Here is my most recent project - adding sound to a Stewart/Bowser DS-4-4-1000.
Since I have no idea what a Baldwin engine sounded like I fitted one of the new Soundtraxx DSD101LC decoders with 1st gen EMD motor sounds and a 1" oval speaker(8 ohm).
Here is an unmodified chassis block and circuit board with 8-pin plug.
I cut away much of the front chassis weight to lower it to the same height as the rear weight - ie just above the worm gear housing.
I also stripped out the circuit board and cut the plastic holding lugs from the motor housing.
After adding some lead above the motor as a heat sink, I wired up the sound decoder, using the salvaged resistors from the circuit board for the LEDs.
The speaker is fully enclosed in a baffle made of plastic sheet and all holes are sealed with Squadron putty. the LED for the front light has been taped to the top of the baffle.
I have managed to fit everything under the loco’s hood so as not to mess up the detailled cab interior at all, something I was keen to avoid.
Jon, here is a link to some Baldwin Locomotive sound files and short videos. A Baldwin sounds nothing like an EMD diesel. A EMD diesel is a 2-stroke and Baldwin is a 4-stroke. I don’t know if anyone makes a decoder for a Baldwin yet, but Precision Scale Models is coming out with a HO scale Sharknose with LocSound in December of 07.
I have a alternate solution using a Loksound decoder and the newly downloadable Baldwin VO sounds from the ESU website.
Check out the following:
I used the smallest oval from Loksound (100 ohm). I used the existing metal box surrounding the front truck as a forward baffle; white styrene pieces were used to “finish” the box enclosure. A piece of Kapton tape was used to isolate the LED contacts from the metal frame of the speaker.
The loco’s shell will create an infinite baffle for the back pressure. Dont let the size of the speaker concern you; the sound is a loud as many other installs with larger speakers. I removed the thick LED retaining clip and replaced it with a piece of .020 styrene of the same shape with notches cut for the LED’s leads. Enough room was left to add weight to the body, improving the traction. I can pull at least 20 to 25 cars on straight and level track. I took it to the my local RR club; the growl of the engine and the cool single chime horn made it the “belle of the ball” that evening.
Good timing and great work. Last weekend I finally got a NCE N14IP installed in my Stewart Katy. At my LHS several weeks ago I was able to listen to a LOK sound engine (4 stroke) and it is amazing. I have to put one of these in mine.
Thanks, guys for you photos and descriptions. I got my DS4 in my Frisco logo a few months ago–only description I had read on adding sound was on Tony’s website–there he evidentally removes the interior detail from the cab and adds the speaker there–I like your method much better.
