I love, love, love my first BLI. I can get stuff out of it in DC that I never imagined. I'm not too picky about prototypical sounds, I'm just happy to have something like this. However, I'm going DCC with my next layout and I was wondering what everyone thought about the best N-Scale DCC/Sound locos out of the box? I'm not big on fiddling with locos and adding my own stuff (unless it's fairly simple plug-n-play type stuff) so I'm curious about the ones that come ready for action. Thanks!
Love all of my BLI's (5 total sound units)- 1650 EMD E6 A/B, (A-Unit Powered with Sound, B-Unit Unpowered) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #15L/15A 1654 EMD E6 A, (Powered with Sound) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #12L 1655 EMD E6 B, (Powered with Sound) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #12A 3078 M1b 4-8-2, Post-War Version Unlettered (DCC and Sound), Pennsylvania Railroad 3257 EMD E8 A, (Powered with Sound) Union Pacific #931 I enjoy the Athearns as well (run the 4 in consist, pulls a hefty amount of cars up a 3% grade)- Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5903 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5919 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5925 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5932 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Newest addition is the Intermountian- 69327S-03 EMD SD40-2, Union Pacific #2964 (Armour Yellow, Gray, Red Frame Stripe, Nose Shield) (Equipped with ESU LokSound Select Micro with Next18 plug) I stand in reserve about the Bachmann, sound is okay but it requires endless finger pushing even after 2 factory returns- 66454 EMD SD45 Diesel Locomotive, Santa Fe #5320 (DCC Sound Value On Board) My first DCC sound was the Atlas, sound is small but then again not a lot of room in that switcher (still enjoy it)- Atlas #40002164 S-2 Locomotive w/ DCC Sound - Union Pacific # 1106
From the factory BLI sounds best . However on all of my steamers I have gone to Soundtraxx decoders . Tsunami 2 and Econami decoders . Even the BLI M1's got new Tsunami 2 decoders . ....Mike
I am slowly converting my factory sound decoders to either ESU or Soundtraxx. I just completed transplanting the decoders in my BLI PA-2's (With JDColombo's tutoring) -- What a difference. I have been soured to BLI. The problem I have with factory sound (And, non-sound) decoders is that the decoders are very basic in what can be done with them. Now, I don't have any of the new IM units (out of my era) - so, I cannot speak of their ESU decoders. Sorry, I didn't answer the OP's question -- just gave my thoughts on factory sound decoders. Thanks, Wolf
