My grandson & I are lusting after a 2-6-6-2 loco. He's only 6 yrs old, but boy can he lust! The only new ones I can find have Tsunami sound. (I want to stay with Bachmann). Can anyone recommend a book from which I can educate myself about sound for model trains. For example, do we need DCC to use Tsunami sound? We run DC, but we're willing to consider going to DCC if that's absolutely required. I seem to remember reading somewhere about using sound under DC. Thank you
For the best enjoyment of the loco you may want DCC, but not having DCC is very limiting, however, if you have a friend with DCC, you can have him program some things for you like automatic bells and whistles. But you will not be able to trigger a sound at the push of a button because Bachmann sound equipped locos do not come with a special sound controller for DC use. I would advise that you buy an E-Z Command DCC System to get your feet wet with DCC and it will allow you to enjoy your loco more and it will run better on DCC than on DC. For DC the loco will run much better with the 2 jumpers installed in place of the decoder, but then you would have no sound. If you want sound buy the loco with sound and by an introductory DCC system like the E-Z Command, if you don't want sound buy a non-sound loco from an online retailer or elsewhere and stick with DC and replace the decoder with the jumpers. But, I would not advise getting the sound loco without a DCC system. Two cents deposited.
Tsunami decoders are made by a company called Soundtraxx. If you go to their website at www.soundtraxx.com and then click on Manuals, you'll find two links pertaining to Tsunami decoders in Bachmann steam locos. Hope this helps.
If you go with the sound loco, below is a link to the SoundTraxx site with the Bachmann sound links. Download the documents and do some reading. Yes, going from the DC to DCC era can be intimidating but there are people here who will help.
Store the links in Favorites as you will use them in the future.
Be advised there are some differences in decoders and controllers from different companies.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
The EZ Command can be found on ebay for under $100 or below brand new for $60.00. I buy all my DCC supplies from Litchfield. They ship quickly. If the cost for items is over $75.00, free shipping and even under $75.00, shipping cost has been reasonable.
There are some EZ Commad users here who can help.
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=216
I use another brand controller that is about $160.00 but will not mention it here.
At least this will probably give your son enough sounds to satisfy him.
Rich
Thank you ABC, OldTimer, and richg for the helpful comments and web site recommendations. The Litchfieldstation site mentioned by richg has a University feature which has lots of great info.
A great vendor for Bachmann items, this site is an authorized seller and has a large selection.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTRUM-HO-2-6-6-2-DCC-TSUNAMI-SOUND-TRAIN-C-0-84802_W0QQitemZ190410239058QQcategoryZ0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m506QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DNGRI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D370390319441%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7492162419172751693
To help you decide whether you like the sound version maybe these 2 short video's will help. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeGCwPrlt2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNjgqD5K6-g
Quote from: Pacific Northern on June 28, 2010, 05:15:32 PM
A great vendor for Bachmann items, this site is an authorized seller and has a large selection.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTRUM-HO-2-6-6-2-DCC-TSUNAMI-SOUND-TRAIN-C-0-84802_W0QQitemZ190410239058QQcategoryZ0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m506QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DNGRI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D370390319441%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7492162419172751693
I have purchased from the Favorite Spot. Good seller.
Rich