Factory Direct Hobbies Reviews

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Customer video review of BLI 7991 Heavy Pacific 4-6-2, "Merry Christmas" w/ Red & Green, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)
Frank W.
I originally purchased the Christmas Mikato for the color scheme when I got it on the tracks and heard the clever audio I was floored and loved it that much more and everyone who sees and hears it loves it as well …. Ho ho ho Merry Christmas
BLI 7991 Heavy Pacific 4-6-2, "Merry Christmas" w/ Red & Green, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N (NP)
Customer photo review of Athearn Genesis HO G41077 U50, Union Pacific #52
Alfie O.
Here in the UK almost impossible to get some nice locomotives at a sensible price. I found the whole process outstanding, from placing my order on 14th September and delivery by DHL was on 18th September I am really impressed. Just 4 days USA to UK! I have installed a ESU Loksound V5 decoder and the sound is one of the best on the market. Many thanks, will buy again
Athearn Genesis HO G41077 U50, Union Pacific #52
Customer photo review of BLI 8545 GE ES44AC, CBQ #6325, Aluminum/Red Fantasy Paint, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Sally R.
Buying from you folks has always been a pleasure ! Communication , advertising , shipping all done extremely well . You can’t do any better ! Never had any disappointments or surprises ! Keep up the great work ! Thank you , Joe Linc Reed
BLI 8545 GE ES44AC, CBQ #6325, Aluminum/Red Fantasy Paint, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Customer photo review of BLI 8198 EMD F7A, ATSF 334L, Warbonnet, 1950's Details, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
John T.
Beautiful engine. Love the warbonnet paint job on SF engines. Engine runs smooth and was easy to set up on the programming tracks. Sound is loud and clear. Great addition to my livery of SF F-units
BLI 8198 EMD F7A, ATSF 334L, Warbonnet, 1950’s Details, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Customer photo review of BLI 9014 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "George Bush Funeral Train" Drumhead, HO
Paul F.
Beautiful cars. The wife and I are very happy to have the two of them that we picked out. Look forward to doing more business with you in the future.
BLI 9014 Union Pacific Business Car, UP #119 "Kenefick", "George Bush Funeral Train" Drumhead, HO
Customer video review of Woodland Scenics WOO1310 Ready Landforms - Tunnels -- Straight: 16-1/2 Wide x 26" Long 41.9 x 66cm, HO Scale
Walt R.
Hi Joe, I like the tunnel, but I had to modify it for my O gauge train. I searched for a long time for an O gauge tunnel with no luck.
Woodland Scenics WOO1310 Ready Landforms - Tunnels -- Straight: 16-1/2 Wide x 26" Long 41.9 x 66cm, HO Scale
Customer photo review of Woodland Scenics 2733 Engineers, O
Gary S.
These Woodland Scene characters are very well made and the paint job is outstanding! The guy with his legs crossed is a waste of my money. I have no use for this figure, I would rather have had another RR figure of some sort.
Woodland Scenics 2733 Engineers, O
Customer photo review of Athearn Genesis ATHG75759 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, NS #7242
Jaime G.
I bought the DC version and installed an econami Soundttrax decoder. I have not been able to get the ditch lights that do work in DC to turn on. How should it be done?
Athearn Genesis ATHG75759 HO EMD SD70ACU Locomotive, NS #7242
Customer photo review of Atlas 40005371 N GP-9 GOLD NEW HAVEN #1221
Al D.
I bought a second one because the first runs so well, pulls pretty well, and sounds good. I grew up a mile from the NY,NH,& H mainline to Boston near New Haven. The spur to the gravel quarry, The Branford Steam Railroad was a short bike ride. I spent a lot of time watching the operations there. I saw a lot of these working together, and I am a real sucker for a lash-up. These look great together and are pretty well speed matched out of the box. Cheers
Atlas 40005371 N GP-9 GOLD NEW HAVEN #1221
Customer photo review of Vallejo Acrylic Paints 71170 Plastic Case with Basic Model Air Color Paint Set (72-Pack)
Phillip L.
The paints I ordered are exactly what was described on the web site. The paints come in a nice handy case for storage, with some small brushes as an add bonus. These will help to make model building fun.
Vallejo Acrylic Paints 71170 Plastic Case with Basic Model Air Color Paint Set (72-Pack)
Customer photo review of BLI 6628 Alco RSD-7, C&O #6805, Blue & Yellow, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N Scale
Al D.
This is a terrific model. Runs well, pulls well, sounds and looks great. I gave one as the Chairman's Prize for our Winterfest get together. He is also very pleased with his. Thanks
BLI 6628 Alco RSD-7, C&O #6805, Blue & Yellow, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N Scale
Customer photo review of Rivarossi HR6629 2-unit set of log cars, "Coos Bay Lumber Co.", No. 166 and 168, ep. III, HO
Ted S.
