How important is sound to the realism of your layout.

[Anonymous]

Since Broadway Limited came out with the factory equipped sound locomotives.Do you consider the sound of your engines as an overall part of the realism of your layout.Or is it just a novelty that doesn't influence your decision as to what you buy.
The sounds and the quality of the sounds are to me a paramount in making my layout that much more real.The only engines I buy without sound are ones destined for conversion to sound.

[mustanggt]

I think they sound very realistic, but WAY too expensive for me. I'll start converting when the price goes down on sound decoders...

[camarokid]

Not very much. I've been to layouts where the noise level from the engines makes it difficult to carry on conversations. Perhaps if they only ran one engine with sound it would have made a difference. However, the sounds in my mind are a lot more real to me. I also agree with "mustanggt" in that I simply can't afford them right now or maybe never. Archie

[johncolley]

I find that having sound encourages me to operate more realistically. I have only recently (this past year) become addicted to operation. I model GN in '47/'48 and have so far a pair of BLI E-7's on my Empire Builder and a Stewart FT-ABBA freight set that have been converted to DCC w/sound. I am somewhat impatiently waiting for BLI's advertised NW-2 yard switchers. Part of the trick to reducing overall room volume is a lot of soft scenery to keep the sound from reaching the hard drywall of the room. The trees in the cascades are ideal for this. In your city and industrial areas running the streets and buildings at diagonal angles to the trackhelps a lot, too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mustanggt

I think they sound very realistic, but WAY too expensive for me. I'll start converting when the price goes down on sound decoders...

[#ditto]

[Fergmiester]

I hate to say it but... Yes.

I got my first BLI and tonight was the first time I got to play with it and program it.

Not thinking it was such a big deal at the time I then ran an Aethern "Mike" and it just seemed dead and boring.

However I'm hoping the transition will be a slow and gradual one or I'll be filing under chapter 11!

Fergie

[willy6]

In my house with 2 teenagers, 3 TV's,3 stereo's and phone constantly ringing, layout sound is not a good idea for me at this time,But someday.....................argggggg!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Fergie I hope you get many years of enjoyment listing to your bli what ever one you got./johncolley thanks that is some very good info,I use some forms of sound deflection now due to my partial deafness.I might at times over stress the sound issue in many of my replies and , I hopefully haven't offended anybody,I only have a few years till i will be completely deaf so the sound has taken on alot more meaning to me not only in everyday things but espically in my trains.I would really like to see the prices come down to the point where everyone can experience the level of realism that they bring to your layout.

[mikebonellisr]

I love operating with sound.Now when I run engines that are not sound equiped,it does seem like something is missing.I operate alone,so I'm only running 1 or 2 engines at a time, with maybe 1 or 2 others ideling.With the sound low ,.it's not at all anoying.Most of my engines are programed to have the sound off untill thier address is dialed in.I'ts like the difference between watching black & white TV and color TV

[AggroJones]

When I run 2 BLI steamers at the same time the noise is annoying instead of positive. Only one of them will have the sound audible.

My locomotives without sound will stay that way. I have no plans to add sound decoders to any of them. I've ran trains for years without chuffing and whistling, so sound isn't extremely important for the realism of my layout. BLI stuff just is like a bonus-- I have the option of sound if I elect so.

[twhite]

Having the option of sound is a plus for me, it brings back some really nice memories of growing up with steam. My BLI's and my Genesis are a kick to run, but frankly, if I didn't have sound with them, I'd still have bought them because they're such smooth and powerful runners. Heck, I even invested in and installed a Soundtraxx "Heartland Steam" system with some little speakers around the layout, just so my brass steamers could feel like they were part of the 'new' show. Since the system has a Doppler effect and is programmable for all sorts of variable steam goodies, I have the option of using it or not (mostly using), and I have a nice, comfortable noisy garage. Besides, the neighbors think it's a real kick when they come by. Yah, it's fun--now if I could just find a 'locomotive-scent' aerosol spray, I'd be a REALLY happy camper!
Tom

[hminky]

Sound is great. Steam is sterile without it.
Just a thought
Harold

Ride the Pacific Coast Air Line Railway
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com

[CNJ831]

I bought one BLI steamer, essentially just to run when the grandkids are over. Otherwise, sound is quite secondary to me in operating my layout. Those layouts that I've seen running multiple sound-equipped locos result more in a state of distraction...almost to the level of annoyance....rather than one of reality.

Cost is quite another matter and, in my opinion, if sound decoders (available for both DC and DCC) aren't slashed drastically in price the concept will fade with time the same way onboard locomotive video did 15 years ago.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Do most sound equipped models have a switch that can turn the sound on and off?

[Anonymous]

I have steamers with and without sound. The ones with sound get run a whole lot more. I can buy a Soundtrax DSX and a Digitrax decoder, spend an afternoon putting them in and get several years enjoyment out of that loco. I think that the prices will go down. Look at DCC, it has come down to the point that it is in the grasp of anyone interested in model railroading.

Bob

[Anonymous]

If your running dcc every sound is controlled by a cv so I guess with adv. programming you could turn the sound off.If in dc mode by removing the water hatch on bli equipped steam and adj manually,I haven't looked but the atlas trainmaster with qsi has a wand to adj sound manually.so I guess with a little fine tuneing you could adj the volume levels so only the engines closes't to you could be heard while the others running on the layout could only be heard as a distant sound, untill they passed where you were standing.Funtcion #8 on dcc is the mute button. Good question.

