BLI J - First Thoughts

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

<nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> schrieb:
> Unsprung Drivers?  There's no GOOD reason for that in this day and age of
> quality locomotives.
> 
> Mike Rector
> 
> Original Message:
> -----------------
> From:  nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
> Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 18:02:22 -0700 (PDT)
> To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
> Subject: BLI J - First Thoughts
> 
> 
> OK, I just got mine (611 in regular service); here are first impressions.
> 
> I compared the BLI J's whistle to recordings on Kipp Teague's "Last Run of
> the 611" web page, and to an O. Winston Link recording on the National
> Public Radio web site. Put me in the "darned close" camp.
> 
> The whistle should sound a low minor chord. The BLI J emphasizes the
> fundamental tone (a low A) a little too much (probably trying to compensate
> for the small speakers and low amplifier power). That's a standard sound
> recording and mixing trick, but they may have overdone it just a touch.
> What their whistle *does* lack is the "airyness" of the real thing: you
> should be able to hear the hiss of steam lightly superimposed on the
> whistle. That's the part that isn't there. However, in fairness, at some
> distance away from the locomotive you wouldn't hear that, just the
> fundamental tones. So, what they have done is give you the sound of the
> whistle as you would hear it echoing through the hills, not right beside
> you.
> 
> I'd love to hear the wave file they used through studio amplification and
> monitors.
> 
> The rest of the sounds seem to be right on. They all (especially the
> whistle) benefit from turning down the volume levels from "16" to around
> "12".
> 
> The Tuscan Red is a bit on the purple side, but it is probably within
> "spec" for the color.
>  
> The drivers are unsprung, so you will se every bit of unevenness in your
> trackwork.
>  
> Haven't put it on a scale, but it is quite heavy.  There is a traction tire
> equipped driver in the box which the owner can install, but it seems to
> pull just fine without it.
> 
> Overall, I'm happy with it.
>  
> Now if they would just do a Z1b...
>  
> Tom Black
> Beavercreek, Ohio
> 
> 
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> 
Hi,

I wonder, if BLI will do the Powhatan Arrow to accompany the J. Then we would get the proper coaches eventually - not any IHC or Rivarossi coaches with wrong windows and so on.
I immediately thought this when I read that BLI was announcing the California Zephyr cars.


Michael Fuchs
Germany