Has anyone modified the whistle sound in the Lionel Docksider?

That's a function of that whistle board, not much room for an upgrade in those.

 

How would one change the whistle sound on a Lionel model, without changing the complete sound chip?

You wouldn't, and the Docksider has a board with no removable chips, you'd have to get another compatible board.  Since I believe the board is also specific to the Docksider, that's probably going to be difficult.

 

There is an option and that is to replace the board with one from a Hogwarts. Thanks to Chuck  Sartor for this tip. What you will get is the typical Brit "toot". A little more pleasing than the original but don't expect Railsounds quality.

 

Pete

The Hogwarts set engine has an American engine sound. To get the Brit shrill sound you have to get a chip for the Shakespeare set that has a GWR painted Hall because that one has the other sound chip. A lot of people on this board got these for altering thier Potter sets so a bit hard to get.

Gee, I just put a piece of tape over the low tone of the air whistle in my Hogwarts set, giving it a high, magical, almost haunting sound.

 

As for the Docksider, I would love to get something high,like a British whistle, or low, like a tugboat.

The Shakespeare version of the Hogwarts engine has a sound board with a European whistle, with a little modification will fit in the bracket of the 0-6-0T Docksider. Much more appropriate sound for the engine. These little engines in real life had  little 'screech-er' whistles.

I actually like the Docksider whistle.  It's sassy.

 

Pete

Pete, I'm with you, I like it also.

I turned the horn off all together and put a small steam sound comander in a box car

That's certainly an option.