Love the sound on my Proto 2000 NYCRR F units espically when pulling into a station with the bell ringing and the brakes squealing.
Hi Jim,
Greetings from Downunder
Can't say I have experienced the problems you have stated about slow running locos in DCC. I have about 50 sounded locos, some new and others upgraded. I have a home layout but many of my small locos are used on my exhibition switching layout, the largest being a GP7. These locos run at very slow speeds, Probably a scale speed 15mph through numerous switches and double slips with no problems. If you are looking for a reliable sounded swtcher, try a BLI paragon 2 SW7. They run at super slow speed and sound pretty good too.I have three and they are great value coming in at less than US200 even when shipped downunder to Australia. As others have mentioned, I also have a preference for Tsunami decoders, particularly their steam decoders. I also give a "thumbs up" for ESU Loksound as I find their decoders particularly good where pickup on a loco is limited and there is a chance of a break in signal. I have succesfully fitted them in a HO Bachmann 0-6-0 and 44 tonners and had them running at slow speed without any problems.
I belong to a club and also have a small shelf switching layout at home (both HO). At the club when several members are running trains with sound it does get annoying after about 20 min. as they tend to have the volume turned way up.
Personally I have two sound equipped locos. A BLI 2-8-2 Mikado and a P2K GP30 both equipped from the factory. I also have a P2K Berk that I installed a MRC sound decoder in (big mistake). I will not attempt to install an aftermarket unit again. I may buy a factory installed sound loco if the price is right.
What dismays me now is the tendency of the manufacturers to offer only DC or DCC with sound. Nobody is making factory installed DCC without sound anymore.