ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll – February 26, 2003

[Anonymous]

Having watched the sound-decoder situation for several years, I was likewise dismayed at the -then - very high price of a sound/DCC equiped loco. Enter Broadway Limited - WOW. Great loco's, sound and DCC at what I consider a reasonable price. Finally we have some competition in the sound arena. As my railroad goes together in the attic, my fleet of locomitives will transition from my local (DC) club to my (to-be DCC) railroad. Sound will be added, or already equipped locos will be purchased. BLI's SW7 and Atlas' H24-66 are already programmed for purchase as they are considerably cheaper than buying sound decoders, speakers, and all but re-engineering the locomotive. This may change if current prices change. Noisy, that's what the volume control is for. BLI says it all - Operate in silence no more!!!

[mikebonellisr]

DCC & sound have added a new element to model railroading for me.It's like going from black and white T.V. to color.Yes, too many sound equipt locos running at the same time does get overwhelming but you can always keep the sound low or off on engines on the ready track or in stalls.It,s nice to have the option.

[Anonymous]

I like the dcc and sound both, but I model in N scale and would like to see more done for that scale! Thanks!! Bob

[Anonymous]

[:D]
I agree with Stan. I am in N scale and have seen and heard a N scale A-B-B-A set of engines with DCC and sound installed. It was awesome to say the least. With a lot of engines with sound running in N scale the sound would be more muted than with HO so at the engine house the sound would'nt be so bad. Besides you can always turn it down or off. To walk along with youe train as it traverses you rails with the chuffing and churning(steam) or whinning and growling(diesel) of the engines gives you that feeling that you are really there not just watching a train from a distance. DCC definatly, sound if at all possable.[8D]

[Anonymous]

Hi folks,
I am fulfilling a life long dream of building a model railroad. Been 2 years at now. I started with a simple transformer, then to Aristro Craft, and on to Digitrax, best move I ever made. The wiring is so simple that a dummy like me can do it. Programming? thats a little tough, but I am getting the hang of it. I have 1 loco with sound, when it get too much I pu***he 8 button and it's sillent. I do agree about choices,"with or without" and the price should reflect the same. I do not think this will be a problem for the manafacturers, they can do it.

Happy Railroading
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Just recently upgraded to DCC and have a couple of Loco's with sound. What a difference! The realism and memories of my youth come flooding back. Keep those Loco's with sound coming.
PS the more produced, the lower the price point.

Bill G.[8D]

[Anonymous]

What happens in HO is important only insofar as it indiactes what we might get in N in the not-to-distant future. [;)]

[johncolley]

Once you have gone with sound there is no turning back. To those who find it noisy remember that the sound levels are adjustable and can be turned way down so that they are still there but not an objectionable level. I love my pair of GN E-7's from BLI and can't wait for the switchers. I have found that a lot depends on how close it is to a hard surface such as drywall. In the open or where there are brush and trees there is no reflection. I will gradually convert my other locos to sound or if they are duplications I will sell them/donate them. One of the things I like to do is give excess rolling stock to youngsters just starting out, to add to their starter sets. John Colley

[Anonymous]

I voted not important because you were addressing HO. If it were with regards to "N", my reply would have been "very important", since that is what I model. Also, with regards to DCC equipped locomotives in "N", I have been advised by some dealers that they will not order locomotives decoder equipped because, as they state, "no one will buy them." Would love to see sound, but think that is very unlikely in the future. My layout is DCC equipped and some of the installations are not that easy to install, .ie steam and small switchers, whereas plug and play is no problem.
Al in SC CN/CP modeller

[decapod39]

Sound is critical for realistic operation, IMHO. The last 2 locomotives I purchased were the BLI M1a's. I was able to buy them by selling 2 brass M1a's (not DCC or sound equipted) and make a very small profit. Since I am installing sound and DCC in all my engines, the RTR quality and value offered by these BLI engines was just outatanding. I only have so much time left in this world, and I would rather spend it running my trains instead of reengineering old engines to carry sound. Manufacturers, please keep going down this path.

For those of you who have experienced the sound equipted engines that sound like noise, I have sympathy. If the sound system is turned up too loud because the owner thinks that "railroad locomotives are noisy", the result is unrealistic and sometimes painful. The engine should only be heard at points where it is close to the viewer, not across a noisy room.

[Anonymous]

I have many locomotives and run them on several different layouts and for me right now DCC and sound are not of great importance. However I am building my own home layout and it is DCC equiped so having locos DCC ready is becoming more important, as it will save me money in the long run.

[Anonymous]

DCC and Sound ready, i.e. wired, but let me decide on the name brand and install the decoder and/or sound module if I choose to do so.

