Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Which of your Locomotives have sound?

9260 views
97 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: NYC
  • 551 posts
Posted by corsair7 on Friday, July 11, 2008 10:36 AM
 HarryHotspur wrote:
 MisterBeasley wrote:

"Get one sound engine and you're hooked."  Yup, that sounds about right.

I bought a Proto 0-6-0 with sound, and then added sound myself to an Alco RSC-3.  Next was an SW-8 switcher, which I found with sound at Walthers for $100.  Then, it was a BLI Hudson, again purchased with sound.

I just finished adding sound to a trolley car, using a downloadable Digitrax sound decoder.

Next, I'll probably look into adding sound to one of my GP-9's.  They don't get much action anymore, unless, as you suggested, they're consisted with the Alco to make some noise.  I'd also like sound in my S1, but that's going to be a tight fit.  (The SW-8, a similar engine in size, needs traction tires to make up for the low weight of an engine filled with a speaker and electronics.)

The old, old, noisy Athearn F7's probably aren't worth it.  They're too noisy all by themselves.  The subway cars can't be heard, as they spend their days in the tunnels.  The other trolley, maybe, and the other Geep will likely get sound in the future if the first one comes out well.

You need to get those things kids call "bass shakers" and hook 'em up to your stereo. Then when the subway comes by your whole room will shake. Very realistic. Smile [:)]

Yeah, we New York City residents know that. They say the Empire State Building sways because of the winds at those heights, but we know better since there are lots of subway tunnels all around it. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Irv

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: NYC
  • 551 posts
Posted by corsair7 on Friday, July 11, 2008 10:41 AM
 nscaleboy77 wrote:

Well since im in N Scale and unless i buy a 500.00 broadway limited that wouldnt match anything im modeling, i like to make the train noises myself.Wink [;)]

CAABooom, clash clash, inshatttt insssshatt, ca cling, ca cling, trough trough trrrrough, woooooooooo, wooooooo, chugga chugga, choo choo, troughhhh troughhh troughhh. Tongue [:P]

I thought of doing that but my wife already thinks that a 59 year old playing with trains is already on the edge of senility. If I make the sounds she'll really think it's already set in! Besides I save the sounds for when I'm watching Victory at Sea reruns. Evil [}:)]

Irv

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Friday, July 11, 2008 10:44 AM
none, and probably the only way for me to get sound is buy a Kato SD40-2 and fit it w/ an MRC plug-n-play decoder. I have no tools to make room for a speaker, in any loco. 

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 359 posts
Posted by BigBlueConrail on Friday, July 11, 2008 11:25 AM
All of my locos have sound.
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Long Beach, CA
  • 207 posts
Posted by pathvet9 on Friday, July 11, 2008 1:11 PM
Jon - thanks for doing my homework for me on the decoders. I will listen to the other S2 clip as well.  Smile [:)]
Cheers, Jake ---------------------------------------- Patience when resources are limited
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Long Beach, CA
  • 207 posts
Posted by pathvet9 on Friday, July 11, 2008 1:20 PM

Jon - just listened to your great videos and love the whistle on the FM H15-44. I think I remember hearing that when I was a kid on ACYRR.

Question - how easily did the Soundtraxx fit into the RS-1 and the FM H15-44 cabs?

 Confused [%-)]

Cheers, Jake ---------------------------------------- Patience when resources are limited
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: England
  • 1,269 posts
Posted by jon grant on Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:17 PM
 jake9 wrote:

Question - how easily did the Soundtraxx fit into the RS-1 and the FM H15-44 cabs?

 

 

The decoders fit quite easily into the long hood. The hard part is finding somewhere to fit the speaker afterwards. (I made an enclosure that fits in the cab space and the short hood.)

Here is a similar example for an RS2 - the plastic sides around the speaker have a top made of electrician's tape so I can access the LED if necessary, but still provides the necessary 'box lid' for the speaker baffle

 

Jon

Sweethome Chicago is now on Facebook

Sweethome Alabama is now on Facebook

Hudson Road is now on Facebook

my videos

my Railimages

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 166 posts
Posted by mmartian22 on Sunday, July 13, 2008 9:56 PM
 have over seventy loco's of which over 2/3 has decoder & sound in them  third of these are  early 60's  & 70's steam engines .some of these also have open frame motors of which gets interesting at times .once you buy one   you can.t seem to stop.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!