Curious to hear experiences/recommendations for installing sound in steam locos never equipped with it, or those with failed boards. A brief web search suggests in my cases, it's the price of the loco again to add it. Also wish to hear experiences with different brands.
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Conventional or command?
I switched to DCC so I don't use them anymore but the ERR Sound Commander is the only one I have ever used. Fairly easy to install and set up.
It this for conventional or command operation? I'm with Darrell, the ERR RailSounds Commander is very easy to install.
Conventional
Does the ERR RailSounds Commander also perform direction control, or do I need a separate electronic reverser?
Don't forget that you can also replace your tender with a special RailSounds tender (6-19833 or similar), which was originally sold to make it easy for postwar operators to get sounds from their trains without modifying the engine.
Just substitute it in place of your existing tender.
One down side -- The sound is not perfectly sync'd to driver rotation in the locomotive because this solution is all self contained, including the speed sensor, inside the tender. In spite of this it's not too noticeable (especially if you "close your eyes and squint").
If it's acceptable to you fine; if not, then by all means open up the locomotive and/or existing tender and install an ERR board.
Mike
@Ken Wing posted:Does the ERR RailSounds Commander also perform direction control, or do I need a separate electronic reverser?
No, it is JUST sound.
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Don't forget that you can also replace your tender with a special RailSounds tender (6-19833 or similar), which was originally sold to make it easy for postwar operators to get sounds from their trains without modifying the engine.
Just substitute it in place of your existing tender.
One down side -- The sound is not perfectly sync'd to driver rotation in the locomotive because this solution is all self contained, including the speed sensor, inside the tender. In spite of this it's not too noticeable (especially if you "close your eyes and squint").
If it's acceptable to you fine; if not, then by all means open up the locomotive and/or existing tender and install an ERR board.
Mike
It would pass the 4 foot rule with no issues……….if it looks good it good!
first it was HO than I got older so I moved to O, now it’s G scale the new O Gauge….lmao
to tell the truth I rather have a steam engine running two chuffs per revolution. While at creep speed it does look good, when you start to move the sound can get muddy. At two chuffs it sounds better, just my two cents.
@Ken Wing posted:Does the ERR RailSounds Commander also perform direction control, or do I need a separate electronic reverser?
You would need to add the ERR Cruise Commander for that.
It would still work in conventional but would also give you TMCC.
Did you have a certain steam loco in mind? I have done a Williams die cast steamer with the ERR boards and also upgraded to fan driven smoke. If you really want to make sure the upgrade cost more than the loco I suggest adding @gunrunnerjohn's Chuff Generator and Super chuffer II with a MTH fan driven smoke unit, it would be worth every penny!
What prompted the question is a Sunset 3rd Rail B&O L-1 0-8-0 with static and hum in the sound, but I have 4 weaver engines without sound and an MTH with a dead PS-2 board that could potentially be candidates.
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