HO scale DC train sounds?

Question

can you have sounds without getting DCC or a background

sound system?

Answer 1

Yes you can, but it is more difficult to setup than with the new DCC Systems.

Have been doing HO Scale for years, and though I loved my club member's models that did have sound, they spent lots of time trying to get the little sound systems to work properly.

I am a former member of the Monterey and Salinas Valley Model Railroad Club, located in Salinas, CA.  

The older systems, especially for steam used a cam system to signal the little sound processor to "Chuff" properly.  Though sometimes they sounded more like controlled static from a car radio. Ha Ha Ha. :)

The Diesels had the same type of a cam system, though you could time this one from the little driveshaft if you were using Athearn Locomotives.  But again, all of the diesels sounded the same.  This was mainly due to the size of the speaker, and one member, just enclosed the system in a Box Car, and always located it directly behind the locomotive.  This was actually one of the best setup's I had seen.  It worked very well.

This type of setup was nice, because you did not have to rely on track power to power the little processor, he used a 9v Battery for the power supply, and on the bottom of the car located a power switch and a hatch, so the battery could be easily replaced, but totally concealed, so as not to give the cars appearance any issues.

Today, the DCC System offers the best possible technology for adding sound to your layout.  The only issue I have is the fact that if you have many of the older style locomotives, that were never intended for DCC, the cost of making the upgrades can be quite cost prohibitive, (in my case 64 Diesel Locomotives, and 40+ Steam).

For me however, this is mainly why I have never upgraded to DCC.  Just so you are aware, DCC equipped locomotives, will operate just fine on a regular DC Layout.  Its just their sound processors will not operate.  However, the opposite is not true for non-DCC equipped locomotives operating on a DCC layout.  

A couple of the clubs that I attend, have spent a little extra cash, and have a follow sound system, (directional sound), that actually follows the locomotives as they circulate the layouts.  The sound system does not look much different than your home stereo, the only addition was a laptop, to modulate the sound controller and timing.  For this system to operate properly, (as intended), each of the locomotives or a boxcar is fitted with a small tracking emitter, that tells the computer exactly where the specific locomotive is on the layout.  So if you are running several trains, the sound will follow each train accordingly.  Even if they pass in the same section, it will process the sounds accordingly.  Needless to say, this club has spend some money on this system.  Not something I would have in my home.

Model Railroader Magazine has several articles that will help you add sound to your trains.  But you are probably going to have to request some back copies, or check out your local hobby store's book section.  Since everything has gone to DCC, the individual sound systems are pretty scarce.

As for me, well they are still just toys, and I have no problems with them sounding that way on my layout.

Good Luck!