If you are wondering about my obsession with sound it is because my wife and I are about to have our first child (a boy) and since he wont be able to touch the set for several years I would still like to make it as interesting as possible for him. My hope is that he will take a liking to model trains and that it will become something we can do as father and son.

                                                                                                                            Thanks Again,
                                                                                                                                JandD

Quote from: Jerrys HO on May 20, 2012, 01:43:18 PM
J & D

The Sound Commander comes with everything. For 370.00 I think it is better than purchasing the Dynamis which comes in the Sound Commander then buying the Frontiersman set which is DCC no sound, adding a good soundtraxx decoder at least 100.00 plus installation if you don't know how. You still get the Spectrum 2-8-0 loco but with everything there for you. You do the math...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=bachmann+sound+commander&_sacat=19128&_odkw=&_osacat=19128

Jerry

also the Cavalier set does not have sound.

Jerry and Rich

      I have found the Dynamis Sound Commander at a site called Hobbylinc.com  http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/s8.cgi?tag0_i=541&cat_s=UAC&p=2 for $317 I am now wondering about the history of the C&O version vs. the New Haven version what are your opions please? You guys have been very helpful and I really do appreciate the help. 
                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                         JandD

Quote from: vern1959 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:18 AM
Hi JandD!
For $300 I bought the Dynamis starter set ($120) and the Spectrum Cavalier DCC starter set ($180) from modeltrainstuff.com. The Dynamis wireless control has some line-of-sight issues but generally works very well and the Cavalier set is really beautiful (N&W 4-8-4) and the coaches are lit.
Have since added several DCC and sound locos and the Dynamis has handled them all. I am primarily an "O" scale person but the combo I listed above has been a wonderful intro to the world of HO wireless control!
   Have fun,
      Vern

Vern does the Cavalier set have sound or do you have to add it after the fact?

Ok so here is a link to the original set that I was contemplating purchasing from the Hobby store but then found it online cheaper. The man at the store was ready to sell me the Dynamis controller also but did not seem sure if the combination of the two would enable me to have sound.  I  like this set but I am wondering how much of a pain it would be to get sound to it. 


http://www.dunnstoyandhobby.com/Bachmann_01303_TRAIN_SET_FRONTRSMAN_SOU_HO_p/bac01303.htm

Thank you all for the information I am glad I decided to join the forum because I have been getting a little overwhelmed researching this hobby. I am very excited to get started but I am being very cautious before I make my first purchase. Like most everyone I am trying to get the most bang for my buck and my wife will only let me spend so much. I am just a little confused if DCC is the only way to get sound. The guy at the hobby store made it sound that way. Also If I buy a starter set that is DCC equipped besides getting the controller will I need to buy a decoder for the locomotive?

                                                                                                                               Thanks,
                                                                                                                                JandD

Quote from: vern1959 on April 30, 2012, 11:47:18 AM
Hi JandD!
For $300 I bought the Dynamis starter set ($120) and the Spectrum Cavalier DCC starter set ($180) from modeltrainstuff.com. The Dynamis wireless control has some line-of-sight issues but generally works very well and the Cavalier set is really beautiful (N&W 4-8-4) and the coaches are lit.
Have since added several DCC and sound locos and the Dynamis has handled them all. I am primarily an "O" scale person but the combo I listed above has been a wonderful intro to the world of HO wireless control!
   Have fun,
      Vern

I was just wondering if the Dynamis starter set you are refering to is the Wireless E-Z Command Dynamis DCC controller #36505? I really like your suggestion seeing that I am on a little bit of a budget. I just want to make sure I am looking at the right controller.

                                                                                                                                      thanks,
                                                                                                                                          JandD

Hello,
    I am looking for a steam locomotive train set.  The people at the local hobby store have been about as helpful as they can be but seem to be lacking in certain knowledge pertaining to DCC and sound. I am wanting to have sound and possibly steam. I have looked at buying the Spectrum Frontiersman set which has DCC on board but I am not sure what decoder I would need or controller to give it sound and be able to control it. I have also looked at buying the Iron King set which is not DCC equipped but has steam. I was curious what I would need to buy or if it is possible to get this engine to have sound and be able to control it.  I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me.       

                                                                                                                           Thank You,
                                                                                                                              JandD