Good evening all,
Normally I post on the CTT site, but I have a question that might be better served here. I have a small 4x6 layout that I run with DC power. I would like to get Broadway Limited engine so I can have some sound (most of my O and Standard Gauge stuff has some good audio). I made an inquiry as to what sounds were obtainable and this was the answer : With a DC throttle only you will just get the engine revs and running sounds. If you were to purchase something like a DC master you could then also get the horn, bell and change CV's on the engine.
My question to the group is what is a DC master and what brands and models would fit that category. Thank you in advance for whatever attention you can render on this matter.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Back in the age of 'Quantum' sound, there was a device called the Quantum Engineer that gave control of some of the sound functions when running the engine on DC. Someone here can tell you what the counterpart device for the more recent decoders might be, or what software and hardware combination would give comparable access.
Mike, I think MRC Tech 6 would do what you want.
The DC Master is a control box that goes between your DC power pack and the track to control Broadway's sounds (slightly). It only works with Broadway Limited locos with Paragon 2 and 3 sound systems. It gives more control than you can get with DC alone, but not control of everything it can do. It does not eliminate the "turn the throttle way up just to get the sounds to come on" issue with running any DCC sound loco on DC.
The MRC Tech 6 can run both DC loco and FULLY operate DCC locos of any brand. Because it is basically both in one box. In DC mode it works like any DC power pack. In DCC mode, you have full control of the sounds on DCC sound locos. Since it acts as a DCC system in DCC mode, there is none of that having to turn up the throttle for the sounds.
Except for MTH's HO locos, all brands of DCC sound locos fully work with all brands of DCC systems or a crossover system like the Tech 6. It's not like the different systems from the different vendors in the hi-rail market. If you are planning to get some HO (or N scale) sound locos, I'd say at least get the Tech 6 - sound locos just don;t work well on straight DC. It all comes down to if you want to have the loco sitting still but still simmering away, or if you want it to be running down the track at half speed before it makes a peep - the sound electronics need power to run. So you have to turn up the throttle to the point where a regular DC loco would be moving at a decent speed just to get the sounds to start, then after that, the speed of the loco starts increasing. With DCC, the track always has full power, so it works fine, you can have all the sounds you want without the loco turning a wheel.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you all for the replies. It gives me food for thought. I hope everyone has a good day.