I purchased a Blackstone Models HOn3 C19 steam loco this past weekend. at a train show. It is equipped with sound, but not a DCC decoder, as I am only running DC. (DCC is cost prohibitive for me at present.) As explained to me by the dealer at the show, in DC, after applying about 4 or 5 volts the sound will start with compressor pumps working and the hiss of steam and after turning the control knob, increasing the voltage, the whistle will sound 2 "toots and the loco will start to move with the chuffing sound of steam. Blackstone uses Soundtrax decoders.
I have been using older MRC "Tech II Cab Control" handheld controllers, but they don't have the modern electronics in them. They work ok for what I've been doing, but don't provide the smooth operating features of more recent controllers on the market. With the new sound equipped loco, I can get the sound, and the loco moves jerkily and inconsitently, so I looked up new controllers in the Walthers catalog and found the MRC "Blackbox" units. I purchased one, but after hooking it up according to instructions, all I get is the sound (hissing and compressor pumps, etc.) but the loco won't move after turning up the knob.
Are there any suggestions as to what I could use? I'm looking at maybe the MRC "Tech 6" controller. I am asking so that I don't have to keep experimenting with different controllers every week!
Thank you for any help.
Al
Oh, your C-19 does have a decoder in it. It's a Micro Tsunami 750, but it is dual mode. Thus you get sound even on DC. Anytime you upgrade to DCC, it's ready and waiting in there. If you have access to DCC elsewhere, for instance, you can program it there and then the settings will work on DC back on your home layout, too.
The old MRC is probably iffy to try to run the C-19. I'm not totally up on the theory, but the newer motors don't provide enough of a load to work with some types of older power packs? Not sure about either the MRC Blackbox or Tech 6. But any power pack you use should be an up-to-date model that indicates it will run the latest types of motors to work well with the C-19.
If you get stuck, call Blackstone. Their customer service is excellent and they will walk you through a solution.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
astapleford I am only running DC. (DCC is cost prohibitive for me at present.)
I am only running DC. (DCC is cost prohibitive for me at present.)
I'm probably missing something, but if I'm looking at the proper items in the Walthers catalog the black box lists for $76, and the Tech 6 for $130. If you have to pay close to list price, you could have got yourself a nice NCE or Digitrax starter DCC system for less.
Hi Al,
Like already mentioned your loco does have a DCC decoder, it's made by soundtraxx, which is supposed to be compatible with the blackbox. The thing about the blackbox is, it is a DCC system. It converts your Tech II's DC current into a standard NMRA DCC signal. This is why the blackbox is compatible with almost every brand of sound decoder. There are two major differences between the blackbox and a standard DCC system. One is that the blackbox has no programming capability, you cannot modify decoder settings (CV's) with it. The other is that it only sends a signal to address 3, which is the factory default address under NMRA standards. If your locomotive address is anything but 3 (if Blackstone programs the address to match the cab number at the factory, or if the loco was used on a DCC layout previously) it will not work with the blackbox until you program the address back to 3. Anyone with a DCC system can easily do this for you. You say that the sound is working but you can't make the loco move, this means that the loco is getting sufficient power.
I used a blackbox for 2 years before converting to a NCE DCC system. During that time I ran loco's with MRC, MTH and Tsunami (Soundtraxx) decoders without a problem.
I couple of questions to close with:
Did you purchase the loco used?
Can you activate any of the sounds using the blackbox (can you blow the whistle)?
Hope this can help,
Jamie
Cape Vincent Southern Railroad
HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’
My YouTube
To clarify, I actually have a standard gauge layout, as well as a narrow gauge junction to it. I would like to change to DCC someday, but after buying the initial equipment, i.e., command station, throttles, boosters, etc, and then decoders for all my locos, I would be looking at about $1200 in the end. I cannot "absolutely afford a DCC system". I have fairly tight budget.
The loco I bought is new. It is an earlier run of this loco. All I am looking to do, is run it as advertised in DC with the sound. Actually I have a bunch of older DC brass engines that I run just fine. This one is different. I also have a Blackstone K-27 that is DC but no sound.....it runs superbly.
RailfanS,
I purchased the loco new. It is an earlier run from Blackstone/Soundtraxx. I can't activate the bell or whistle. I did call MRC and they also mentioned the address could be the engine number and not the default of 3.
I have a call in to Blackstone and am waiting to hear from them regarding the address possibility. I do have a friend who has DCC and may be able to change the address for me.
Thanks for your reply!
astapleford To clarify, I actually have a standard gauge layout, as well as a narrow gauge junction to it. I have a bunch of older DC brass engines that I run just fine. I also have a Blackstone K-27 that is DC but no sound.....it runs superbly.
