Dave,
Thanks for confirming my concerns with MRC decoders. My problem is that I'm still kind of a newbie when it comes to sound decoders. When looking for LokSound, Tsunami or QSI, how do I know which decoder I want that will reproduce the sounds of an RS-3. I guess what I need to figue out is what type of engine the real locomotive had, then look at the descriptions of each decoder. What I've noticed is that the Diesel sound decoders are made for specific engines. If someone doesn't know what engine was in the locomotive, it's kinda hard to get the correct sound decoder.
I'll do some Googleing and see what I can learn.
Michael
Check with Bruce at Litchfield Station. For the sound decoders that he sells, he offers them with various sound sprogrammed in. That saves you from having to buy the proprietary programming device and downloading the sounds yourself. An RS-3 will have an Alco 244 turbocharged motor, various horns depending on your prototype - although if your model came with a single note honker and you aren't going to change it, don;t get a multichime horn sound, it will be out of place.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I installed one a couple of months ago and I'm happy with the performance and the sound and it does sound like an Alco. The motor control is just as good as the Digitrax decoder I had installed before.
It was also an easy install.
CN Charlie
Not sure if you ever got an answer on the question, but some more fodder for ya. Just as a matter of personal opinion, the QSI prime mover sound is not the best. Good, but not really reflective of the prototype. Seems they are fond of just making the 'burble' of a nice idle just louder with a higher pitch, but missed the entire idea of increasing RPM's. In contrast, the Tsunami is right on.
I actually like the MRC prime move sound, but the horns and bell were, how shall we say, thin. Additionally, after running two MRC decoders for about a half year on a regular basis, both my MRC decoders died, one fatally, the other could not decide if it was a diesel or steam unit and would randomly change settings! I intend to replace them both with TSU's.
I spend some time pulling together a study of some of the various decoders out there, with the exception of the QSI Revolution and the Loc-Sounds. I understand the QSI Revolution sounds very similar to the Quantum, and as I mentioned, was not thrilled with the prime mover sound on the Quantum (great horn, bells and air letoff sounds tho!). I also did not try the Loc-Sound as it was pretty expensive and did not have the preloaded sound I was looking for. I also have not bought any of the uploading software tools as it seems a pretty steep investment into something that I may only use once as a test. Having said that, here is the link to the results of the study. I hope you find it helpful.
http://www.trainweb.org/gnw/The%20Whistlestop%207.htm
Regards,
Detlef