Davidmbedard HELP!

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

David,

Will I be happy with this loco as long as it contains a tsunami sound decoder? How can I trust they will send me one and not some crappy MRC sound decoder?

(From Modeltrainstuff (MBKleins website)

Features

  • Now equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Sound Decoder
  • Key Features
  • Researched from the prototype to match specific units
  • Factory installed onboard sound and DCC decoder
  • Genesis driveline with dynamically balanced five pole skew wound motor and dual flywheels
  • Directional constant lighting
  • Highly detailed fuel tank
  • See-through fans
  • Cab interior
  • Factory installed Celcon handrails
  • Detailed Information
  • DCC Mode Features
  • Compatible with all NMRA standard DCC systems
  • Programable for either 2 digit or 4 digit address
  • Programable start voltage
  • Programable acceleration/deceleration rate
  • Programmable top voltage
  • Programmable speed steps
  • Programmable individual unit sound volume
  • Advanced consisting
  • Access 9 accessory sound functions
2

Well…with the description, the first point says “Tsunami”. They cant send you one with an MRC decoder…

On the other hand, I have had some Athearn MP15s that had pickup issues. With these issues, it doesnt matter which decoder you have in there, you will have problems with electrical. There is no obvious fix for this as the issue is in the bearings on the axles. The holes in the bearings are too large for the axle…the result is poor pickup. This issue is hit and miss…you might get lucky…and you can always utilize the Athearn service department.

The Athearn units also suffer from detail-itis…yup… a condition where a shell suffers from too much detail. They tend to break off with no notice and are very difficult to re-apply without lots of glue…yech. The handrails do not like to stay in their holes either. Atlas locos have almost as much detail, but their details tend NOT to break off.

Athearn build quality is iffy…but the shell is beautiful, from 3 feet away. You might find some factory applied details that are put on crooked or are missing altogether. The problem is that they are glued on at the factory.

If it is all the same, I suggest the Atlas units over the Athearn units. Get the DC version. You can get them for a good price, and will be able to install a Tsunami into them quite easily with a Tony’s trains micro speaker/baffle. With the Atlas units, you will be guaranteed that they will run just beautifully. Yes, you forfeit the beacon on the cab…but…who cares?

David B

3

Dave,

Speaking of the handrails, I only have a few Athearn RTR units and I added a QSI Rev U sound decoder to an SD50 over the weekend (my first RTR upgrade). The sound installation went fine but as you point out, the handrails ke

4

In terms of the handrails, a bit of CA on the end of a toothpic will keep them in place.

While buying Atlas units already equipped with sound is a neat idea, there are some places where QSI just isnt as good as the Tsunami…and in the MP15 units this is one of them as the Atlas sound is just too generic.

David B

5

Thanks for your reply. The only reason I was looking at this one is the price. $139.99. I’ve got a non sound Athearn MP15AC unit I had to tweak a little because it growled at me, but other than that its a fine loco. I agree, Atlas is the best.