Cheap & Easy Sound

[Anonymous]

Hello all...
Since I'm new to this forum, I figured I'd start with something easy. I am looking to install a digital horn / bell in my MPC Penn Central GG-1 similar to a setup like Train America Studios True Blast II. Unfortunately, the TB II horn is a multi chime horn and the G's only had a single chime. I'm not looking to install TMCC with railsounds, just something to make up for what is lacking. With the modern electronics of today, there has got to be something available, I just have no idea where to start.

[Anonymous]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the board!

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

As for your question, I'll have to let someone more in "the know" answer it. I hope you'll have fun here.

[Anonymous]

Lionel makes a horn board with a speaker you can install in your loco. Go to your local Lionel service station and ask them to sell or install the horn board for you. I'm the Lionel tech Where I work and I install them all of the time. The board is about $20.00 and the speaker is $6.00. Usually what I charge to do this is $20.00 to install the system. If you need the part numbers, I can get them for you.

[Buckeye Riveter]

A Big Buckeye Welcome to you.

Have you checked out Digital Dynamics, a competitor of Train America? Who knows they might have exactly what you are looking for.

[brianel027]

Notch, one other avenue to go - which may or may not suit your taste - is something like the MRC Sound Station 312. It is a totally separate unit that you simply plug into a wall outlet. It has 2 speakers which you place above or below the train board. It also has a controller with functions for a variety of sounds including crossing bells, train rumble, motor sounds, horns, whistles, etc.

Granted if you have a large layout, this may not be for you. But if you have a smaller room size layout, the sound will be effective. And as for the cost, for an initial $50 investment, you will have a variety of sounds that will work with different types of locos without the hassle of putting sound boards and speakers into all your locos.

If you can find a dealer where you can demo the Sound Station, that might help you decide if this is for you. I've also heard that MRC is coming out with a second Sound Station with more sound effects.

Just another idea for consideration. Welcome and good luck whatever you decide.

[spankybird]

HI Notch 8,

Let me be the SECOND to give you a big buckeye welcome (we also live in the buckeye state)



Join in often.

Good to see your posting Brian


tom

[ChiefEagles]

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] Glad to ahve youa round. Visit the "coffee pot is always on" and tell us a little about yourself.

[cnw1995]

I would echo Brienel's suggestion about the Sound Station. MRC had an older Sound Station - which you can probably find for $10-15. This weekend I hope to hook it up to get a 'poor man's sounds' on the layout. I has a diesel horn and whistle you can adjust with a slider - you can really work a unique 'call' with it - also steam chuff or diesel noise you can speed up or down and make louder or softer. Of course, since it's DC, I can't hook it up to the rails, but it's fun to manipulate by hand...

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the warm reception. Looks like I will probably install a horn from a Williams E60 (which is getting TB II) into my Lionel G. It actually works out well -it will be virtually identical in sight and sound to my Williams PC GG1.
By the way will stop by the coffe pot, don't drink coffee though, (runs right through me) Mountain Dew works much better.

-Happy Father's Day

[Anonymous]

Pete,
Do you have a part # on the Lionel horn board?

[Anonymous]

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

The MRC 312 is fine while you think things over.