Elmer suggested: There is the possibility that you can use a standard sound decoder and make it stationary under the yard but connect the input wires to the track.
There is the possibility that you can use a standard sound decoder and make it stationary under the yard but connect the input wires to the track.
I did that with one switcher. I have a very small 0-6-0T tank engine that I only use in the area by my car float terminal. It's too small to put a decent sound system in, so I bought and inexpensive Sound Bug, programmed for a tank engine and mounted it in a building down by the docks. As long as the engine remains close to home, this works very well.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
David: You would be amazed at my ability to make engine sounds. I had lots of practice as a kid growing up with mainline steam on the Grand Trunk Western. I'm passable in diesel too. It never fails to make my wife laugh.
Elmer: I was wondering about that. It's worth a try.
There is the possibility that you can use a standard sound decoder and make it stationary under the yard but connect the input wires to the track. Set the address as the same as one of your locos, say the yard switcher, and use that under-layout decoder for it's sound. You can connect a 2 inch speaker to make it sound better. You will need to set (program) the speeds for zero, and put a 50 ohm resistor on the motor output on the sound decoder. You could also do that for other locations that have a loco stationed there.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Deleted
Jack W.
There is an article in the March 2014 MR on the SurroundTraxx system.
From the article it appears that if you plan to convert more than 6 locomotives it is worth the cost. Sounds like the system is a bit expensive, but so is converting locos. Sound quality in N scale locos may also be a factor for you.
Good luck,
Richard
Soundtraxx's SurroundTraxx system might work. I heard an early version years ago. It works in conjunction with your decoder equipped locos to move the sound around between 4 different zones on the layout IIRC.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Deb and I have a fairly large N scale depiction of the D&RGW circa 1955. We'd like to have a stand alone sound system that makes diesel and steam engine sounds. Are there any that can be operated through our Pro Cab DCC control?