Blueline Paragon upgrade?

[hamltnblue]

I just emailed the BLI parts people a question regarding Bluelines.

I have a Blueline AC6000 and Paragon AC6000. I want to replace the Blueline's board to upgrade it to a Paragon. Has anyone here tried this? The engines look identical and it would be nice to be able to consist them with no problems. Hopefully the boards are interchangeable. If they are maybe they can make a replacement for the other Bluelines to help rid us of the double decoder hell.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Espeefan]

This might be a silly question, but why not buy the sound & DCC equipped model to begin with? Blueline models are targeted to modelers who want sound but not DCC.

 

[CP6027]

This might be a silly question, but why not buy the sound & DCC equipped model to begin with? Blueline models are targeted to modelers who want sound but not DCC.

This should be doable, really it's up to Broadway whether or not they will sell you the Paragon 2 decoder separately. Some of the Blue lines are over $100 cheaper than Paragon so a lot of people will just add a $20 DCC decoder to the Blueline. I have one of their 4-8-4 ATSF Steamers in the the Blueline, can't beat the price and I have had no issues with adding my own Digitrax decoder to the tender.

 

[+Eric]

Is there a particular reason you want the decoder they use in the paragon vs. a drop in decoder you can buy? I mean BLI's have a drop in socket.....

 

[hamltnblue]

Yes,
I have one of each and consisting them is nearly impossible unless I address them the same. Whenever I have to mess with the Blueline programming I sometimes have to reset the sound system and start over, even when using lock codes. Paying for a paragon decoder for the bluelien would be worth it to me and would pay for itself in blood pressure meds alone

 

[UPJS32]

Paragon II 6000 Ditch Lights

I just purchased 2 Paragon II locomotives from Trains Unlimited. One locomotive only has one ditch light come on in DCC operation. I am able to toggle the ditch lights off and on, but can not get the left one to work. Has anyone had a similar problem? Could it be something I'm simply overlooking or a simple solution? Thanks for the help.

 

[sackohammers]

I was looking at a model that they do not offer in Paragon, only Blueline.
Is it much trouble to replace the decoder with something like a locsound? I like the Blueline, but I need to have DCC with sound.

 

[hamltnblue]

If you don't consist the Bluelines with an added motor decoder work just fine and they sound great.

As to the ditch light not working, it might be a bad solder connection or wire that came off. Can't hurt to remove the shell and check it.

 

[chadndominic]

Looking to buy a new Blue Line F7 - any suggestions on the best decoder?

 

[hamltnblue]

I use the digitrax DN143IP in my 2 bluelines