Which of your Locomotives have sound?

[Phoebe Vet]

I'd love to hear more about speaker enclosures that maximize frequency response.

Any acoustic experts in here?

Putting it in a box car or passenger car would provide lots of space.

[Texas Zepher]

Saves money. I will do a QSI in an 'F7-dummy B' NEXT. Connecting ABBA with 4 separate sound sources is overkill.

I used to think along those lines until I got my last ABBA Empire Builder set from Proto-2000.  They come with two slightly different recordings of the prime mover. I also programmed the two that were the same so they were slightly out of sync.  Then I took the time and programmed them to turn off the whistle & bell of all but the lead unit.  And of course adjusted the specific sound levels (QSI's bell is always WAY too loud).  The result was very nice - almost impressive.

Give it time.The first one to offer 'F7B' dummies with sound, get's my dollar.

I build those.   I use a special speaker enclosures of my own design too, some of which fill the entire B unit shell. Of course I doubt I can do as well price wise as China, as I work with retail priced components.  The one below is on a Stewart frame and has power links to the units both before and after.  Some who have heard them say they aren't loud enough, but I believe most of those people think the Briliance decoders sound good.

[HEdward]

How about a stereo headphone jack at the operators stations?  Using track detection and a volume control circuit, the train sounds can be restricted to only people that want to hear them. 

[faraway]

I am using Loksound 3.5 only. I got some engines with preinstalled sound but the motor control was always substandard. So finaly I selected Loksound because of good motor control and a wide library of sounds.

I started with sound in S1, Ge 44tons, SW8, RS-1, RS-3 etc. I like the sound of that old engines a lot. When I installed sound into GP30, GP38 etc. I was disapointed. The sound was more some kiind of noise. I stopped converting modern diesel engines.

By incident I installed a Loksound into a 0-8-0 and a 2-8-0 and I was deeply impressed. I was so much impressed that I am in the process of rebuilding my layout from Houston,TX in 1980 into a small town in the north east in about 1930 just to have my steam engines with sound in operation.

Switching with a sound equipped steam engines makes me happy like a child 

[lvanhen]

It seems that one of the main difference of opinions here is the QUALITY of the sound.  There are audiofiles that will spend thousands on a home system so they can close their eyes and make-believe they're in the middle of an orchestra.   Some will spend that much to re-record a '50's record - hiss & scratches included!!  There are others who think a 20 year old pocked size transistor radio is good sound!!  My hearing just isn't what it used to be - high frequency loss from Nam + 65 years of other noise has taken it's toll, so to para-phrase, beauty is all in the EAR of the beholder!!  Don't tell me your sound is better than mine - we probably don't hear the same!!  I'm happy with the two MRC decoders in my Challenger & MP15 - it's OK for me but you don't have to like it!!

[trainwomen]

 Hi from OZ,

                Almost all my locos are sounded - I'm too scared to count them all but it must be close to 50. I have been running DCC for about five years and have a wide variety of sound decoders fitted. I guess my preferences are for Tsunami and Loksound decoders but a few of the generic ones have proved to be quite good when tweaked a bit. I was disappointed with the Genesis challenger and Genesis F7s. They use a MRC decoders and they are really touchy and I'm not that impressed with the sounds. Anyway it's sounded locos for me - can't imagine living in silence ever again.

Regards from Downunder.

[Mr. SP]

None of 'em!

[AntonioFP45]

Please answer this question:  Does that clip sound tinny?

I'm perplexed too, that was my answer to your question.  I guess I need to be more direct -  "yes".  Take that recording with you and find a real one to listen to.  Listen to the real one then (as soon as it gets quiet enougH) immediately listen to the recording, then re-answer your own question.  If you still think it sounds rich and robust then your ears are just connected differently than mine.

Of course I have ceased being amazed at people who can't tell the difference between mono and stereo, can't tell the difference between Advent Series 1, JBL, Klipish, Bose speakers, and can't tell the difference between the Marantz vs. RCA stereo systems?    People's ears are just different. 

O.K TZ,

I think I understand your point. 

 BTW: I am familiar with the fundamentals of stereo systems.  My friend, CMarchand, repaired and installed stereo systems years back and exposed me to high end systems from Macintosh, Culver, and Marantz.  Systems where customers (usually doctors and other professionals) dropped $8,000 to $10,000 back in the 1980s for a home set up, with Macintosh being the top choice. 