Logs resemble telephone poles. I added chains to hold poles in place, also glued together to avoid separation from movement. Added rust paint on selected areas and touched up log ends to look freshly cut! It was fun! I needed cars for my sawmill scene and very pleased with these cars as well with the price!
Rivarossi HR6629 2-unit set of log cars, "Coos Bay Lumber Co.", No. 166 and 168, ep. III, HO
Customer photo review of Atlas 20007010 NE-6 CABOOSE NEW HAVEN [ALPERT SCHEME] #667, HO Scale
Charles L.
Received the New Haven caboose just before the Willamette Cascade Model Railroad club had a display at the Valley River Center Mall in Eugene Oregon and ran it on a train as seen in the photo. it ran just great and did not have any problems with it.
Atlas 20007010 NE-6 CABOOSE NEW HAVEN [ALPERT SCHEME] #667, HO Scale
Customer photo review of WalthersMainline 910-5386 60' Pullman-Standard Flatcar - Ready to Run -- TTX VTTX #92334 (20' and 40' container loading), HO+3
Ted S.
This car is amazing! It has actual tie downs on sides and can be easily adjusted for different size loads. I see this car priced at 50% more then what I paid due to increases; but is the exact same car!!
WalthersMainline 910-5386 60’ Pullman-Standard Flatcar - Ready to Run -- TTX VTTX #92334 (20’ and 40’ container loading), HO
Customer photo review of Revell 85-5600 B17-G Flying Fortress, 1:48 Scale+1
Christopher T.
The B17 model was packaged nicely and arrived in a timely manner. The model was really great, Revell has updated this model since the last time and made it a lot better. I went with the Chow Hound scheme. It came out great and I highly recommend it.
Revell 85-5600 B17-G Flying Fortress, 1:48 Scale
Customer photo review of K & S Precision Metals 15020 Brass Flat Bars 1/64 x 1/16
Peter V.
You were the only website or store I could find selling 1/64 x 1/16 brass or copper flat bars. Perfect material to replace crappy Brittania kit-provided chain plates. .
K & S Precision Metals 15020 Brass Flat Bars 1/64 x 1/16
Customer photo review of Athearn RND91463 HO 40' Pulpwood Flat, Apache Railway #1447
Ted S.
This smaller car was exactly what I was looking for to add a pulp wood load which I have started in the photo! Simply used some small branches from a plant in my back yard! Hey, I have the time! I’m retired!!!
Athearn RND91463 HO 40’ Pulpwood Flat, Apache Railway #1447
Customer photo review of BLI 7764 EMD F7A, ATSF 335, Bluebonnet, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Bruce G.
I purchased loco 335 with the intention of making it the third and rear facing loco in an F& ABA consist. It works beautifully and give the extra pulling power needed for heavy mixed freight trains.
BLI 7764 EMD F7A, ATSF 335, Bluebonnet, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Customer photo review of WalthersMainline 910-5544 85' General American G85 Flatcar - Ready to Run -- VTTX #300553, HO
Ted S.
Very versatile car; can accept 20 or 40 ft containers. It is adjustable. Got these at great price ; higher price version can be found, but is exactly same as lower priced item! Trust me!
WalthersMainline 910-5544 85’ General American G85 Flatcar - Ready to Run -- VTTX #300553, HO
Customer photo review of Atlas 20007015 NE-6 CABOOSE NICKEL PLATE ROAD #760, HO Scale
Charles T.
Believe it or not, I bought this caboose for my wife. Her Dad worked on the Nickel Plate Road then N & W and retired after 41 years. She thought this caboose was so cool, and I do too.
Atlas 20007015 NE-6 CABOOSE NICKEL PLATE ROAD #760, HO Scale
Customer photo review of WalthersProto 920-18100 85' ACF 48-Seat Diner - Standard - Union Pacific(R) Heritage Fleet -- City of Los Angeles; Early w/printed name, number decals, HO
G.t. A.
Bought 4 of the Walthers Proto passenger cars and now I can run a Union Pacific passenger train. They look so "right" with my Rapido e8 locomotives. I buy quite a lot HO equipment and of all the places I buy them, Fusion beats their prices
WalthersProto 920-18100 85’ ACF 48-Seat Diner - Standard - Union Pacific(R) Heritage Fleet -- City of Los Angeles; Early w/printed name, number decals, HO
Customer photo review of BLI 9174 PRR B6sb 0-6-0, #1446, Pre-War Appearance, 60S66A Tender, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Vagel K.
