Can anyone help me out here ? I would appreciate any input about the MRC Sound Station 312 that has numerous sound possiblities advertised.
I have a small layout in an area about 9’ x 12’ usable space in a spare bedroom and don’t need a huge system. I do not, nor do I plan to use any onboard train sound systems either as my likes for something like MRC are pretty well set.
Also, I would appreciate any feedback as far as anyone out there selling their MRC 312 in the event you may be up-grading. Please e-mail me with what you expect in payment for a system in good working order, and I will get back with you.
Thanks,
johncpo
Check out e-bay. New ones pop up quite often in the $25-$35 range selling price. It is a basic saound system. You can have a continuous chuff and then press bell and whistle buttons etc. This kids think it is great (I have one of the Town and Country ones).
I have a model 312 that I bought for the kids. It’s ok it has a steam chuff that doesn’t change some deisel sounds and whistles along with crossing sounds, brake sounds, and coupling sounds. I wouldn’t recomend it for the serious modeler but it does entertain the kids while they watch the trains run.
Thanks for the tips guys, I too am more into the grand kids running the train and the enjoyment they get, that’s the BIG pay-off and one day my trains will be AROUND the room, albeit 9’ x 12’ space !!
I just purchased the MRC Sound Station 312 and have been very happy with it. It may not be for the “serious modeler”, but since I’m in ‘N’ scale I don’t have a whole lot of choices right now when it comes to onboard sound.
The sounds are very realistic, especially the horn sounds. Horns play long, short, or a combination of long and short so you can make any signal you would want. The horns are also available in two different pitches so if you have two locomotives running they will sound different.
The only drawback is that the “rail clack” is not variable for speed and the “diesel engine” is not variable for speed/load. But overall I’m very happy with it. It sure beats the “horn in a building” sound which is really my only other option.
I purchased my system on the net from Midwest Rail Junction for $60. I could have gotten it for about $5 less at a couple of other places, but prefer Midwest Rail for their fast personalized service and low shipping costs. Including shipping charges, I probably didn’t pay more than a buck or two more than I would have anywhere else.
[:)]
Jerry,
Thanks for the feedback, that’s the kind of info I was looking for and I’ll try your suggestion about the distributor.
We in Deming NM have a big RR history and a depot “saved” by the county for preservation, it’s a long story but the short of it is that the county is turning it into classrooms for the college and it already lost any historical value as it was moved too far from the original site…on UP property. So I guess it’s up to people like us model rr’s to preserve history.
Thanks,
john