Yes, Of course sound equipped HO or even G scale locomotives are not going to have the low and even middle frequency responses that the prototypes produce.  My perspective is that of someone who owned cheap transistor radios back in the 1970s. Your analogy, while not far off the mark is not reasonable by today's standards.  I remember the ultra tinny sound, the high total harmonic distortion, the zero low frequency response, the speakers that burned out after a while.  

My point has been that the sounds emitted from factory sound-equipped model locomotives are definetly much clearer and crisp than the tinny (transistor radio type) set ups you keep referring to and while not much, there is "some" low frequency response.  

Just my opinion only as I respect yours, however, my experience so far has been that I've enjoyed sound that's has been installed and properly baffled.  For me, I spent a lot of time during my teen years around prototypes, so these miniaturized sounds today stir up a lot of fond and even emotional memories for me of kind railroaders, some who are now deceased, that made me feel welcome while I was railfanning.

So this is why I'm so enthusiastic about scale sound.  It's not for everyone but I'm so glad to see that it is growing in popularity.

[hdtvnut]

At present, I have about 47, a little more than half, of my non-brass engines with sound.  I started out by buying sound engines, but eased into installations last year. 

Of 28 steamers, 14 BLI, two P2K and a Lionel have QSI decoders, two Bachmanns have Tsunamis and one PCM has Loksound, all factory installed.  I put Tsunamis in a Trix BB and Mikado, a Rivarossi Allegheny and FEF-3, a P2K 2-8-8-2 and an 0-8-0 .

Of 19 diesels, seven BLI, two P2K and a Lionel have factory QSI's, an AMD-103, an Atlas GP-40, and a Kato SD-40 have Loksounds done by Litchfield Station.  I put Loksounds in a P2K FB2 and E7A, an Intermountain F7B, a Soundtraxx in a Stewart F3B and an MRC in a P2K E8A. 

I put a Loksound in a Con Cor Pioneer Zephyr, which was the biggest job, because I developed the sound files for it from video sources of the original 9900.  I also reworked the sound file for my PCM Reading T1 starting with Nick Culp's version, and developed my AMD-103 file from a recording of the compressor and bell shared with me by a fellow whose name I can't find at the moment.

I don't run sound very loud, but to me, the sounded engines take on additional character that I prefer to just motor noise.

Hal

 

[da_kraut]

Hi Scott,

you mentioned about trying to find a location to put a speaker in a ge 44 tonner.  Take a look at this link http://cs.trains.com/forums/1237975/ShowPost.aspx .  Hope it is of help.

Frank 

[Don Gibson]

After installing speakers in a couple of engines I prefer a 'sound car' being part of the consist -  behind the engine.  (a  baggage car and stock car are best).

Saves money. I will do a QSI in an 'F7-dummy B' NEXT. Connecting ABBA with 4 separate sound sources is overkill. So that's the only way they come?  Give it time.The first one to offer 'F7B' dummies with sound, get's my dollar. 

Right now I can get a Genesis/ QSI  B, strip the motor & gears, cheaper than installing sound at Tony's.

Not to throw bricks at Tony's. Labor is labor. Chinese work cheaper.

[steam618lover1]

 Hi Flashwave

   My name is earl I have a proto-2000 berk from walthers, my layout is dc my walthers berk is dc/dcc sound i have three MRC-9500 transformers, with an atlas/bli engineer to run all my sound the engine is a pm 1235, i took the engine to my local train shop and had the 1235 changed to 1225, the only problem the number boards still show 1235, just a minor glitch and put the polar express under the numbers, you have to go to someone privet to get the decals made because walt disney has the rights to it. my decales where made in arizonia, and many decal companies will not do it. the cars i used are IHC heavy weights, NEW JERSY BLUE COMET cars i have four, i used maroon acrilic paint, to paint the strip around the windows, i should be done in a short time, and hopfully i'll be able to have a picture to post. good luck with your lay out, my layout is the cripple and handicap railroad.

                                           Earl

       if you need help with decals email me at [e-mail]

[MRRSparky]

All HO:

(1) Bachmann Consolidation - Soundtraxx Tsunami

(1) 0-6-0 Camelback Mantua (heavily modified, NWSL gearbox) - Soundtraxx Tsunami

(4) Atlas RS-3s with Soundtraxx DSD-100LC for sound only with TCS M-1 for motor/light control (Soundtraxx for motor control resulted in very noisy motors)

(1) Kato RS-2 with DSD-100LC for sound only with TCS M-1 for motor/light control

(1) boxcab (heavily modified and stretched MDC boxcab) with sound in a trailer - Soundtraxx DSX sound-only

The lonely holdout is a GE 44-tonner.  I can't figure out where to put a speaker. 

