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Decoder with rail sounds?

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Decoder with rail sounds?
Posted by cudaken on Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:26 PM

 I know BLI made cars with cow and pigs sounds, but does anyone make a decoder that will fit in rolling stock that make rail sounds? Click de clack of wheels on rails, flanging sounds you get the idea. It would be for rolling stock with speakers added, not from the engine.

                  Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Sunday, July 12, 2009 2:09 AM

 Well I know the MDC "Sounder" has a setting where the steam chug or diesel rumble sound is replaced by a "clickity clack" sound when you hit a certain function button. I'm not sure about something like that meant to go in a car, but IIRC one or more companies make "clickity clack" sound devices that mount under the track, like at a grade crossing. I would think one of them could maybe be adapted to use in a car.

It would be a nice effect, especially if you could time it to the speed of a train...a long freight passes by, and as the sound of the engine recedes in the distance, the sound of the wheels on the rails becomes more distinct as the train passes.  

Stix
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 773 posts
Posted by ruderunner on Sunday, July 12, 2009 7:07 AM

Maybe it's just my sloppy trackwork but I get that click clack when running my trains.  It's faint but noticible.  I like it and have actually thought about scratching in extra rail "joints" to accentuate the effect.  Say a small nick with a Dremel every 4 or 5 inches.  Note that my rolling stock uses metal wheels, plastic may not do it.  Cheaper and more reliable than a decoder.

Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction

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