Tru-Blast horn in GG1?

[arkady]

I've got an MPC 8150 Lionel GG-1, and it's a fine locomotive in every way except one -- it has no horn.

I've been considering trying to mount a Williams TruBlast horn in it.  But I've never actually seen a TruBlast in the flesh, and I don't know if there'd be room for it inside the GG-1's body.

Has anyone successfully done this?

 

[phillyreading]

Not sure if you have enuff room for the True Blast 2 horn. If it is the full size, or scale GG-1 you may have room after removing the old horn unit and installing the T.B. 2 unit in it's place. The only thing about the True Blast 2 horn, is that you have either diesel or steam to choose from, no horn for an electric locomotive.

[azflyer]

 

I installed the True Blast Horn in American Flyer Northern 4-8-4 Tender (as pictured) This would give you some idea to the room you need. The sound card & Speaker measures :

• board dimensions: L = 1 1/2 ", W = 1 3/16", H = 1 1/8"

• speaker with sound enhancer dimensions: D = 2", H = 1 1/8" ( I didn't use the O scale speaker. It worked great with 8 Ohm , 2 watt speaker).  

 

You can view the updated pictures and video on the installation of the True Blast II horn at: http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/p/adding-sound-to-af.html

I liked the sound so much, I'm ordering the True Blast sound card for a diesel installation I'm working on.

AZ-Flyer

 

 

Pictured above: shows Bachmann Sound Board # 00246

True Blast II Whistle & Bell (Steam) 

with the Lionel Speaker #003-01 8 Ohm, 2 Watt, X75

 

 

 

[arkady]

Azflyer, I like your idea of using a smaller third-party speaker.  What is a "sound enhancer," though?

 

[rtraincollector]

I beleive its a round piece of plastic to direct the sound.

[azflyer]

arkady

Azflyer, I like your idea of using a smaller third-party speaker.  What is a "sound enhancer," though?

I did not use a “sound enhancer” with this speaker installation. It just worked out great by putting the tender shell back on the chassis. You have to play around with speaker, this time I just got lucky by staying with an 8 ohm 2 watt speaker for the True Blast sound card. There is a lot of self-enclosed speakers made for HO, S, and O scale model railroading. 

 

I would use the DHB28-Box Speaker that is an 8 ohm, self-enclosed speakers from Train Master Hobbies.  It measures 28 mm x 28 mm square. The speaker is only 13 mm deep and its self-enclosed. This would be a great fit for an S-Scale installation. You can go larger or smaller depending on the scale your working in. Just stick with the 8 ohm 2 watt speaker in using with this sound board. 

Let us know how this works out for you, and I’ll keep you informed on my next diesel sound installation. 

AZ-Flyer 

 

[arkady]

Thanks.  When I'm ready to start tackling this project, I'll post the results here.

 

[SantaFe158]

phillyreading

Not sure if you have enuff room for the True Blast 2 horn. If it is the full size, or scale GG-1 you may have room after removing the old horn unit and installing the T.B. 2 unit in it's place. The only thing about the True Blast 2 horn, is that you have either diesel or steam to choose from, no horn for an electric locomotive.

Diesels and electrics usually use the same type of horn.  The PRR GG1's had the same horns used on earlier diesels.

[RRaddict]

I have done this and it works great. Just make sure that you place the speaker in the correct position.  There should already be a speaker opening in the chassy. I had to mount the TB II speaker on the side of the shell to get it to fit. It works great and is very easy just locate the hot and ground on the reverse board for an easy power connection.

 

Kevin

[arkady]

Kevin, the 8150 MPC GG-1 is strictly conventional, with a mechanical e-unit.  No pre-existing speaker opening in the chassis and no reverse board.

 

[rtraincollector]

arkady if I remember correctly you should have plenty of room in there to mount all you want. now the question comes how well will the sound come out with no speaker holes per say. you still should get some good sound out of it. I my self really don't care for the TB II as it is a set sequence but other do so all I say thats up to the owner. I like the availability to put my own signals out right or wrong lol.

If it turns out your speaker is too big you may have to mount it on its side in the sound enhancer which still will be fine.

I put the TB II in a tender once and it was fine and did a good job.

Good luck

[phillyreading]

[RRaddict]

Turn the speaker with the open portion of the speaker facing up instead of down when mounting it to the side of the shell. The sound will be projected up instead of down.  If you cannot find anywhere to put the TB II circuit board mount it to the top with some doubled sided foam tape.  It has a pretty thin profile and shouldn't touch anything.  This is the way I have it in mine.  I have had it this way over a year and still holding strong.

[lionelsoni]

Here is what a GG1 sounded like:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O08jyhPcKFc

[Kooljock1]

I replaced mine with a ERRCo Sound Commander several years back.  I used the original Williams speaker installation, and just added the ERRCo boards.  The SoundCommander gave you horn, bell, and generator noises.

iU1Gs 6p3A

 

Jon 

[azflyer]

 

I did the installation of the True Blast II sound card into the American Flyer Combination Car with the 8 Ohm high bass speaker that measures 28x28x11mm. Product # DHB-8 

Very small, with "great sound" and just right size for any S-installation.

watch?v=tw5xcTWLtRU&feature=youtu.be