What sound decoder for HO N&W Spectrum 4-8-4 & Key 4-8-2 ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Which decoder (if any) has the appropriate steamboat whistle? I realize that some of them are programmable now, too. Is that my best option or does someone make a good decoder already with a Class J whistle?

Thank you.

2

The SoundTraxx Tsunami Heavy Steam decoder has the steamboat whistle as one of 7 choices that can be selected by merely changing one Configuration Variable.

3

Yes, that is what I have in my Spectrum J…the Heavy Tsunami. It sounds very nice.

-Crandell

4

I thought the Tsunami heavy steam had the Class A “hooter” whistle?

I do have one of these decoders in one of my PCM Y6b’s.

I’ll listen again, as I thought the other whistle was a Southern Pacific GS4 whistle.

I could be wrong, and hope I am. I’ll look around their website and see if I can find some specs on that decoder.

5

A quick Google search turned up this:

*Heavy Steam Tsunami:*Air compressor type: Cross Compound

Whistles available: Frisco #1522
Norfolk & Western #1218 (wrong whistle for passenger engines)
Union Pacific #4018
Southern Pacific #4449 (Whistle) (sort of close)
Southern Pacific #4449 (Horn)
USRA 6-Chime
Southern Pacific 6-Chime

6

You could put in a QSI-U and wait for the steam sounds to come out. Then you will be able to configure your Chuff, Whistle, Bell…etc…sounds with their programmer.

David B