New 3rd Rail TMCC Steam Sound Set?

All of the updates Scott sent out listed this engine as getting a new sound system.  I'm with you in that all my engines sound the same.  I heard these units are programmed with the sound and not just a chip like ours are currently.  It sounds awesome!   I wonder why the chuff skips once in a while. I'm assuming the cam switch needs a slight "tweak".

The whistle on this new C&NW H-1 4-8-4 sounds like a UP whistle that is on their Challengers and Big Boys.  The real ones I mean.  It sounds exactly like the whistle on Lionel's Vision UP Challenger.

 

The chuffing sounds are fantastic!  Crisp and robust.  Maybe Sunset has done something with the speaker/s?  Better quality one and maybe a speaker enclosure?

 

I too would like to know why the chuff skips now and then.

 

Steve

My latest Sunset/3rd Rail model (SP black GS-4 Daylight), which is equipped with the ERR sound "package" is also superior to all my other 3-Rail models.

This seems to be great news!  Can't wait to hear my next engine.

 

I'm glad Lionel had the good sense to allow more diversity and better sound for TMCC. 

 

I hope ERR will have some new sound sets directly from them.  I'd certainly consider replacing a few non-ERR TMCC packages in older 3rd Rail and Weaver engines. 

FWIW thats a newer "legacy chuff", and that whistle is actually the same as the new legacy N&W j and was also offered on the second run of legacy blue comets.

 

At any rate, it sounds like 3rd rail  is no longer stuck using long outdated railsounds, that loco is on a par with the latest legacy offerings.

Yes, plus we don't have to worry about failing smoking bells, swinging whistles, and blow down/cylinder steam exhausts either.

       
       


Yeah.....those smoking bells can be down right troublesome and those darn swinging whistles are a major pain :-)

My 3RD Rail 4000 Burlington Hudson features the same missing chuffs when suitched to four chuffs per revolution. After ten years I would think this would be corrected.

The chuff and whistle are very "deep" which is appropriate for a large steam locomotive. I had initially planned on converting the locomotive to PS2 when I ordered it. I'm reconsidering that since the sound is so good.

 

The chuff works pretty well for the most part. I think the skip problem is related to the sensor and setting the rate to four chuffs. I suspect there would be fewer skips if I set it to two per revolution, but that runs contrary to my rivet-counting tendencies.

The chuffing sounds a bit like RS5. It would be nice to see a slow startup sequence..

I thought Scott announced a few years ago they were going improve the sounds. I agree the SP GS4s have a great sound package. Chuff, whistle and bell are all I am interested anyway. As for swinging bells and whistle steam they should be fairly bullet proof. The mechanical design is pretty simple and could likely be duplicated by many here with some effort.

 

Pete

Let me shed some light on the subject of sounds. Recently, Lionel has changed the sound board offered to the OEM TMCC producers, such as Sunset, Weaver and Atlas. It is the same sound circuit board used in all Lionel offerings, this cutting the cost of producing only 1 system instead of two. The only difference is that our boards are programmed with OEM feature sets (non Legacy) and a simpler and more generic tower talk, but much improved from earlier OEM sets. The sounds are GREAT, and we look forward to using these new boards in our future productions. The C&NW H1 is the first model to have this newer sound board. Next is the PRR L1, Erie S3/S4, Jawn Henry, NYC T-3 Electric, FP7 Diesels, SP AC-9, CP P-2 Mikado, Sierra 38 Logging Engine, B&O P7 Pacific and so on. Models already in production will have the original OEM sound set, N&W Mollies (Small Steam), GN 08 (Northern Steam).

 

The new board has a slight problem, in that when TMCC signal is weak or intermittent, it affects the chuffing, where one will here some skipped chuffs. It is not the cam and switches, we have checked this. Jon Z is working on a replacement board as I write this and if customers are having this problem, we will offer an exchange of the boards. If there is sufficient TMCC signal, then there is no problem.

 

The GS-4 sound set is from the old system, but was one of the unique sound sets offered to us OEMs. This sound set was finally used in our production of the GS-4.

 

There is no change in policy from Lionel, we are still restricted to using the OEM approved sound sets. We are grateful for any of this technology as it gives us the ability to market and sell models along side Lionel's. Everyone wins.

 

Enjoy your hobby.

 

Scott Mann

Thanks, Scott.

The upgrade is a big improvement.

Thanks Scott. BTW, the H1 is AWESOME! Now, how about a re-run of some CNW passenger cars?

Scott - That's great news.  I look forward to my L1.  Matt's engine was so good that the improvement was easily picked up in the video.  When I heard the first whistle blast, I couldn't wait for the next to confirm a difference.  The chuff which to me is even more important, sounded excellent.

 

That skipped chuff also exists on earlier ERR boards.  If Jon Z is able to improve the board, is there any chance to purchase replacements from 3rd Rail for earlier engines so equipped?

 

Matt - You have a sweet engine there, both in looks and sound!  You can't beat that.

 

Jon Z - I want to congratulate you  and Lionel for allowing this move to a better board.  I'm glad it was more cost effective.  I'm sure you realize it is also excellent PR.

Sounds AWESOME, I cant wait to get mine. Should be here tomorrow according to the UPS site. I will be sure to post whether it suffers form the same skipping chuff when i running round the layout this weekend

My initial plan when I ordered the engine during the original announcement a couple of years ago was to have the electronics switched out for Proto-2. I was still thinking along those lines until I powered it up and ran it. I'll take the money I would have spent on the upgrade and get a replacement Cab-1 instead.