I was expecting just a point-to-point layout on a shelf when you said "switching", but you've created a full interesting layout, well done. I also like the way the chuffing changed pitch as the engine went over the bridge, nice effect.
Thanks for the complement. The layout is normally operated as a point to point, but with the use of some hidden staging tracks, which is where the Mogul went at the end of the video, trains can be run continuously. I rarely do this. Normal operation would be making up a local freight in one of the yards at each end of the layout, service various industries along the main line, and return to one of the yards where an outbound train would be made up and sent onto the hidden staging tracks. These will later become inbound trains. Rather simple but it can keep me busy.
If sound were to be the standard but non sound locos were still available, the manufacturers make an already expensive loco unnecessarily too expensive. Milling old style DC frames would be silly. Simply make the space for the speaker a part opf the original casting.
Ala atlas... except they have a prewired speaker in their DC models, only have to buy the sound decoder. Anyhow, subject to unforeseeable doom, I have two sound equipped locos coming my way next year. The Rapido FP9 and an Atlas GP40-2W. And I can't wait. But the option to buy an dc version of each loco and install a DCC decoder of your choice is still a viable alternative and I hope the manufacturers keep that option open.
Hmmm...most guys who put thier owm choice of sound decoders in like to put their own choice of speaker in too. Manufactures supplying a prewired speaker of their choice is another unnecessary expense..
If you're asking about how hard was it to add sound to the VO-1000, the answer is - pretty hard. Not something I'd tell someone to do as their first sound installation project. Or even their second or third. And I'm not sure it is even doable anymore, since the decoder I used was the ESU LokSound Select Micro, which isn't produced anymore by ESU. Their replacement is thicker at one end than the Select Micro, and that thickness may be too much for the installation to work. John C.
IDK, a prewired speaker in a loco for 130$ CDN at OVR trains seems pretty reasonable to me? Rapido Trains sold their first round of DC/DCC GMD1 for 160 CDN. I don't think you can get a new high quality DC loco for less than $100 US these days. unless on sale...
