Should I go for sound?

[Will_J]

I only recently got into sound and I think I may have been spoiled because I started with the Revolution 66 which is the best sounding loco I've ever heard in N. I think that largely comes down to it having a very good sound project and excellent design and QC for the factory sound fitting.

If I had started with the Farish 08 that I bought recently, which tried its best to blow up the decoder and wasn't even properly sealed so sounded pathetic in comparison, I would have probably dismissed it as an expensive gimmick.

I will probably not buy any more factory fitted sound locos, I think it's too much of a roll of the dice. I'm now confident fitting sound myself and making sure that it's done properly.

Because when it is, the play factor with one or two nice sounding locos on a layout at home is well worth 20 fancy coffees worth of cash.

[njee20]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

Despite being 6 years old nothing has fundamentally changed either!

[emjaybee]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

Despite being 6 years old nothing has fundamentally changed either!

What idiot started this thread..?

Oh, my bad. 

On the upside. I was very happy with my sound (retro-) fitted 8F. I changed the 'beat' to four per revolution, so it synchs properly, and I think it sounds good. I do however turn it off after a little while, because it is really just a novelty thing in my eyes.

[scottmitchell74]

This thread has saved me money in this regard:


I'm happy with my Graham Farish BR Class 40 and LMS 10001 sounds - they both have that deep chugging rumble. However, I looked up on youtube the Revolution Class 66... and that's not for me. That's more of a high-pitched whine and doesn't excite me.

So, immensely cool looking but I'd go without sound on that one, saving lots of $$.

[Roy L S]

I only recently got into sound and I think I may have been spoiled because I started with the Revolution 66 which is the best sounding loco I've ever heard in N. I think that largely comes down to it having a very good sound project and excellent design and QC for the factory sound fitting.

If I had started with the Farish 08 that I bought recently, which tried its best to blow up the decoder and wasn't even properly sealed so sounded pathetic in comparison, I would have probably dismissed it as an expensive gimmick.

I will probably not buy any more factory fitted sound locos, I think it's too much of a roll of the dice. I'm now confident fitting sound myself and making sure that it's done properly.

Because when it is, the play factor with one or two nice sounding locos on a layout at home is well worth 20 fancy coffees worth of cash.

I have a lot of factory fitted sound locos including an 08, and they are all pretty decent to my ear, so I wouldn't consider it a "roll of the dice" to get a good one. That said, I guess with any mass produced model there is always the risk of a "lemon". I enjoy running them, finding the sounds of different locos both steam and diesel prototypically distinctive.

Some of my favourites are fits I have done myself or had done, with sound files I have chosen, for example my Class 37 with Jamie Goodman sound is awesome!

There are though times when I run with sound off or some of my DCC silent locos, it just depends what takes my fancy.

My advice is to try one and see how you get on, you don't necessarily need to have an entire fleet sound fitted, you could just choose ones you particularly like.

Roy

[njee20]

This thread has saved me money in this regard:


I'm happy with my Graham Farish BR Class 40 and LMS 10001 sounds - they both have that deep chugging rumble. However, I looked up on youtube the Revolution Class 66... and that's not for me. That's more of a high-pitched whine and doesn't excite me.

So, immensely cool looking but I'd go without sound on that one, saving lots of $$.

66s make quite a distinctive, almost ringing noise. They're sometimes called "ying yings". This is very well replicated by Revolution (and YouChoos FWIW, I've converted a couple of Farish ones). If it's not for you then great!

[Webbo]

About 10 of my 50 locomotives are fitted with sound so the great majority of my running is DC. This is about the right amount of sound for me. My layout is basically DC but can be switched to DCC power with limited function capability via a simple toggle switch. Whistles, horns, and headlights can be activated. One thing for certain is that sound and whistles are always a big hit with visitors of the non model railwaying type.

My limited experience with DCC locomotives is that they are more electrically fragile than DC locomotives. I've had one DCC/sound loco literally blow up on me. A capacitor exploded with a puff of smoke and a popping noise. A second DCC/sound loco just suddenly decided that it would only run backwards. At least with DC, the electrics are simple enough that troubleshooting can usually fix problem running. 

Webbo 

[LASteve]

I like sound. Again, depends on what you're looking for. You're never going to get the bass tones of a CL44 hauling an oil train from Fawley, but I like the atmospheric stuff, the station announcements, rail squeal, horns. The EMU's are great with the guard sounds to the driver, on the newer models the sliding doors, all of that.

I've got motive power with factory sound, after-market from John Gymer's YouChoos and Legomanbiffo projects. Sometimes underwhelemed by Legomanbiffo (Recent Class 42 springs to mind)

I've got a CL52 which was fitted by John Gymer as an exhibition model, and probably my favorite.

I do chuckle sometimes at the "Fill in the Function" sounds. I'd never heard of (or heard) a Spirax Valve prior to my Legomanbiffo CL33 project. Now I know what one is, and I assume an approximation of what it sounds like, but there is a little element of "what's the point" on that one!

My 2¢

[Bazza]

Asking if you should "go for sound" seems rather like you are abdicating the decision and asking others to make it for you. However, you should make that decision based on your preferences, although by all means ask what others think, their experiences and their recommendations.

But remember it is you who will live will it, pay the additional cost of it (including retrofitting it in any non-sound stock you already have and ensure new acquisitions include it) and will need to operate and maintain it.

[Ben A]

I'd never heard of (or heard) a Spirax Valve prior to my Legomanbiffo CL33 project. Now I know what one is, and I assume an approximation of what it sounds like, but there is a little element of "what's the point" on that one!

Hi there,

The popping of Spirax valves is primarily for those with MPDs as in reality if you walk around any group of stabled diesel locos it is a sound you'll hear a lot!

cheers

Ben A.

[Foxhound]

I run DC, no sound.
I have a friend who models the devil's gauge and all his stuff is sound. If he's running three trains at once I find it very distracting, almost disorientating.
We visited a mutual pal who runs N, DC. He has some sound fitted DCC locos and was running his Kato Big Boy, and that bell clanging away all the time was quite irritating, if I'm honest.
I don't think I'll be bothering with sound, somehow.
Each to their own, though.

[Bealman]

I too, am not bothered in the least about the sound of electric toy trains, even if they're kettles. Reminds me of the Triang days of my yoof!