Has anyone installed sound into this little engine?
I’ve got the H0 version for my grand daughter. And of course this engine needs sound - like my other engines.
Wolfgang
I would try doing a web search, I recall somebody a few years ago posted an online article on converting Thomas to DCC. IIRC the same guy offered a service where he would install a decoder (and lights if wanted). I imagine you could follow the same steps to add a sound decoder as a regular one, but would have to either live with a very small speaker or perhaps put a large speaker in Annie or Clarabel.
Not sure about recent versions, but the original Thomas wasn’t DCC ready and required the engine to be electrically isolated from the frame so wasn’t an easy installation.
I’ve seen it done & it’s not pretty. (This from the guy who installs sound in Bachmann Spectrum 0-6-0Ts)
You do realize the Bachmann version isn’t the best little runner? And that your decoder will cost more than the loco right?
It’s for the grand daughter to give her fun.
Well, and the decoder isn’t useless, you can use it again. If the 2 1/2 old longs after Thomas I have not a problem like if she goes after mine steamer. [:)]
Now I’ve installed some lead, light and try a Lenz MX 648.
Wolfgang
I have an HO Thomas that has been converted to DCC. I don’t believe there is room for sound. It’s pretty tight in there. You might have to put the sound in Annie.
This guy can convert it for you, or will sell you one already converted.
http://www.dcctrain.com/shop/search.aspx?sfield=keywords&search=thomas
How it was done, I have no idea, but there is a Bachmann HO Thomas that is run regularly at the K-10 Model trains open house, including yesterday. I has sound with decent enough volume to drive everyone nuts as the kid won’t leave the whistle button alone! Also there has been an LED installed in the small lantern on the front. The OO scale Hornby Thomas is much bigger BTW.
For a non-sound installation, Train Control Systems (TCS) recommends their MC2 decoder . This link shows how someone did the installation (warning - photo intensive)
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Thomas%20The%20Tank%20Limited%202002/Spectrum%20Thomas%20The%20Tank.html
They also include instructions for decoder installations for Henery, Gordon, James, Toby and Duck. Search for Thomas here
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/HO_Search/search.html
If a sound decoder will not fit into Thomas, consider installing it into a car permanently coupled to Thomas.
As I said above, there is a Bachmann Thomas with a DCC sound decoder installed that runs at our club. So it most certainly can be done. It is not fitted into Anni or Clarabel I can assure you. I would assume it must be a micro Tsunami or an ESU. If the kids Grandfather (he who did the installation) is there next weekend I will ask him.
I’d love to see where he put the speaker.
Mine has a TCS decoder and front and rear lights.
I had the wrong decoder, I need the new ESU Loksound micro 4.0 or Lenz MX648. Those are smaller.
I’ve added lead into the “water tanks”.
Wolfgang
Train Buddy is the guy who did the DCC installation I was talking about earlier. He has instructions available online.
Phoebe,
What lamps did you use?
Thanks,
Dave
They are LEDs. Alex at DCC train did it for me:
Wolfgang,
You’re almost there. Maybe folks don’t remember the little GE you built?[:O]
Simon’s also got a good point. The OO version runs on good ol’ 1;87 track, but has a larger form factor because it’s built to the larger British scale. I have no idea if there’s more extra room inside than the HO version, but it’s worth taking a look if you are considering the project.
The other difference with the Hornby and the Bachmann is that the Hornby one is based on an actual British tank engine prototype and looks more like the original drawings in the Awdrey books. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LB%26SCR_E2_class the Bachmann on the other hand is based much more on the cartoonish Thomas that appeared in later years in the TV shows. This means that the Bachmann Thomas looks more like the real thing to kids eyes as probably most do not get exposed to the original stories in their printed form.
Simon,
That’s definitely good to know for those who are dealing with Thomas rivet-counters.[;)]
On the other hand, I’m totally clueless about such differences. Maybe even apathetic about them…[|)]
I’m of the age that finds Thomas annoying, but of the sensibility that he and his friends are also absolutely necessary and the best thing that’s happened to railroading since the Cumbres and Toltec…although I guess Thomas, the character, as you’ve noted, predates that.
My point for this engine is it’s cheap and nothing to break off like with my engines. The 2 1/2 years old grand daughter will have fun. And the sound decoder is two times the engine but not discarded. I can use it in another engine if time comes.
I think those little kids like sound. When I saw how the grand daughter bent her finger when pushing the buttons at my throttle… [:)]
Wolfgang
There was just a video I saw the other day of another friend of Thomas with soumnd, I think it was either Percy or James. If anyoen can make it fit, I have faith in Wolfgang, after managing sound in one of those little Grandt Lien boxcabs, Thomas should be huge in comparison.
Here’s a Thomas, but they cheated and put the speaker in Annie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh62cdso7Ag&feature=related
Here’s James, but he has a tender: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT9AiNX7n6o&feature=related They even added a clip of the theme music.
–Randy
Now I’ve installed an decoder, Lenz MX648.
Wolfgang
Here’s a **video **from Thomas, with light and sound.
Decoder is Zimo MX648, I’ve also added a Kadee coupler at the rear. I have still to adjust the CV’s a little bit.
Wolfgang