Hi all,
I just purchased an older HO Atlas S2 Alco locomotive (made in Austria) and want to add a sound decoder. It came with an NCE decoder installed, but if there is a current sound decoder that will fit, I would like to know what’s available. Not much room to work with here. Any Alco S2 experts out there??
Thanks
JRP
I have an older Alco RSC-3 (Milwaukee) that I bought at the onset of sound. I put in an old Tsunami and hard-wired it. It has the characteristic Alco sound. I’m thrilled with it, even though it’s old.
JRP,
For great motor control I would go with an ESU Loksound micro decoder. Here is the description from the ESU website and the direct link:
http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/loksound-select/loksound-select-usa/
You can even listen to a sample of the sound file…
ALCO 6cyl 539T (FT)Equipped with ESU “FULL THROTTLE” features!
MUST use LokProgrammer Version 4.4.21 or newer
The ALCO 539 engine was developed in response to the perceived drawback that ALCO’s line of diesel switchers had a restricted field of vision because of the high hood. Both Baldwin and EMC were offering diesel switchers with a lower engine hood that the trainmen could see over.
The 539T was equipped with the Buchi turbocharger, being made under license by the Elliott Manufacturing Company of Jeannette, Pennsylvania. The first 539T engines were used in S-2 switchers and DL-105 passenger locomotives built in September 1940.
ALCO Locomotives:
S-2
S-4
RS-1
RSC-1
RSD-1
DL-105
DL-107
DL-108
DL-109
DL-110
MLW Locomotives:
S-2
S-4
S-7
S-12
RS-1
RSC-13
As with all SELECT sound files, this file contains up to 16 different horns, 2 bells and 2 brake squeals.
Prime Mover:
CV48=0 ALCO 6cyl 539T
Uses our OLD-HORNS-AND-BELLS template…
Horns:
CV48=0 Nathan Single Chime
CV48=1 Nathan K3L
CV48=2 Nathan M5
CV48=3 Nathan P3
CV48=4 Nathan Old Cast P5
CV48=5 Nathan K3HA
CV48=6 Leslie RS3L
CV48=7 Leslie S3L #1
CV48=8 Leslie A125
CV48=9 Leslie A200
CV48=10 Leslie RS3K
CV48=11 Hancock Air Whistle
CV48=12 Wabco E2
CV48=13 Nathan M3H
CV48=14 Leslie S2M
Check out the July 2020 MR DCC Corner.
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBTaicDsMgw
Joe
TCS is supposedly now shipping a 16-bit version of a 539T in their Version 4 decoders (and will upgrade older ones for $25).
You aren’t going to get a Select any more, but the v5 micro is available, and the 538T file has been updated.
I have an old Atlas S-2, it’s painted in Lehigh Valley but I think I will stript he paint and do it as a Reading. Since everything else has Loksound, I will be using Loksound. I also have a couple of P2K S-1s that have TCS motor only decoders, I plan to upgrade those. Need a non-turbo 539 for those.
In addition to the DCC column, check the DCC Guy’s YouTube channel, he has a video on the install that’s in the magazine, which shows it more step by step. I really like those speakers he uses from SBS, they fit up under the cab roof. And they sound good, most every one of his video intros shows one of his locos that has that speaker in it, plus of course on this install video he demos it once it’s all back together.
–Randy
Thanks Randy and everyone for your suggestions. I watched the YouTube video by Larry and have the MR July issue to work off of. Stay safe guys.
JRP