[Anonymous]

Friends...
I like both features. And remember about the "competition" thing, between manufacturers...the more of them offering these options, the better the chances of lower prices. Example: I'd like to see Life-Like Products use sound in their Proto series.[8D]
...Richard

[tomwatkins]

I run DCC and sound, so having the option of buying off the shelf locomotives with both factory installed is nice. The most important factors are suitability for my layout and quality, in terms of how well they run. Installing DCC and sound isn't that difficult. I'd rather have a locomotive that runs well and is properly weighted and balanced out of the box than one with bells and whistles. Incidently, I have just gotten my 3rd BLI heavy mike and really like them. They have good weight, they run well, and the DCC and sound are already done. As far as the noise level in the railroad room goes, I find that adjusting the volume level for each locomotive down to a low but audible level really helps.
Tom Watkins

[LuthierTom]

One of the things which is important to me with ANY electronics (including locomotives) is "backwards compatability" - the ability to interface with existing infrastructure. For locomotives, this means the ability to operate on conventional DC layouts. I think BLI has shown the way here by producing locomotives which will operate with or without sound, and on DC or DCC layouts without the operator having to change anything. Yes, it costs a little more, but it covers the entire market, including those of us who have not felt the need to go DCC.

[nfmisso]

After hearing my BLI A's, my said that all my locomotive should have sound, and I already have a DCC system..... As a result of this, my focus is narrowing, and surplus equipment is going to go on ebay to fund a narrower and smaller (though still very large) collection.

FYI; I have put my order in for two sound equipped Atlas FM H-24-66 in Virginian - my story is the N&W tested them when they arrived.....<G>

[Anonymous]

Not interested in HO, but if offered in N scale it would be a different story. I believe it would add a more realistic effect. I am a strong supporter of DCC and have used it sence starting in the hobby.

[Anonymous]

I think the industry must move with the times. As technology becomes available, use it or make it an option at the time of purchase. In order to attract and hold the attention of up and coming modelers I believe technology will play a big part.

[Anonymous]

When I started my layout DCC was not on the market. I used the old system and am still using it, so I have no use for decoders. That said though if I was starting over I would probably go with DCC as it seems easier to install and superior. That said I feel that for at least now it should be an option as there are still a lot of DC layouts still around and it wouldn't be worth the extra costs

[Anonymous]

With reference to the ecomonic law of less cost per greater quantity produced, if a decoder was installed on every piece of motive power the cost per unit would be minimal. Those who did not wi***o use it would simply "turn it off".
Standardizing the decoders to a few types would allow motive power manufacturers to "design in" the decoders easierly. This would help attract new people to the hobby insuring the industry's health. NMRA do your thing!

[Anonymous]

I don't have DCC and probably never will! So the idea of sound is very exciting especially because my road is almost entirely steam run (you do know that diesels are just boxes on wheels don't you?) I recently purchased the BLI mikado and am in love with steam locomotives all over again. When I build my layout it will have block control and since it will be small enough for 2 or 3 operators I see no need for the expense and complications of DCC. Tom B. Mojave Sierra & Rio Grande RR

[lceeg]

Keep the sound, drop the DCC

[Anonymous]

Well all I have right now is DC and one DCC ready Loco. Sound is ok to a point. I prefer to be able to just use what I have for now and like for it to stay as a ready for DCC and not be the only way to buy a new Loco. It should be as a choose if you wont it one way or the other. My train budget is tight right now and so the new Loco is out of the quistion for me.
Trainman18

[Anonymous]

I'm building my first layout since I was a kid (if you really called that a layout) I am going with DCC. It will be nice not haveing to add decoderes to loco's but not the biggest thing in the world

[Anonymous]

$$$$$$$$$! I'm retired. $$$$$$$$$ out of my pocket when I buy a new engine.
I'd like to have 1(ONE) engine equipped with sound, but not at $150 to $200. To me,
after 45 min. of sound, I begin to hear a noise. I was a guest at a local club during a
DCC demonstration. I sat through 15 min. of sound from a diesel loco and 45 min. of noise.
I do not find fault with those who prefer DCC and/or sound. I feel this shoud be the
individual modeller's choice. DCC is great if someone doesn't like to run wires and flip
toggle switches. It probably is easier to operate mutiple powered engines and no doubt has other positives.
Maybe I'm old fashioned. I've been into model railroading for 54 (fifty-four) years. DCC and sound? I recall a steam engine construction article by Mel Thornburgh in the early
1950's. If my memory serves me, Mel used a piece of hollowed out broomstick for
the boiler. How many of you guys remember Mel? He was one heck of a modeller
who ranked very close to Frank Ellison and John Allen.
Fishwagon

[Anonymous]

Standardize the systems to work DCC, or analog, as the modelers out there have VERY differing requirements. Myself, it's been 45 years of enjoyment, and I welcome improvements. I have about 6 units with DCC/ analog features, the rest of the 126 powered units do not. Will I install DCC in all these older units>not in this lifetime. Analog and sound is fine for now, rewiring the layout?---well lets not discuss it here.Operating the railroad will always be first.

[Anonymous]

Before, While I was a supporter od DCC. I was planning an using my existing DC infristrucure for the time being on my present layout. But now that I have experienced sound in my locomotices. I am converting whole hog.

[theghan]

i like it when they install dcc decoders as our club has moved this way ,not too interested in sound at the moment maybe later when the price drops

[Anonymous]

On a small layout, such as my "N" scale layout, I have no need for DCC but do enjoy having a sound system built by Tri-tec, with speakers located at strategic spots. The sound system along with a LED signal system really adds class to the layout

[Anonymous]

I would like to get into DCC but I don't feel that sound is mandatory to go a long with it. I like the idea that the are Dcc and sound ready.