P2K S-1 with sound?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Does anyone know if it is possible to convert a P2K S-1 switcher to include sound with any of the sound cards available? Is the sound prototypical?

Thanks in advance.

EdW

2

I just had one apart to install a non sound decoder, a TCS MC2, which is a really small decoder. There is not much room inside one of these locos, so i would think that a sound install would be really hard to do without sacrificing a lot of the weight.

3

I asked Tony and he said, Neyt, Nah, No-way.

4

Here you come to wreck my day!!!

I hate that Tony…[V]

5

Wrecked my day, too.

6

there is an article about this in “Model Railroad Craftsman” the July 2005. he converted a P2K SW7 to using sound, I’m not sure about the difference in size between these two models but his seemed to have turned out well.

7

Thanks! I’ll check it out. Maybe Tony is a liar! [:p]

8

The nice thing about steam locomotives is all that room in the tender for silly things like decoders and those pesky bulky speakers!!! What about a powered/dummy lash up with the speaker and decoder in the dummy?
Will

9

WickhamMan,

I’m afraid Tony is right. Until we can change the laws of physics, there just ain’t enough room in that lil’ switcher for sound. I actually have a Lenz Z-scale decoder in mine.

Will,

The powered/dummy unit idea would work but might look a little odd for double-heading a “yard” switcher. Sure works on a F series diesel though. I’ll be getting a Stewart EMD FT A-B unit in a couple of months (with sound) with the speaker and baffle located in the B unit.

Tom

10

Check Bruce at Litchfield Station. He had photos of a sound install he did on one. It IS possible! Yes, just checked, it is still there. Amazing!

–Randy

11

Hmmp. Well…guess I stand corrected. Wonder how the sound is?

Tom

12

Should be ok, the BLI SWs sound great and they aren’t much bigger. The BLIs are amazing considering unlike all the other QSI units, they only have 1 speaker. It’s also the first from BLI to come with the volume set to other than “distort the sound” levels right out of the box.

–Randy

13

I used to watch Conrail switchers doubled up working in Port Newark, New Jersey. I think it looks cool.

And how about a powered SW7 cow and dummy calf?

Though not prototypical, as far as I know anyway, I’m gong to mate a SW7 dummy calf in Conrail to my Kato Conrail NW2, and try to get a DCC sound setup out of it.

Jim

14

Yes,it can and has been done…I am sure if I study the problem long enough I would fine a workable solution…