To clarify, I actually have a standard gauge layout, as well as a narrow gauge junction to it.
I have a bunch of older DC brass engines that I run just fine. I also have a Blackstone K-27 that is DC but no sound.....it runs superbly.
At your junction is there any dual gage track, or are the two gages separate? And are the two Blackstone engines the only two that you have, or are some of the brass engines narrow gage also?
There's only been one run of the Blackstone C-19, so yours isn't from an earlier run, or a later run. It's from the only run, so far.
It sounds like the DCC address in your loco has been changed, and that can be changed back when you have access to a DCC system.
You alone know your budget. However, you could purchase a Digitrax "Zephyr" system for about $200. It would get you going in DCC and you could wait to pick up the boosters and other things you may eventually need. There is no reason to pay $1200 just for a basic DCC system.
You're missing a great deal of sound features by not running the C-19 on DCC. It will do more than chuff and whistle and ring the bell. Check out the prices online and I think you'll agree that DCC is not the expense you thought it was.
I am probably going to invest in a good DCC system. The $1200 I'm referring to is the total amount over time, i.e., the starting equipment (command station, throttle, power supply, wiring) plus decoders for my locos (sound also!). I figure, if I'm going to do this, might as well do it right. I have started saving for all this, being on a fixed income and all.
I did have a friend convert the address to "3" from the loco number. But, the more I think about it, DCC is the right way to go. By the way, I do have about 10 standard gauge locos that will need to be decoded, too. I have 2 Blackstone narrow gauge locos, but those will be no problem.
To answer someone's question: the narrow gauge part of my layout is not connected to the standard gauge by way of 3-rail, or any other. I am thinking of treating it as a "power district" as you would any other separated (block, for lack of a better term). Also, normally, I would not be using any more than 4 or 5 locomotives at any one time. I plan to consist 2 sets of locos (Geep 35's and 40's) and the others will be switchers, and not all running at the same time, during op sessions.
My first decision will be cab bus or radio. I am seriously looking at Digitrax, since several of my buddies use that system.
Thanks everyone, for your inputs!
astapleford I purchased a Blackstone Models HOn3 C19 steam loco this past weekend. at a train show. It is equipped with sound, but not a DCC decoder, as I am only running DC. (DCC is cost prohibitive for me at present.) As explained to me by the dealer at the show, in DC, after applying about 4 or 5 volts the sound will start with compressor pumps working and the hiss of steam and after turning the control knob, increasing the voltage, the whistle will sound 2 "toots and the loco will start to move with the chuffing sound of steam. Blackstone uses Soundtrax decoders. I have been using older MRC "Tech II Cab Control" handheld controllers, but they don't have the modern electronics in them. They work ok for what I've been doing, but don't provide the smooth operating features of more recent controllers on the market. With the new sound equipped loco, I can get the sound, and the loco moves jerkily and inconsitently, so I looked up new controllers in the Walthers catalog and found the MRC "Blackbox" units. I purchased one, but after hooking it up according to instructions, all I get is the sound (hissing and compressor pumps, etc.) but the loco won't move after turning up the knob. Are there any suggestions as to what I could use? I'm looking at maybe the MRC "Tech 6" controller. I am asking so that I don't have to keep experimenting with different controllers every week! Thank you for any help. Al
In the future, pay more attention to what you are buying.
The Tsunami has to have the dual function, DC, activated by a DCC system first.
DCC requires clean track and wheels, not looks clean but you actually did the cleaning. I use a lint free rag and alcohol.
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.
I came back into MR only a little over a year ago, (HOn3), and leaped into DCC and own only Blackstone engines. (6 of 'em). I started with a Zephyr and just picked up another Zephyr Brand new for $180.00 at a train show, (list is about $225.00). Model Train Stuff also has a decent discount.
The others are correct in saying that if you have the bread to snag a Blackstone loco, even at discount, then DCC is economic child's play by comparison.
I can't over emphasize, as others have, that you need to go to DCC, at least for the narrow gauge.
Leap in now with a Digitrax Zephyr! The pity is, once you do and really experience the C-19 in all its high priced glory and program in different sounds and other features offered by the Soundtraxx, 16 bit digital audio mixer/processor. You'll probably lose interest in your standard gauge stuff. At the very least you will go DCC on your standard gauge as well and after adding lower priced DCC/sound units made by others to your HO stuff, you will long for that C-16 sound quality and start dropping Soundtraxx $100.00 sound/DCCcontroller combos in your best standard gauge engines. As a Barbeque joint in my town says..."a trial makes a customer".
As all the others have said, you need only the Zephyr starter package and nothing else!
Come on in....Th' water's fine.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed