So, I have a great neighbor, and friend, at our place in northern WI., and he let me use an HO 2-8-0, Bachman Spectrum with sound, because he has switched to N scale, so I could experience a loco with sound. None of my 90's to current diesels have sound.
Wow, it's great. My sights are set on the SD45's, from Walthers, lettered for the WC. I'll figure out how to adjust volume, etc, once I have it.
I use Digitrax, Super Empire Builder.
I had to dig through my "out of service/time period" storage container, and find cars that fit the late 30's and 40's time period, add trucks, wheel sets and couplers, to make it all work.
I have read that the 2-8-0 was a popular loco and work horse of it's day, because of the 2 wheel in the front.
It's a whole lotta fun!
Mike.
My You Tube
Nice to have such neighbors.
Yes, sound is addicting and it doesn't take long.
If you have the decoder manual that came with the loco, adjusting the sound should be easy. If not, find out what the decoder is and go to the manufacturers site for instructions, I've printed off several. I have ann NCE system, but I'd presume adjusting volume and choosing different horns, bells and whistles with your system isn't any more difficult than with mine.
Good luck,
Richard
Mike:
Nice neighbour!
Most decoders actually have several sound volume adjustments. There will be a Master Volume (CV 63 on Loksounds for example) as well as volume settings for each individual sound. For example, if the bell sound is a bit grating, you can turn it down without affecting other sounds.
You will want to keep a record of the adjustments so you can set it up the same way should it require a reset. I use simple recipe cards, but lots of people use JMRI to both program and keep track of CV values.
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
A fun fact. The 2-8-0 was the GP9 of steam.. It could do a yeoman's job from working a yard,pulling a drag freight,a local or it could work a urban local as easy as a branch line in the back country.Need a engine for a mine run or work extra? The 2-8-0 was your engine. The very idea behind the RS-1 was to replace those 2-8-0s as a all around locomotive.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"