 

[GLH]

My first sound locomotive was a C&O E7A.  It was by far the most costly locomotive I have ever purchased.   Turned out that sound is addictive (no one tells you that at the hobby shop) and that diesel one got me started on a LOOOOOOONG path to add more.  I have 72 diesels and my goal is to get at least 24 of them sound equipped.  Current count is 20.  That first E7 is to blame for it all.  There ought to be a warning label.

I usually run 3 unit consists and having 1 of them sound equipped is enough.  Otherwise it gets loud and annoying.  Besides, blowing the air horn and ringing the bell is at least half the fun and 1 locomotive/train is all you need for that.  I also find myself muting the engines I'm not using.

I would recommend cutting to the chase and going 100% DCC though.

 

 

[Bill54]

My first sound loco was the Athearn Genesis Big Boy.  Of course it has the MRC sound decoder and is ok but not great.

My second loco with sound I purchased was a Proto 2000 E8/9 with the QSI decoder which is soooo much better in quality than the MRC stuff.

The third one I bought was an Athearn Genesis F7A-B both powered.  Again, the MRC sound decoders are much less quality than the QSI decoders.

The forth purchase was a PCM Chessie Special Steam Loco. 

I have a Bachmann Heavy Mountain 4-8-2  Steamer.  It has the limited version Tsunami decoder in it but sounds great.

A Bachmann Decapod 2-10-0 Steam loco also with the Cheap Tsunami decoder.

And finally 2 Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation's.  One B&O and one Western Maryland both with the cheap Tsunami sound decoders.

That would make 8 sound locos out of 63.  I hope to put sound in a few more of my steamers.  I also hope to do a few of the diesels.

Bill

   

[jbloch]

Just two, my BLI 2-8-2 USRA heavy, and my P2K SW9.  Both QSI--I like the way they sound.  Agree with all of the above discussion: I like sound equipped locos, but if you have several going at the same time can get a little distracting.  I don't plan on adding sound to any of my upcoming DCC conversions.  But if BLI or P2K were to offer an E8 in Frisco logo, well . . . . .

Jim

[Anonymous]

1 personally, my club runs like 10,(yes it is very noisy in there,) and we are by a mainline, it geets pretty crazy iin there

[Texas Zepher]

does saying woo woo count?

I still do that.  Plus Vruuummm,  Vrruummmm, Vrrrrrruuummmmm sounds.

[Texas Zepher]

Please answer this question:  Does that clip sound tinny?

I'm perplexed too, that was my answer to your question.  I guess I need to be more direct -  "yes".  Take that recording with you and find a real one to listen to.  Listen to the real one then (as soon as it gets quiet enougH) immediately listen to the recording, then re-answer your own question.  If you still think it sounds rich and robust then your ears are just connected differently than mine.

Of course I have ceased being amazed at people who can't tell the difference between mono and stereo, can't tell the difference between Advent Series 1, JBL, Klipish, Bose speakers, and can't tell the difference between the Marantz vs. RCA stereo systems?    People's ears are just different. 

[ChessieFan13]

does saying woo woo count?

[anteaum2666]

All of my locomotives have sound except my SW9 (too small, without a lot of work) and an old F7 I only keep because I painted it.  But sound can be pricey so most of these are the LC low cost decoders from SoundTRAX.  I like these decoders, but they are basic, bell, whistle, chuff, blowdown.  I have a couple of DSX decoders, which add Fireman Fred, airpumps, and generator.  These are in my favorite engines.

[Autobus Prime]

Folks:

All of them, supplied by a "neural sound card". Other similar plugins supply rod clank, flange squeak, flat wheel clatter, birds singing, cicadas in summer, towering plumes of smoke, and the wonderful smell of coal smoke and hot oil. You can't buy this device because you already have one. :)

Once in a while we even hear a diesel go by.

[decapod39]

I operate about once a month with a fleet of about 30 steam locomotives, all with sound.  I keep the volume low so that the person running the train, walking with it, can clearly hear it and enjoy it.  People on the other side of the room cannot.  I run PRR steam, mostly brass.  I run DCC and will never go back to no-sound, or no-DCC.  My roster looks like this:

2 0-6-0's class B6 & B6sb - Brass

3 2-8-0's light consolidations class H6sb - Brass

5 2-8-0's heavy consolidations classes H8, H9, and H10

3 2-8-2's class L1s - Brass

6 2-10-0's Class I1sa - Brass & Bowser 

5 4-8-2's class M1 & M1a - Brass & Broadway

2 2-10-2's - class N1sa & N2sa Brass

5 4-6-2's - Class K4 Brass & Broadway

1 4-6-0  Class G5s -Brass

Also looking forward to adding about 3 of those BLI decapods to the roster in August!

