Can anyone explain to me--

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Okay, granted I’ve been kind of on and off the past year due to a broken rib, but yesterday I just recieved the 2006 Broadway Limited catalogue which turns out to be a foldout, and attached is the Precision CRAFT Models catalogue, which turns out to be something about the size of the old 'fifties Lionel catalogues, and after realizing that it was Precision CRAFT and not Precision SCALE, I perused it to find out that just about 90% of the product was either ‘in production’ or in the ‘planning stage.’

Now I know that BLI has been a little remiss in releasing their product on the expected due date, or even the due YEAR in some cases (so much so, that I’ve almost given up on being THAT interested in their new models any more), but could anyone explain to me just WHO Precision Craft is? Are they a subsidiary of BLI, or are they taking OVER BLI, or what?

They show some interesting products for 2006, but frankly, if their track record is the same as BLI, I wonder if any of us will actually SEE these products in our LHS this year?

Just wondering. And what’s their connection with each other?

Not trying to blast BLI, understand–I have several of their steamers and they’re very good runners. But I’m sure curious!
Oh, yah, I filled out the GET ONE OF EACH PRODUCT entry. I’m not THAT dumb!
Tom [:I]

2

Actually I believe Precision Craft is the same company, BLI is a division of Precision Craft. Got their fold out also, pretty pictures.

3

Owned by the same people. Precision was formed to use different sound system than BLI

4

My understanding is that jsoderq has it right. They also seem to be adding a brass line for the untra collector.

5

Did you see that brass big boy? Now that’s a thing of beauty.

6

BLI has had a brass line for quite a while. But what I noticed is that the model done in brass by BLI is now being done in plastic by Precision Craft - Whoo hoo. It looks just as good and costs 1/4 the price. I am so glad I didn’t buy the brass one (I was as close as ink pen touching the checkbook).

7

BLI has a contract with QSI sound that they don’t want to break because of large penalties that will occur so Precision Craft was formed in order to use the different sounds system. I was really looking at those ALCO “Aspen Leaf” PA set they are making. I custom painted one just before PCM came out with their Catalogue. All I have to do now is come up with the 600 or 700 bucks to buy them.