"Railsounds" and "Trainsounds"

[Anonymous]

I noticed when looking at the Lionel 2005 catalog that the starter sets now have "Trainsounds" instead of "Railsounds". Does anyone know the difference? I thought I read somewhere that "Trainsounds" is not as good. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I would think its kind like Locosounds and Protosounds, ones better, the other one is worse.

[SPFan]

I may be wrong but I believe that Railsounds requires a TMCC decoder to synchronize the sounds while Trainsounds can be installed in non TMCC engines. As a result the types of sounds are limited.

Pete

[railfanespee4449]

Trainsounds was featured on the RailBox and Lionel lines sound adding cars. Anyone own one so they can tell us about the quality?

[jimhaleyscomet]

I purchased a used "Trainsounds?" box car at a show. I love it. Great horn and diesel sound. I use it with my k-line soundless GG1 so sometimes turn of the diesel sound. No tower talk. It is not in the same league as my Lionel T1 duplex but great for my 027 sets. I just wish I could find a steam version.

I think they are great as long as one has reasonable expectations.

Jim H

[Jumijo]

I bought my kids the NYC Flyer set for Christmas and it has Railsounds. The 2005 version of the set has Trainsounds, but the description of the Trainsounds is the exact same as the set I have. Someone suggested in another thread that with the advent of Railsounds 5.0, the earlier version was renamed Trainsounds. Makes sense to me.

No matter what it's called, it's pretty nice - as long as one has reasonable expectations, as stated above. I've noticed some static, but the tower talk is there as well as brake squeal, chuffing, bell and pretty nice sounding whistle. Steam escape and an idling noise can be heard when the unit is in neutral.

A Lionel Lines tender with Rail/Trainsounds can be purchased seperately to add sound to steam locos.

Jim

[Anonymous]

doesn't the locomotive have to have a plug in for a wire hookup from the tender to get the "trainsounds."????????

[jimhaleyscomet]

Does anyone have a part number or source for a trainsounds tender? I really would like to get one.

Jim H

[jimhaleyscomet]

Never mind, I found it on lionel.com.

6-36788 Lionel Lines Steam TrainSounds Tender Price: $ 99.99

Lionel Lines Steam TrainSounds Tender
Bring the mournful whistle of a steamer to a Lionel train set or traditional locomotive. Featuring an all-new conventional sound system with digitally recorded effects. The steam tender offers an affordable way to add interactive action to any O gauge layout. Command Control and batteries are not required. TrainSounds rolling stock operates on track power with a conventional transformer. Pu***he whistle/horn button on your transformer and you will even hear different “Stand by” or “Clear for departure” messages.

TrainSounds sound system with steam chuffing, steam whistle, bell, squealing brakes and operator-controlled multi-part crew dialogue
Conventional transformer control
Removable front coupler for use behind another tender
Die-cast metal trucks and operating coupler
Metal frame
Gauge: Standard O
Minimum Curve: O-27
Dimensions: Length: 8 1/2”
RailLine: Lionel Lines
ShipYear: 2004

Classic Trains Vol. 2 2004

[Jumijo]

No plug for the loco. It's a self-contained unit. A box car is available for diesel Railsounds.

My tender has a battery connector and battery holder. The battery lets you hear the un-interupted Railsounds for several seconds after you power down or when you're switching from one direction to the other. It also gives the Railsounds the ability to make the brake squeal if you suddenly stop the train from a high rate of speed. I had a very difficult time locating the battery into the holder and had to re-route the connector wires just to hook it up. Ultimately I decided to live without the brake squeal and the battery.

Jim