GP50 sound decoder? - answered

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi, I bought a Athearn RTR Gp50. I can’t seem to find a sound decoder for it.

I can’t make my own custom Digitrax sound decoder either because I don’t have the correct sound files.

FYI GP50 has a EMD 16-645F3B engine I believe.

Anyone have any suggestions for a sound decoder?

Thanks :smiley:

Charles

2

You can use a SoundTraxx Econami diesel decoder that includes EMD 645 Turbo sounds.
If the GP 50 were factory decoder equipped it would have the SoundTraxx OEM Athearn version of the TSU-GN1000 EMD 645 Turbo decoder.
RR Baron

3

I recently installed a Loksound select Direct into an Athearn Genesis SDP-45.

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select-direct/

It was a pretty straight-forward install with the board directly replacing the Athearn board. A weight slug unscrewed out of the speaker opening and a 28mm speaker fit in the cavity.

http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/loksound-select/

If I’m not mistaken the SDP-45 had a 20-645-E3 prime mover and the closest ESU had available was the 16-645 E-NT Loksound has several varieties of 16-645s turbo and non-turbo available.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_645

Regards, Ed

4

So the Loksound 16-645 E-NT is the closest to a GP50?

Thanks

5

Nevermind! ESU loksound just came out with new EMD 16-645F sound files!

Thanks everyone for replying!

6

Charles,

According to Loksound, their file No. 73450 the 16-645 F, would be most common for the GP-50.

http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/loksound-select/loksound-select-usa/?tx_esudecoderprojects_pi1[printView]=41372129f3302c6dc40b822c2b89b707&cHash=dc6f5bf874bb013f19cdffa07da24ab5

Sound samples are available on ESU’s site.

I’m not anywhere near an expert in prime-movers but my ear tells me that the Loksound files are some of the best out there! TCS WOWsound runs a close second BUT where ESU has the advantage is being able to upgrade or completely change the sound file or even the firmware of the decoder using the (optional) Lokprogrammer. You can request what sound file you want from the vendor, most have the ability to write the file for you.

Regards, Ed