yep. It apparently an MRC 1961 decoder that is specific to MRC/Model Power steam locomotives. It has a few CVs to trigger that cycles through the available whistles, chuffs, and bells, it has quite a few of each to match the locomotive. I found a few videos of running 4-4-0s and was able to match the sound almost exactly. I think I have the intended Chuff and whistle for a 4-4-0 selected correctly, it sounds like the ones in videos and is very pleasing. Definitely the most photogenic of all my locomotives, which are mostly modern diesels. It looks so much better in the layout. I almost want to switch eras, but then I really can't because I have so much grade planned including 2 helix, I have to run everything between levels in a push pull consist to have a brake unit, to make sure expensive rolling stock does not run away down a slope and get damaged. This Steam locomotive and my switchers cannot go between levels with a set, might not even be able to pull up the grades alone and need to be helped up by modern 6 axle road desials as part of freight sets. I would need to replace all my couplers and make sure they are all just perfect to think about running all steam era single locomotive sets. I will make a small set of very well matched 'runner' passenger excursion cars, might even somehow attach or link them to make runaways impossible. This will be the heritage steam excursion train the prototype should have but doesn't yet.
Beware Steamitis! Known symptoms include a sudden interest in resistance soldering units, favorite USRA and Super-Power designs, an overwhelming urge to collect the "Power" series of books by Alvin Stauffer, and dreams haunted by roundhouses and coaling towers. If untreated, this illness will drain your wallet and alienate your spouse; beware! My case is sadly untreatable:
Judging by the tingly reaction to the picture, I may have caught a case of this. I am starting to think the 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 are the coolest looking switchers. I do still want an AC cab forward, but I might go with an AC-12 as a fantasy heritage locomotive since its possible and even likely we will see that running some day. I am not going steam era due to the investment, I will stick with a few heritage units. We need some billionaire to take an interest in 4294 to pay for the overhaul. If you know any, try to drop subtle hints...
A Hallmark Baldwin DS-4-4-1000 (S-10) -- to be another SP Tiger stripe (Of course - right?) Thanks, Wolf
Received 2 MT Southern Pacific and 1 Atlas 89’ trailer/container flats. Have several locomotives coming as well, from an eBay seller I’ve bought from before, who is closing shop as of Nov 17. Ordered 3 Kato Dash 9’s - 2 CNW and a UP. And 3 Kato Ph 3 Amtrak F40’s. Gotta look into decoders for them next!
Received today, the very scare, hard to find GBW switch key for a GBW lock recently purchased via eBay. Found key online within 24 hours of receiving the lock!
Just received a Kato Kobo Shops FEF 3 with Loksound No. 838 in Freight Paint. Needs a louder speaker or better sound enclosure for my taste but happy with it overall.
My latest, non model purchase(s). Green Bay and Western lock and key. Both of which are difficult at best to find! Patent number on lock, while not seen here, is readable! Comes with about 12" of chain as well. A bunch of N Scale stuff in the next 2-3 days!
My latest N Scale purchase. The one that showed up anyway!! A nice brass Rio Grande caboose. Maker unknown. Locomotives were apparently here, but mail person didn't what a doorbell was, or how to use it! Left an unfilled delivery notice. So, I went in person, to pick it up. As usual, they didn't have it! Said I needed to pick it up immediately, or it was to be delivered today! And I was here the entire day! And I never heard anything! Will see if they have the ability tomorrow.
Over the past couple weeks I have accumulated all the sets from the latest Kato Amtrak Superliner release to put together the California Zephyr train in Phase III paint. Just got the F40PH's last night but already got the decoders in them. This train will be just the right size for my layout.
Nice Superliner set! That's the best looking paint scheme on those, IMHO. I kind of wish I got mine in that scheme rather then phase IV, but I was trying to keep things more modern at the time. I've since backdated a lot of other stuff. Oh, well! I did get one car in phase III to capture a little bit of it though.
Newest additions after major issues with Post Office! Top row L-R: Amtrak F40 #330(DCC), 381(DC), 374(DCC). Bottom row L-R: CNW C44 #8820, UP C44 #6717 and CNW C44 #8804. All DC.
Phase III was the best fit for my layout era(s) plus I also like it the best. Blending / mixing the eras is good too. I Just cleaned track and ran this for the first time on the layout and it runs great !
Well Brad, When I get a break from work, and get a chance to come visit, I will bring a set of EMD E8's ABBA set in Phase III paint for a different look! I am a big fan of all the AMTRAK passengers sets, so I had to get some Phase II and Phase III E units to pull them as well as the F40PH and P42 locomotives. I just need a few F-7 units to complete the locomotive history.
A warning, this was my latest 'big' purchase, and its a joke, totally rediculous amatuer soldering of decoder that killed the decoder, no quality control and it was shipped to me. this is a 'factory' solder job, so bad by NScaleKen posted Nov 7, 2018 at 3:36 PM SaleTrains needs some quality control immediately. they offered to 'fix' it and send it back, its heat damaged electronics there is no 'fixing' this it would be me taking bad hardware at full retail plus delays. why does the industry treat the consumers so badly in model railroading? being new, its glaring how much leeway they expect compared to other markets for entertainment hobbies. They said they dont have a replacement, but its the lightboard and ESU not the whole train, not sure what to make of it other than they really didnt want my business. repairs on this level of dumping wattage heat into hardware is just asking me to deal with issue over and over. I am a very unhappy camper today, was waiting eagerly for the best locomotive in the fleet to arrive, found a solder job that should never have passed QC. this thing never functioned, and was apparently never tested, and sent to me. Not cool at all.
