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[/quote] This is not my experience, BangerT. I have three QSI-equipped locos, a BLI Hudson and a K4s, as well as a Lionel Challenger. The sounds from the newest edition of the K4 are quite unlike those of the Hudson, probably due to changes in their decoders (?) or their programming. There is more timbre in the K4. As for the Lionel, I have found several on-line videos of UP 3985 wallowing up a wye. The sounds on the videos closely match those of the QSI system in my Lionel, although the latter cannot possible compete for full dynamic response with its small speaker and enclosure. The lower freqs are just not there. If I had one criticism, but it must also be due to the speaker and enclosure, it is the not-very accurate horn on the Challenger. It sounds raspy, and not throaty and mournful like the real thing. A bit of a disappointment for me. Perhaps, since my ear is not educated, QSI massaged some of their generic chuffs to get something passable for their steamers....I can't say. But no two of mine sound alike. [/quote] I don't mean to critize just observing what is availble. Yes the Lionel Challenger is QSI and the articulated chuff is good on that one. It is very good on the BLI SP Cab Forward and it actually has the SP whistle. I do own almost all of the BLI except the Hudson you mentioned, so I have no idea of its sound. It may have different chuffing since it was the first model BLI built if you have the first edition. The lionel Challenger was such a poor runner in general that I had to work on the mechanical portion of the engine before it could be run. I have several friends in a club that sent theirs back and received replacements that actually ran worse. There was several articles on how to fix the Lionel Challenger on Tony's Web page . If you want the speaker to sound better, the speaker can be replaced and it responds much better. The BLI K4 I purchased is not up to par in my opinion, but I would not get rid of it. I was around Pennsy steam and have recording also. The BLI K4 whistle is not close to the passenger PRR whistle. It is acceptable for sure since it is a Pennsy sound, but it works better for the M1 and J1 since they had different tones and are close to the BLI sound. The FWHS used a K4 whistle on the 765 for several trips about fifteen years ago and it is very distinctive in its sound. When the K4 ran in early eighties, they made severa tapes that are available also for QSI. BLI also used this same whistle for the UP Mountain, which is not even close to the UP mountain. They have a whistle that is very distinctive and can be heard weekly in the summer at the California Museum on the 4466 switcher. I can't image why they did not record that sound and use it. Recently, I recorded several of my BLI engines running on a stationary roller system and it is easy to hear them back to back anytime. I accept the BLI and continue to purchase them as I feel they are a bargain in price for what they offer, both fair running and sound.
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