DCC w/Sound into...

[Anonymous]

Bruce Petraka (Litchfield Stations) has been really helpful giving advice for my sound installations. Other than steamers (realatively easy to do), all of my installs have been in RS -2s, -3s and one BL-2. Bruce is a proponent of the infinite baffle approach, which works really well in these units' narrow confines. None of my RS-2s or -3s have a baffle constructed behind them. I selected oval speakers that will just fit inside the shell, mounted them face down over the weight. I had to shave off about a third of the weights in the Atlas locos, and bored a four holes in the weight to let the sound out. For the one Kato RS-2, I removed the long hood weight, attached the speaker facing down on the gear tower, and sandwiched as much lead weight as I could fit into the top of the shell over the speaker. The sound out of these "non'baffled" speakers is every bit as good as the baffled speaker installation in my P2K BL-2, and my steamers.

I'm now working on getting my decoder to automatically uncouple, along with associated sound effects and appropriate brakeman cussing. Happy April 1.

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

I know you can install a decoder into the P2K S1 (after isolating the motor from the frame) but I'm not sure about whether there is enough room to install a speaker for sound. It's already a bit cramped in their anyhow.

Cramped? Cramped?! Heck, it's downright claustrophobic in there!!!!! My little plastic workers are talking about complaining to the union!

QUOTE: I read recently that someone on the forum asked Tony at Tony's Train Exchange about a sound install in the P2K S1. I think I remember reading that Tony just chuckled at the request and said it couldn't be done. Sound or no sound, I still love 'lil my S1.

You know, I swear I've seen a webpage from someone who installed sound in one of those little buggers, but I can't find it on Google right now. IIRC, it was the first place I heard of drilling out the grilles to let the sound out- looked better on that unit than mine were looking when I switched to the etched (maybe I wouldn't have been satisfied in-person with his as well? Who knows.)
Looking at mine (and going from memory right now...), I think there might be enough room for a small speaker up front, above the forward drive tower. The decoder would likely be in the cab; I think the article I saw had accepted having stuff somewhat visible in the cab vs. the added realism of the sound. One could also glaze the windows slightly.
The switchers are well down my list, as you could see, so I expect that by the time I get to them, I'll have some better idea of what fits where. Hopefully, the Tsunamis will also (FINALLY) be out, and will be able to do with only two packages to mount- decoder and speaker. We'll see.

Brian Pickering

[tstage]

I know you can install a decoder into the P2K S1 (after isolating the motor from the frame) but I'm not sure about whether there is enough room to install a speaker for sound. It's already a bit cramped in their anyhow.

I read recently that someone on the forum asked Tony at Tony's Train Exchange about a sound install in the P2K S1. I think I remember reading that Tony just chuckled at the request and said it couldn't be done. Sound or no sound, I still love 'lil my S1.

Tom

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

I wish Bruce's pictures were all up, because he did a VO-1000 (or DRS4-4-100 - they're basically the same internally). I think what he did was take out the cab interior (it just snaps out - the floor with the control stand and everything just comes right out) and put the speaker there. Not sure about sound exit holes or how to fasten the cab glass back in, since the floor assembly is what hold it in there.

I've seen that type of install, thought it was on an S or SW. Maybe later I can try to find a web reference, but that's vaguely what I'm thinking, both for this VO, for an S-1, and for an old Athearn TR-5a (IIRC) I've got from my youth. I'm planning on putting up pages similar to what I linked earlier, although with a little more detail and flash (that site was just thrown together in half an hour amidst other work last night.)

QUOTE: I really want to do a sound install or two, but I need other things for the layout before I need sound decoders for any of my locos, so the sound waits. But that Stewart F-7 B is just calling for one.

