New Whistle for old tender

You will have a problem matching the turbine sound, the available ERR kits don't include the turbine.  You can use them for just whistle and bell, but I doubt you want the locomotive chuffing.

 

First thing I'd do would be to make certain all electrical contacts are clean, and both the whistle bearings properly lubed.  My 681's whistle works fine, and yours should, too; it's a pretty simple mechanism.

 

As to a replacement, Williams makes the Tru-Blast II electronic whistle/bell (no chuff sounds).  Only drawback is that the whistle sounds two longs, a short and a long with each application of the whistle lever.  And you can't change it.  Other than that, it works reliably.and installs easily.

 

Hi

 

One to the pick up on the pos and one to the neg that is it?

 

Kris

Maybe replacing the original relay with an electronic relay from Dallee would help. Dallee has PRR sound systems, too.

I kind of like the True Blast II whistle. Not so much that I'd want more than one on our display at a time. The sound set is nearly five seconds long and as the train rolls around the back of our display it gives the impression of a train fading in the distance.  I have it in a spare tender so I can add it to the display at whim.

If you're not familiar with it Bob it's the first whistle heard in this video.

Matt:  Love the video, and the layout.  Is it still active?  Do you have any specifics as to overall size?  Did you use Fastrack?  What type of power are you using for the eight trains?  

 

I ask these questions because I would like to attempt to duplicate this layout in my new train room.  Any help you could give me would be appreciated.  It would be phenomenal coup for me to be able to duplicate something close to this.  I am continually in awe of your  up-up-in-the-air layouts.  Great work.   Bob S.

SInce you asked Bob, Yes it is still set up. I believe our year round display is 8' x 5'. The bottom outside oval is O54 atlas track with an inside oval of Lionel O27 tubular one 10" section in the middle of the curve on each end. The second level is O45 atlas, third and fourth levels are O36, 5th level is O31 Real Trax and top level is O27. I have some ideas to add 3 more loops. If successful we'll be operating 12 separate loops on a 8 x5 display. For now it's only 9 on a 8' x 5' X 7' high from floor to the top of the Beacons.

 

 

 

Do a search at lionel parts for the century edition turbine...or purchase the second sale century edition turbine tender...you will need to be crafty...the century turbine tender does not have power pickups, so would need to modify to get power to the board...otherwise, buy sound board from lionel parts if available  get the trigger components as well (hall effect sensor, axle with magnet) then install in tender body you have...but will require work...I just got this version and LOVE the sounds...sure there is better now, but for the price, was a nice pick...

Why not simply replace the original air whistle (and relay) with a modern one like this:

air whistle

Or he could send me an email and get that same whistle for a lot less, I have a couple of them removed for command upgrades.