Hello all,
I have 2 Lionel TMCC scale steam engines that have the wireless tethers and Railsounds. Problem is, they only chuff twice per revolution. Without installing aftermarket boards and such, is there a way to get 4 chuffs?? I tried the owners manuals, no luck. Thanks in advance!!
Nope, sorry.
[sigh][sigh][sigh] NO [sigh]
NO it cannot be changed–I have an MTH with four chuffs and it just sounds like a noise to me. I am going to take it to the store and have them change it for me. to be honest though I am use to the Lionel two chuff and that could be why I don’t like the four.
No… don’t do it … I have 3 0-8-0 non TMCC locomotives (2006) that because of the small wheel drivers the sound produced is more like machine-gun fire… really sounds bad. I wish I could change it 2 chuffs per rev…
The size of the driver is your problem, not the 4 chuffs. If the drivers were scale (larger diameter) then the sound would be more prototypical. For example, if you ever get a chance to hear the new Legacy Big Boy you will appreciate the 4 chuffs more.
Hmmm should add it to my Christmas list… wish I could afford it. But your right, also since they are non TMCC the engines sounds at low voltage are very soft, so you cannot hear the chuffs when they run slow…
Thanks guys, that’s what I figured. I was just wondering if there was a way to modify the sensor. I watched the FEF video and it sounded very cool. Even though my two steamers are scale, 2 chuff will have to do…[:(]
What type of trigger is used on the locomotives you want to modify? Is it mechanical (aka a cam) or is it magnetic (Hall effect). You can add more magnets but modifying a cam is going to be difficult.
Re the machine gun sound effect. That’s what a real steam locomotive sounds like at speed. Most people have only seen/heard the engines from TV"s or movies where the sound was added later and the chuff rate was probably whatever the sound editor/designer or director/producer liked.
yeah, but at 5 mph they should be a break in there! not these… Also I guess I compare them to the ole American flyer choo-choo. which I believe had one or two chuffs per rev.
I pulled down the ole 736 and 773 last night just for giggles and I tell ya what, they just aren’t the same w/o the Lionel’s new sounds…amazing how I could run these for hours as a kid, but now I run them for a couple minutes and right back on the shelf they go…
Yes it can be done. Every loco is different but most I’ve seen are doable. You will need a magnetic reed switch and 4 rare earth magnets. These are available from Digital Dynamics as well as Train America Studios. Even from your local shop if they carry Minatronics. You will remove the wires from the cherry switch and install them on the reed switch. You then must super glue the 4 magnets equally around a drive wheel. When the magnet passes by the switch it will trigger the chuffs. This all works well. The problem lies in the installation. Finding a spot to secure the switch so that the magnets will trigger it. Hopefully theres enough clearance between the drivers and the frames for the magnets. The magnets can be superglued in place. The reed switch is a little tougher mount. I used some thick putty similar to adhesive caulk. I’ve done 2 engines with this method with good results. One of the 2. I secured the switch to the trailing truck. 2 magnets to the larger of the 2 wheels on the truck was good for 4 chuffs per driver rev. . I believe it’s possible to read the instructions on this procedure online from TA Studios. The kit is I believe around 10 dollars.
For me. I’m in the 4 chuff camp. 2 I could live with but not 1. I had a Lionel 10 Wheeler with 1. I opted for the TA Drop In EOB board. Expensive but a lot easier done than gluing small magnets on a driver and finding a spot to mount the switch as well as secure it. I did the magnets well before EOB. Much easier to just drop in a board. But then theres that dreaded timing tape for the flywheel. Either way will test your sanity. But it can be done.
I don’t know if I could find the cherry switch or if it even has one!! Something is on the Pittman that looks like a sensor. The boiler is crammed with wires and circuit boards. I’m kinda leaning towards the ‘if it ain’t broke…’ words of wisdom. Even if it’s only 2 per rev, the chuffs are pretty darn cool.
Too bad you don’t have DCS. Call up menu item sound, chuff rate. I set my large driver locomotives to 3, small driver to 2. Sounds good.