Chris & Simon,
Thanks for the input, fellas. Just to let you know, I found out from Bruce Petrarca @ Litchfield Station today that he just put a Loksound Standard decoder in a brass HH660 and said that "it was a dream!" I do hope Bruce meant that it sounded really good vs. waking up and realizing that the installation didn't really take place.
I'll still need to paint and decal the HH660 shell after I get it. So I do have some time to consider what kind of decoder I want to install in it. Sure would be pretty cool to add a Loksound decoder to it. It would be my first switcher with sound.
I also have to decide whether I want to decal it for New York Central or Erie. Erie actually had HH660s. The NYC only had HH600s. However, from what I've been able to learn, the external differences between the later 600s and the 660s is indistinguishable.
I think the prototypes were only a 2 or 4" difference in overall length from one another, which would be equivalent to 0.023" - 0.046" in HO scale. Close enough - even if the 3-foot rule were in HO scale. I'll keep you posted...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Tstage,
Look at using a LokSound micro. The HH 660 used a 538 six cylinder, the LokSound is for an S-1 539 six cylinder. Unless recordings of these early Alco's exist I doubt you could do better than this. My thinking is that they both probably sounded the same.
I have this LokSound for an S-1 project for a P2K that I will get to next month. The LokSound Micro does not use the 8 pin but a small 6 pin? I think the best is to replace the light board and hard wire the decoder and speaker. Given the extra hood hieght of the HH 660 this should be an easy sound job. Heck, even the standard LokSound might fit and this has the 8 pin connector. I have not taken any measure to isolate the motor while testing this decoder in my chassis. Others have said this is important to do in case of a short between wheels and frame. While I agree with this I am not sure how this short could take place in normal use of this loco? I hope someone with experience here weighs in to discuss this aspect.
Hope this helps, Chris
Greetings!
I'm looking for a decoder recommendation for a JJL Models Alco HH660 switcher that I'm going to be receiving in the mail in the near future:
The shell for the HH660 is a resin kit but the frame/mechanism is from a Proto 2000 S1 switcher. Having already converted a Proto 2000 S1 to DCC, I am already aware of the need to isolate the motor from the frame before installing a decoder in it.
First off and most important: BEMF is a must! I want my switchers to crawl.
Secondly, not as important: Is it possible to squeeze sound in one of these? Is so, what would you recommend? Is there a sound decoder on the market that would have an accurate early Alco sound for one of these switchers, or would it just be somewhat generic?
According the Joe @ JJL Models, the high hood does allow for more room under the shell to install a decoder - i.e. more than there would be with a Proto 2000 S1. I was just wondering if there was also room for a speaker and baffle. I know that Bruce Petrarca (Litchfield Station) installed a sound decoder in an S1. (Not a small task.)
Anyhow, thanks for the help. I'm in no rush to make a decision. I just want to see what my options are. Thanks again!