Atlas N Scale S2 with Sound

I would like to throw my 2 cents worth in here at this point.

First off, as some of the readers have done, we should all thank Atlas for first making this model that was needed. Secondly, we should all thank Atlas for attempting, and evidently succeeding, in placing not only a decoder but a sound decoder and speaker in this rather small piece. If I remember correctly, it is a joint venture with ESU. IMHO, that is the best of the news because I and many other posters on TB and other forums will say that the ESU decoders have, by far, the best motor control over nearly every other decoder and that includes Digitrax, Tsunami. I have three ESU decoders in steamers, all N scale, that began with Tsunami's but are much better performers than when the Tsunami's were in place. I know guys, that is my humble opinion and may not be shared by you. One thing that I have noticed is that all sound decoder manufacturers have problems getting all diesel horns and steam whistles correct. I think a good example will be if ESU or Soundtrax comes up with the correct whistle sound for the new KATO FEF that is coming. Only time will tell, but I for one would not place any money on that happening before we all want to put a good sound decoder in that beast. I am aware that speakers are a real issue in the N scale size. However, by making a good enclosure we can get very good sound quality. Short on bass, yes, but still very acceptable sound.

Not trying to start a war, just expressing my opinions.

Mr. Graf, thank you for making this effort!

Carl

 

Carl....

I agree Atlas has gone the extra mile on this. BUT...I hope ALL manufactures ALWAYS make new models WITHOUT sound...for those who dont want it. Selling just a sound equiped loco and telling the consumer if they dont want sound...just turn it off...is wrong on so many levels. NOT that Atlas is doing that. I have however read it from more then one modeler...that one "just needs to accept the inevitable and that sound will be the norm from now on." I say BS !!!!!!

 

George,

I certainly was not advocating that any manufacturer put only sound in any type of locomotive. I have 3 steamers with sound plus two "sound cars" with diesel noises to run in a consist. During the recent Fair show, I found myself muting the sound as it gets rather noisy and boring. I am about to decide that sound is a PITA and not worth the extra money. Actually, non sound decoders, can also be a pain. Just ask some of the installers.

What I am looking for is that next great step in technology, whatever it may be, so that we can all criticize it, me included.

Carl

 

:teeth: Agree Carl...

I think as a group we all like to complain about stuff...one way or the other...LOL.

BTW...sorry for the way it sounded...I really wasnt suggesting you where advocating anything...

 

I thought the "chugging" sound was great. It is a different sound from most EMD locos.

And while Alcos did it..... the sound also reminds me of a CSX consist with a bunch of GE U-boats from the late '80s. Old GE's chug in much the same way.

I have a wonderful external sound system that very accurately reproduces the sounds of an EMD SD40-2....... which sounds very little like a U36B.

This is the decoder I may have been waiting for.

 

Good point. I'm not even a little familiar with audio technology, or what "really great" n scale diesel audio sounds like. I don't know what it's supposed to sound like, but the sound in my much larger e8s and gg1s, is "eh....." at best. I know my steam sound varies and it has a tender as a speaker cabinet.
Does anyone have diesel sound that is as small as this must be, that sounds "really great". I'm pretty sure Atlas didn't try this expecting "eh....." if "really great" fit in the same space.

Now, without delaying the arrival, get ir crammed into the upcoming shay

 

Here's what I think "really great" N scale diesel sound is like (and an ALCo to boot):

[video=youtube_share;4QVsPpiCLOU]http://youtu.be/4QVsPpiCLOU[/video]

John C.

 

Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Sounds pretty dang good.

 

Next run of S2 switchers announced is of interest to me now... 3 D&RGW numbers... woooohooo!!

Sent from my ALCATEL ONE TOUCH Fierce using Tapatalk

 

Now,for me,the actual sound quality is more important than the sound actually coming from the locomotive...I've been using one of those old MRC sound units for years.I'm gonna be buying their new one soon.I only use it for switching & local freights I'm actually driving.With bigger speakers under the railroad,the sound is still directional..Where I look,that's where the speaker is,that's where the sound comes from,I'm looking at the locomotive.The sound quality is great,even if it's not completely directional.Sound in an N loco just doesn't cut it for me..I just watched that video,and to me,as cool as it was,I didn't feel the sound was any more connected to the locomotive than my setup,it just felt like it was coming from somewhere else..

 

Good news for me - I had reserved an undec with the idea of painting it in C&NW livery and now I don't have to. Thanks, Atlas!

Cheers,
-Mark

 

There are hundreds of road names on these, and probably more than a thousand paint schemes. We can't do them all at once. We generally try to spread things around geographically, as well as mix large railroads with smaller ones. There will probably be a run of these in each catalog for the near future.

As far as announcing the 2nd run before the first has shown up, the catalog was put together over six months ago, at which time the factory told us we should have delivery before now. While it hasn't happened as expected, we have received decorated samples recently, and the sound decoders are scheduled to be delivered to the factory this week, so production should be in full swing shortly.

 

Enclosed Speaker?

Paul,

Thanks for taking on this project. After seeing some of John Colombo's sound projects, we are excited to see an ESU LokSound decoder in a RTR product.

I'm curious, will the speaker be enclosed ala Mr Colombo's styrene box?

Mitch

 

Atlas N S-2 container date: Feb 17, 2015

Guess we'll find out . . .

 

They're on their way!

 

I don't know where you found that, but I freaking hope it's right!!

 

First shipment of sound equipped S-2's went out from Atlas last week.