Thanks all for the opinions! Going to order a set -- A-unit from TW and B-unit from my LHS via Walthers. Thanks again!
I have a pair of F7A's and love them! I have pulled 34 cars with the pair and they could handle more. I really like the sound. I don't need to hear the toilet flush. I run them as much as my BLI F units.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I have one that I got to make my AB set from Proto-2K be a ABA set.
It is a decent puller, (not great, but not a wimp either) and details are not too far off.
As some have mentioned, it is a very stripped down sound value decoder however, so, it is limited in options.
It works well enough for my needs though.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
There are reviews on You Tube about Bachmann sound values.
Just be aware, the sound decoders are stripped down SoundTraxx decoders. Some do not like them. I have seen some comments in the Bachmann forums about the missing CV’s.
I have a couple Bachmann Spectrum with onboard SoundTraxx sound but I am not a rivet counter so they are ok for me.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/239783/2701662.aspx
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
The complaint I see most often with sound value is that the sound starts immediately when you power up the layout. I don't think that is adjustable via CV's but I could be wrong.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Whoa, the deal just got slightly sweeter, as Walthers has the B unit on sale for $84.
Train World has Bachmann Sound Value FA/FB-2s at a price that's almost too good to refuse ($99). Any opinion on these locos? I'm thinking an A-B set would go nicely with a fellow club member's Bachmann RS3s. My only experience with Sound Value is the S4, which seems to be a pretty decent little locomotive.