Is sound realistic / worth it? Take two...
In November 2020 I bought my first 'modern' DCC sound fitted locomotive, and shared my first thoughts on the possibilities of the technology on the hobby...
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| My Athearn Genesis GP40-2LW has evolved over the past 14 months. |
Well in the time that has passed I've embraced the technology through my North American H0 scale models. In this new video I honestly reflect on my change of opinion and thoughts on the benefit that a sound fitted model brings to your layout.
If you enjoy the video please do like and subscribe to my channel. Until next time, more soon...
Hi James
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog on the merits of sound and your “conversion” to this. I had a “Damascene” moment that converted me to sound and DCC for operations and added realism although mine was a few years ago. I had been sure that this new technology was not for me but my local NMRA group ( well not that local but the nearest as it is an hour away) has a large north American layout ( Essex Belt lines). I can’t visit ther r too often but on one visit a member had brought an Alco HH and had I burbling away on his coal branch. As it moved off all the sounds of US and European industrial switchers I had seen came flooding back in miniature and I was hooked. I only down side was the need to add DCC and sound to the lokeys I was using – some which were not too successful. However the upsides outweigh this
Well what are the upsides? I think your comments are a good summary. Sound gives more realism both to the actual unit and the way it I operated. As you say it slows the process down to what feels like a more prototypical speed. With sound you do not have to keep everything moving. There is time to consider what the crew would do. Remember the horn/whistle codes and take the time to stop and couple. No crashing into a set of cars and accelerating off without stopping as I see too often at exhibitions. Certainly in HO and above I would agree with the Tony Koester in the states who says that now without sound you are missing the railroad experience of your modelling
Best regards
Alan
Hi Alan, good to hear from you, thanks for the personal reflection. I had the same opinion as you it sounds (no pun intended) but was won over not by a diesel depot full of noise but a solitary burble of a locomotive at work.
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