Where can I get sound for Bachmann’s GE 45 Ton diesel? It doesn’t come with a sound system but has a place to install one. Are there any inexpensive sound systems available?
Speaking of which, I’ve noticed that the Spectrum locos usually don’t come with sound, despite being more expensive than Bachmann’s other models that do include sound. Why is that?? It seems kind of lame to pay big bucks for the loco and then have to shell out even more money for an expensive, third-party sound system.
The “Big Haulers” don’t have sound.
They have an irritating noise maker that is supposed to be a “chuff”.
A good, well designed and engineered sound system will have chuff, bell, whistle, dynamo, fireman shovelling cola, air pumps, blower, op valves, etc, etc, etc.
I use Sierra because it does what I want it to do and it’s cheaper than the other real choice.
Some folks are happy with limited sound, but if you want sound, get a good system.
Dallee is cheaper, has less options, but more than the noise makers.
Even a simple “noise maker” would be better than nothing, IMHO. I haven’t heard the current crop of Big Haulers, but my Buddy L loco has pretty realistic sound for a simple system. In fact, when I called my brother while running it, he heard it over the phone and thought I was out at the railroad museum watching a real train.
How does that work, anyway? Do you have to have a special control system, or does it play the sounds automatically?
For track power, most are voltage variation controlled.
Some you can trigger with reed switches and magnets.
MRC are listing a G scale decoder for diesel sound to be available shortly, if it works on DC as well as DCC that might help, I’m sure they were under $100, check the website.
Try traxcontrols.com they are based in the UK but do ship across the pond!
If Ray is asking about sound systems in the manner he is, best not to throw dc into the mix.
While, yes, they will “work”, getting items to trigger properly is much different.
You have no data stream, no packet transfer.
Every dcc sound system I’ve run into for the larger scales requires some adaptor between your switching trigger (be it radio, reed switches, or whatever) and the data line input.
Please not words “switching trigger” as that is important to your understanding.
What do you intend to do for shutdown power?
Most systems have batteries that keep the system running when stopped, so it just doesn’t slam shut.
Things you need to think about before you plunk down money for a dcc board when you have no intention of using dcc.
Well, it’s a shame there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground when it comes to adding sound. I’d love to have at least some sound in my 45 tonner, but I can’t see putting in a sound system that costs twice as much as the loco.
Ray, that’s the way it is if you want quality.
There are little boards that simulate specific sounds, but then you don’t have full control.
Some folks just do it.
I did a Stainz for a guy, radio battery, which cost a lot more than the loco.
He brought it back, wanted sound added.
Now, there’s no room, so…I added a 6-wire plug, sound board, speaker and such in a trail car so he can unplug and run without it if he wants to.
You are the only one who can determine how much you are going to spend to enjoy what you do, and if you make the wrong choices, it will cost you more to fix it.
TOC
Who said I wanted quality? I just want a choice between “no sound” and “state of the art megabucks sound”. Quality counts when it comes to the mechanics of the engine, things that affect how well it runs. Sound is just a nice feature and doesn’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable.
No, it doesn’t.
I guess what really needs to be answered is what do you consider “megabucks”?
Quality counts when it comes to options.
If you want something that makes white noise at least once per revolution of the drivers, that’s easy.
You want bells and whistles (literally), then you are stepping up a bit.
Let’s say you find an old chuff unit for $10 or $20, or somebody nails you for $50.
When you figure out it isn’t what you wanted, it gos in the trash and you’re that much behind the total you would have spent if you’d done it right to begin with.
I’ve seen folks get Radio Shack continuous loop recorders that they put “sounds” on and it just runs.
Would I do it?
No.
But it might be what you are looking for.
You ever heard a good sound system installed with real-time triggers?
Hi I`m John in England if you havant already brought a sound card and are running anlogue Phoenix sound is great