Honestly, I won't buy one due to the fact that they all have a winterization hatch and the SP (who had the biggest fleet) didn't have any with one. Spookshow gave it a B http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachsd9.html
I have two Atlas SD9's that run just super so I didn't consider buying the Bachmann issue. I read Spookshow's comments and he confirmed what I had previously experienced with Bachmann's sound equipped DCC locos (K4). Namely, the sound is too weak and gets lost in any back ground noise. Maybe adequate for running in the quiet of your home but in an open environment like at a train show with other activity the sound is negligible at best. I am somewhat surprised to see Bachmann using wires to transfer power from the trucks to the decoder chip. These were always problematic on the old LifeLike models. Bachmann's S4 switcher, which is the only other Bachmann diesel I own, also had the wires. The S4 lacked sound but was a good runner for me and Spookshow review confirms it. The rather poor running abilities reported by Spookshow of the SD9 combined with other factors (poor sound) would cause me to pass on this offering.
Well.... I decided to try one , as a well known retailer had some at a good price. There's always one, who has to ignore advice,eh? I have massive respect for Mark at Spookshow, his reviews are like gospel, but mine is good and exhibits none of the faults listed in his review, out of the box. Some serious mileage will be clocked by it at our club's three day running session. Let's see how it handles that, and how good the sound is in the depths of our hall. I'll keep you posted. Back to the bench to finish decals on the DMIR ore cars...
I've had experience with sound when I modeled HO. One was okay but after three it just became noise (and this was on a large club layout). Currently I have NO locomotives with sound and I don't ever see that changing.
I have one and wasn't very impressed with the sound. Also, it began stopping suddenly as if it has an internal short. I took the whole thing apart and still haven't figured out where that could be happening at.... I've bought an 8 X 12 mm sugar cube to try and replace the stock speaker with, and hopefully it will solve the sound ailment. There is just enough room under the fuel tank for it to fit.
Well, after the club's running session , I have to agree, the sound is lost in the depths of our hall. It's OK at home to my ears, but Intermountain's SD40's with sound make it seem puny...There was also an issue of derailments twice over points that didn't affect 30+ other locos- a small gauging issue. So, still happy, but have an unused Atlas SD9 in DMIR livery on it's way to compare with. Really looking forward to this, as a massive fan of Atlas (Graf for President!)