[johncolley]

Railguyho, I too have hearing difficulties. Right now only one of my 10 year old aids is working so it sucks, life goes on. I cut the system volume on my diesel units to about midscale then tweak the cv's for the engine, bell, and horn until i am happy. Too many folks take them at factory settings in a small hard wall room and think that's it! I have just gone to DCC and am having fun learning the potentials. One thing that was funny, (you have to laugh, eh) When I first got my Stewarts running I thought it was awful. The bell was way loud and the horn was just a low "Blaaattttt"! Turns out that is first generation Wabco horn and my battery was going bad in my one aid. New battery and, gee, it sounds a lot better now! Happy railroading and may Santa be kind to your railroad! John

[tomwatkins]

I really enjoy running my sound equipped locomotives. Some are BLI and some are equipped with Soundtraxx decoders. I think sound has added considerably to the fun of model railroading.
Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

johncolley /you think that is funny I sent my intermountain F's back to Loys Toys three times ,complaining about the volume untill just recentley ,last hearing test found out it wasn't the decoder but my ears.Fred Standish who did the installation for me must think i am a real jerk.Theres a phone call i need to make anyone know what eating crow taste's like.And I wish you and yours a very Merry holiday.

[johncolley]

Ha Ha ha I know the feeling and the taste of feathers well. We only go through this vale of tears once, so it pays big dividends to laugh at our follies now and then, eh? Don't get water in your ears or your diesel tanks. John

[Anonymous]

Yes to sound. All of my locos will have sound some day. Sound decoders are a little expensive now, but I'm sure the price will drop when we get some serious competition in the market place. One of the reasons I went DCC is so I can easily activate sound. Now if we could get QSI to sell sound decoders seperately and have the Tsunami come to market, I think things might look up in the sound department.

Guy

Guy

[rexhea]

Sound does add realism (LIFE) to my layout just as lights and figures do. Yes, it can be annoying if you you have too many running at the same time or the volume up too high.

If I want quiet, I simply hit the mute button. If it's too loud... simple adjustment of the CV. You have a choice. Sometimes when I have several trains running, I will operate the sound only on the unit that is an arrival or departure train or the one in the yard.

Expensive? Yes, but well worth it.

REX

[Anonymous]

Well I have only heard one steam engine with sound
I really wasnt hooked enough to want it.
I have a stereo in the tran room that just plays steam sounds
Ihave a few minutes worth of cab noise : engineer and fireman talking
I really enjoy that the most

[cwclark]

I run sound for a short while but if i'm operating for any lenght of time i usually shut it off...the clickity clack of the train sound system gets on my nerves after 20 minutes or so....Chuck

[Anonymous]

Sound is important. I like it a lot. I have been debating whether or not to go N scale or not due to the fact that N does not have sound. Does anyone know of of a way to give N Scale engines sound??

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jdoll

Sound is important. I like it a lot. I have been debating whether or not to go N scale or not due to the fact that N does not have sound. Does anyone know of of a way to give N Scale engines sound??

I have heard of folks putting the sound system - in a boxcar behing the engine. Use a baggage car or express car for passenger trains.
Enjoy
Paul

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jdoll

Sound is important. I like it a lot. I have been debating whether or not to go N scale or not due to the fact that N does not have sound. Does anyone know of of a way to give N Scale engines sound??

Sound is available for N Scale!

Check out this link to view some a sample:

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/s/i/n/nds/nds.html

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jdoll

Sound is important. I like it a lot. I have been debating whether or not to go N scale or not due to the fact that N does not have sound. Does anyone know of of a way to give N Scale engines sound??

Also I believe intermountain is releasing either an ft set or f9A/B with qsi in N scale.

[Sunset Limited]

I think the important thing here is 'what ever satifies you'! I don't have any sound locomotives. Just seeing them run by the scenery makes me happy. I did make a trip to Denver this year to Caboose Hobbies and this great salesman showed me the BLI E-7 SP in daylight colors and once he ran it on the test track, AHH, I was impressed!! But when I saw the price..you guest it ...sticker shock!!!! I can't afford it! And I could live without it for now! I'm satified on what I have!

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railguyho

Since Broadway Limited came out with the factory equipped sound locomotives.Do you consider the sound of your engines as an overall part of the realism of your layout.Or is it just a novelty that doesn't influence your decision as to what you buy.

Short answer is only if it is sound and not noise.

I've been running sound since 1981 or so, so this not "new" to me. I love being able to control a locomotive based on the sound rather than by site. Having a locomotive sitting in front of the station just sort of simmering is a great effect.

One, two, or three locomotives with sound are ok. More than that and it just becomes noise polution and clutter. We had to turn the sound off at a club operating session a few months ago because it was just outright annoying both the operators and spectators. We were having to shout to answer questions from the visitors.

The other thing is if you are getting into realistic - make the sound realistic too. I don't consider the current state of the art to be very good. The steam exhaust is not syncronized to the drive wheels. The cut off and tone of the exhaust chuff is not controlled by the effort the locomotive, and it takes a long time to get the DCC voltage curves set to look tolerable. Likewise the Diesel engine sound is done according to motor voltage, not how hard the locomotive is working. AND none of it gets that low guttsy sound of a real diesel cranking up. This is a speaker and physics problem. The best sound I've achived is from G-scale where I can use dual 4" speakers (arranged similar to a subwoofer). I am experimenting with using the DCC reporting feature to send sound to speakers positioned around the layout next to the locomotive. This doesn't replace the onboard but adds the unidirectional bass sounds missing from the on-board.

The Phoenix sound systems seem to be best. I have high expectations for the Tsunami <sp?> coming out soon (of course they have been saying that for what, at least a year now?), but I'll believe it when I hear it.