BLI Announcements

[oakcreekco]

Guess that I'm in that 45% group.

If a mfg doesn't offer analog/DCC ready, it's off my list for a purchase.

Simple choice for me.

[kscessandriver]

Thus far, my suggestion to the BLI reps, every time I see them at the Amherst/Springfield show, that they also offer DC/DCC-ready versions of their locos seems to have fallen on proverbial deaf ears.
My suspicion is that, even if the survey results showed that 45% of the respondents would prefer a DC/DCC-ready version, BLI would conclude that more than half of the respondents want factory-equipped DCC/sound, so that's what we'll keep including in all of our locos.

My suspicion is that a big chunk of the profit margin they make is on the sub-standard decoders they're using. Charge what everyone else does (or more), but put a cheaper product in to start, and you suddenly make more $$$.

[pjm20]

I think the PRR H10 is the next in line, followed by the J1 and I1.

How many organs do I really need to live?

[ljudice]

An easy one would be the ES44DC  -  and the SD70M-2 for that matter...

[up1950s]

How many organs do I really need to live?

1 to make yourself happy and 2 less than you have to make it work and her happy .

[greenwizard88]

I'm very happy with my PRR one, and will probably pick up a Conrail one when they're released.

[Brian M]

Anyone else see the "fantasy" NYC lightning stripe paint scheme on the Mikado?     I mean I know they've made a habit out of coming up with wild (and garish) paint schemes, but at what point does it go from fun to just plain stupid?

-Brian.

[nickelplate759]

Anyone else see the "fantasy" NYC lightning stripe paint scheme on the Mikado?     I mean I know they've made a habit out of coming up with wild (and garish) paint schemes, but at what point does it go from fun to just plain stupid?

-Brian.

When they lose money on it?
Of course, I thought the Walthers PC steam engine decals were fun too.

[Englewood]

Everybody seems to be getting in on the fantasy schemes. They must sell well.
Personally, I'd go for a small fleet of modern GE or EMD in Santa Fe warbonnet and SP bloody nose paint schemes.

[bbussey]

Fantasy schemes don't bother me as long as all of the prototypical schemes are released.  I didn't even think about purchasing a New Haven P5a from them.  But if it helps them turn a profit and allows them to release a prototypical New Haven model I would want, then power to them.  They've made a number of HO scale New Haven prototypes that would be nice to see in N, even it it would require additional work to have them perform adequately.

[learmoia]

This kind of grinds my gears..
https://www.trainworld.com/shop-scale/n-scale/trains/steam-locomotive/broadway-limited-6936-n-usra-heavy-pacific-4-6-2-nyc-4929-pacemaker-red-paragon4-sound-dc-dcc.html

A custom run with a unique smoke box (feed water heater?) - It looks New York Central-ish..

Had it been in the Black with gothic lettering - I'd be very tempted to get it..

But put it in a Pacemaker scheme only - Nope..

Could have been a good seller in Erie or New Haven too..


Prototypical... No.. Reasonably accurate... yeah..

~Ian

[Chris333]

I think they just used a heavy Mikado shell on the Pacifics. There were more more changes like higher steps up over the cylinders that real Mikado's didn't have.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

My perfectly useless amateur and un-trained psychoanalysis is that BLI would really rather be doing tinplate... but they don't.  As with all people, I guess they have their reasons.

[mecgp7]

You can thank me for the BAR NW2s because they came out just as I was putting the finishing touches on a pair of Kato's in the exact same paint scheme.

[sschnabl]

I see they finally released a mikado in my paint scheme.  Mr. Wallet is not going to be happy...


Scott