Who makes a good conventional sound unit?

You could always sample some sounds yourself using Wavepad(It's free to download a "beta" version from NCH) and then string them together and loop it several times to make a long sequence. I did this with Halloween sounds and had a 75 minute sound "bite" of all kinds of haunted house sounds.

You couls also try this guy, he offers custom sounds for the old Noma stations:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOMA-Talking-Station-Sound-Unit-Train-17-28-32-or101-also-American-Flyer-Marx-/110953640504?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d55a3238

You might try him out too. I am planning to get him to make me a custom announcement using the old Jack Benny Cucamonga routine.

Jerry

You might want to think about using a Rail Sounds unit. Lionel has been putting them in conventionally controlled locomotives and they sound great.

There are also Rail Sounds equipped freight cars that could be updated with newer electronics. Another option would be to take Rail Sounds boards, hook them up in a stationary installation and use your big speakers for final out put. You would then have a 21st Century version of the old American Flyer Whistling Billboards and Diesel Horns.

Ed Boyle

Two weeks ago I bought a Polar Express tender with railsounds/trainsounds, whatever this system is called.    I switched bodies with my old tender (6646 ?).  

It is a great addition to my old 2025 steamer.  About $100 and works great. 

You can "roll your own" with the same sound unit that is in that Noma station for a lot less money.  There is a little USB adapter with the software to record your own sounds included.

Big DAWG Sound Module

I use this module in my command Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.  I run it from a power supply from track voltage and not batteries.

Thanks everyone for your ideas!What Lionel part# is a railsounds unit?,or what used engine,car or whatnot could I pull an old one out of?Does the railsounds unit run on AC or DC? The sampling units sound like a good idea also.It would be great to go hang out around a trainyard and "sample some real stuff",and then try and string some stuff together.This is a great forum,i'm happy I found it,and glad to be a part of it!

contact your local Railroad!! Just kidding.

Had a friend buy a real horn from

a rail yard (surplus sale).

took it home and wanted to see what it sounded

like. hooked up an air compressor and touched it

off IN THE HOUSE. Just about blew his brains out

OUCH!

kennyb, both these places have stationary sound systems and I have no clue if you would be able use your existing speaker.

Dallee Electornics, Inc
Stationary Steam Locomotive Sound Systems
http://www.dallee.com/Stationary_steam.htm

ITT Products
http://www.ittproducts.com/products.html
HQ sound modules - Hear sample sound files
http://www.ittproducts.com/