Curious if the engineer's voice is the same grating northeastern accent that seems to be onboard all recent legacy engines.
Thanks
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Most likely. I myself rarely use the tower coms. MTH has the best IMO in their PFA's. I like the fact that they sound like real conversations.
Lionel has failed miserably in this regard.
Although I can't say with 100% certainly (and I'm quite happy if someone can prove me wrong), there are only two "generic towercom/crewtalk" voice tracks used in the 2011/2012 engines. And MANY of the 2012 locomotives have the SAME northeastern accent engineer along with the annoying dispatch operator who sounds like it's his first day on the job. These voices have absolutely no charisma for their intended purpose. It's a major step backward from a few years ago when a variety of voice talent was used with engine-specific dialogue sequences. Cost-cutting measures no doubt. 
Look... we lose interest quickly even in a popular #1 song if it's played over and over on the radio. And even the best songs don't stay at #1 for long. Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes. That's just human nature. So why Lionel continues to use the exact same towercom/crewtalk dialog in literally DOZENS of locomotives from all parts of the country is mind-boggling at best -- aside from the fact that we all know the reason is because it's cheaper that way. 
But I will say this... It's getting to the point where I won't even PURCHASE a locomotive anymore if it's got that gosh-darn, worn-out dialogue. 
I just don't understand it these days. With manufacturing and production logistics largely happening overseas, a smaller amount of responsibility lands on Lionel jobs here in the States. Yet even those jobs seem to be cutting corners WRT quality everywhere you turn -- the customer service operation in Ohio being the lone exception to this trend.
Rant over.
David
I don't think that the lack of engine specific tower com and the like should stop you from buying legacy engines. Myself I buy them for the great sounds other then the dialogue. The whistles on steam are some of the best out there. The newest diesel sounds are spot on especially the horns.
yes I would like to have engine specific dialogue but at this point in time they don't. Same with ringing bell and whistle smoke. Lets hope in the future they add them back. Some of the prices that Charlie had on legacy steam are hard to beat in this economy. A mikado for $599, mallets for $799 and they have whistle smoke. Btw the mikado does not but a legacy steam engine for less then $600! Seems like a deal to me.
Originally Posted by david1:
I don't think that the lack of engine specific tower com and the like should stop you from buying legacy engines. ...
It's not so much the generic towercom, but it's the fact that they now use the SAME voice over and over again. Also, I'm speaking from being blessed to already have a decent collection... so I can be a bit more selective of what I purchase vs. pass up. So that's part of the equation as well. And the worn-out voice talent just tips the scale some days to pass vs. buy.
As for Charlie's recent sale... I would agree hands-down. Charlie doesn't always have the cheapest price, but we've come to learn there's a reason for that. But when he has a sale or blow-out, I don't think there's anyone out there who does it better.
I've been buying from Charlie -- sale or no sale -- for close to 30 years now.
David
I suspect the cost is not so much the recording of the dialogue, but the need to stock and match the right sound file with the shell over in China.
Engine-specific crewtalk was the #1 selling point for Lionel over its competitors for me. The generic Noo Yawk soundset makes it much less likely my next purchase will be a new Legacy engine.
