If I did got to sound on the Allegheny Eastern I would go with separate sound decoders rather than the integrated type. For one this would allow me to mount the sound devices in the dummy units and control decoders in the powered ones. Saves on trying to cram all this electronics into each model and grinding the frame to suit. In fact, the B units could house multiple decoders, one for each locomotive in the lashup. Steam engines would have the decoders installed in the tender, with or without sound. The real problem area would be switchers. Not much room to spare. It is possible to install a decoder with some ingenuity, but sound is another story.
Why stop there? Surely there are many other applications for sound. On the Allegheny Eastern the most obvious place to start would be Altoona. Think of it, traffic noises, kids playing, dogs barking, cats mewing...The possibilities are endless. Of course each sound source would get it's own decoder. If all the locomotives have individual sound, shouldn't all the other sources? Each auto on the streets could have its on decoder with sounds recorded from the actual car the model represents. After all a Model T has a distinctive sound from any other automobile. Chrysler products have a very unique starter sound. We could have sounds for Buick straight 8's, Cadillac V-8, V-12's or V-16's. Diesel trucks would definitely need their own sounds, including air horns, brakes and air shifters. Vehicles stuck at grade crossings would have drivers grumbling about the delay and the railroad in general.
The city should also have mothers correcting their children from third story windows, newsboys hawking papers, and drunks snoring in alleys. If you felt inclined you could have alarms, breaking glass and gunfire in the seedier parts of town. How about a ball field where each player and spectator has their own decoder with specialized sounds. You could even use your own voice yelling "Throw the bum out!" Get your family and friends involved or even the local high school. Record the band members and athletic teams. The speakers can be concealed in the scenery, under the bleechers, a sewer grate, a trash can or even some cloth painted to match the sidewalk. All the decoders would be mounted under the scenery, probably stacked up to make more room. Of course that would mean installing cooling fans to dissipate all that heat. The blast from these fans could be channeled to the layout to simulate a strong breeze. Don't forget blowing papers and/or leaves.
The rural areas should have the sounds of nature. There should be deer rutting, wolves (coyotes if you model those areas) howling, squirrels chattering in the trees and birds. Water running in a stream, frogs croaking, herons screeching and splashing in general. Why not simulate a thunderstorm? Having actual water cascading from the sky might be a bit problematic, but you could have thunder.
Going back to the trains we would need at least one decoder for each piece of rolling stock. There should be wheel noise and coupler sounds. Stock car decoders would produce animal sounds depending on what critters are being transported. Passenger trains should have the same train noises plus AC equipment, conductor's crying "Tickets" and passenger conversations. The parlor cars should have tinkling glasses and music (the kind depends on your era). Imagine dining cars with clinking plates or sleepers with snoring.
Your locomotive could have the engineer yelling across to the fireman over the noise of their charge. Remember you can only have radio sounds on radio equipped trains. Pennsy used much quieter radio phones. Before these innovations everyone used whistle blasts.
I'm not sure how you would handle the wattage all these decoders would require. Maybe you could have the electric company install 200 amp service to the layout. There must be some company that produces a 18VAC 200 Amp power supply. Maybe you could buy twenty of those 10 amp boxes from Lenz?
Oh yeah, don't forget the ear plugs or protectors. I understand from other articles that sound can be distracting.
With tongue in cheek,
Frank Musick
Building a dream layout on a nightmare budget
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| The Allegheny Eastern Railroad |
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