More DCC Experience

Nothing like progress!!  Remembering which and how many switches to pull allows DC or DCC by choice (OK, so I've since found that you can run a DCC decoder-equipped loco on DC if you know what you're doing, but I'm not there, yet; AND, I'm not sure if there's room in Thomas to ever install a decoder).

Not satisfied with just "running" the locomotives via DCC, new decoders were procured with SOUND!  These things are amazing.  Not only specific diesel motor sound for each engine used in a particular loco -- my Walthers SW1 and Athearn F3 both use an EMD 567 "prime mover" as they say -- but also horn, bell, brake squeal, air compressor pop off, and so forth.  However, Soundtraxx recommends different sound decoders due to the manufacturer or company -- Walthers versus Athearn.  The Athearn is a Tsunami GN-1000 while the Walthers is a Tsunami Micro 750 so it will fit in the smaller locomotive [I had these decoders interchanged when first posted; now corrected].

Used an oval speaker (18X53X14mm from RailMaster Hobbies) in the Athearn F3 but still chose to cut the "sound chamber" to allow placement in the body:

Trial placement seems to be OK.  Need to remove "temporary" motion-only decoder and hardwire Soundtraxx decoder!  If I could only solder well.





Finished product looks OK to me:

Actually, some issues with overload, hesitation, and such; but attention to cleaning track may have solved most of that.  Minor issues such as replacing headlight with 1.5V bulb and adjusting momentum on decoder so loco doesn't make 2 1/2 laps before stopping are just fine-tuning what seems to be operating now.  I wonder which air horn should be used -- there are over a dozen choices!

The little SW1 was a little more difficult to work with.  Got the TSU-750 Soundtraxx decoder and a 3/4" round speaker with enclosure (QSI).  Did not use all of the enclosure (there's an extension with the unit) but still had a tough time getting hardware into the loco.  Speaker and capacitor ended up in the cab to begin with.  However, while trying to use heat-shrink tubes for insulation, the hot-air gun melted the insulation on some other wires.  Tried wrapping with electrician's tape, but didn't like the results.  So, found some 30 AWG wire (that is REALLY small stuff) and rewired the thing.  Placed the capacitor under the hood after moving the decoder rearward a bit; speaker still in cab.  Still need to work on lights with this loco, but it's running and we have sound.

Before (left) and after (right).  Does not look much different, but it is!






And one grandson is pleased as punch!  Notice the "motion" of both locos -- F3 without body installed near camera and SW1 in rear, right from camera view.