With all the technology that is going into sounds for locomotives, I now see that there are background sounds for the layout i.e. Thunder, Waterfalls, Grade Crossing bells, bird sounds the list is almost endless. A company called ITT Products is marketing these through Walthers and I wondering if anyone has bought any and what quality of the sound is like. Your views would be most welcome. CPPedler
You can go here and hear the sounds for yourself!! http://ittproducts.com/ [:)]
Thanks Lou,
I have done that but its not like having one wired into your layout and seeing what the range of volume is like and how controllable it is. CPPedler
I’ve “seen” them installed on a couple of layouts. The sound quality seems to be more related to the speaker size, quality, and location. If you are going to run more than one sound, you’ll want to keep the volume low to avoid headaches!! My grandsons like to get 2 or 3 sound locos going at the same time - gets to be a bit much after a half hour non-stop!![sigh]
We have 5 of them on our HO scale club layout – the waterfall, honky-tonk piano, school playground, wedding march, and cattle/sheep. All are mounted under the layout with two or three inch speakers mounted under the appropriate buildings or area, such as a school house, church, western saloon, waterfall, and stockyards. This required a 1 inch hole be drilled through the layout so the sound could escape.
These modules play for a set duration of something like 30 seconds and then automatically stop, but there are connections for a jumper to make them cycle endlessly. We put momentary push buttons around the layout fascia so visitors can push a button to start the sounds. The waterfall is the only one with the continuous looping jumper installed and it is on an on-off toggle switch. The stockyards use a momentary double-throw center off toggle switch so visitors can select between cattle and sheep.
There is a small volume control knob on the circuit board. The sound quality is determined by the size and type of speaker more than by the actual module. Turned too loud they become distorted.
I don’t know their current pricing, but they used to be $30 a pop. A cheaper alternative would be to find a CD of background noises, a cheap CD player, and a set of self-powered computer speakers. Better sound quality, more choices of sounds, and longer play time. I know there are some companies that sell CDs of railroad-related background sounds.
I think that’s a much better idea. Plus there are many free downloads of sound files on the internet, or you can record your own. I listened to the links above on the thunder and lightning sequences and I was not impressed. I have a much better thunder and lightning audio track on a CD called “Grand Canyon Suite” by Telarc. Of course the Telarc CD should be better - it was recorded by professional audio engineers.
Someday I plan to try connecting an old 5 channel audio amp to an old computer and have 5 small but high quality speakers hidden in mountains, buildings, etc. with an honest-to-god hi-fi subwoofer on the floor underneath. At this point, I’m not sure how I would trigger the sounds, but I’ll figure something out.
Not that I would use it often, but a 100 db level of the sound of a 5 chime air horn in my train room should make quite an impression on first time visitors. [:)]
Just kidding about the 100 db.
Harry, the 100DB would be fine for thunder - as long as you have a lavatory nearby!![:O][:I]
I have the crossing bell, with a two inch speaker, mounted under the crossing. It is really cool, to hear that crossing bell ringing as the lights flash, and a loco whistles for the crossing. Sound is where it’s at. I couldn’t imagine a silent model railroad anymore.
I got the bell module for 9.95 in a bargain bin, at a hobby shop in Ft Lauderdale, several years ago. Just bought it on impulse.
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the input, clearly the bigger the speaker the better the sound. I was thinking of maybe the Thunder sound and perhaps one at each end of the layout say (20+ft) apart would give good alround sound.
Thanks again CPPedler