Any More Reports / Suggestions on Soundtraxx Soundcar?

[peahrens]

I went to our local (New Braunfels, TX) semi-annual model RR show today and heard the Soundcar first hand for the first time.  Overall I was inpressed, as I think it will add to the experience on my layout so I plan to add a trio to a freight and see how I like it.  I anticipate a satisfying project.

I've not seen a lot of comments here lately (found one thread on lack of similarity to newer, welded rail sounds) so I thought I'd ask for an update:

   - if you tried it, how do you like it?

   - what pickup trucks do you suggest (I looked at 70T Athearns today)?

   - what speaker types have you tried / do you suggest (requires 8 ohms)?

   - other insights / suggestions?

Thanks for any info / advice.

[gmpullman]

I installed two, so far. 

In one case it was very useful as it was in a Kato C&NW cab car for the push-pull bi-level so now I have a bell and a horn, I use the generator sound too to mimic air conditioning blower noise. Unfortunately, I only have two horn* choices, both wrong, a K5LA or a Hancock air whistle. (Why did they pick a somewhat rare Hancock?) I mounted the speaker facing down through some holes I carefully drilled in the floor.

[edit]  *there's actually 3, a Wabco E2 being the third.

The other one I installed in an Empire State Express dining car and I have the generator sound cycle on and off to mimic air conditioning sounds. These cars didn't have diesel generators but with the volume set low it works fine for my needs. I took out an end door and mounted the speaker there since the floor was way too complicated to try to cut open.

The wheel clacks, occasional flange squeal and air brake hiss is a nice effect when kept in moderation.

I have been looking for an early New York Central mechanical refrigerator car to install some in but the only thing out there is the blue-box model AFAIK. All the other offerings are a bit too modern for my layout.

Of course, the passenger cars already had pickups. For freight cars, I to use the Athearn caboose trucks with the bronze/needlepoint axel pickups. They pick up on all four wheels. I cut off the molded-on generator.

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG61383

I see they now offer 70 and 100 ton roller bearing trucks that don't have the generator molded on.

I wrote to Athearn hoping they would consider making an older, friction bearing truck with electrical pickup but never got a response.

They are fun and a low cost addition but I don't plan to add too many more. So far I haven't used the Magic Wand consisting method, I just assigned the same DCC address to the SoundCar that the lead engine has.

Regards, Ed

[RDG1519]

I am trying one out in a Reading Company P2K Caboose, HO Scale.

So far I like it. The programing was simple.

I am using Kadee pickup trucks. I also used the capacitor to keep the sound alive as it goes over dirty track etc. I did not know Athearn was offering pickup trucks especially roller bearing.

Consisting with the magnet (not supplied) works well.

[peahrens]

The Athearn 70T and 100T freight trucks look to pick up on both sides.  I saw a Kadee on MBKlein that just picks up on one.  I wonder if the dual pickup on a pair of Athearn trucks will provide reliable enough pickup for nil interruptions and save the $ on Keep Alives.  I guess I'll have to experiment.

http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?CatId=THCT

 

On the Keep Alive front, could a standard (correct voltage, etc) capacitor be substituted to save $?  I used a 1000 microfarad Radio Shack cap in a GP9 that did the trick.  Not as space efficient as the supercaps in the Keep Alives, but not an issue in a box car.  If ok, I'd guess equivalents to the Radio Shack types would be inexpensive from DigiKey, etc.

[Geared Steam]

I put one in a caboose, drilled holes on the bottom, used an oval speaker with no encloser, it works great and sounds great. I used Woodland scenics light diffusing window film over the windows. 

I used Ring Engineer's Power Pickup Truck, they also offer a non power pickup truck to match the other. I chose this method as I feel the quality, hence durabilty is there.

Per instuctions, you will want to mount the decoder on the roof so you can activate the "consist" by sweeping a magnet across it.

Speaker, nothing fancy, recommended for use with the decoder from the dealer.

I like the decoder and concept, although this is the only car at the end of a train, the sound it emits is such that it seems to come from random cars. I only use the rail joiner, brakes and flange squeal. I will be getting more of these soon for ore cars.