Model signals and & engines

[Anonymous]

This is my first time in the model railroad section of the forums, but I am not new to modeling. I am serious about realism on my layout, and I was wondering, Does anyone know where I can get an HO scale locomotive with ditch lights and a horn and bell? I have sen some at train shows and became interested in the model, but not the price. It was very tempting, but I thought I could get some cheaper elsewhere. The salesman said that it contained a microchip that operated the sounds and lights. I am very interested buying. Another thing, I find realistic signals hard to find at a good price that are easy to assemble and use. Does any one know where I can get single and double headed searchlight signals and the new triple light signals. I have an idea for a way to make signals realistically, and I'm going to try and get it patented and marketed. Any working graade crossing signals? Thanks!

Brian

[Anonymous]

Hi Brian,

They have quite a bit of what you are looking for in the Walthers 2002 catalog. But, the key is...they are NOT cheap. A lot of the signals and detection units to trigger the signals are highly expensive. If you have any electronics know-how, you can build your own. Parts are readily available at Radio Shack, esp the little green and red LED lights for the signals. You would need opto sensors for the signals to be triggered by trains though. As I said, Circuitron makes a lot of what you are looking for, but they aren't cheap.

As for locomotives, most require microchips for that kind of thing to work-bells, lights, etc. I haven't seen too many of those that are cheap either. Some good ones will allow lights, though I haven't seen anything with a bell. Circuitron also offers kits for locomotives-bells, lights, etc, and they offer FRED units too. But, again, they are not cheap. Most items they carry are around $30-50...

Hope this helps.

-Wolv33

[Anonymous]

The bottom line is... For "realistic," detailed craftsmanship... you have to pay the craftsman. This EBAY society has gone nuts, and forgotten that we pay PEOPLE for their talent...

OOOOppppss Time for my meds...

[Anonymous]

Have you considered DCC? One of the advantages of DCC is the cool lighting effects that are available. Ditch lights as well as Mars lights, strobes, etc.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf4me

... Does anyone know where I can get an HO scale locomotive with ditch lights and a horn and bell? I have seen some at train shows and became interested in the model, but not the price. It was very tempting, but I thought I could get some cheaper elsewhere. The salesman said that it contained a microchip that operated the sounds and lights. I am very interested buying.

With the exception of the Broadway Limited locos, I think that all sound and light effects beyond "constant lighting" require DCC.

As other posters have noted, it is a great system that often seems expensive at first, but if you consider the amount of work, wire and switches that go into cab control, it is on par. The only "ongoing" expense is decoders for new locos, turnouts, or light installations you want to control through the system.

However, when you venture into sound territory, it can get quite expensive. There is a beautiful soundtraxx sound decoder for the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 that sounds fantastic, and adds a whole new level of realism. But... the cost of the decoder is more than the loco, and is getting relatively more expensive all the time as the loco price continues to drop.

Andrew