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Soundtraxx SoundCar

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Soundtraxx SoundCar
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, November 30, 2014 10:45 AM

I read about this item in the MR that showed up a couple days ago and found the video on the Soundtraxx site.  It interests me for my freight and passenger trains and a Walthers gas electric doodlebug that I only put a motor decoder in.  Any impressions thus far? 

http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/soundcar/soundcar.php

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, November 30, 2014 11:10 AM

 One thing it is NOT for is having loco sounds for a non-sound loco. It has things like rail joint thumps, slack action, brake action, etc. It does not have prime movers, nor can you add them. Depending on the train length, 2 or 3 scattered in the train should give a neat effect. One, I don't think would cut it on a 10+ car train, and putting one in every car - well, if you have that kind of money, go for it.

                  --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by Geared Steam on Sunday, November 30, 2014 1:01 PM

One of the better demo videos I have seen of this product. 2 or 3 in a train is a neat effect.  Starts at 9:30

http://youtu.be/Y3H-g0uBjQU  

 

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by farrellaa on Sunday, November 30, 2014 7:11 PM

Great video and review! I have been waiting for this type of info; now, I need at least 2 of them. Thanks for posting.

   -Bob

Life is what happens while you are making other plans!

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 30, 2014 8:34 PM

I would really like to see a video explanation as to how the units are consisted to the loco.

Concerning the video in the link, it was neat.  Except I don't understand why everyone needs to have that annoying background music that distracts from the content.

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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, November 30, 2014 8:53 PM

 Haha yeah, especially when demonstrating something with specific SOUNDS. You video does not need a soundtrack! Plug a microphone into your camera/phone and put it close to the tracks so it picks up the sounds from the decoder. Granted a compnay like Broadway Limited can be a bit more professional than an individual at home, but note on their videos when demonstrating the sounds, the person talking has a lapel mic, AND they clearly have one close to the loco they are demonstrating, and cut back and forth so you can hear the sounds the loco makes. For a home made video, just record the sound making device. You can always go back in with a simple editing program (I use Windows Movie Maker to fix up the few I've done, it's plenty good enough for this stuff) and add a voiceover and/or captions between the sounds.

              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Monday, December 1, 2014 11:23 PM

maxman

I would really like to see a video explanation as to how the units are consisted to the loco.

Ask and ye shall receive, uploaded today....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBMh7Q3MywU

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 12:55 PM

PennCentral99
 
maxman

I would really like to see a video explanation as to how the units are consisted to the loco.

 

 

Ask and ye shall receive, uploaded today....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBMh7Q3MywU

 

 
Thank you, but it is still not clear.  How do the sound cars know to which engine they are being consisted?  Is it the one dialed up on the controller?
 
And if you forget to reverse wave the magnet to tie down the brakes, does the sound car continue to make sounds as the loco is moved away?  And does that "press F11 to slow down and brake" function work wtith any loco decoder, or only Tsunami loco decoders?
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  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by JoeinPA on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 2:04 PM

Maxman:

I think that the answers to your questions can be found here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/soundcar_usersguide.pdf  Consisting is found on page 30.

Joe

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 4:08 PM

 Once you use the magnetic wand, you press F8 4 times, with the loco address dialed up. That's how it consists witht he loco.

 F11 brake will only work on decoders that use F11 to brake. You can get the sound effect, but not actually slow the train down, with other decoders.

                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 4:18 PM

JoeinPA

Maxman:

I think that the answers to your questions can be found here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/soundcar_usersguide.pdf  Consisting is found on page 30.

Joe

 

Thank you.  A little bit better.  Apparently the cars will consist only to the loco that is called up on the handset.  But I guess that one needs to be careful that some other joker doesn't happen to hit the F8 button on his controller 4 times before you have a chance to complete your own consist, and then motoring away leaving you to wonder why you are getting clickity-clacks from a standing cut of cars.

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Posted by farrellaa on Saturday, December 6, 2014 9:39 AM

I just recieved mine in the mail yesterday. I am installing it in a 50' Safeway refer (easy to spot on the layout!). This morning I made some wheel wipers from a Kadee spring and so far all is going to plan. I don't know if I will need a 'Keep Alive' or not but time will tell.

   -Bob

Life is what happens while you are making other plans!

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