My Polar Express ran in Black Hall with the North Penn S Gaugers and performed flawlessly. She ran on the DCC track (with her own FlyerChief controller). The engine pulled the 3 passenger standard set along with 2 Reading Passenger cars (a fore taste of what's coming).
If there was any complaint, it was that the sound was kind of low (never noticed that at home).
Francine
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Yes, the sound is fine for a small room, or few people, but when you put it in a large hall and lots of noises, it's just not loud enough! Oh Well. . .
yes, the audio output level is limited by federal regulations when a "toy" is intended for use by children. By the way, what is the age group labeling on the carton of the S version?
I have not tried my work around on my O gauge PE as of yet. As a standalone it's fine or in a small area, but with other engines, it gets lost.
If there was any complaint, it was that the sound was kind of low (never noticed that at home).
Francine
Francine, I had the same issue with my Polar Express at a couple of local shows here in Wisconsin during the holidays. What I did to improve the output on my set was to remove the stock speaker and install the "Fat Boy" speaker that is sold by Electric Railroad. It is a simple change, just remove the tender shell and unsolder the two wires from the speaker and remove it, solder the wires to the Fat Boy. You will have to check the position of the new speaker for clearance of the tender shell. I needed to file a bit off of one side of the speaker enclosure but you will be able to fasten the new speaker to the tender with two of the four screws that mounted the original speaker. This will greatly improve the volume of the sounds. The Fat Boy sells for about $10.00.
Ray
I hope this is not too far off topic because it is about my Berk rather than a PE. I found the chuff of the Berk to be plenty loud at half volume in a medium sized room. However, the whistle was seriously lacking. Turning down the chuff also diminished the whistle. I’m not sure changing out the speaker to a Fat Boy would have any impact on the balance between the whistle and the chuff.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Tom Stoltz
in Maine
Thanks Ray,
Sounds great to me, easy and cheap. Now if I can get a 4 wheel pilot truck that fits, I got it made. Again, your layout is beautiful and looks much larger in the video.
Tom,
Anything for the betterment of the Berks is welcome! The more purchased, the more likely Lionel will do more and better.
Francine
Hi Ray,
Went to my local hobby shop (very scarce these days) Hennings/Lin's Junction this Saturday. They had Lok sounds speakers in the same price range. Anyone have experience with that brand?
Francine
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