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Post by packer on Feb 26, 2024 10:37:23 GMT -8
I’d welcome it if it happened.
Rapido is doing the C30-7 and Aurora is doing the C36-7 which were sorely needed. Maybe a U30C or U33/36C is in the pipeline for one of them?
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Post by NS4122 on Feb 26, 2024 10:54:54 GMT -8
Now if only there was a machine where you could type in a topic and have it show you videos all about it. Oh wait... And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version. Maybe you can easily change the sound file, but I do not have the expertise or the right equipment/software, and my dealer does not either. When I have contacted ESU and also their forum, the answers I received were not helpful/adequately understandable to me. I would have to sit down with somebody who knows what they are doing, who could walk me through everything from the beginning with a real live example, and I do not know anybody locally who does know what they are doing. IF my dealer knew such a person, he would refer me to them, and he does not. Some people locally are great modelers but not great with electronics. All of us around here that I actually know, including the local regulars at the train store, just operate the models the way they come from the importer (yes we can change CV's but I don't know anybody that actually replaces sound files despite having asked around). If we don't like the sound on the models, we either turn it off completely or just sell them, as I did with the U28CG after complaining to Atlas about it. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 26, 2024 16:38:02 GMT -8
And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version. Maybe you can easily change the sound file, but I do not have the expertise or the right equipment/software, and my dealer does not either. When I have contacted ESU and also their forum, the answers I received were not helpful/adequately understandable to me. I would have to sit down with somebody who knows what they are doing, who could walk me through everything from the beginning with a real live example, and I do not know anybody locally who does know what they are doing. IF my dealer knew such a person, he would refer me to them, and he does not. Some people locally are great modelers but not great with electronics. All of us around here that I actually know, including the local regulars at the train store, just operate the models the way they come from the importer (yes we can change CV's but I don't know anybody that actually replaces sound files despite having asked around). If we don't like the sound on the models, we either turn it off completely or just sell them, as I did with the U28CG after complaining to Atlas about it. dang imagine if you opened the box and had to install the handrails from a kit? Changing the sound file can't be any harder than downloading podcasts, photos or other files to a thumb drive, which is how I printed shipping labels for a couple of years. Maybe you have to pull the decoder out, which can be a pain in the a--, but I can't see where the rest is going to be very hard. You just need the software to talk to the decoder and the interface to connect to it. I would think any model RR club running DCC is going to have that equipment. |
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 26, 2024 18:03:26 GMT -8
Wow, thank you so much for the kind and helpful remarks!
Mechanical stuff is easy, and electronics not so much.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 27, 2024 9:23:37 GMT -8
I think you've missed the point. No electronics work is required, no soldering, no wiring, it's literally plug and unplug and some clicks on a PC or laptop. I'd even be willing to bet you could send the decoder to someone else who could do the programming and send it back to you.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 27, 2024 9:38:03 GMT -8
I'd even be willing to bet you could send the decoder to someone else who could do the programming and send it back to you. ScaleTrains does that for their customers. |
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Post by cemr5396 on Feb 27, 2024 12:31:23 GMT -8
a lot of people in the last few comments seem to be taking for granted the proliferation of LokProgrammers in certain modeling circles.
If you don't have one or know someone that does, you can't do any significant programming work on a Lok Sound decoder - and that includes changing the sound file, which seems to be how we got on this tangent in the first place.
In that situation the only other option beyond just living with it is sending it to someone to have it done for you, which does not come without a cost, both in the shipping charges and whatever that person charges for their services.
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Post by middledivision on Feb 27, 2024 14:11:06 GMT -8
Or you could just settle for Soundtraxx and not have the option to upgrade.
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Post by middledivision on Feb 27, 2024 14:15:10 GMT -8
a lot of people in the last few comments seem to be taking for granted the proliferation of LokProgrammers in certain modeling circles. If you don't have one or know someone that does, you can't do any significant programming work on a Lok Sound decoder - and that includes changing the sound file, which seems to be how we got on this tangent in the first place. In that situation the only other option beyond just living with it is sending it to someone to have it done for you, which does not come without a cost, both in the shipping charges and whatever that person charges for their services. There’s this thing called Facebook and there’s an ESU group on there and I would bet someone would load a file for free. The only cost would be postage and if you can afford a sound unit, four or five bucks for Media Mail should be doable. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Feb 27, 2024 14:46:45 GMT -8
"And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version."
That may not necessarily be the case. Some factory equipped Loksound units do not have that ability. I'm not familiar with the model being discussed so can't say for sure.