 

Bill Neale

[AntonioFP45]

I'm still perplexed regarding those of you indicating that "generally" these sound equipped units sound "tinny".

Click on this BLI link:   Hear the GE AC6000CW's (Click here)

Please answer this question:  Does that clip sound tinny?  

This is one of the sweetest sounding diesel units that I've ever heard.  That Nathan horn, combined with that reverb is pure music! 

No way my lips could ever whistle that tune! 

[Texas Zepher]

One of my locomotives has sound that works while the engine runs on DC.  This has me hooked.  So the question for to all of you is do all of your engines have sound.

Yup, I've been hooked on sound since 1983.   My first installation was in a Rivarossi heavy 2-8-2 with a vanderbuilt tender.  I would guess that tiny percentage of my fleet is sound equipped.  It is much easier to buy them than it is to install the sound. 

Rivarossi 2-8-2 GN
Athearn F7 AB (two)
Most of the older ones I've forgotten about here
Kalamazoo 4-4-0 D&RGW (Fn3)
Bachman 4-4-0 (Fn3)
BLI  4-8-4  Santa Fe #3751
BLI  4-8-4  Santa Fe #3757
BLI  2-10-2 Santa Fe
Trix 2-8-2 Union Pacific
BLI 2-8-2 Missouri Pacific
BLI E7 Wabash
Proto-Heritage 2-8-8-2 D&RGW
Proto-Heritage 2-8-8-2 NP
Proto-2000 U28B Burlington (two)
Stewart FT A-B-B-A set NP
BLI F7 A-B set NP  (wrong horn sounds!)
Proto-2000 E7 Burlington
BLI E7 Burlington
Genesis 4-6-6-4 D&RGW  (Gag cough choke)
Proto-2000 E7 A-A set GN Empire Builder
Precision Craft F3 A-B set undecorated
Precision Craft F3 A-B-A set Burlington
Atlas U30B  SF Kodachrome
Atlas Trainmaster (FM Demo) #2 & #3
Proto-2000 F7 A-B-B-A set GN Empire Builder
BLI SW7 Texas & Pacific

And yes, while I love them all, they all sound tinny except for the G-scale ones.  They do a bit better.  Of course one of them has an 8 oz speaker magnet on a 4" speaker too. 

[alco49]

All of mine have sound! Bzzz, click clack, snap, crack, collide, smash, oh no not again!

[BRVRR]

I have several sound locomotives:

Two BLIs, a Hudson and a Mikado

A Bachmann Niagara with a MRC steam decoder

Three sets of Athearn BB F7s (AB, AA,AB) with Soundtraxx or MRC decoders

A set of Athearn BB ALCO PAs (ABA) with a Soundtraxx sound only decoder in the B-unit.

A ABA set of Proto2000 E8/7 with sound in both A units and auxiliary speakers in the E7 B-unit.

There is an Athearn Challenger with MRC sound.

A Proto2000 Berkshire with BLI sound.

A Spectrum K4 Pacific with a Soundtraxx decoder.

And a Spectrum SP J Class with a Soundtraxx decoder.

The last four locos belong to my 11-year old grandson but reside on my BRVRR layout.

None of my GP-type locos have sound yet, but the new BLI aftermarket decoders are tempting. When they are readily available, I'll give them a try.

One or two locos with the sound on are enough. Even when the sound is turned down, as it is on all of the above locos, it can be overpowering on the small BRVRR layout. About half of the time I run the trains with the sound off. But it is nice to have the option.

[AntonioFP45]

Yes, sound can become annoying.......so keep it a low volume generally. 

If you are running several units on a layout that are not mu'd together, than have only one or two making music; again at a low volume.  Like pasta sauce , sound is designed to "complement" not "overwhelm" a model railroad. 

It's to be enjoyed ,  especially by those of us that have been up close and personal with prototype locomotives.

[Tjsingle]

I have one sound locomotive which is a atlas B23-7 in Conrail Quality paint #2011

Tjsingle

[nscaleboy77]

all ya gotta do is warm up the old vocalizers

 

chugga chugga chugga chooooo choooooooooo!