hi just got the new engine and i was wondering if there any way to get sound on board i am also planning to get the B unit and another A unit
You buy a decoder, one for your engine, like bachmann so and so, and you simpley open the locomotive up and plug it into the slot it is suppose to go in. I would go to wikipedia.com/decoders. Decoders are computer chips with a task to decode messages or currents sent to it, inturn, the decoder makes noise, effects, etc.
More help will come.
~happy railroading,
Santa Fe buff.
do i have to replace the decoder thats already in there now or do i just add another one to the train
You have to have a sound decoder - I assume you want one for a diesel, and maybe even one for early F units - and you need a speaker and perhaps a resister. You also need a DCC system unless your decoder will also handle DC. I would recommend looking at Soundtraxx first - or go to Tony's Train Xchange.
Gene
how do i go about adding a speaker and is there room inside the engine and yes i am building a dcc layout which i am new at aswell and will most likey need help with that i would like to run 3-4 trains and 2-3 levels
I'd go with ESU(or more commonly known as loksound). They are expensive ($100) but have some of the best sounds, and the speaker is already wired tot he decoder. I don't think Bachmann used plug and play decoders in the FT's. Instead the Decoder is part of the circuit board. You will first have to remove the decoder, and solder in the loksound decoder.
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/esu_standard.htm
You'd want decoder 72429, or 72430. The only difference, is that 72430 has dynamic brake sounds, while 72429 does not. I don't think ATSF FT's were equipped with dynamics, but you'd have to check.
i want to make a A-B-A set so should i put saound in all three ?
Would a Digitrax Soundbug work for you? You retain the original decoder for motor control and piggyback the sound module on to it.
http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_sfx0416.php (http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_sfx0416.php)
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=84017 (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=84017)
Sid
well this will be my first time trying anything like this