OK - So the 1633 is sold as a sound decoder suitable for 'EMD Modern Switcher'.
Now - what does that really mean?
It tells the buyer nothing about the engine size, cylinders, Turbo or Non Turbo fitted, dynamic or non dynamic.
In short - nothing that indicates what variant of loco it is suitable.
Who can tell?
Certainly not me!
Even comparing it with some other decoders that are supplied with loco and engine details - I can't be sure.
Anyway - this was the last of my MRC decoders that needed fitting and it will be the last MRC decoder that I buy.
So - any suggestions to the most suitable loco for the decoder?
Likely it is a 645, but 6, 8, or 12 cylinder? No clue. I doubt even MRC can tell you.
I picked one up to play with, so I wouldn't be just spewing what others say. The one I got was made for the Athearn RS-2, and does supposedly have a 251 prime mover - it also has an EMD and GE options, for some reason - I can see the EMD, for a remotored version. It also has 16 or 32 horns, but thereis no documentation listing which horns they are and which value in the horn CV selects which one. So I called MRC tech support and was told that "we don't keep track of that" Seriously? You offer an easy way to select between multiple horns which you claim are actual recordings and not synthesized, and then don't bother recording which order they were loaded in the decoder? Not that any of them were any great shakes, also the Alco prime mover leaves a lot to be desired as well.
I got mine pretty cheap on eBay, so throwing it in a drawer and never using it isn't a big hit. I've standardized on Loksound. They tell you what prime mover and what horn each option is. And they have exactly what I need for my fleet of RS-3's, including the M3RT1 horn used by my prototype.
--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'll second Randy's recommendation of Loksound decoders. For most purposes the Loksound Select will easily meet your needs.
I'll also second your decision to never buy another MRC decoder. I base that simply on the multitude of negative comments about MRC decoders that I have read over several years on the forums. Its too bad that a company that had a reputation for building excellent DC power packs didn't approach decoders with the same attitude.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Scottish ModellerSo - any suggestions to the most suitable loco for the decoder?
So, are you try to find a locomotive that would match the decoder? Most folks do it the otherway around.
Scottish Modeller1633 is sold as a sound decoder suitable for 'EMD Modern Switcher
If this is what the advertising says, that is not reflected in the instructions, http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/dcc/0001632%20diesel.pdf. All it says there is that it is a "synchronized sound decoder", whatever that would mean. I believe that these decoders are really generic sounds and don't really represent any particular type of locomotive. I suspect that they were produced at a time when some of us were happy just to have a sound loco, and if it happened to sound like a diesel that was great.
Now, just like the people who have advanced to the point where they can tell you the differences between a Berwick and a Gunderson boxcar, the sound snobs will worry about if the sound is from a 12 or 16 cylinder GE FDL. In my opinion, most of us cannot tell the difference, including the 70 year old, hard of hearing, former locomotive engineer expert who will tell you that he rode around GE u-boats for 20 years and the (insert decoder brand here) sound is incorrect.
I also looked at the MRC website and see that the 1633 decoder is no longer listed. I do see decoders, such as the 1712 (EMD 645), the 1711 (645E), and 1713 (EMD 710), so maybe MRC is trying to be more specific rather than generic.
For whatever it is worth, I have a generic MRC decoder in a GP38. Is it prototypical for that loco? I certainly don't know. However, it produces some interesting locomotive sounds that I enjoy, and that I have not heard from any other brand decoder. If, and when, it fails, I'll replace it with a "better" brand decoder. But until it does fail, I'll just enjoy the loco as is.
davidmbedardI guess being ignorant allows you to label others as "snobs"? Well done, sir......
Girls, girls! You're BOTH pretty!
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
FOOD FIGHT
Almost every post you post on here could be considered by some to be inflammatory.
Hi MaxMan,
Unfortunately the website and the packaging differ in what they say.
I note that the refernce link you give is for the 1632 decoder and not the 1633.
I agree the website does not state 'EMD Modern Diesel Switcher' but the packaging certainly does.
As the purchaser bought this going by the packaging - that is the reason for my question about the correct locomotive to fit it to.
I have at least one model of the majority of locos that have been produced with EMD power. Due to this I am fortunate in that I can say - Yes, I have the luxury of being able to sellect an appropriate locomotive.
Now, lets all cut the swords at dawn approach about the various comments and get back to the purpose of this forum and my question.
PhilH
Scottish ModellerHi MaxMan, Unfortunately the website and the packaging differ in what they say. I note that the refernce link you give is for the 1632 decoder and not the 1633. I agree the website does not state 'EMD Modern Diesel Switcher' but the packaging certainly does. As the purchaser bought this going by the packaging - that is the reason for my question about the correct locomotive to fit it to.
I'm sorry if my response offended anyone. I generally try to be helpful.
I seem to remember that MRC originally said that those decoders were for a "EMD modern diesel switcher". I suspect that the packaging stated that also. Possibly the instructions were labeled differently than the advertising.
