ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll – February 26, 2003

[lupo]

DCC Yes, sound; if it is HIFI: YES PLEASE, but because the sound is very LOW FI no thanks, to get a realistic diesel or steam sound you also need the very low frequencies of the audio spectrum, but the tiny speakers inside a locomotive are not capable of reproducing these low frequencies so IMHO it degrades a very nice model.
Maybe if there was a hookup possiblity with a pair of separate sub-woofers you could add somewhere underneath your layout or a complete computerdriven sound system that works on digital feedback about speed, brake etc. from the locomotives involved, that would be nice, you could hook up normal speakers and FEEL your locomotive drive by!

[Casey Feedwater]

I have avoided moving to DCC up to this point because it's been my impression that there was a lot of soldering involved with decoder installation. And that did not appeal to me at all. But now that more manufacturers are moving to offering locos with decoders preinstalled, I may make the move to DCC sometime within the next year or so.

[orsonroy]

I voted for very important. In fact, it may wind up being "mandatory" for me.

I finally got my new BLI USRA mike about a month ago, and it's changed the way I look at modeking steam. Since I haven't converted to DCC yet, this was my first sound-equiped engine. Previously, I had heard sound at train shows and thought it was a neat toy. Shortly before I got my BLI, I had the chance to operate on an all-steam, all sound-equipped layout, and my impression of sound moved to "one of these days..."

Now that BLI has allowed me to enter the sound realm without having to move to DCC, I want it bad! I'm eagerly awaiting the eventual day that QSI releases their sound boards as seperate sale items. I'll buy boxes of them! I'm also waiting for them to come out with more steam and 1st generation diesels that are more friendly to mid-sized layouts (ditch the articulateds, BLI, and start coming out with consolidations!) and whi9ch are more correct for my layout locale.

Sound is now a virtual must-have for me, especially with steam. I love steam because of it's mass and raw power, much of which is it's sounds. We'll never see effective steam effects in HO scale, but sound is possible. With sound, HO scale steamers transform from another plastic box on wheels to almost the real thing. Besides, being able to blow the whistle and ring the bell is fun! I'm glad the Lionel guys aren't the only ones to have this sort of fun any more!

[bikerraypa]

I'll be Mr. Cop-Out and say "all of the above". I'd like to see most locos offered with three options: DC, DCC, and DCC w/sound. That keeps them acceptable to everyone. For the tinkerers who want to save a buck, buy the DC one and install your own stuff. For the techno-dolts like me, buy the fully-loaded option. Since most new locos are DCC ready anyway, this wouldn't be a terribly complicated thing for manufacturers (or even retailers) to do.

[ShaunCN]

I still run DC. no need to have dcc and the price of instaling decoders woud be high as well.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea that they may/are come DCC and Sound preinstalled. I am planning additional purchases because of this feature.

[mecovey]

I'm building a large railroad and have numerous DCC equipped engines. I have one engine with sound, a Broadway Limited 2-8-2. The smooth running quality of this engine has been a real pleasure and the enhancement of sound that is already installed is most appreciated. The time I save over installing decoders (sound or otherwise) allows me to work on other parts of the railroad. I plan many additional locomotive purchases (mostly steam) and I will ONLY purchase those that have sound decoders installed.

I applaude BL for their efforts in introducing cutting edge engines able to run on both DCC and straight DC with sound included. Kudos also for keeping the price down. I got an excellant performing engine with DCC and sound installed for not much more than the price of some sound decoders The Mike that I bought is the first of many.

I agree with the previous post that when a number of engines that are sound equipped are runing if can be an assualt on the ears but if the volumne is turned down to a "scale" level it's a fantastic expansion of the WGH.

[JoeUmp]

While I don't have DCC yet, it is something I plan to add later. So DCC ready is an option I like. As for sound, I'll burn that bridge when I get there.[:)]

[rhettsease]

At present I don't have DCC on my layout, but I may want it in the future. Then it would be nice to have all the bells and whistles that go with it.

[Anonymous]

DCC is most important tp me and as I am starting a new layout it will be wired for DCC only. I hate throwing toggle switches from block to block and fined it very annoying and non prototypical especially on a small layout. I like custom sound especially if it produces the sound of the loco that its in eg articulated vs non articulated etc. But I can install my own DCC and sound if necessary so locos that come equi[p[ed with both are not quite so important.

[Anonymous]

I think that on my model railroad I might add sound to helpers but that would be it.

[Anonymous]

Really one more answer needs to be put in there... Not interested in DCC at all.

That is really the choice for me.... to much money to invest for a turnover costs for a new system... if I'd do that in the costs, I could have some top of the line Ham Radio gear.

Too much RTR, Plug and Play type stuff, detailed out... the hobby got lazy of the days of when it was affordable to do, kits were the thing, and add on the details you wanted...

Biggest thing is the less Amps the new motors pull over the older ones sure are nice, and I repowered a few of my old engines to new motors.

Remember, this is a hobby to me, and it comes after other mandatory things in life... if I get some time to do some work, then I get it done. Items I have had for 15-25 years still works great for me.

DC forever.

Ron

[CJBeard]

I am in total agreement about using DCC. I would not mind paying the extra to have it come factory installed. I don't see myself buying sound, as yet. TOO darned expensive.

