BLI ES44AC have landed

[nstars]

Common problem these days - Kato's are almost flourescent on certain models:

https://www.katousa.com/N/SD70ACe/176-8508.jpg

Mark

Nobody is perfect  . But it is a fact that these pictures are not very good. In a way you’re forced to check the engine before buying. Why no pictures with some scenery instead of that white background?

Marc

[basementcalling]

Look at the benefits, you won't lose any of the handrails on the floor if they pop off. 

[sundowner]

 I will give BLI this they got the correct number of DB brake vents per RR, something FVM and Kato did not do. But the side cab windows look off.

[carlso]

Perhaps they should stick to making "toys" and shoes.


Carl

[MK]

Look at the benefits, you won't lose any of the handrails on the floor if they pop off. 

Black light lighting will be all the new rage in train room lighting! 

[w neal]

Do the HO guys stand for this?!?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Looking at the BLI website, they have rear views too:
http://www.broadway-limited.com/images/products/detail/BLIParagon3NES44AC4of20.png

I think there are a few things going on here that makes the model look off...

1. Lighting is overpowering the model. Too much light can be a bad thing and ca cause problems with translucence in thin plastic (handrails).

2. The handrail color is off on some models.

3. Lighting is located too low. This is causing strange shadows on the top of the access doors. People naturally associate light from above. When is it off kilter, it can cause an uncanny valley of sorts. Playing around with a flashlight, I get the same effect of both my AC6000 AND Atlas C40-8W. The rear end photo shows that the radiator work is crisp.

4. Don't cheap out with the handrails. Paint them! Especially the ends.

I think a lot of us on here like to jump all over certain manufacturers. BLI certainly has not helped their case with stock cars that moo but don't have openings, and strange animatronic water towers. But These don't look any worse than Kato (who has major handrail issues of their own).

One thing I really dislike is the change to the large cardboard boxes. Why not keep the plastic jewel cases like the E8 or PA?

[learmoia]

>> See post below..

[tehachapifan]

Looking at the BLI website, they have rear views too:
http://www.broadway-limited.com/images/products/detail/BLIParagon3NES44AC4of20.png

I think there are a few things going on here that makes the model look off...

1. Lighting is overpowering the model. Too much light can be a bad thing and ca cause problems with translucence in thin plastic (handrails).

2. The handrail color is off on some models.

3. Lighting is located too low. This is causing strange shadows on the top of the access doors. People naturally associate light from above. When is it off kilter, it can cause an uncanny valley of sorts. Playing around with a flashlight, I get the same effect of both my AC6000 AND Atlas C40-8W. The rear end photo shows that the radiator work is crisp.

4. Don't cheap out with the handrails. Paint them! Especially the ends.

I think a lot of us on here like to jump all over certain manufacturers. BLI certainly has not helped their case with stock cars that moo but don't have openings, and strange animatronic water towers. But These don't look any worse than Kato (who has major handrail issues of their own).

One thing I really dislike is the change to the large cardboard boxes. Why not keep the plastic jewel cases like the E8 or PA?

I agree that the lighting in the photos is not doing the model any favors. Too much reflection off the hood/body making things seem too harsh. Would love to see it lit differently, as in the primary light source more behind the camera. Might make a world of difference.

[Bendtracker1]

ChooChooShoes?

I bet you have yours on order already don't you Mark, or did your dad order them for you?

[learmoia]

This model is Soooo 2003....

Photo thanks to BLW N scale.. (If I can find a better example, I'll replace.)

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Black light lighting will be all the new rage in train room lighting! 

Oh god I hope not.

[tom mann]

These are the worst product photos I’ve seen.  I’m willing to bet that the color difference isn’t that noticeable under normal layout lighting conditions - unless your layout is lit with a single 1000 watt spotlight.

[nstars]

Tom, I think you’re correct. The Kato picture in one of the earlier messages does show what bad lighting can do. The parts of the handrails which were in a shadow looked good. The other areas were just as bad.

Marc

[Mark5]

Tom, I think you’re correct. The Kato picture in one of the earlier messages does show what bad lighting can do. The parts of the handrails which were in a shadow looked good. The other areas were just as bad.

Marc

I've seen these models in person (including the Kato ones) - in some cases the handrails really are that bad (in my opinion).

Mark