Depends - one of the reasons I got a Lokprogrammer is because the Select 4 didn;t have the horn I needed for my RS3 as one of the built in selections - Reading and a few other railroads used the M3RT1 3 chime with one angled up and facing back over the cab, and the other tro facing front, mounted on a bracket in the top center of the front (long hood) cab wall. The actual horn casting is available from Cal Scale, they call it a D&H horn. Loksound's library of sound files you can download to put together your own combinations does include this horn, so I used a V4 and swapped the horn sound slot with this one from the library. It's just another detail I need to do to my Atlas models - remove the single chime horns installed on top of the hoods, plug the holes, and attach the correct detail part.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
hon30critterIt should be possible to change the horn sound to match the model
It's CV 48 but that's a CV like CV 29 that controls multiple things. Maybe we should call these cluster CV's. It controls prime mover sound, bell rate, horn and brake squeel.
On the Select the Leslie 200 is 6, Prime mover choices are 0,16,32,48 Bell (slow/fast) 0 or 64, brakes 0 or 128. You add up your choices and write them to CV 48
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
hon30critterIt should be possible to change the horn sound to match the model but it will take someone with more knowledge than I have to explain how to do it, and I suspect that you will need access to a LokProgrammer.
While the LokProgrammer is a handy tool, it is not a necessity for choosing the different sound types on the Loksound decoders. The Loksound manuals list the different type horns available and what CVs need to be changed to which value.
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the RS3s were generally Leslie A200s. The one on my NYC RS3 is a single-horn with a pretty long neck.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
hon30critterThe locomotive sounds really good! Did you do the install or did someone do it for you
Hi Dave
Thanks for your reply
Yes I had someone instal the decoder
The horn does sound multi tone and im not sure if there other horn sounds built in, the previous horn was more of a "tugboat" style sound
Thanks for bringing this to my attention
Phil
Edit..Dave you got me curious
I went back and listened to both videos i have as a before and after sound
The horn is a single horn and really shound have a monotone
..but it does have a blended sound
When im home in 2 weeks I shall endeavour to fix this
BigDaddygreat job
Thanks Henry
Hi Alco_Pop,
The locomotive sounds really good! Did you do the install or did someone do it for you?
I would make one small observation about the horn sound. The locomotive has a single horn but, if I'm not mistaken, I'm hearing a multi horn sound from the decoder. It should be possible to change the horn sound to match the model but it will take someone with more knowledge than I have to explain how to do it, and I suspect that you will need access to a LokProgrammer. In any case, I apologise if I seem to be too picky. If your happy with the horn sound then leave it alone.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Somehow I missed your post, great job.
ba&prrI would use the Lok Sound SElect Direct. Just remove the decoder and replace. The RS3 has a speaker in the fuel tank. It should be an 8 ohm one. I don't know if this will work with the Lok Sound, or has to be replaced with a 4 ohm speaker.
https://youtu.be/hI9PGIWI9MU
Here is the install
Loksound 5 with sugar cube speaker
As someone pointed out V.5 replacing most other decoders..
BigDaddyMaybe that's when they will arrive from China. See what you think at 30:50, alhough you should listen to what he has to say earlier in the vid about 3D
Thanks for the update Henry
My Bachmann RS3 is undergoing the decoder swap now.
It will be ready in the New Year
Unfortunately im back to work for 2 weeks and wont pick it up until the 15th
Meanwhile Bowser's revised delivery of their RS3s is now 28th March 2020
Lee English (Bowser) was on the latest What's Neat. My impression was he was very pessimistic about "engine" production in China, but he did not specifically mention the RS 3. He said he "should be back in the engine business early next year"
Maybe that's when they will arrive from China. See what you think at 30:50, alhough you should listen to what he has to say earlier in the vid about 3D
BigDaddyPost pictures when you get them!
will do Henry
Alco_Popyes , I have ordered 2 Bowser DCC ( Delaware and Hudson)
Post pictures when you get them!
rrinkerOr just hard wire a decoder to the wires.
