Soon I'll be starting constuction of a modest sized locomotive terminal very loosely adapted from Enola. I'm intending on making this the most complete and detailed part of my layout. As part of the the "detail" I would like to build in a few controllable sound effects. Two degrees of load testing of locomotives. To be specific.
I run with DC and have no forseeable plan to go into the world of DCC and onboard sound.
Self load testing would be mainly for the second gen EMD's that would be the full range of engine speeds with the howling sound of DB braking fans. This would setup ahead of the shop doors.
The other load test is the old style trackside load box used for interlock sequencing and transition tests. This would have the full range of engines speeds, but having a jet engine whine from the load box blowers. This would be in a separate area of the shop complex. Most likely using an ALCO or GE as the represented locomotive.
The question is, can an onboard sound module be set up to operate separately as I describe without having to run a DCC system?
If not...I'm open for suggestions.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Just found a device called SurroundTraxx made by SoundTraxx and this looks like about the type of thing I might be looking for but can't seem to get awhole lot of detail on it. There was a thread on here from about 2008 when the unit was introduced...I believe. Not sure what to make of it's assessment. Is it a stand alone system with speakers or is something else involved? Can't get a reference on a price either.
Anyone familiar with this system?
SurroundTrax is a fixed sound system that uses speakers at different locations to simulate sound from a moving train. It requires that the locomotives be equipped with DCC decoders that support transponding. More information can be found here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/.
Surroundtraxx is a DCC based system an it doesn't seem to be what you were looking for in your original post
Joe
Only way you can do this with DC is to hook an extra sound unit up just like it's another siding with its own switch, and when you want to do the load testing, you tutn on that 'loco' and crank the throttle. Since it's just sitting there under the layout, you get the sound but nothing moves. You can also connect a much larger speaker than would fit inside a loco.
Or, use one of the stationary sound units like the MRC ones.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Looking more and more like the "under table" or "trackside" sound generators are giving way to DCC/onboard sound. I figured as much. For me...considering many things, DCC and/or DCC w/sound is simply out of the question. I guess I need to go to plan B. Ambient railroads sounds in the room...in a way, like musak or elevator music.
Thanks for the feedback