[Anonymous]

Just as some of the other reply's, I'm building my first layout (actually, it's the first time I've been able to have a dedicated room). I've been collecting my trains for sometime and I like the idea of a DCC ready loco, but option is more important to accomodate a budget. Sound - that is a bonus for me. Thanks - Doug Lauten

[Anonymous]

I have not yet heard a sound equipped loco but I would guess that the additonal cost of adding it at the time of manufacture is minimal compared to installing it after purchase. I have yet to try DCC as well, every time I think about using it there seems to be a new and more wonderful (and cheaper) decoder on offer!

[Anonymous]

Ya Gotta be mad !!!!! no sound is like living in the dark ages, have you ever....... but ever stoood on a railroad track ( waaal alongside) with a train goin by and NOT heard sound....... it is the absolute , but absolute, expression of realism, no amount of running to timetables or what ever will ever come close to running with sound..... and to have DCC installed is just a bonus

Lou A Hocken New Zealand

[Anonymous]

Wait, there is a switch to let the DCC decoder know it's on DC, right?? Or would you have to take it out to run it on DCC?

[alpreston]

I voted not important at all - I think both DCC and sound should be user-installable options. Having them included from the start simply drives the price up, and for people who don't want them, makes it harder to rationalize the purchase. Personally, I would NOT buy a locomotive that has them preinstalled.

[Anonymous]

I already have about a dozen decoder-equipped engines on my HO railroad. No Sound. BUt.... It sure is tempting IF there is a way to keep the volume down. Then it does not become "noise". However, up here in Canada PRICE.
I was in my local pusher's today emquiring about the new Atlas Trainmaster and was told that when it arrived in August or September, sound-equipped locos would be about $350.00 Canadian each! If that remains true, not many are going to get very many. DCC-equipped locos is a very good idea as long as manufacturers provide non-DCC'd engines also. Sound presently seems that bit too much. (It seems to double the cost of an engine with DCCalready installed to add sound.)
My 25cents worth.
Rod.

[Anonymous]

im going to install DCC in my system in the next few months when I get time so it will make starting DCC easier

[Anonymous]

DCC ready is good, but with a DCC decoder allready installed! Awesome!!!! Sound would be cool in 2 or 3 locomotives, but not all of them. It turns into noise after a while, so I hope there's a turn off switch for the sound.

[ragarrett01]

Keep ready for DCC and both can have their engines. If all the locos came with
DCC decoders already installed I believe you would lose a lot of young modelers.
I just switched from straight DC to computer control because I like the idea of
automatic layout operation. Now I can control the layout (lights, sound and switches)
manually or automatic by computer. It will also operate DCC if I had it.
When I show my layout, I put it in automatic so I can talk and point out different
things while the trains run and stop at stations and start back by computer.
I studied DCC and computer for over a year before going to computer.
I spent a lot less $300, about the same for DCC, not counting decoders.
I run five engines, two trolleys and a gandy dancer at the same time by
CTI's computer system. DCC is fine for running engines, but I like the choice
of running the whole layout, manually or automatically. Leave the choice
to the modeler.

[Anonymous]

The Old Dog thinks that the hobby needs more critters like GE 45 tonners and 44 tonners, fireless steamers, small shays, heisters, and climaxes, forneys and so on.

Small locomotives and DCC don't mix due to the limited space available. If everyone demands DCC, the hobby will lose these small be interesting engines. Could have Varney made their dockside if they have the fit DCC inside?

Have fun

[Anonymous]

Since only one of my current stock of HO locomotives is DCC-friendly, sound isn't a big deal. It would be nice to have, but once I start building my inventory of locomotives, then I'll consider sound. Gotta have a good chuff for the steamers, though, coordinated with the speed of the locomotive.

[Anonymous]

I think that these advances in technology are great, but unless the decoders can automatically switch between DC and DCC, they are not feasable for those of us who don't have $300 or more to sprig for a DCC system, but keep up the great work......... Technology is a GREAT thing!!!

[dragenrider]

I would love to have sound, but I'm not into DCC. Having engines which know which system they are on is a bonus. I'll go to DCC...one day....

[Anonymous]

VERY IMPORTANT ..... I believe it is called 'progress'. Without progress, we would still be assembling fairly crude (by today's standards) freight, passenger and MOW cars and also very plain, heavy, crude locomotives with 6 volt motors. And to top it off, we would have seven or eight 'popular' couplers which would look and operate very poorly compared with what we have become accustomed to in the past few years. My brass collection will never all get decoders, nor will all of my other metal and plastic locos. But the few that do get them, will join some of the new 'fully loaded' locos which are becoming available. We are in the 21st century, aand we've come a long way. I plan on continuing to enjoy the progress.

[Anonymous]

Sound is a nice thing to make your layout realistic, but not a need. [2c][#ditto]

[Anonymous]

I have been into DCC for about one year. Would never go back to block control. Don't mind installing decoders in DCC ready equipment but have resisted starting from scratch, i.e., wiring an older loco. I am very interested in sound and would prefer factory installed. A steamer and a diesel with sound are on my Christmas list. I hope I can be a good boy all year. Burt

[ClinchValleySD40]

I love buying a loco with a decoder preinstalled. The Atlas GP38 is a fantastic engine.