Vision Line Niagara Sound Problem

Just to make sure.

There are 2 volume levels accessible with the remote.

The main one is by pushing the volume up arrows as you have done.

The background sound level, including the chuff is accessed by pushing aux1-Vol up, aux 1-Vol up, aux1-Vol up.....

You must push the aux 1 key each time before Vol up to raise the background sounds.

If that doesn't help it may be time to contact Lionel.

Ding... ding... ding... give that man a a kewpie doll   

Thanks Rick, that worked. Since I’ve never hit Aux1 + either volume key before, I am at a complete loss as to how I got in this mess to begin with - have to give that some more thought. One interesting side effect of the fix... it turned the whistle into a horn. Guess I’ll have to give the manual a more thorough read.

Thanks again Rick.

Apples55 posted:

Ding... ding... ding... give that man a a kewpie doll   

.  .  .  One interesting side effect of the fix... it turned the whistle into a horn. Guess I’ll have to give the manual a more thorough read.

Thanks again Rick.

Some Lionel engines (Like the SP cab forward) have an air horn sound as well as a steam whistle. This is normally activated by hitting AUX1 before using the sound button (CAB1) or slider (CAB2) . There's nothing in my VL Niagara manual about this feature BUT from memory I have seen on this Forum a video where it was present. Also from memory, in the engines I have where the feature is present, once the AUX1 button is pressed to activate it you have to press it again to revert to the default sound, which is the whistle.

P.S. Here's that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOnpET8MebQ

At about 28 secs. and 1 min. 4 he switches between the air horn and whistle. Doesn't show how but I am pretty sure it's by using Aux1.

We have another winner... thanks Hancock. You are correct that the Niagara manual doesn’t mention the horn (and on the Niagara, it is sooooo out of place!!!). I looked at the manual for my Legacy SP Daylight and it does indicate AUX1 will switch between the horn and whistle.

Thanks again. (Kewpie Doll to follow!!!)

Aw shucks. BUT look what you have gone and done - potentially started a vehement Forum debate over whether an air horn is out of place on the Niagara and, if it is, how it got through Lionel's design and build stages. To such a debate I have absolutely nothing to contribute, however. 

Air horn on a real Niagara at the 2:31 mark: https://youtu.be/v5uR3ynXG0o

 Your very welcome Paul!   Don't forget to send me a tracking number for that kewpie doll 

RickO posted:

Just to make sure.

There are 2 volume levels accessible with the remote.

The main one is by pushing the volume up arrows as you have done.

The background sound level, including the chuff is accessed by pushing aux1-Vol up, aux 1-Vol up, aux1-Vol up.....

You must push the aux 1 key each time before Vol up to raise the background sounds.

If that doesn't help it may be time to contact Lionel.

Background volume level!!!  Did not know this!!  Good info!

It (adjusting background volume level) is mentioned in outline in the Niagara manual at p.24, top left and bottom text. What I don’t recall is what keystrokes can  accidentally mute the background volume but they may be AUX1, 4. I think I have accidentally pressed AUX1, which then stays activated, and then followed it later with a volume adjustment that actually turns off the sounds.

Hancock52 posted:

Aw shucks. BUT look what you have gone and done - potentially started a vehement Forum debate over whether an air horn is out of place on the Niagara and, if it is, how it got through Lionel's design and build stages. To such a debate I have absolutely nothing to contribute, however. 

Somehow I don’t think that the Niagara whistle/horn controversy of 2019 will ever (thankfully) rise to the level of the GG1 defilement threads of the last few years!!!

RickO posted:

Air horn on a real Niagara at the 2:31 mark: https://youtu.be/v5uR3ynXG0o

 Your very welcome Paul!   Don't forget to send me a tracking number for that kewpie doll 

Rick; thanks (I think) for the video link - interesting. As a priest once told me, “just because we can, doesn’t mean we should” - the horn still sounds so out of place on a Niagara.

And if you will allow me the liberty of paraphrasing an old expression from my days in Disability and Death Claims, the tracking number is in the mail... wow - can still do that with a straight face.

RickM46 posted:

Background volume level!!!  Did not know this!!  Good info!

RickM; why I love this Forum - learn something new every day from a very helpful group.