I have an opportunity to buy one of these systems and would like to use it on my layout. Can anyone tell me how it operates? The system appears to have an electronic console with several knobs and levers, another component with what appear to be three cassette tape locations, and a “reverb unit”. Can someone describe what the different components do?
I’d like to send the output to a speaker under the layout. Thanks
Scott
As i recall it was a collection of tape loops (8 track?) in the console fed to the rails.
A speaker across the rails produced moving sound.
Feeding an undertable speaker fed by an amplifier also would work. KEY is conditon of tape loop - tape play mechanics and tthe tape itself.
Last I heard, a PFM unit in working codition brought $600.
PBL made a Solid State version f(no loops) for $900.
Thanks for the info.
What does PBL stand for?
Scott
I have a PFM Sound System II. The console contains a momentum throttle with adustable acceleration and deceleration rates, and the electronics to generate the chuffing, hissing, generator, and whistle sounds. The tapes contain bell, wheel click, and air pump sounds. The locomotive/tender contain the chuff synchronization component, the speaker and constant lighting electronics and ballast bulbs (to permit the lights to remain on while the engine is stopped. There is provision for an external speaker to play bass sounds to enhance the sounds coming from the locomotive. The reverberation unit enhances the whistle sounds and the console contains provision for adjusting the echo of the whistle. I suggest that if you buy the system, you obtain an operating manual for it and make sure that you can acquire the separate pieces needed for each locomotive.
And if you need a source for updated/replacement tapes, to to: