This is my first time online here so here goes. I was at Georges Trains in Toronto and they had an HO scale E unit with sound by Broadway Limited. The demo blew me away. Hard to believe you can get such good realistic sound out of of something that small. I placed an order for a Canadian Pacific E unit and am waiting to see if they will be building them .Question : I have about 10 other locos which i hope to install decoders in. Is it possible to purchase an onboard sound system to retro fit my other locos. I have not purchased my Digital system but Digitrax was recommended. My layout is 10 by 15 . The benchwork is completed and i am now doing the scenery and track.
Thanking anyone in advance.
Check out the Soundtraxx decoders, your locomotives will also have to have space in them for a speaker as well. But check out that site, it should answer your questions.
You can buy sound decoders, and as a package, they often come with the speaker and baffle shell so that it doesn’t sound too tinny. You can order at your LHS (Local Hobby Shop), or look for bargains on-line. The retrofits will require some adaptation of structure and soldering. Be sure to isolate the motor from the frame of the loco. The only electrical contacts possible should be from the decoder, I understand.
Yu can have as many sound locomotives as your money will allow. Sound is available for most types of engines, but not all. Tony’s is good and Regis is good.
A friend of mine just installed a Soundtraxx DSX inside of an HO E7 painted in Seabaord Airline colors. NICE!
He used a motor control decoder (I think it was Digitrax), then he added the DSX Sound decoder and a speaker pointed downward. The sound is very impressive. For the horn, he selected the M5 as Seaboard used that on a number of their E-units.
If cost is a factor the LC decoders are not a bad option as it’s an all-in-one decoder. Checkout Joe Fugate’s thread with his sound equipped SP units.
The DSX, however, will give you a more robust sound due to a more powerful amplifier.
I just finished putting sound in one of my Proto 2000 Gp-9’s. I put in a 1 1/2 inch oval speaker and a soundtrax DSD. I am extremely happy with the results. I also bought a Proto 2000 Gp-9 with QSI sound and I like my version much better. Even though the QSI has two one inch speakers they sound very tinny. The horn is much too high in pitch and IMHO does not sound like a diesel horn at all. My home made job sounds so much more bassy and awesome I sometimes just let it idle on the siding and listen to it. It is really a pretty straight forward process putting your own sound in a Loco.
Terry
Yes, Until the Broadway L:imited units came out, that was the only way to get sound. Since then Lionel, Athearn, Atlas, and even Proto have come out with built in sound.
There have been several threads on this form concerning this. I think if you search the form for “soundtraxx” “phoenix” “speaker” you will get some hits on threads with good advice in them.
Well… The response to my question was overwelming. I would like thank everyone who submitted their comments. I have a new Proto Dayliner (Buddcar)and would like to install a system it. Has anyone done this yet and what system did you use. Also have not heard from Georges Trains since February about weather Broadway is going to release the E-9 in CP Tuscan and Gray. Does anyone have updates.
Thanks again.
Barry.
I believe that is an RDC-3. It is powered by two GM/Detroit 6-110 series engines developed for tanks in WWII. They are 6 cylinder, 31 cubic inch generating 275 hp. each. Unfortunately the only company I know of that makes sound units for these engines is Phoenix. Fortunately the RDC has a big enough body the sound unit will fit. Unfortunately you will have to give up some interior detail to make it fit.