Ran great out of the box. It would be great if BLI would ship these with the decoder addressed to the cab number. Digitrax can’t see the new Paragon 4 in Page mode on a programming track; a friend was able to do that in ops mode with his NCE system.
BLI 9174 PRR B6sb 0-6-0, #1446, Pre-War Appearance, 60S66A Tender, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO
Customer video review of BLI 9354 EMD SW7 Switcher, Santa's Workshop #1, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Dan B.
Really happy with this bli engine as with all others in my collection. Christmas songs are clear and loud enough to be heard with ease. Ordering and receiving the engine was easy and timely.
BLI 9354 EMD SW7 Switcher, Santa’s Workshop #1, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Customer photo review of AMT Model Kits AMT1136 1959 Chrysler Imperial 1:25+1
Jonathan B.
There was a mix up with my order so it took a bit longer to get it than it should. This type of thing has happened to me in the past from various companies. It's normal, S##t happens. However this was the first time a company took care of the issue so personably and quickly. With southern charm and hospitality. I will absolutely refer and use this company again.
AMT Model Kits AMT1136 1959 Chrysler Imperial 1:25
Customer photo review of BLI 7306 GE ES44AC, GN #2905, Empire Builder, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC (Fantasy Paint Scheme), N
Ken C.
BLI GN 2905 ran flawlessly on the OK N Rail layout Saturday 6 August. The attached images shows GN 2905 and NS Heritage RGW 1607 leading a BNSF autorack train. It would be nice for BNSF to paint heritage units in the GN, NP (Lowey), CB&Q, SP&S, & Santa Fe (Red WB small 'Santa Fe' passenger schemes; and FRISCO & BN freight schemes.
BLI 7306 GE ES44AC, GN #2905, Empire Builder, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC (Fantasy Paint Scheme), N
Customer photo review of Rapido 28539 HO EMD E8A (DC/DCC/Sound): Union Pacific: #942+1
G.t. A.
I ordered 2 of the Union Pacific e8's but the first units side grill has a bubble where it should be flat against the side. It also makes a slight motor noise, whereas the other does not. I sent email in regard to this but got no response at all. Rapido are slated to release more e8's in different road names but I doubt I'll be ordering any more.
Rapido 28539 HO EMD E8A (DC/DCC/Sound): Union Pacific: #942
Customer video review of BLI 1632 Layout Lightning Storm
Earl S.
system was purchased for installation on the HO layout ofr the train club I belong to ( see whatcomskagitmrc.com ) When first installed the flash and light strips were too visable so we developed some thunder storm looking clouds to cover the strips and greatly approved the effect.
BLI 1632 Layout Lightning Storm
Customer photo review of Athearn ATHG74621 HO MP15AC w/DCC & Sound, LSRC #1501
Todd F.
The Athearn Genesis Lake State Railway MP15AC’s are truly exquisite models!! As someone who has seen and filmed both of the railroads MP15AC’s in action numerous times, I was shocked to see that the paint colors and scheme on the models were so spot on. Kudos Athearn!! Both engines have prototype specific horn and antenna placement, as well ans all-weather windows and cab sun shades. The labels on the hood doors are all fairly crisp and legible under magnification. The Tsunami 2 sound decoders a...
Athearn ATHG74621 HO MP15AC w/DCC & Sound, LSRC #1501
Customer video review of Athearn ATHG82383 HO GP9 w/DCC & Sound, GN #690
James R.
I purchased this GP-9 (Big Sky Blue) to go with my other GP-9 (older GN color scheme) and run them both at the club layout, West Bay Model Railroad Association in Menlo Park, CA, where I'm a member. I also have a photo of one of these locomotives in Big Sky Blue livery taken in the early 70's in Washington state. I was very pleased to see that they both ran very well together without having to do any speed matching. The detail is top notch, as expected from a Genesis model.
Athearn ATHG82383 HO GP9 w/DCC & Sound, GN #690
Customer photo review of BLI 7340 2-8-0 Consolidation, WM #754, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO
David K.
Upon receiving delivery of my BLI Consolidation, I noticed through the plastic packaging that the plastic smoke box door was hanging off the front smokestack of the model with the light assembly hanging down. I reported this immediately to both BLI and to Factory Direct Hobbies. I received cooperative answers from both. When I checked the locomotive out on my DCC power, everything was operating just fine, so my initial concern was relieved. NOW, upon firing the locomotive up on DCC, I was amaze...
BLI 7340 2-8-0 Consolidation, WM #754, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO
Customer video review of BLI 1632 Layout Lightning Storm
Steven K.
