I've never been too sure about sound. There is a certain realism but theres also an electronic aspect to the sound files, repetitive loop and stuttering effects and in the end I have given up on it as gimmicky.
But with effort it can be impressive especially for the viewer.
The roco diesel I'd had for many years and the drive unit had worn. A Kato chassis fitted perfectly, leaving a surprising amount of space....
As can be seen with the full length drivers legs hanging out!
The main problem with DCC sound at this size is the momentary cut off from poor contacts or dirty tracks..
A series of tiny capacitors are added that give a half second run and very effectively maintain electric flow!
The little capacitors are just visible in the photo
The decoder is the smallest I could find from CT electronic. The SL76. It's not fully covered to allow for cooling.
The speaker is the smallest sugar cube type. It sits just below/behind the drivers
Wiring is kept short. It's not too fiddly nut a magnifying glass helps when soldering!
And there you have it. A little diesel that bumbles along with a grinding noise of a small shunter. It's fine control is excellent. Not really my thing (I definitely prefer installing radio control purely for its absolute control) but fun nevertheless.
Hope it works for you, but i lost interest in sound effects when i heard the LGB loco's running at Merstham.
The 'sound' was really muted and muffled, not worth the near (then ) nearly double the price for a loco with the added 'extra'. These were running on the old MTS system- i hope that for the money that the current range cost, that the sound quality is much, much better, now.
My sound installations were more 'can I do it' than anything. I really don't find it that interesting other than for entertaining the younger viewer. Sound quality has become very good. But it's still very expensive for what is to my ears an irritating noise.
Hi all, i have just purchased a DCP express - train tech steam loco sound generator and fitted it into a Minitrains goods van, have a look at their web site if your not already familiar with their products. Although not actual recordings of my steam loco fleet, it does generate the sounds of a 2 cylinder steam loco really well. Not synchronised to the movement of the valve gear, but gives a really pleasing effect. At