Who would buy an engine that includes an adapter cable that connects the tender to your computer. You could customize crew talk messages! also, when a new sound system comes out, you would go to Lionel.com and download the next sound files for a small fee![:D]
Sounds interesting. If such a product ever came out, I would definately look into it.
Interesting concept, but with DCS you can already create your own custom sounds, and play them back from any PS-2 locomotive. This can include speech, noises, music, etc.
The ability to download sound/personality files (and upgraded versions) has been available from MTH for some time.
In the case of MTH, you connect the compute cable to your TIU and leave your locomotive on the track to change sound/personality files.
It is a really good idea and great that you brought it up, but it has already been done…