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Model Railroader contributing editor Andy Sperandeo installed a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder into his HO scale Atlas Alco S-2 switcher. Watch as Andy runs the HO scale diesel locomotive on our Beer Line model train layout. He’ll also show you how to prototypically use the horn and bell when running a DCC sound equipped locomotive on a model railroad.
Steam and diesel horns sound different but the message is the same. For this exercise Equal Sign will be Long, B will be Bell, and the Letter O will be short. = One Long is Stop the Engineer also blows this when he is applying the brakes. B== Bell and Two Longs is the signal the brakes are released and the train is leaving the yard. OO Two Shorts is to acknowledge any signal. OOO Three Shorts is the backup signal you better get out of the way. OOOO Four Shorts is Repeat. =OOO One Long and Three Shorts is the signal for the brakeman to attach the FRED and protect the rear. = = = = Four Longs The flagman may return from west or south. and Five he comes in from the East or North. B = = o = Bell ,Two Longs, a Short and a Long is the International Crossing Signal every Railfan knows this one. O= Short and Long is Brake Test. =O is The Safety Signal and you never want to hear this one OOOOOO Six Shorts is the Emergency Signal you hear that you get out of the way. Bells and Horns must be sounded at all crossings, bridges, and at the entrance to a tunnel or snow shed.
good tips one thing that gets on my goat is people using the wrong whistle on steam locomotives. ALCO engines have chime whistles LIMA and Baldwins don't. Using the wrong whistle is not prototypical or realistic.
Good video about swiching
instructive videos like these are the best…..I enjoy all the videos, but it is great to watch the pros and learn from them. I like the product reviews, but my railroad profits are limited, thus I can't afford many purchases.
thanks for posting the vid
realy nice, give a lot of idears , i like it
it was really good video about swiching
MTH locomotives have a "coupling" and "uncoupling" sound. My engineers activate this sound after the brakeman signals (with a hand signal) that the coupling/uncoupling was completed successfully. The sound activation serves as an acknowledgement from the engineer that he knows that the coupling/uncoupling was completed. Expanding the use of sound and hand signals has made model railroad operation a lot of fun for our crews.
I have added a horn sound (one short, to indicate that the engine is stopped with the brakes on) to the rule book for my model railroad to improve the communication between the engineer and brakeman. When the brakeman knows that the engine is stopped with the brakes on, he can safely throw switches or couple/uncouple cars. While the engineer talks to the brakeman with horn signals, the brakeman signals to the engineer with hand signals. I enjoy this non-verbal communication for two-man operation.
Andy…Great video and very useful, but is that an Oakland Raiders logo on your shirt?
Milwaukee Northern RR
Very useful indeed, thanks Andy.
very helpful
Thanks Andy, I am always interested in how the sound integrates into operations, I think it adds to the overall dimension and realism.
Merv, at the time the "Beer Line" is set (late forties IIRC) engines only normally used headlights at night. Some railroads set rules that the lights should be on all the time in the fifties, but it didn't become normal / required practice until I think the sixties.
Andy's voice was a bit louder than the sound of the engine. I also wonder just like P. Abernathy said, can the engine be programmed so that the engine sound would rev up before the engine started moving?
Great video. I model an indoor switching RR in G scale and have DCC and sound. Andy's info. adds greatly to operations.The video also grings back fond memories as a kid watching a NYC S-2 switch the local freight house near my old neighborhood. Thanks. You guys are the best.
Very useful video – thanks!
Great Video! Loads of info. Nice job on scenery!
That was a nice piece of action and sound that I think is making the hobby much better…
Great tips Andy! One thing I'll add is that some HO scale manufacturers (MTH being one) have the forward and reverse horn signals programmed to be operated with the touch of one of the function keys. I do like the manual turnouts though. I'm thinking of adding a couple of these on a layout that I'm redoing.
You mentioned at the end to read your article in the December Model Railroader. Were you talking about the up coming December 2012 issue and one of the past December issues?
Great articale. Go Broncos!!!!
Sixty-five years later, I can still remember lying in a heavyweight Pullman berth (age five!) with my Mom travelling down to see her folks in Southern Illinois, and hearing that lonesom whistle blow at the grade crossings. Of course, I can still hear that sound as my Burlington E5 (kitbashed Proto2000 E6) pulls the Zephyr through the night on my layout, with the lights off. Since most of my locos are older DC, I am contemplating adding DCC decoders and sound, at least to some of them…especially the steamers.
Thanks, Andy, for a terrific video!
Andy I noted the headlight wasn't lit. I fitted a QSI sound decoder into an Atlas RS1 – sounds great. I fitted the mini oval speaker in an enclosure under the radiator grille but the casualty was the headlight. Wondered if you did the same. Now with contact LED's I plan to go back sometime and have a headlight again. A great feature of the QSI decoder is configuring F6 to automatically blow grade crossing sequence. Greetings from New Zealand
Thanks for this practical demonstration.
One question: on that DCC decoder, can the throttle be notched before moving the loco? With the momentum added, I thought that the engine would notch first, then after whatever delay is programmed in, the loco would begin to move.
thank for tell me about the december artice