Lionel Trainsounds vs. Railsounds

[BobbyDing]

I know these two systems reside in different price spectrums, and their sound quality/control  reflect that. But I've never heard them side by side. Anybody have a video with a reasonable comparison of Trainsounds vs. Railsounds?

Thanks,

Bobby

[USNRol]

Ya ditto that!  I'd like to hear a side by side comparison too.  Its the Railsounds that's the better of the two correct?  what other differences exist between the two formats?

Roland

[alexweiihman]

I belive railsounds is the better of the two.  I think train sounds is kind of like protosound 1

[Anonymous]

I have a couple engines with Railsounds without TMCC, 1 engine with both, and 1 engine with Trainsounds...

I can't comment on the trainsounds because I have YET to hear them, I called Lionel Tech Support today and they have a new trainsounds board on the way to me.  If that still doesn't clear up the sounds I am going to ask how much it would cost to upgrade to railsounds and TMCC... I think they owe me a deep discount seeing that I shelled out $350+ on the engine and the sounds haven't worked since I got it... but we shall see...

Railsounds aren't bad... the crewtalk is hard to understand at times... can't wait for Legacy as the new sound system is said to be much better than DCS... of course DCS 2.3 is due out soon also so we shall see...

[chuck]

Railsounds aren't bad... the crewtalk is hard to understand at times... can't wait for Legacy as the new sound system is said to be much better than DCS... of course DCS 2.3 is due out soon also so we shall see...

Crewtalk was added to Railsounds, I beleive in version 3, RS-5.0 supports intelligible crewtalk (assuming you like this).  New sounds are already available in RS-5 engines, the only difference will be in the way you can access them (Legacy like TMCC is a control system, not a sound system per se).  DCS is also a control system, the sound system is called PS-2.  The upcoming upgrades to DCS will have little effect on your loco's sounds unless you download new sound sets into each one (assuming their will be new sound sets).

Lionel has released several digital sound systems over the years.

Railsounds versions 2.5-5.0, digitally recorded, digitally stored, digitally assembled sound snippets that are played back through the RailSounds processor.  This is Lionel's top of the line sound system.  The improvements over the years mainly centered on number of sounds but RS-5.0 has introduced the ability to "play" horns/whistles.

TrainSounds is Lionels digitally stored and played back sounds for use in non command control environment.  Because the sounds are triggered by voltage spikes and voltage swings instead of computer control, the actual sounds are not as varied as the ones provided in RailSounds, i.e. the processor is not as sophisticated.  This is the primary difference in perceived sound quality, there is much less variation and little or no overlay of sounds.

Signal Sounds.  This was Lionel's original budget digital sound system and was limited to horn/whistle and bell sounds.  Still digital recording/storage but straight playback, no variations.  I have a single SS board (PA-1) that I have kept around to place in a loco that I don't want/need a full sound set.  The horn sounds "better" than my RS PA set, much clearer.  It also sounds less like a real loco (which would not sound clear because of all the engine noise and variations like air reservoir at startup, etc).

[Anonymous]

My opinion: There's no comparison between the two. RailSounds is significantly superior to TrainSounds.  I don't have a recording of the two, but I do have items with both systems.  Railsounds is about as good as it gets in O gauge.  TrainSounds is way down the list.

Again, just my opinion. 

[csxt30]

I've had Railsounds since its inception & have always liked it . Now to elaborate on just the crew talk, Lionel first came out with what they called Inaudible crew talk, which was supposed to be unclear & replicating the early radios the RRs used . I know they were unclear as I started on PC in the 70s & you were always asking for someone to repete their last transmission. Those radios, at least our portables didn't have much range & were really hard to hear or understand the transmission on a lot of them. Probably out of tune. I had then & have now their Command caboose that talks back & forth with an engine that you can even lash up with. Not clear but that's identicle to their prototypes. Now, they have an audible crew talk that is nice & clear .  A lot of people didn't like the inaudible but it was eactly like on the real RRs years ago. I might add too that kids sure get a kick out of that feature !!

Thanks, John

   

[Jumijo]

I have a Railsounds steam starter set and a Trainsounds diesel starter set. I think both sound great. The crew talk in both is clear as a bell. Every word is understandable. I love the horn in the diesel (FT). Both systems in my sets are great.

I've pre-ordered the Trainsounds Polar Express tender in hopes that it too will sound good. But I've heard people complain that the Trainsounds whistle for steamers  sounds more like a diesel horn...

Jim 

[RR Redneck]

They are both darn good systems and I honestly dont have a preference, but of the two the RailSounds system is the superior sound system and has more features (for the most part) than TrainSounds.

[BobbyDing]

I understand that sound is subjective (to the ear of the beholder). But would you say that they both sound similar out on the layout, and that the main difference is that Railsounds has more sounds and versatility (because of command)?

Regarding Trainsounds.... Is it a pre recorded whistle/horn (like williams) or does the whistle/horn stay on as long as you hold it on? Does the squeeling brakes sound trigger every time the train slows, or is it random? Does the chuff mix with the other sounds, or is it one sound at a time?

Sorry about all the questions. It's just that I don't think I've ever heard either system. At least it's never been identified as one or the other while I'm listening.

Thanks,

Bobby

[chuck]

Horn/Whistle will sound for as long/short a time as you hold down the button.  The other effects are triggered by track voltage swings and car movement/speed.  The sounds sets are not as rich/varied as RailSounds (aka Lionel loco's have sound sets that match the prototype, OEM'd boards have generic sound sets), and TrainsSounds use the same basic sound sets for all of the cars/locos (i.e. there is A diesel sound set, A steam sound set, and A caboose sound set).

[sulafool]

I'm one of those that thinks the trainsounds whistle sounds like a horn. Someone has said it sounds just like a (some specific obscure steam engine) whistle, but I'd rather have one that is more generic and recognizable. The other trainsounds are ok, tho. Don't know why they used such an odd "whistle"--maybe they use the same sound for steam and diesel? I'm a simple guy, however, and am satisfied with a good old air whistle. Railsounds are impressive, I'll admit, but I never use any of the human dialog effects. Love the coupler sounds in the switchyard!

[cnw1995]

I admit to getting confused between the two - I have an inexpensive 'sounds' tender for a 4-6-2 steamer that has chuff, whistle and bell and some crew talk and some pump noise when stopped - it sounds just grand! Then again, I'm used to just a trolley bell (I use a hotel reception desk bell for that) and the occasional thump-thump of an air compressor.

[Rolo Tomasee]

The crew talk on my Trainsounds train is clearly legible and my son loves it. The whistle on my train which does sound more like a horn will stay on as long as the button is held down. The chuffing sound stops when the whistle or bell is being used but resumes as soon as the button is released. I have a spot on my track on a curve where the brake  squeals sounds off regularly on its own without adjusting the throttle. I have not heard a train with Railsounds but I am pleased iwth Trainsounds.