Sounds of Steam

A) That "panting sound" is/are the air pump/pumps.

B) The MTH steam locomotive models correctly start moving with the cylinder cocks open, in order to expel any condensed water from the cylinders. Just like a real steam locomotive after being stopped for some time, the Engineer opens the cylinder cocks (remotely), and water/steam mix is expelled with a "psssst, psssst, pssst, psssst" sound (four per driver revolution on a two cylinder locomotive).

I haven't heard recent Lionel sound systems, but as far as accuracy goes I always felt the MTH sounds were superior (if not as robust). The cylinder cock sound is especially neat, as is the gnerator whine when starting some engines.

Lionel does NOT offer the "open cylinder cocks" sound. Even on the latest Lionel model of the MIL S3 4-8-4 steam locomotive models with "steam exhausting the cylinder cocks", there is NO "spitting steam" sounds to accompany the small amount of "steam" (actually smoke fluid) coming out under the cylinders. The "Lionel open cylinder cocks effect" also does NOT pulse and alternate back and forth nor side to side. 

That was the exact reason for my question; that is, the MTH vs. the Lionel sounds.

I have Legacy steam engines have really nice sounds, but the MTH steamers have the different types of sounds, as when starting for the first time, or after being stopped for a short while, as mentioned above.  Always wondered if MTH was correct, and now I know!

Thanks!!

Alex

Just my opinion, but I think Lionel is more into "play factor" and/or "sound reproduction", as compared to what a REAL steam locomotive ACTUALLY sounds like. For example, MTH was the first to offer 4-chuffs per revolution, open cylinder cocks at start, turbo generator whine, and panting air pumps.

Just because you did it first, doesn't mean you do it better IMO,of course 

True,  but if you are the only one doing something, it would be better by definition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=2_bDaaC3tZk Good

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=ee-5RPjDHxY Better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...DD&v=XhgHrDbN4EU Best 

I have yet to hear a sound system that allows for "drifting" (coasting with a light or closed throttle), or throttle shutoff before comming to a full stop.  ...And of course, the Pennsy's characteristic rod clank! 

Lionel and MTH both have a drift feature, altho the MTH requires a constant push

on the drift control...unless that's been changed.  The PRR J1 should "skeek"

when drifting, and nobody's done that yet!  Ans speaking of the above loco,

the "old" 2001 TMCC sound chip for this chooch was FAR superior for accuracy

than the current Legacy attempt.  Heavy rod clank is MANDITORY for PRR I1s

engines!

As Jaygee said Lionel locos DO have a drifting,multiple levels at different speeds when the throttle is backed off. I have Lionels legacy PM berk which has rod noise, listen hear from about the the 4:00 mark and on, for rod noise on the vl hudson.

That's not rod noise at the 4-minute mark. That's the sound of an improperly set valve, which results in one exhaust beat that is louder than the other three.

Rod clank will occur at 2 "clanks" per revolution, one as the piston pushes the rods back through the bottom half (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) of the pin position and another as the rod is pulled forward through the top half (9 o'clock to 3 o'clock) of the rotation.

At higher speeds rods don't clank much, due to the way the forces on them propagate at higher speeds.

At any rate it still sounds like a metallic "clank".So what are you saying Rich? This hudson should be sent to Ohio and have the valves reset??

It may sound like a "clank" but there is only one clank per rev. Clanking rods would sound off twice per rev.

Yeah...sounds like you better get it to our shop in Fort Wayne and we'll go over it. We'll put her on #2 track next to the Berk. 

Don't you just love these "hobbyists" that tell us all how a steam locomotive is supposed to sound? Sheesh! 

Hey guys, these are toys that we enjoy. Most of us were not around when these steam engines we here. So I would say that we all are guessing.

Took the words outta my mouth Roger! Understood Rich,thanks for the correction. I'm sure had I  paid better attention to any steam video, I could taken better notice that it was two clanks. Hot Water, I enjoy the nostalgia, power, sound and everything else that goes with a steam locomotive. I appreciate the fact that is still able to operate today due to 1000's of man hours rebuilding and maintaining so I can still occassionally enjoy one in person. Steam locomotives were long gone when I came into existence,however I do get a sense of the "simpler time"where pride was greater in America than it is today.I wasn't trying to tell anyone how a locomotive should sound, rather I felt a toy version was giving a good "impression" of the real thing based on my few experiences. Besides!, It took Lionel about 15 years to get the number of chuffs right, who knows how long till the number of "clanks" is right.

The sound of the off beat valve can be heard as early as the 1 min. mark.

The sound after the 4 min. mark is very different. It sounds like it could be the valve gear working back and forth or a rod clank. It is very common to hear a similar sound when listening to recordings of locos that were being paced while recorded.

quote:

Hey guys, these are toys that we enjoy. Most of us were not around when these steam engines we here. So I would say that we all are guessing.

I'm sorry that in Hot Water comments, he forgets that there are new people coming into this hobby everyday that are just as unenlightened as he was when he was your age.

For those of you who are so inclined to further their education of steam locomotives, I would suggest that there are many recordings to listen to and many books to read that will help you along on your journey.

In the meantime, "Never be afraid to ask!" The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.