. They are powered by an EMD 567C, which put 1,750 to 2 three axle trucks, and were originally all built with high short hoods, though in some cases this was modified during eventual rebuilds.

They proved popular, being purchased by railroads all over the US in varying amounts, and some even being purchased and exported to Korea, Venezuela, and Chile. They of course were eventually phased out by the big railroads in favor of more modern power, but with a few rebuilt examples seeing service into the 2000's on a couple Class 1s. Most examples were scrapped, with a few still in service on shortlines and tourist lines, and some preserved non-operational at museums.

SOU 198 History: Built in March of 1955 as Central of Georgia CG 202, after the Southern absorbed to CG it became SOU 202, then was renumbered to 198. After the NW/SOU merger it became NS 58, was apparently rebuilt into an "SD9m", and worked under the NS banner into the 2000's. NS eventually sold it off to Black River & Western, and it became BRW 9581 ... and BDRV 9581 under the Belvidere & Delaware banner. The BRW/BDRV history is a little hazy, but it appears the BRW owns it, but its actual reporting marks are BDRV, which is either an affiliate or a subsidiary, or something. It was leased to the Winchester & Western for a time, as they were considering purchasing it, but the price was too high, and they passed. At last report it is leased to Kinder Morgan and is working as a switcher at their Newport News, Virginia facility.

Also, it was built without dynamic brakes, a fairly uncommon choice for an SD9.

The box.

It was well packaged and undamaged.

This is my first review featuring my new winter forest diorama. It is a small test of my ideas for my eventual full scale layout. It turned out nice, if I do say so myself.🙂

Note the "H" after the number. This was not an actual part of the number, but part of the Southern's internal information system. Other locomotives of the time had different letters. I'm not totally sure, but it may have been part of their early computerized recording system.

It doesn't show very well here, but the headlights and cab lights are very cool blue LED.

Very unrealistic, as a locomotive of this era would have the normal yellowish halogens. Even most modern locos have halogen.

Factory installed crew!

This is my second loco with installed crew. I can take or leave crew, but these look good.

Also, the cab light stays on any time there is power to the track and the locomotive has been "started", and turns off automatically when the loco moves. As far as I can tell, you can't manually turn the light on and off, which is a little odd.

Ratings~

Overall Build Quality

⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Paint and Lettering

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fine Details

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ease of Operation

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sounds

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good - overall, it's great. It operates nicely, sounds good, looks great, and has a good weight.

Also, it has a very comprehensive owner's manual.

Bad - the previously stated light color issue, and the throttle up sounds don't quite match the loco's speed. You go up several speed steps before it'll throttle up. Neither is that big a deal, but are noticeable.

Verdict - this was my first BLI diesel, and won't be my last. It is really a great quality model, and I absolutely recommend it!

Next, from Bachmann, we have a tanker, specifically for the US Army Transportation Corps.