Lionel PS-1 Boxcar with sound update.

I have three of them, can you explain in a little more detail why they needed updating? Seems like the sounds are ok

I might have to give that a try.  So far I have been very disappointed with the 2 PS-1 boxcars I got.  Not much "clanking" with mine either.

How does one go about getting this update?

Yes, This sounds like a great fix as these cars do make loud thump noises. Do you think our local dealers could do this upgrade? Thank you.

Gpritch posted:

How does one go about getting this update?

Call Lionel

I have been waiting to here this.

 I have the C&NW still new in the box.  I wonder if the complete car could be returned instead of removing and sending back only the boards?

Richard

If they have to be returned, are we talking about a problem with every car sold?  

I plan to call Lionel. See what is easier for me. The sound file that is on their website sounds great.

The clip that Lionel has on their page sounds very good.  Mine do not sound like that at all.

MDuppy posted:

I just got back my two boards from Lionel that where updated. Lionel made things right with these cars that now have less banging  and more clanking. The updates made real close to sounding like the Vision Line cars. The update really make these cars more fun and I would recommend it to anyone that is unhappy with there current boxcars.

MDuppy, thanks for posting this update.  Does the "new" (updated) sound file have more wheel/rail grinding and squealing sounds at slow speeds?  Besides having way too much banging that's my biggest complaint about these cars.  I own two and need to decide if I want to have them updated.

CNJ #1601 posted:

MDuppy posted:

I just got back my two boards from Lionel that where updated. Lionel made things right with these cars that now have less banging  and more clanking. The updates made real close to sounding like the Vision Line cars. The update really make these cars more fun and I would recommend it to anyone that is unhappy with there current boxcars.

MDuppy, thanks for posting this update.  Does the "new" (updated) sound file have more wheel/rail grinding and squealing sounds at slow speeds?  Besides having way too much banging that's my biggest complaint about these cars.  I own two and need to decide if I want to have them updated.

 They do have a bit more squealing at slow speed plus the clickety clack. I would have to say the update is totally worth it and if you can remove the boards yourself then you save on shipping. It took no longer then two weeks including shipping to have this done. Lionel took good care of me on this because I am a member of there frequent warranty return club.

Do you have to take the boxcar shell off to remove the boards?

Sending my cars back is a non-starter. Do Lionel offer the updated boards for sale?

I ran my NYC over the rails this am and at times it appears to go silent. I have the C&O and the State of Maine coming tomorrow.

My NYC doesnt appear to be to far off from the posted file but enough that I will request an RMA after I listen to them all. My PFE sound car is awesome and their is a definate differece.

If that is the sound file they "upgraded" you to, then all thee will go back for a file upgrade.

Maybe Lionel has a plan like MTH where you can somehow through the base or remote do a sound file upgrade.

MDuppy, was the upgrade the PFE sounds? Please confirm.

Appreciate the information.

Kevin

I'm sure you have to at least send the board back, Lionel has no facility to upload the sounds to the board in the field.  I may have the update done to mine, I would like more track noise and less bowling alley sounds.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm sure you have to at least send the board back, Lionel has no facility to upload the sounds to the board in the field.  I may have the update done to mine, I would like more track noise and less bowling alley sounds.

Exactly.  More track noise the better.....

Is Lionel not covering the shipping on this upgrade? They covered the shipping on my PFE VL reefer, but it had a roller pickup that was not attached to the truck, new out of the box for the first time.

Thanks,

Richard

MLAT posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm sure you have to at least send the board back, Lionel has no facility to upload the sounds to the board in the field.  I may have the update done to mine, I would like more track noise and less bowling alley sounds.

Exactly.  More track noise the better.....

Couldn't agree more, GRJ & MLAT!

I sent my 2 cars back for upgrade.  Lionel said they would rather I send the car and not just the boards.  Total time was about 6 working days - pretty good.  I paid the freight out; they paid the return.  Frankly I did not notice a big difference between the original and the new chip.  Bowling alley sounds still seem to be predominant.  If you keep the volume low, the sounds are fine BUT they are not the VL refers or alcohol tankers.  I am not dissatisfied but I am not overwhelmed either.

Dan

6 days turn around time is very good. When I am ready I will be purchasing those sounds cars. Hope they make baggage cars with sounds. But I'll take whatever there is to offer.

Can someone post a clip of the before and after updated sounds please?

Go to Lionel.com. At the search bar Lionel just type in 6-83828. 6-82529 etc. The on line file is at the bottom of the page. That is the one that is supposed to be in the car when you get it.

I don't have the upgrade but it is supposed to be the one they put in the PFE Sound Cars - the 3 car set.