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Post by NS4122 on Feb 27, 2024 16:54:23 GMT -8
Walthers Mainline sound equipped locomotives have an economy version ESU Sound decoder that does not have the ability to change sound files. The only thing you can do is change the horn and bell sounds via CVs. "And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version." That may not necessarily be the case. Some factory equipped Loksound units do not have that ability. I'm not familiar with the model being discussed so can't say for sure. |
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 27, 2024 22:42:20 GMT -8
Walthers Mainline sound equipped locomotives have an economy version LokSound decoder that does not have the ability to change sound files. The only thing you can do is change the horn and bell sounds via CVs. "And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version." That may not necessarily be the case. Some factory equipped Loksound units do not have that ability. I'm not familiar with the model being discussed so can't say for sure. Exactly right. The instructions with the Walthers Mainline SW-7 specifically say the sound files cannot be replaced. However, at $140, and only $35 of that for dcc and sound, I'm very happy with that particular engine. Regarding most of the Atlas U boats, they are a major pain in the butt to disassemble due to the infernal body mount tabs, which I am very careful with--but a few break anyway--and then you have a challenge to get the body glued to the deckpiece both in correct alignment and without noticeable glue showing. That is one reason I just don't dive in and disassemble an Atlas loco that is functioning reasonably well in all other respects. Also, not having good quality soldering equipment on hand, and the skills to be very neat with that, I do not attempt any soldering on or near circuit boards. Sure, I soldered track joints back in the day, but that is way different--you can be a hog with soldering track, but not electronics. Not all decoders just easily unplug; I'm aware of that much. I literally don't know anybody that I'd trust to disassemble my locos and not damage something in the process (excepting Scale Trains--they are phenomenal at that--but I'm not sending them an Atlas/Loksound engine either). Also I will note that there are guys who regularly spend thousands on model trains at the local store who would never think of changing sound files. They just do not bother with that. I suspect the number of people who actually do upgrade/replace sound files to be pretty small relative to the number of dcc/sound models actually sold. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 28, 2024 0:54:26 GMT -8
Walthers Mainline sound equipped locomotives have an economy version LokSound decoder that does not have the ability to change sound files. The only thing you can do is change the horn and bell sounds via CVs. "And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version." That may not necessarily be the case. Some factory equipped Loksound units do not have that ability. I'm not familiar with the model being discussed so can't say for sure. The LokSound name is only used on decoders on which the sounds can be reprogrammed using the LokProgrammer. The budget decoders using in WalthersMainline locomotives are labelled ESU Sound, and may or may not be the same decoders that at some point had the name Essential Sound Unit. Either way, the name LokSound is and was NOT used for these decoders. |
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 28, 2024 9:36:31 GMT -8
Walthers Mainline sound equipped locomotives have an economy version LokSound decoder that does not have the ability to change sound files. The only thing you can do is change the horn and bell sounds via CVs. The LokSound name is only used on decoders on which the sounds can be reprogrammed using the LokProgrammer. The budget decoders using in WalthersMainline locomotives are labelled ESU Sound, and may or may not be the same decoders that at some point had the name Essential Sound Unit. Either way, the name LokSound is and was NOT used for these decoders. This is factually incorrect. Link below is to a currently available model on Lombard Hobbies' website. They are only repeating Walthers' own verbiage, as are other dealers (I double checked just now, and other dealers are listing the engines with the same description): lombardhobby.com/walthers-mainline-ho-910-20654-emd-sw7-locomotive-with-esu-dcc-loksound-chicago-burlington-quincy-cb-q-9268/I have a brand new similar model. The Walthers instructions specifically say it is Loksound, and that it cannot be reprogrammed. Perhaps this is just a simple error on Walthers' part, but this is how they are being advertised in the US currently. Once again, I will note that the sound and dcc performance is pretty darn good for the extra $35 actual street price over the non-sound, plain dc version. The models are very nice relative to some others in the Mainline series. It was seeing the Loksound in the Walthers item description that caught my eye initially, as my son has 8 ESU/Loksound equipped locos that he loves (mostly ScaleTrains with one Bowser). |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 28, 2024 9:45:55 GMT -8
The LokSound name is only used on decoders on which the sounds can be reprogrammed using the LokProgrammer. The budget decoders using in WalthersMainline locomotives are labelled ESU Sound, and may or may not be the same decoders that at some point had the name Essential Sound Unit. Either way, the name LokSound is and was NOT used for these decoders. This is factually incorrect. Link below is to a currently available model on Lombard Hobbies' website. They are only repeating Walthers' own verbiage, as are other dealers (I double checked just now, and other dealers are listing the engines with the same description): lombardhobby.com/walthers-mainline-ho-910-20654-emd-sw7-locomotive-with-esu-dcc-loksound-chicago-burlington-quincy-cb-q-9268/I have a brand new similar model. The Walthers instructions specifically say it is Loksound, and that it cannot be reprogrammed. Perhaps this is just a simple error on Walthers' part, but this is how they are being advertised in the US currently. Once again, I will note that the sound and dcc performance is pretty darn good for the extra $35 actual street price over the non-sound, plain dc version. The models are very nice relative to anything in the Mainline series. Hmm. The Walthers page for this product does not include the word LokSound. www.walthers.com/emd-sw7-esu-sound-dcc-chicago-burlington-quincy-9265I'd love to see the scan of your manual. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 28, 2024 9:55:08 GMT -8
The two vendors I have found that use "LokSound" in their listings for these Mainline locomotives have differences in their text:
Lombard Hobbies: Walthers Mainline HO 910-20652 EMD SW7 Locomotive with ESU DCC/LokSound Atlantic Coast Line ACL #650
Tony's Trains: WalthersMainline 910-20652 HO EMD SW7, ESU LokSound DCC, Atlantic Coast Line #650
I strongly suspect they have changed these texts themselves. I can't find any Walthers page -- current or old (including marketing materials from several years ago in my emails) -- that use this incorrect naming. Walthers has always consistently written "ESU Sound".
