I'm primarily an N scale modeler but I'd like to pick up an HO diesel with DCC sound to run on my son's layout and some friends' layouts. Bachmann diesels with sound seem to be pretty reasonably priced and I'm just wondering how well they run and sound with the Bachmann supplied decoder and sound. My son has one Bachmann diesel that he pulled the supplied decoder (no sound) and put in an NCE decoder and it runs very well. Hope this is specific enough. Thanks, Dave
The latest issue of "Model Railway News" gives these new Bachmann sound equipped locos real good marks. I've heard the sound from their ALCO S-2 - sounds mighy like a 539T engine stuck in the little beggar.
Bachmann only has made the S-4 just recently & has not made an S-2. Did you hear sound in someone else's S-2 like an Atlas?
Nope. Strictly a case of fingers going faster than brain! S-2s got Blount trucks...S-4s AAR type trucks...Repeat ad infinitum 100 times. In any case there are several examples of the sound equipped S-4 on YouTube. Listen, sounds mighty like ALCOs 539 engine, including the "chirp."
I have seen the latest HO S-4 with sound decoder. It's basically a simplified Tsunami, which appears to mean without all 28 functions. If you can live without all the sawmill and chickens clucking sounds available in the upper functions (I know I can) these look and sound really nice. Let's put it this way: when one of these lettered for SP was sitting on the a test track making sounds at me and then I was told that with sound they were around $130 or so I was sorely tempted to switch scales right then and there.
This is not a hijack, I just thought it seemed right to jump in here with someone who knows what they are talking about, so here is my question: I have a Bachmann GP38-2 with DCC. What NCE product do I need to get my sound working? At the moment I'm just running with no sound. I love it but I sure would like some sound. Thanks for any help here, and back to you dottney.
Does your GP38-2 already have sound? NCE doesn't make sound decoders. You'll have to go w/ Tsunami, QSI or MRC to add sound.
I thought if it said DCC on the engine that it had sound. Now I'm thinking I must not have sound because I only paid $67.00 for it. So I have DCC, and now I only have to install a decoder? I guess there is a video somewhere that will show me how to do that?
Bachmann with sound First of all, never assume or guess with DCC as it might bite you. This will not be an easy install for sound. Others have asked in the Bachmann forums. One did it but it required a milling machine and careful machining because a truck mounts at the same area. You have to do some milling of the frame to accommodate the speaker. I have yet to see a website describing this install. Rich
Also be careful if you venture into an MTH that's a boxed set - I have seen them have the Proto Sound logo on the box, when in reality the engine included (also reflected by the price) was only DCC. I have seen that with a few of their low-end O Gauge sets as well.
Received my June issue of "Railroad Model Craftsman" yesterday and Don Spiro wrote a pretty darn good review of Bachmanns S-4 and it's sound. If B'mann ever paints them in either of my two roads I'm going to get one of each.
Ebay or reputable dealer? PennCentral99 posted a video of sound installation on my GP38-2 and it is way more involved than what I want to get in two. Yes it does require removing a sizable amount of chassis, a soldering iron, and all I have is a small set of screwdrivers...not looking to get that involved with this installation. Now I have decided I want to save up for a BLI Paragon2 AC6000 and here is my question on this: Ebay or respected dealer with good customer service? The difference is around $25.00 when considering shipping, but common sense is telling me I should go ahead and pay a little more for good customer service. However, the Ebay store advertises great customer satisfaction...service and satisfaction can sometimes be two separate animals though...
This is no lie! I recently installed a Digitraxx sd164H into the Bachmann GP38-2. It was necessary to completely disassemble the loco and mill the lower half of the chassis - the portion that fits within the fuel tank - to accept the speaker. I only have a drill press, so as you might imagine, things got a bit ugly. Fortunately, everything came together nicely, I also added working ditch lights with the wig-wag feature. This was my first time installing a hard-wired decoder, and even with having both electronics and modelling experience, it was a doozy! Will post pictures when I get to my computer. And, to answer the OP, I also have the Bachmann Alco S4 with sound. For less than $100, you absolutely can't beat it. I know Bachmann isn't seen as a higher-quality brand, but I love both of mine - they're fantastic smooth runners, even at low speed.
That is certainly a good idea. I have told many on different forums that a picture is worth a thousand words and sure makes modeling easier if people take time to take some photos and make some notes. With a digital camera and our PC, this can make these projects much easier to understand even if someone does not have the ability to do the install. So easy, a caveman can do it. If the speaker is firing down in the oil tank, make sure you have a fine mesh filter to protect the speaker. The speaker magnet will pick up an amazing amount of magnetic material as some have found out. Rich
To the OP, The Bachmann S4, FA2/FB2, Alco 2-6-0 are very good. If you have the money and large layout, the Bachmann monster 2-8-8-4 with sound is quite something. I have been watching the Bachmann forums for about four years. Rich
A guy on youtube has a video of how he put a tsunami in a bachman geep. It was very simple looking. He used a hacksaw too remove some of the weight on the top and put the speaker there facing up. I think it could be done fairly easy. Alan