I could not help myself Soooo, I Talked to tech support and added additional LED according to their instructions to cover a larger space, then added a 10 " subwoofer and 150 watts of power. The look on peoples faces when they walk into this room and the unit activates is priceless. I would buy this thing 10 more times I have had that much fun with it. It was worth the one year wait !. I planned the backdrops with storm clouds included and they look great in person with the storm. The blue LED...
BLI 1632 Layout Lightning Storm
Customer video review of BLI 7832 USRA Heavy Mikado, GN 3200, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Leonard B.
Beautifully detailed model for N-scale. Though I did put it through its paces and warm up, it really ran perfectly out of the box as do almost all BLI Paragon4 locomotives. Easy to program for realistic operation and speed matching if you want to run it in consist is easy just using CVs 2, 5 and 6. The sound is not like HO, how can it be with the tiny speakers, but it's a fine trade off for the real estate you get with N-scale. And as always, doing business with this dealer is a pleasure. I'm a ...
BLI 7832 USRA Heavy Mikado, GN 3200, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, N
Customer photo review of Trumpeter Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear-H 01601 1:72
Scott W. L.
I was amazed that we could have access to Russian type bomber aircraft. Alaskan air command from Air Force Association magazine show pictures of our fighters in our 70s these airplanes during the Cold War.
Trumpeter Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear-H 01601 1:72
Customer photo review of Blair Line 79 Shotgun House -- Kit - 1 x 3" 2.5 x 7.5cm, N Scale
Braddon L.
These are fun and tedious to build. I really like the wood based models such as this. I enjoy the challenge with my sausage link fingers. Haha. But I have longer fingernails than the average guy, and they work better than a pair of tweezers. Okay.
Blair Line 79 Shotgun House -- Kit - 1 x 3" 2.5 x 7.5cm, N Scale
Customer photo review of Santa Fe - Men’s Premium Hoodie
John C.
I really like the yellow "Sante Fe" logo on the Navy Blue. I am glad I ordered the 3XL as it fits more like a 2XL. Shipment was prompt. I would have bought more in other colors with railroad logos, but disappointed more 3XLs were not offered in colors for appropriate road names.
Santa Fe - Men’s Premium Hoodie
Customer photo review of Walthers Mainline 910-30165 85' Budd Diner - Ready to Run -- Southern Pacific(TM) (Daylight), HO
Ken W.
These are well made passenger cars that are a great value. I purchased separately the Walthers kit for upgrading the cars with grab irons and couplers. I’ve also purchased trucks that enable interior lighting.
Walthers Mainline 910-30165 85’ Budd Diner - Ready to Run -- Southern Pacific(TM) (Daylight), HO
Customer photo review of BLI 7545 EMD GP35, SOU 2681, Tuxedo Scheme, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO Scale+1
Ed D.
Trains rain fantastic and sounded great. I didn’t have my controllers so I couldn’t activate all the functions. I mainly ran them solo for about an hour each at different speeds and directions to break them in. Didn’t pull any freight cars and sorry for the packaging still on the side sills. I was pressed for time. So far, liked what I saw.
BLI 7545 EMD GP35, SOU 2681, Tuxedo Scheme, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO Scale
Customer photo review of WalthersProto 920-49916 EMD E8A - Standard DC -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #9991 (plated sides), HO
Willie A.
Nicely detailed unit. Good for Burlington Name trains and the BNSF Business Train. A E6/7/8 B unit (ATSF) would be a good DPU for it. The schemes are somewhat similar except the lettering. Both are silver and red. ATSF/BNSF Cars would match it well as CB&Q cars.
WalthersProto 920-49916 EMD E8A - Standard DC -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #9991 (plated sides), HO
Customer photo review of Atlas 20007037 HO TYPE 6000 PASSENGER CAR METRA #6029+2
David B.
The cars are beautiful and worked really nice on my 18" radius thanks to the ATLAS design. One car had a minor disrepair issue which was easy to fix coming out of the box. It appears it may have happened in shipping but all is good and I love my Nippon Sharyo Gallery cars! I plan to repaint them to CalTrain cars.
Atlas 20007037 HO TYPE 6000 PASSENGER CAR METRA #6029
Customer photo review of WalthersTrack 948-83017 Code 83 Nickel Silver DCC Friendly Number 6 Turnout -- Left Hand, HO
Kent C.
I believe Wolfe is turnouts that are DCC friendly are the best available today. The key part of this excellence is the way the frog is handled by being extremely isolated. Other turnouts have tiny insulation points that can be pushed through by heat expansion during the summer. This improved design prevents that expansion by having a larger piece of plastic between affected rail. Also, having access to power the frog from the side is quite a convenience.
WalthersTrack 948-83017 Code 83 Nickel Silver DCC Friendly Number 6 Turnout -- Left Hand, HO
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