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 28, 2024 9:56:30 GMT -8
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 28, 2024 10:06:29 GMT -8
That's a third party review. Someone else who got it wrong. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 28, 2024 10:07:06 GMT -8
Please, show me a scan of the manual where it says LokSound.
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 28, 2024 10:08:03 GMT -8
I found a couple SW-7's still on the Walthers website, where Walthers says "ESU Sound" in the description.
So then it appears that Lombard Hobby, some other dealers, and some YouTubers are all getting it wrong regarding Mainline Series locos.
I have to go out of town and am not even at home to be able to look.
Walthers says that you can download the manuals, but the only information available for the Mainline Series SW-7 that can be downloaded are the actual CV listings and instructions from Loksound, which do in fact say "ESU Sound". They are on Walthers' website and can be seen. The instructions that come with the loco are not there.
It appears that many dealers are indeed getting confused between Proto Series SW-1200's, SW-9's, and some other switchers, which DO have Loksound, and the Mainline Series engines that factually do NOT have Loksound, and that I, too, was mislead. I definitely did a double take when I saw item descriptions referring to Mainline Series locos as having full blown Loksound.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 28, 2024 10:44:37 GMT -8
I'm looking at the paperwork that came with one of my Mainline EMD switchers.
The word "Loksound" is nowhere present. EXCEPT in reference to the Programmer. Which has nothing to do the the guts of the loco.
"Changes to these can be made manually using CV entries or JMRI, but please note that sound files cannot be changed using the ESI LokSound Programmer."
My impression is that this means you can mess with many CV's, probably including individual sound levels, but you cannot CHANGE the original sound file that was plopped in at the factory. For these engines, that doesn't bother me a bit.
Thanks, Colin, for pointing all this out. I hadn't paid particular attention, though I DID have the impression that these particular decoders were somehow "lesser". Now I know the particular details. Or many of them, anyway.
Ed
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Post by carrman on Feb 28, 2024 11:13:17 GMT -8
a lot of people in the last few comments seem to be taking for granted the proliferation of LokProgrammers in certain modeling circles. If you don't have one or know someone that does, you can't do any significant programming work on a Lok Sound decoder - and that includes changing the sound file, which seems to be how we got on this tangent in the first place. In that situation the only other option beyond just living with it is sending it to someone to have it done for you, which does not come without a cost, both in the shipping charges and whatever that person charges for their services. There’s this thing called Facebook and there’s an ESU group on there and I would bet someone would load a file for free. The only cost would be postage and if you can afford a sound unit, four or five bucks for Media Mail should be doable. I'd program a Lok decoder for free. Dave |
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Post by Frank on Feb 29, 2024 9:13:39 GMT -8
Also--about that U33B/U36B that came in recently from Atlas. My musician friend is a big time GE nut with a very good ear. He was VERY impressed with the Atlas/Loksound U36B models and thought they sounded as realistic as any HO diesel possibly can. The SCL version in particular has a working nose mars light. The sound on these models is much nicer than the U28C/U28CG models were. I am a big fan of the model, especially with the new and improved cab. Huge leap in accuracy. However, those SCL models also slipped by QA with the rear numberboards non-existent. Just plain black. No big deal for me, but that isn’t the point. Atlas provides a good model at a fair price. I favor them heavily because SCL did not go nuts with road specific details. Thus, at the price point I am more than happy to improve them myself and save considerably over what a Genesis or Rivet Counter would run me. They would still do well to incorporate their cab revision into more models. Or at least provide it through their parts side as a standalone. I would buy dozens. |
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Post by lars on Feb 29, 2024 16:33:32 GMT -8
I picked up a High Tech cab on the cheap assuming that the Atlas cab won’t be available anytime soon. Is it worth using, or is the new Atlas cab much nicer?
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Post by cpr4200 on Feb 29, 2024 18:19:29 GMT -8
^^^ Hi Tech cab isn't perfect, either. New Atlas cab is very good. I, too, hope it's available separately. IMO the Proto GE cab is also very good, but not available separately.
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Post by rockfan on Mar 3, 2024 19:03:38 GMT -8
Atlas has U30B's coming later this year. The U30/33/36B are supposed to be the same length.
Anyone know if it's getting the new cab? It would make sense but you never know.
And Walthers has them listed with undecs available including one with a low hood and nose lights, but Atlas doesn't show this.
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