Does anybody still use PFM sound systems?

[UP 4-12-2]

I think a lot depends on the speakers you have and the placement under the layout, etc.

Subsequent to the PFM sound system their were other nicer systems that came out, including one from Dallee Electronics.  I'm sure my one friend would still be using it if he hadn't briefly gone to jail for odometer fraud (I'm not making this up) and had to sell his HO brass collection to pay for legal fees (again, I'm not making this up--I helped handle the sale of the brass collection to John Glaab).  Sometimes you can't pick--or don't really fully know--what your "train friends" are like in their "alternate life" or "real life" (outside the train room).

But I digress.

Others have asked this question lately--and other responses I've heard were just that in some cases the PFM system was simply worn out.  It's been a long time now...

As I'm not a DCC guy--and never will be--if I had the opportunity to pick up a functioning PFM sound system for a song, I might just be inclined to use it.

John

 

[jrbernier]

  I saw one a couple of years ago at a train show - For Sale.  There were no takers by the end of the day.  I remember when they came out in the late 60's.  The steam sound was not too bad, but the 'bell' was rather horrible  and the whistle was the best sound.  I know PFM later released a reverb unit, and an updated system.  By the mid 70's, PFM imports were on the wane and on-board sound was making itself known.  The PFM sound system piped the sound over the rails to a speaker in the tender.  There was no electronic chuff sync, one had to use the cam or insulation method to trigger the chuff.

  Also by the mid 70's, the hobby seemed to be going to walk-around throttles and early command control like the CTC-16.  Sound was sort of left in the dust by the 'operator' types.  I remember going to layout tours at NMRA regional meets and there always seemed to be one layout that featured a PFM sound system with one or two sound equipped engines.

Jim

[emdmike]

I would love to find one, affordably or even just get it out of my hair type deal to play around with on my small layout.  I only run 2-3 PFM locomotives, nothing else.  I love the old school stuff when it comes to trains, wood kits, older engines, the smell of ozone and hot oil from open frame motors.  Hope to hear from some folks that still use the system ect.   Mike

[emdmike]

Just curious if anybody still uses the old PFM onboard sound systems anymore?  If so, how do they sound when compared to all the DCC stuff we use today?   I have heard the new stuff obviously, but never seen a PFM system operating in person.    Mike