I recently became aware that ESU has made a new sound project available using the Full Throttle features along with new steam locomotive recordings.
Over a year ago I had installed a Loksound Select in an older Life-Like Heritage 2-10-2 and used the available steam locomotive collection sound projects. Honestly, they were pretty disappointing. However, I was anticipating new steam sound files and now they're here.
Most of the recordings are from the Soo Line 2-8-2 #1003 but more will be available soon. The project includes four whistles and two bells, not much to choose from but it is a start.
I've only had a little time to play with the results but overall, it is a big improvement over the former ESU steam sounds and the Full Throttle feature translates to steam beautifully.
As I increase the engine speed, I press F9 to use "drive hold" which maintains the engine speed. Then as I increase the throttle, the exhaust sound sound really starts to bark!
I can simulate a hard-working engine just barely moving, or say, as a helper on an ore drag at ten miles-per-hour. If I hit F9 again the engine will slowly increase speed to catch-up to where the throttle is set, then the exhaust levels off.
The BEMF sound works automatically as other steam decoders offer, but with the Full Throttle you have manual control over-and-above that back EMF sound. I'm impressed.
There are more sound projects in the pipe-line. For now, the Mikado is a good place to start. There's a PRR Banshee whistle included, which I haven't tried yet, but there's a pretty good chance many of my Broadway Limited Paragon 2 and 3 PRR decoders will soon be changed-out.
I have a busy weekend but hope to have a demo video posted soon.
Has anyone else tried the Steam Full Throttle sound project yet?
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/2?type=steam&order=date
Regards, Ed
Ed:
Sounds impressive! (Pardon the pun).
I haven't reprogrammed any of my Loksound decoders to Full Throttle yet. I'll have to get my butt in gear.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!