Volume of Railsounds from Lionel UP GP7

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hello Folks,

This past weekend, I picked up my first Legacy engine, the UP GP-7. So far, I’m very impressed by the detail, the superb low speed operation, and the various lighting effects.

While the sounds are quite good, I’m rather disapointed at the volume. I have the volume turned all the way up via the CAB-2, and have tweaked the volume pot to the optimum position(with the sounds on). Earlier this evening, I had the Geep and my K-line Trainmaster running, and could barely hear the horn of the Geep blow over the K-line Railsounds and the general layout noise(tubular on bare plywood).

I have two K-line engines(the Trainmaster and a semi-scale Hudson) with factory TMCC/Railsounds, as well as a Lionel SD-80MAC. All of these are LOUD when cranked all the way up. The Geep just isn’t.

For those of you who have one of the new Legacy GP-7s, is my sample normal, or is there something wrong with it?

Thanks,
Ben

2

Ben I’ve noticed that on a couple of the Legacy diesels that I’ve test run before shipping, noticibly lower volume than the TMCC units. Since I just check to see that everything works I haven’t checked the volume control setting. Other than the Big Boys I haven’t had any steamers to compare, the BB was plenty loud.

3

I have both the UP and the Rock Island versions. Both sound about as loud. I use TMCC (don’t have Legacy control) and found that if the engines are stopped, the horns are quieter than if they are in motion. Don’t know if this helps, but it came to mind when reading your post.

4

I have the TMCC and Legacy Chessie GP-30s and when I blow the horns people jump. Plenty loud here.

I’d call Lionel Customer Service to see if they’ve had any other complaints and or recommendations for a fix.

5

Ben, I have three scale ns SD80’s. Two are real loud and one is “soft”. Checked to insure the wires at the speaker were crossed [remember that one]. Dick Teal said that most of the time the “pot” was bad. He sent me a new “pot”. Did not help. He then said it was the sound board. Send it back to Lionel [good luck on that one].