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DCC SOUND DECODER TO SUIT RAILCAR POWERED BY HALL-SCOTT 300HP GASOLINE ENGINE

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  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 38 posts
DCC SOUND DECODER TO SUIT RAILCAR POWERED BY HALL-SCOTT 300HP GASOLINE ENGINE
Posted by PGI123 on Thursday, October 8, 2015 7:48 AM

I am planning to install DCC sound into an HO scale Overland Brass Union Pacific Rail Detector Car #DC-3 (OMI #1860.1).

But, I am unsure which (if any) of the sound decoders currently available for purchase have sounds that are suitable to match the Hall-Scott 300 hp gasoline engine that powered the prototype (which I understand had been built by converting a J.G. Brill & Co. model 350 motor railcar).

I have an NCE PowerPro DCC system and I have usually used Tsunami or QSI decoders. 

I would be grateful for any suggestions as to a suitable sound decoder. 

Many thanks

  • Member since
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  • From: Ontario Canada
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Posted by Mark R. on Thursday, October 8, 2015 9:38 AM

Might be worth the time to check out all the sound files from Loksound - especially in the European section. There is all kinds of things right down to a VW bus to a horse and wagon (yes, the clip-clops increase with speed !). There are a number of gas powered files as well. It make not be exactly that engine, but it would be something close.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 10, 2015 8:05 PM

PGI123:

I'd be curious to learn what sound file you choose. I am currently in the same situation with my McKeen Motor Car project. The prototype had a 200 hp gasoline (I believe) engine and I haven't been able to find a suitable sound file. I did spend some time searching through the Loksound files but I couldn't find any examples of gasoline engines that Mark mentioned except for the VW bus rail car. Everything seems to be diesel and the normal diesel clatter on start up doesn't suit a gas engine IMHO.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by PGI123 on Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:56 PM
Thank you for your suggestion, Mark.
 
I have now checked that site, but I still could not find what seemed to me to be a suitable sound decoder for a gasoline powered unit.
 
I have also tried searches for suitable sound units in other scales and there are references to an MTH O scale DC3 with sound, but without seeing the real thing, I have assumed the physical size of the decoder (and probably the current requirements to run it) would exclude a direct transfer of a decoder designed for O scale into an HO model.
 
Once again thanks for your helpful response, I had overlooked that manufacturer in my original searches.
 
Regards,
 
Phillip.  
  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 38 posts
Posted by PGI123 on Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:58 PM
Dave,
 
I have now checked that site too, but I could not find what seemed to me to be a suitable sound decoder for a gasoline powered unit of anything like 300hp.
 
I have also tried searches for suitable sound units in other scales and there are references to an MTH O scale DC3 with sound, but without seeing the real thing, I have assumed the physical size of the decoder (and probably the current requirements to run it) would exclude a direct transfer of a decoder designed for O scale into an HO model.
 
I will post a further reply here when I find what I believe to be the “best fit” solution once I have got that far.
 
Regards,
 
Phillip. 
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,581 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 10, 2015 11:00 PM

Hi Phillip:

One sound file I was contemplating was the Galloping Goose Tsunami. Unfortunately it sounds like a relatively rickety small displacement engine (which is exactly what it should sound like) so I rejected it.

Something else I looked into a while ago (before the Goose sound was available) was the possibility of loading an automotive engine sound file into a Loksound V4.0 decoder. There are lots of sound samples available on the net. I had a link to one good site, that was until my computer crashed a few weeks ago and I lost all my book marked sites. Something with a large V8 engine from the same era as your locomotive might be able to be edited into a suitable recording. I gave up on the process because I simply lacked the skills required to do all the editing etc. but if you are technically savy it might be worth considering. There is a Loksound forum where you could get an idea of what would be involved.

http://www.esu.eu/en/forum/forums-overview/

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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