BLI Blueline question

[jecorbett]

I saw the ad in the current MR for BLI's Blueline which seems to offer lower priced versions of their top of the line locos. Since the Blueline locos also have sound, my question is what don't these locos have that allows BLI to sell them at a discounted price. Is it less detailing, performance, or sound quality. I could live with less fine detail but I wouldn't want to compromise on performance. Is the difference similar to that between Walthers P1K and P2K lines.

[nfmisso]

The answer to your question is thoroughly explained on the BLI/PCM website.

You and they are not paying an outside company for the motor control, and they developed the sound in-house.

[coborn35]

Theres no DCC.

[cacole]

The Blue Line locomotives have no motor control decoder but are "DCC ready."  The sound system that is in them was developed in house, so they are no longer paying a royalty to QSI.  That is explained in detail in their advertising supplement to the June 2007 issue of Model Railroader on pages 59-64.