Like most things, when done right it can be an enhancement, but not just the sound of the locos, background noises - birdsong, livestock in a country setting, traffic in the urban environment.

What you don't want is when you are watching that 1930s bucolic country branchline, is to be able to hear the diesel on tick-over on the modern image depot at the other end of the hall... 

I have to say maybe 99% of N gauge diesel horns just sound like a sparrow farting IMHO.
Having said that, the first time I heard a real Deltic horn I actually laughed because, compared to the loco power and sound, the horn was just pathetic
Imagine total loco sound on James Street

It's not uncommon for the output to read much higher when there is no load. It will drop when under load.     

Try measuring the voltage from the power supply when it's not connected to the controller?  16V AC results in DC peaks of 22V

Just use common sense and run your locos at realistic speeds     If you check the voltage when you're actually running a loco it'll be more reasonable.

Probably the best sound I've heard so far is a class 37 file from Kevin at Coastal dcc own file.

Not my loco, but it's been run at the club and it really does sound 'the business'. I'm not convinced by other diesel sound files.

I fully agree with sound at exhibitions; as an exhibitor, other layouts' sound really grates, though on some layouts it does give a certain something.

I agree with PLD about the plethora of OO or O gauge exhibition loco shed layouts with sound well up-purgatory!

Martyn-

Some time ago I bought a 2nd hand Bachmann Speed Controller ( input 16v and Output 12v) and at long last I started to try it out.

When I turn it on to maximum my voltage tested says that it is giving out 20v !

Surely this isn't normal .... is it a scrap bin job??

If is a scrapper ... any suggestions as the the best controller that I can get for my "DC only" track?

Mike

Thanks for the various comments & suggestions ... all sorted now.

Regarding the sound 'interference' at shows, Yes I have experience the same. Exhibiting an N gauge DC layout next to an 0 gauge TMD layout with full sound was not a good experience. short periods with sound, or to demonstrate to an interested viewer are fine, but continuously on all locos and all day is not pleasant.
Maybe exhibition managers need to take note of this and request operators using sound to only turn it on for say 10 minutes in every hour, or when requested by someone viewing the layout. A notice could be attached to the layout, or in the guide to indicate which layouts have sound fitted locos?
Just my thoughts based on experience.
Cheers.

Quote from: Roy L S on February 20, 2026, 09:05:57 AMin a smaller more "intimate" one with a lowish ceiling it can work fine and be perfectly audible, but in a large and busy "tin shed" with very high roof less so (2) the quality of the sound fit and sound file, my 37 with Jamie goodman sound file and decent Sugarcube speaker as an example does pretty well.

That's true, I more commonly visit the big shows like the ones at the NEC or GETS where the acoustics are less than ideal.

Totally agree with you on the quality of installation. The gooduns I've got sound wonderful at home. The badduns go on the upgrade list!

Seven??
I can think of only one reason why you'd have one in yer bedroom  

20 years and counting for a 7' long Minories.

Or three and a half years for a 1' T-TRAK module.