Okay, so I bought a Bowser NC&StL VO-1000 that was DCC ready, but I purchased the wrong decoder for it (I can't get it to fit into the 8-pin plug-in as there are things in the way) so I decided to shelf the decoder I got for future use and purchase a 21-pin decoder. Now, if I were to purchase say the Digitrax 8-bit sound decoder(the SDH186MT to be exact), would I have to solder anything during installation or does it come with a speaker ready to plug in and roll out?
Seth,
You can pick up an entire VO-1000 power chassis off ebay for <$90. Here's the link.
The plus is that it would have the proper sounds installed for a VO-1000 switcher and all you would need to do is add your shell. I would definitely go Loksound over Digitrix. You'll get superb motor-control; just what you want for a switcher.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Well.
Tom:
I just went to the link, and I did NOT see a VO-1000 drive for less than $90. I saw a starting bid of about $90. Which is hardly a guaranteed price. As in: "You can pick up...for <$90."
But, trusting that you know things I don't, and going with your statement, I will gladly pay you $100 ($10 over) for this item.
Contact me for my shipping address.
Ed
SETH CRAWFORDif I were to purchase say the Digitrax 8-bit sound decoder(the SDH186MT to be exact), would I have to solder anything during installation or does it come with a speaker ready to plug in and roll out?
http://www.digitrax.com/products/sound-decoders/sdh186mt/
No speaker included.
This page describes the Bowser V1000 models. I don't understand which models need frame machining and which do not, but I suspect they were pre-DCC ready versoins. They do mention a specific (Bowser?) decoder for sound installation.
http://www.bowser-trains.com/history/vo1000loco.html
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I WILL say that I've got a Bowser GN S-12. I added some weight, 'cause it's kinda light. It is, indeed, a very sweet little switcher. A plus is that it has a cab interior. A minus is that it is still lighter than an Atlas Alco S-2.
As a teensy side note: I photographed the very unit (GN #24) in Minneapolis (in 1963) that I bought as an HO model from Bowser. Yup, waaayy cooool. To me, anyway.
Modeltrainstuff has one sound chasis for $160
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bowser-HO-VO-1000-Powered-Chassis-p/bow-1217.htm
7j43k Well. Tom: I just went to the link, and I did NOT see a VO-1000 drive for less than $90. I saw a starting bid of about $90. Which is hardly a guaranteed price. As in: "You can pick up...for <$90."
Oops! Thanks for catching that, Ed.
That said, I googled and found the #691-1217 powered chassis on the Greenway Products website for $75 each and there are 6 available. And it looks like the website is current.
Hmm, seeing how all of these options presented are higher priced than what I paid for the locomotive...I think I'll go with the non-sound decoder
Okay. If you go with a motor-only decoder, Seth, I'd go with TCS for the excellent motor control. And Loksound also makes excellent motor-only decoders.
tstage 7j43k Well. Tom: I just went to the link, and I did NOT see a VO-1000 drive for less than $90. I saw a starting bid of about $90. Which is hardly a guaranteed price. As in: "You can pick up...for <$90." Oops! Thanks for catching that, Ed. That said, I googled and found the #691-1217 powered chassis on the Greenway Products website for $75 each and there are 6 available. And it looks like the website is current. Tom
Good price. Those are the Soundtraxx decoders, though. I'm quite partial to the ESU ones. Anyway, thanks for bringing this up. I've got a VO-1000 that I think REALLY could use sound/DCC.
My V-1000 was a close out from Modeltrainstuff. DCC with loksound, I love it.
You are correct again, Ed. I'm partial to the Loksound decoder myself and would rather have one of those than the Tsunami.
Yea, I picked up a VO-660 sound chassis (Loksound) from MB Klein back in 2012 for $90. Terrific decoder; sound- and motor-wise.
About a year ago, I purchases a C&NW Baldwin VO-1000 with a factory installed Tsunami decoder. Here is a sound sample.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/playsound.php?s=vo
Rich
Alton Junction