Kevin 

PSU1980 posted:

Go to Lionel.com. At the search bar Lionel just type in 6-83828. 6-82529 etc. The on line file is at the bottom of the page. That is the one that is supposed to be in the car when you get it.

I don't have the upgrade but it is supposed to be the one they put in the PFE Sound Cars - the 3 car set.

Kevin 

Couldn't find it on their website. I always seem to have trouble finding anything on that site. Seems like a jigsaw puzzle to me.

1, www.lionel.com

2, Upper right at the mag glass type in one of the model numbers mentioned above

3. Hit enter, takes you to the product page

4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page

5. Click and play the file

Very Simple

This doesn't raise my comfort level much. Wanted to buy one but it shouldn't be that much work.

That sound clip doesn't sound much different than what's in there already. Not sure I pay to send my cars back unless the upgrade was a significant difference.

Doug - I agree, the sound file is what it is. The three I have are fine. Folks wanted them to sound like the PFE 3 car set. I have both and the sound comparison / differentiation is minimal. We are not in an acoustic chamber looking for RF frequencies. IMHO, having different sounds makes the train and the car.

IC FAN - my point was to answer the question of what did Lionel offer in the new cars. They posted the 10 seconds of the sound file. Honestly, refreshing the main PCB can only be done by Lionel - they don't offer the same option as MTH. Unless the board is a true defect I see nothing wrong with the 10 cars I have checked. All sound good - all work fine - they are not VisonLine cars which MPuppy wanted or needed due to a bad file.

These cars are solid.

K

i saw this log freight train with three of these sound cars last sat at the nj Hi- railers. For the $$ I thought it was worth it. 

Maybe if someone is bowling right next to the mainline as the train is going by.

I have 4 of them and they will stay as they are... however I may purchase 4 more and send them to Lionel for updates. Would be nice for additional variable sounds.

After reading all the replies its not clear whether the "upgrade" actually improves the sounds or not. My two PS-1 sound cars make sounds that are typical of heavy freight cars hitting each other...my only complaint is lack of wheel flange squeals sounds.

Lionel should have tried to replicate the midget Vision reefer sounds for the PS-1 cars. I don't think they were trying to cut costs. They also could have better utilized the min/max switch to provide different sounds instead of "reduced frequency of sounds." They had the correct recipe on the Vision reefers and ethanol cars but apparently lost it.

The overpowering  number of bumps and thumps are not realistic and would appeal more for the kids. I don't see enough difference in the "upgrade" to be worth the trouble. I turned the volume down halfway on my 4 PS-1 sound car train, added a vision reefer,  and have all the wheel squeals I want plus better distribution of sound along the train.  We will have to await the next iteration of the sound cars. It is time to move on. 

My hope is Lionel puts the sound boards in more freight cars, and when I buy those I'll get teh "new" sound set to add to my "old" ones to mix things up.

Paul Kallus posted. My two PS-1 sound cars make sounds that are typical of heavy freight cars hitting each other..

Ok for yard switching (hump yard mostly), or even industry switching. Running down the mainline at track speed there is no such banging and bumping. Even when the slack rolls in or back out it don't sound anything like this.

Is it noise within the train to create attention from people....sure. IMO it's just as bad as most of the cab chatter that comes from these steam engines.

Just a question is this the type of sounds you are looking for?

Attached is an audio file I don't know if this will work or not...

The train sound files used to make this were found here they have a lot of them.

http://www.grsites.com/archive...ategory/29/?offset=0

Nelsonw,

If that was the file, it would be a welcome addition if it could / was mixed that way but it wasn't. But, folks would still complain. I think Doug said it best, it's where you use the car. It's not that bad running down the main line on layout and it does generate excitement- see PRRHorseshoecurve comments from last weeks Trainstock 9 where we ran these for hours - folks just simply liked them as it added a touch of realism regardless of true prototypical operation and sound.

Bottom line is it is cool.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

i saw this log freight train with three of these sound cars last sat at the nj Hi- railers. For the $$ I thought it was worth it. 

I agree. I was at Trainstock and the cars sounded very realistic.

I had 2 sound cars in the 40 car train. 1 in the middle and 1 near the end. I wish they would make them in coal hoppers so I can add them to the 40 car coal drag. The new Allegheny tender makes a squealing noise like a sound car. No the axels do not need to be oiled, I already did that.

Jim D.

My oldest Legacy engine is the NYC GP7 and it has break squeaking sounds. My later Legacy engines, the UP H7, NYC heavy Mikado, SP Cab Forward and the GG1 have much more pronounced squealing and groaning sounds at low speeds. I believe this is one of Legacy Rail Sounds best features .

 Thanks 

Richard