Well, right now I'm spoiled for sound- or at least my son is. Most of the operation right now is the four-year-old running trains in circles- he likes (in order) 1) the BLI E-7A/B and 2) the Lionel Veranda, both with Quantum DCC/sound. Since my hobby time is so disjointed right now, I'm tending to do loco/rolling-stock building projects more than operation or layout projects (a lot easier to fit into the 15-minute here, 20-minute there lifestyle). I'll try to keep on putting up comments/pictorials, if they are helpful to anyone. Here's what I've got planned right now:

• C30-7; underway
• FM H16-44; have the parts, next-up
• FEF-4; don't have the parts yet, but as the first NICE steamer, just BEGGING to be running to entertain the afore-mentioned four-year-old

After that, I'll probably do one of the switchers, so I've got something to run in the yard while the four-year-old is tying up the mainline. [:D] I've gotta admit, though, to being VERY tempted by the new BLI SW7/TR2s....

Brian "Should be working right now..." Pickering

[rrinker]

I wish Bruce's pictures were all up, because he did a VO-1000 (or DRS4-4-100 - they're basically the same internally). I think what he did was take out the cab interior (it just snaps out - the floor with the control stand and everything just comes right out) and put the speaker there. Not sure about sound exit holes or how to fasten the cab glass back in, since the floor assembly is what hold it in there.
I really want to do a sound install or two, but I need other things for the layout before I need sound decoders for any of my locos, so the sound waits. But that Stewart F-7 B is just calling for one.

--Randy

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johncolley
Another thing to consider is an oval speaker, even if it means taking out one drive tower.

John,
* Definitely consider the oval speaker- check out the next-to-last picture in the webpage I put up last night.- I'm using the biggest, longest, widest oval speaker I can fit in. I would have gone bigger if I could have found the room to mount it diagonal, but that would have required removing the entire weight in the rear, instead of just planning on cutting it down some to fit speaker & decoder.
I don't know if I would go so far as to take out a drive tower. Besides, in the Atlas C30-7, the drive tower is so low, 1) it wouldn't gain you much more, size-wise, and 2) I probably don't want to lose THAT much pulling power; when I get around to building a REAL layout, there is a moderately steep helix appearing in most of my tentative plans, and I don't want to lose that much climbing/pulling power.

OTOH, I opened up my new Stewart VO-1000 last night, and it barely had room for a DH-163P inside the hood (and I'll probably need to move that around for a better fit- I'm having trouble getting the hood closed again.) That might be a candidate for losing a drive tower when adding sound, since for the most-part, switchers don't pull long trains anyway.

Brian Pickering

* (I started out responding in semi-snarky, semi-tongue-in-cheek mode writing this, then realized you may well be responding to Randy's original post. Note to self- always READ my posts again before hitting "Post" [:D] [:o)])

[johncolley]

Another thing to consider is an oval speaker, even if it means taking out one drive tower. Be aware that the speakers on your computer are much larger than in the model so you won't get the amount of bass in the soundbites. I have a Stewart FT-B in my 4 unit lashup the Bruce did for me, and I am very pleased with it. I am thinking of having him do my pair of GP7's sound/power when I have the funds available.

[bpickering]

And I'm too young to have heard them "in the flesh", so I don't even KNOW what I'm listening for!

Gotta hope to run into a running one someday while travelling.

As promised (threatened [:p]) earlier, here's what I've got, somewhat step-by-step, on installing the DSX in an Atlas C30-7. Not much, but I've been busy! [:)]
http://www.geocities.com/bpickeri/C30-7.htm

Feel free to make comments/suggestions. This is the first time I've modified a loco more than adding Kadee couplers, so be gentle!

Brian Pickering

[Anonymous]

Brian:

I'm early on in this rediscovery of HO as well as my discovery of DCC and sound. I have yet to hear anything that is close to a Baldwin at either the BLI or Soundtraxx sites.

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker
I haven't seen too many others with sound installations. Plenty of regular motor decoder install pictures on the internet though.