Im taking the RS3 to a friend in my local hobby shop and may do exactly as you suggest.Hardwire a V5 Loksound Direct .
I return home from work on Thursday and should have an answer by Friday on the direction I will take for this project
BigDaddyYou are a more patient man than I who canceled my order a year ago. Supposedly they will be here in January
i seen that the ball started rolling with the RS3's years ago and they are now almost scheduled for delivery
ive only been back into the hobby 12 months fom a 30 year absence
also Bowser's original price has been dropped by $60 over at factory direct trains and cheaper still at Trainworld, however Im in Australia and get slugged hefty postage but delivery is usually within a week
tstage So you ordered the two Bowser RS-3s DC/DCC-ready?
So you ordered the two Bowser RS-3s DC/DCC-ready?
yes , I have ordered 2 Bowser DCC ( Delaware and Hudson)
Yea, I already have two decorated Atlas RS-3s so I don't really need another one. I do have an undecorated RS-1 and S-2 that needs painting & detailing. Those are waiting in line behind the Stewart FTA-Bs that I need to finish detailing...
Maybe next run. Or I can always get an undec and paint it. Not like I don't have 6 Atlas Undecs to paint...
Yea, if they offered an NYC version I would probably get one...
They are Executive Line models - to they will have all the grabs and lift rings and all that. I expect etched windshield wipers like their other Executive Line models as well. Maybe an new sound project, since Loksound is right there and they are close to the D-L railroad which still uses all sorts of old Alcos in revenue service.
I just wish they were doing Reading. Then I'd buy some.
Alco_PopIve ordered 2 Bowser RS3's that will have added extras in the future, as for the Bachmann, it will be my "test mule"
You are a more patient man than I who canceled my order a year ago. Supposedly they will be here in January.
The DCC Loksound version is $70 more than a DC version from a NY mail order firm. That's cheaper than I can buy a decoder and speaker. Who knows I may still end up with one, after I see some real pictures. Currently they are using pics of the prototypes for their different road names.
They're all equal in that regard, really. All else being equal, the brand of the decoder isn't going to make a difference int he level of difficulty.
tstage Alco, According to one of the vendor websites your Bachmann RS3 comes with an 8-pin socket. With that being the case, I would go with an 8-pin Loksound decoder. Will you be programming/installing anything more than the front & rear LED headlights? Tom
Alco,
According to one of the vendor websites your Bachmann RS3 comes with an 8-pin socket. With that being the case, I would go with an 8-pin Loksound decoder. Will you be programming/installing anything more than the front & rear LED headlights?
Looks like this might be the right time to finally try a decoder installation project. Anyone have suggestions regarding easiest decoder to try - ESU, TCS WOW, Tsunami2? I have locos running all three and I like all three
rrinkerThat's the information for the DCC motor-only version. The Sound Value version, on the features list, says nothing about an 8 pin plug.
Thanks for pointing that out, Randy.
That's the information for the DCC motor-only version. The Sound Value version, on the features list, says nothing about an 8 pin plug.
These all almost certainly have a simple board to connect the track pickups, lights, and motor terminals - meaning it is eay to just take that all out and install a board repalcement decoder or a motherboard type of arrangment and plug in a 21 pin decoder. Or just hard wire a decoder to the wires.
Tophias,
Here's the feature list that Bachmann posts on their website for their RS3s:
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but the 2nd feature (unlined added by me) would seem to imply that the Soundtraxx Value decoder can be unplugged and replaced with an 8-pin decoder of choice - sound or non-sound.
Just to be clear (not always easy for me), I too have a Bachman RS3 and not impressed with the Soundtrax Value decoder. Is the installation from Bachman a decoder plugged into a board? Can I just get a 8 pin decoder and unplug the Soudtrax and plug in something else? I’ve never hard wired a decoder so this would work for me if possible
Alco_Pophe also has the Loksound downloder software
The software is free, but you can't download a sound project into the decoder unless you have the programmer itself, so be sure to buy the decoder with the correct sound.