Who makes a stupid-simple, free standing, unit that broadcasts random train voices and sounds?

Have you looked into the sound modules at ITT Products? https://ittproducts.com/index.html.  They can even make custom modules. I have several, including a custom module, and they work great.  Simple switch operated.

Hope this helps.

Michael

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want the capability to change your sounds by recording them yourself, do you really want to buy a canned sound board with no ability to change the sounds?

I have one of those "stupid" voice modules installed under my train table, close to the train station, with a fixed message that emulates the announcement you would hear for a train about to depart. "Now departing ______ the ______ Limited with station stops in ________, _________, ___________, _______ and _________. All Aboard"  It was custom recorded by a person at the York train show who sounded like an authentic  conductor. It is triggered by a push button switch at the front edge of the table. It's still working perfectly after 20 years.

Michael and John,

Thanks for your excellent points.  I was hoping that there was a $50 item, like the whistle sheds, that just broadcast random trains sounds plus voice.   Sounds like it will be more complicated than that.

I considered just buying a cheap CD player, and playing a CD of these matters, but I was really surprised to find that there are lots of CDs with hours of "real live recordings" of the random sounds of switch yards and engines.  But, none of them include voices.

I will investigate both of the options you have suggested.

I live 3 miles from a a tiny Amtrak station in Culpeper.  A passenger train comes through and stops four times a day.  Maybe I can go down there with a CD recorder and get one of the engineers to yell some train commands  into it, before the train rolls southwards to Charlottesville.  :-)

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Did you see this?

Finally, the Universal MP3 Sound Board Has Arrived

You can pick up one of the last initial release boards here.

Universal 5 Channel MP3 Sound Board

Thanks for the info Bruce.   I am definitely going to the next York show.  (Maybe that conductor guy is still there!)

John,

Your kit looks very interesting.   Would you please tell me:

1.  What would a compatible * ohm speaker cost?

2.  I assume that I would have to buy a separate device to record on a micro-sd card.  My laptop has a slot for a card like that, and is suppose to have a built in microphone.  Could I just record using my lap-top?  If not, what would be the cheapest free-standing recording unit I could buy.

Thanks all advice.

Mannyrock

Little sounds can add a larger speaker cheap and easy;

https://www.ngineering.com/little_sounds.htm

MRC used to make a very basic system, Sound Station 312.  Sold quite a few when I worked part time at a LHS.

KJ,

This little system looks pretty neat.  Only $36.00 for their system with the largest speaker.  Definitely not an 8 OHM, but maybe loud enough for background noises.   And, there are three or four train related recordings in the library.

I guess that I would have to find out if I could join them all up and run them continually in sequence. 

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Oh geez Ed, the 312 system looks interesting too.  So, now my head is spinning with info.

Will have to rest my brain until tomorrow.

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

John,

Your kit looks very interesting.   Would you please tell me:

1.  What would a compatible * ohm speaker cost?

2.  I assume that I would have to buy a separate device to record on a micro-sd card.  My laptop has a slot for a card like that, and is suppose to have a built in microphone.  Could I just record using my lap-top?  If not, what would be the cheapest free-standing recording unit I could buy.

Thanks all advice.

Mannyrock

8 ohm speakers are a few bucks.  I don't supply it simply because there are so many sizes and shapes that might be used.  You can use any computer with a USB port, the little red & black think is a micro-SD to USB reader.  The excellent and free Audacity sound editor is what I recommend for recording and manipulating the sounds.  Even if you don't have a mic, you can buy and add-on for a few bucks, you don't need a separate device.

Lionel 6-22999 Operating Dispatch Station.

Jon

Thanks Jon, that is exactly the type of thing I am looking for. Unfortunately, teh Dispatch Station only lets you record a 40 second message.  Still, the kids may get a real kick out of easily recording their own voice to play back while they run the trains.. 

GunnerJohn, Thanks for that info.     Would it  be possible to tell me where I can find the Instruction sheet, to tell me how to hook up your kit?   Seeing that bank of 9 white wires is pretty intimidating.

Thx,

Mannyrock

This is what I did a few years ago. Not  suggesting as an option so much as it fits with the thread topic.

I picked up the Lionel Bluetooth Radio Tower for the layout. Besides being a decent looking accessory that fits in with my Postwar layout, it enables you to play sounds from any Bluetooth enabled device. I downloaded a FREE railroad sounds App to my phone and play them through the radio tower. You can also play music, etc. Tower has a volume control and the audio is good.

Will try and get a pic up later.

@Mannyrock posted:

GunnerJohn, Thanks for that info.     Would it  be possible to tell me where I can find the Instruction sheet, to tell me how to hook up your kit?   Seeing that bank of 9 white wires is pretty intimidating.

Did you look at the link previously posted?  The instruction sheet was linked in that post.  Here is the link.

Download the manual here: MP3 Universal Sound Module Documentation v1.8.pdf

Gunrunner,  Thanks.   Very sorry that I missed that link.

JohnsTrains:  Thanks very much for the suggestions  John, I really appreciate it.  But I am super low tech.   Bluetooth?  Through the phone?   Seven  years ago I bought a flip phone for $21.00 at Walmart.  It is still going strong.  :-)    I do all of my business dealings, personal calls, etc. on it.  It even has voice mail!     I tell people to never send me a text.  If they want to contact me, they should man up and call me.  If I don't pick up, they can leave me a message.

In that same period, my wife has squandered about $2,200 on two smart phones.  Just so she can look at videos, giggle, and flip through hundreds of pictures.   She also spends lots of time wandering around, looking down at the little screen, and typing with her thumbs. 

I do have a cheap Acer laptop, that I bought from Walmart for $400 four years ago.    I do all of my word processing, legal work, e-mail, and stock market work on it.    I'm hoping to get another 2 years out of it.  :-)

Get an old Panasonic or Sony cassette player/recorder, AC /DC with speaker and all.  At thrift stores, garage sales etc.

Charlie

Charlie is always there with a simple solution!

Tom

Charlie,

My brother has one of the deck-type cassette units that is part of his stereo set. He finds then at a big Thrift store near his house.  I think his is a Panasonic.  Maybe worth checking out that store next time I am up there.

Thanks,

Mannyrock