I'll try to please you when I finally have time to complete the C30-7. I've been working on it, but between responsabilities, I'm glad to get 1-2 hours a week in. [|)]
If the work I'm supposed to be doing right now ([:D]) goes well, I'll try to post a couple of the photos of the grillwork in-process later tonight.
Brian

[rrinker]

Bruce is in the middle of redoing the Litchfield Station web site - it appears that a lot of his installtion pictures are not online at the moment. A shame - he has some very nice ones. Not really step-by-step, but more like before and after. I haven't seen too many others with sound installations. Plenty of regular motor decoder install pictures on the internet though.

--Randy

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Coonskin
<snip>
Stewart V01000
<snip>
Need to learn what speaker is the bomb for small apps.

Andre (or anyone else), if you find out the proper sound (or Good Enough), let me know- I just bought this loco last night, and will be wanting to add sound someday.

Regarding speakers, I went to Loy's Toys website http://www.loystoys.com and simply purchased one of each size they have available (well, of less than 1" max- I model in HO, and don't think a 2+" speaker will fit, even in the Covered Wagons...!). That way, I can try out each to see what will, or will not, fit in a given loco. I decided to do it that way since the speakers are not perfect cubic shapes- they're thinner on the ends, for instance.

Finally, regarding drilling holes in the radiators, I tried that on a Atlas C30-7 I'm working on right now, and wasn't entirely satisfied with the appearance. I ended up cutting/filing out all the grillwork, and replacing with etched grid material (I'm at work right now, but contact me if you want the manufacturer/stock number or pictures). I haven't had time to paint yet, but I'm far more satisfied with how it's looking now.

I'm still going to need to cut out some of the weight to clear the speaker and decoder (I decided on a DSX instead of one of the LC series.)

Brian Pickering

[potlatcher]

I did a sound install in an Atlas S-3 similar to the project featured in the Feb 2003 Model Railroader. I used the Soundtraxx DSD-090LC for Alco sounds and one of their small oval speakers. The decoder extended into the cab somewhat, and I placed the speaker on the far end of the hood. I built a small sound box to direct the sound up toward the radiator grill on the hood roof, and just like the MR article, I drilled small holes down through the grill to let the sound out. I'm really pleased with how it all worked out.

Unlike the MR article, I did NOT replace the motor with a Sagami. I had to be a little more careful how I placed the components, especially the speaker capacitor and the headlight resistors, but the install can be done with the original motor!

As for the horn, the DSD-090LC does come with a single chime horn sound (pretty low frequency - sounds like a truck horn but probably fairly accurate). Another thing to note is that the locomotive they used for the sound recordings must have been a non-turbocharged S-1 or S-3 since there is none of the chirping exhaust sound that is characteristic of turbocharged Alcos. No problem since my model is an S-3, but for a purist, the sound won't be quite right if installed in a turbocharged S-2 or S-4 (or RS unit for that matter).

Tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link, Randy.

I didn't find the pics of the Stewart Baldwin but did find pics of his installations into a P2K S-1 and GP7/9 as well as a Stewart FTB and U25.

Thanks again!

Andre

[rrinker]

Check here: http://www.litchfieldstation.com

Bruces is very knowledgable when it comes to decoder and sound installs, and he has pictures of a Soundtraxx install in a small Stewart Baldwin. Astonishing that it can all fit in there, really - well, the cab interior gets replaced with the speaker.

I'm not affiliated with Bruce, just a very satisified customer.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Anyone out there converted the engines listed below? Are there decoders and sound units that would be appropriate?

Earlier P2K SW

Atlas/Roco S-2

Stewart V01000

I'm slowly getting getting caught up on the advances of HO in the realm of engines/etc, but I still have a ways to go before I've assimulated enough info about DCC and sound.

Thanks for any input!

EDIT:

Answered some of my questions by searching and hitting the Soundtraxx website.

It appears excellent sounds with a realistic single chime horn (for a switcher) is available for an EMD Switcher. (As well as a nice selection of other EMD!)

The Alco engine sounds are great, but isn't available with an accurate single chime switcher horn. (Possibly not a biggie.)

No Baldwin sounds.

Need to learn what speaker is the bomb for small apps.

Andre