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Sound for a GE 25 tonner?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Sound for a GE 25 tonner?
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 11:58 PM

Does anyone know what sound file Wolfgang Dudler (RIP) used in his GE 25 ton switcher? It looks like a Loksound decoder but I can't figure out exactly what sound file he used. Here is a link to his project:

http://www.westportterminal.de/grandtline_25ton.html

Thanks

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 10:27 AM

You can go the the ESU web site, where they list all the available sound files that can be downloaded and programmed into their LokSound decoders.  If you can't find a suitable file for a LokSound Select, which is sold only in the US, you can then check the files for the Version 4.0 sound decoders.

The ESU web site lists the sound file for a GE 44 ton locomotive available for the Select series, which may be the closest you can get, but the MR site's brain-dead software will not allow me to copy and paste a link to it.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 9:10 PM

Hi cacole:

Thanks for your suggestion.

I am well familiar with the Loksound website, and I have listened to all of their sound files for small diesel engines regardless of which version of their decoders they were for. The problem is that the sample sounds they offer are very short in duration and the volume is a bit low, so matching the sound sample to Wolfgang's video isn't that easy.

What I'm hoping is that somebody will recognize the specific sound file that Wolfgang Dudler used. In his video it sounds quite good except that the horn is a bit squeaky. Here is the video:

http://www.westportterminal.de/grandtline_25ton.html

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,581 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 9:57 PM

I just got a message from Tony's Train Exchange suggesting that the GE 44 tonner with twin Cummins 180hp engines is the closest that Loksound currently offers to the 150hp Cummins used in the 25 ton engine.

I listened to the sound file and I can't tell that I am listening to two engines (I am no expert!) so I am going with the Loksound Select Micro using the 44 tonner sounds.

I'll post once I have the thing running. I just ordered a Bull Ant power truck to run the locomotive. The Grandt Line motor works ok but it wails like a banshee at anything above a crawl, and the gears are so thin that they will likely wear out in a few years or less.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Thursday, July 31, 2014 10:58 AM

 About the only time you'd hear a difference would be the startup sequence. On a 44-tonner you had to start each diesel seperately, so the startup sequence has one start then the other.

                --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, July 31, 2014 11:54 AM

I used the LokSound 72843 Micro a few years ago in a couple Bachmann HO 44 tonners. Almost sounds like, to me at least, the second diesel starting as the first one is starting.

Recommended and programed by Litchfield Station.

 Does not sound quite like a prototype 44 tonner on You Tube though.

Have to always remind myself, we are boys playing with toys. We never outgrow this.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, July 31, 2014 8:46 PM

Randy and Rich:

I wondered about the sound of the start up of the two engines but in the Loksound sample if the engines are starting separately its not glaringly obvious, to me anyhow. There is a second 'clunk' as the second engine starter kicks in but it is barely noticeable. I'll just pretend the 25 tonner engineer hit the starter button twice.Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh

I think I can live quite happily with using the 44 tonner sounds in the 25 ton unit. I'd better be happy - I already ordered the decoder!

Thanks

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, July 31, 2014 9:50 PM

 

You are correct on, barely noticeable. Actually the prototypes I heard did not start like that and the starting sounds were different.

I bought the v3.5 Micro good for 500ma. My 44 tonners had current draw of 600 ma at 12 VDC but I gambled. No problem. The loco would run at prototype speed for the 44 tonner for an hour with no issues.

Even my 70 tonner had no current issues.

The newer Micros I understand are good for 750 ma.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, July 31, 2014 11:35 PM

Rich:

The fact that Loksound got the 44 tonner's sound a bit wrong would seem to work to my advantage!

How often does that happen?!

Thanks for your input.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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