Concerning the link, if you look closely in the fine print under where it says 19 Accessory Sound Functions it says item# 0001632/33. If I hadn't seen the /33 I wouldn't have posted the link.
It appears to me that MRC no longer offers this decoder. I don't know when it was dropped from their offering list, but I don't see it listed on their current website list, http://www.modelrectifier.com/train-controls/decoderschart.asp.
I actually have a MRC 0001643 (apparently also no longer offered), which the instructions say are for a "EMD modern switch diesel". I have it installed in either a gp38 or 38-2 (I'm too lazy right now to go to the basement and look). This was purchased and installed several years ago. I have no illusions about the decoder being correct for that engine. I only know that it sounds okay to me. In reality it isn't the diesel sound that I happen to enjoy with this particular decoder. It just happens that MRC included some random sounds that I have not heard from any other decoders.
At the time that these decoders, or at least the one I have, were produced I don't think that there were as many loco specific sound decoders out there. Some of us were happy just to have something that sounded like an engine. Purchasers are now more discerning. So we now have MRC stating specifically what the decoders are for. However, if someone were to tell me that the sound was a 645 I would have to take them at their word since I neither have the experience nor the resources to tell them contrary.
Finally, I still think that the decoders in question just have generic sounds and are not specifically matched to any specific loco. The ones who should know this information reside at MRC. And good luck asking them that question.
Like I said (I think?), if they say "modern EMD" then I'm thinking 645. So SW1500 or MP15, both of which were 12-645, excpet the MP15T which was an 8-645 turbo. Without more detail from MRC, that's what I'd go with for "modern". Switchers before the SW1500 all had variations of 567 prime movers, until you get the really old ones with Winton 201's.
I'm not so sure I can tell the difference between two prime movers of the same manufacturer, espeiclaly with just 2 samples, but I know I can tell the difference between Alco, EMD, and GE. There are some very obvious differences, particularly since EMD motors are 2-stroke and the others are 4-stroke.
rrinkerif they say "modern EMD" then I'm thinking 645. So SW1500 or MP15, both of which were 12-645, excpet the MP15T which was an 8-645 turbo.
I find the term "switcher" to be somewhat confusing. I always thought of SW's, MPs, and such as switchers. However, I'm a Conrail fan and have one of the Withers books. There is a section on EMD yard switcher units which includes the SWs and the MPs. However, there is another section where they show EMD & GE Road Switcher units. This section starts with the GP8 and includes the GP38/38-2 and the SD38. I don't what diesel engine is in any of these units, nor do I understand why they classify them as road switchers while they have the GP40 on up as road freight units. The only thing I can think of is that the road switchers are 2000 horsepower and less, and the road freight units are greater.
Anyway, I agree that if the decoder in question represents any real unit, probably only MRC can answer what that is.
That's why EMD hasn't really made a 'switcher' in almost 30 years - railroads replaced their workhorse GP38-2's with newer more powerful locos and since they had all these otherwise perfectly good GP38's around, they use those as yard switchers these days. Plus with intermodal unit trains, there's less need for switching.
The idea of a "road switcher" was mostly a mainlinbe freight loco that could do some switching en-route, like settinmg out and picking up at local industries. Those were slower trains and didn't need all the horsepower of an SD40, 50, 60, or 70. Plus they were smaller and lighter for working lighter branch lines. A traditional switcher typically has a low long hood and the cab right at the end, with plenty of visibility so the engineer can see the other workers on the ground as the couple and uncouple cars and throw switches.
I don't believe MRC markets to the savvy user. If you want a horn, bell, and some kind of diesel sound coming out of your loco as it goes around the layout, at a bargain price, MRC is for you. If you want more than that, forget MRC.
hobo9941 I don't believe MRC markets to the savvy user. If you want a horn, bell, and some kind of diesel sound coming out of your loco as it goes around the layout, at a bargain price, MRC is for you. If you want more than that, forget MRC.
Hi HOBO, Having had a response from MRC - I would agree with what you say.
They can't tell me anything more than @EMD Modern Switcher'. It appears that this is all they say to the supplier and just accept what comes as being correct.
As I already said - this is the last MRC decoder that I will use. It was bought as a present by someone who could't tell what engine was what and they just went by the 'EMD Modern Switcher' that was marked on the packing.
For me - it will suffice until funds afford me a more specific purchase and probably end up in one of my British EMU's with the diesel sound set to zero using DecoderPro.
So - thanks to all for the replies - time to close off the thread.
Well, good luck setting the diesel sound to zero. One of the known faults of the MRC decoders, is they operate at full volume, despite all attempts to change CVs or turn down the volume. I have several MRC decoders, that I bought in the early days of sound. To their credit, I have never fried one. But they are difficult to program. You change various CVs, but nothing changes. And they lose their addresses from time to time. One recent problem was an MRC decoder in a D-9. It was completely silent, but the horn would blow. No diesel sound, bell, headlight, no movement either way. But the horn would blow. I finally got it to reset. But you just never know what they are going to do when you turn on the power. I'm pretty much Loksound and Tsunami now.