Two or 3 years ago I bought an Athearn Big Boy (4014) in analog version with the hope of installing ESU sound at some point. Well the brand spanking new loco was a basket case from the day I opened the pretty box. I elected to "fix" it myself and after revamping the tender completely and some re-soldering under the boiler shell I have added sound. I took a pos and have turned into a very well performing loco. Here is what I have done................. 1st this is the work found in the tender when opened up............. The next 2 images are my first install with a 9x16 speaker.............. Other side.......... I did not care for the sound from the 9x16 speaker, so I yanked it and here is my new "sound module" with 11x15 speaker........................... Other side...................... And finally it is just sitting on the tender chassis..... Here 4014 is sitting on my DIY "big steam" test stand................. Here is a short 8 minute YT vid. Please, check it out and I accept all suggestions......... Thanks for looking, and as always have fun, Carl
I changed over my Big Boy to ESU two years ago. ESU did a very good job with the Big Boy steam file (but I wonder if Matt will now go out and record the REAL 4014 on one of its excursions . . . ). I used the standard wired Select Micro; you've ingeniously used one of the boards select direct micros instead. Very cool. BTW, I almost always use a 13x18mm speaker in my "big steam" sound installs. There really is a very considerable difference in low-end "heft" between the 13x18 and all the other cell-phone type speakers. John C.
David - thank you for the thumbs up, 'preciate it. John, I truly hope Matt is able to get a "ride along" for a real BB recording. I used the Challenger sound file as I could not find a BB file except in "HO" version. Could I have loaded the HO version onto my select direct micro decoder ?? I wish I could have used the 13x18 speaker as well but the 11x15 was extremely tight and in fact I had to enlarge the hole that is under the oil /coal bunker. The 6 pin decoder/boiler plug sits on top of the speaker and inside that hole. The oil bunker fits real loose, is glued sparingly with canopy glue. I went whole hog, so to speak, and put mini plugs on speaker/decoder as well as red/black tender wheel pick ups. Why? So I can easily change out decoder or speaker if necessary. Again, thanks to both for your responses, Carl
Hi Carl. Yes, you can load the HO version of the BB file. The LokProgrammer will automatically convert the file for use in the Select Micro. That's what I did with mine. In fact, I used the Big Boy file in my Bachmann EM-1 installs. The only downside of this was the limited selection of whistles in that file. My EM-1's now have the UP "Steamboat" whistle, but they sound great! John C.
