Model Railroading > Sound Decoder for a FM Trainmaster

Any suggestions for a sound decoder to install into a FM Trainmaster? I know that Tsunamia markets a FM sound decoder but it does not indicate that it is correct for the Trainmaster.

Marty Harrison
Knob Noster, MO

In that FM only used the opposed piston engine, they should all sound pretty much the same. That said, the switchers may have fewer cylinders than the H-24-66. In that it doesn't mention a given FM locomotive model, however, I wouldn't worry about it.

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. Who really really know the difference between the switcher's OP engine and the sounds from the Trainmaster?

Marty Harrison
Knob Noster, MO

Sorry, but all FM's did not sound the same. Did an EMD SW1200 sound like a GP7? No! The same was true of FM's. So far I haven't heard a decent FM sound system. The QSI version that Atlas uses in their Train Masters is very poor. It bears only a passing resemblance to the real thing.

KG



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/12 16:47 by kgmontreal.

Exactly right...not all FM's sounded alike. I grew up in Upper Michigan in the mid '60's on the C&NW and I can still remember a difference between the H16-66 and the H10-44 engines. Now if I only had some tape recordings of them :). I can still hear them in my head - if only I could port that sound to a CD!

Ted

Is not the only Trainmaster in existence located in Canada and not operational?

The only Train Master extant is at Exporail - The Canadian Railway Museum in St-Constant, QC and you're right it is not operational.

KG

I agree. I wish that I could have a recording of the four FMs that we had on-board ship. Nothing like standing between a pair to take lube oil readings on a rocking and rolling watch.

Recordings are available. Get volume 1 of first generation diesels from daylightsales.com. URL for audio CD-ROM is http://www.daylightsales.com/product_info.php/cPath/2_12/products_id/539/osCsid/956ndhhagm1u5bjel7lgong927 .

Unfortunately, my ATLAS Trainmasters do not sound the same. The first generation Soundtraxx decoders do better.

The recording I need are the sounds from late model H16-44, which had GE electrical instead of Westinghouse.

John

DocJohn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Recordings are available. Get volume 1 of first
> generation diesels from daylightsales.com. URL
> for audio CD-ROM is
> http://www.daylightsales.com/product_info.php/cPat
> h/2_12/products_id/539/osCsid/956ndhhagm1u5bjel7lg
> ong927 .

There are 5 recordings of Southern Pacific's F-M H-24-66 Train Masters at the Utah Rails web site:

http://utahrails.net/sounds-index.php

Not all of the FM OP's sound the same, not at all. The smaller ones are alot more "lumpier". One of the tugs I work on has an FM 8-38D81/8. Hearing a hook up, fully loaded OP is a sound you will never forget. Its a sound in its own world. Having to spend a week 6' away from one..can be a bit much.

FM made more engines then you can shake a stick at over the years, and the RR's only got to experience the 38's. There older, non OP engines are by far, the coolest, especially in sound, engines I have ever been around.

If the RR's had better maintenance routines, I think FM could have made it. Keep in mind, they ARE still made today, with the bigger OP's pushing 4000hp.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/12 20:29 by sixaxlecentury.

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