DIY Network

Sound Effects Learn how sound effects can enhance your model railroad layout. From "Workin' On the Railroad" episode DWRR-206L

Host Chris Chianelli and guest Kent Johnson, associate editor of Classic Toy Trains Magazine and a model railroad expert, discuss the advantages to incorporating sound effects when creating your model railroad layout.

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	Guest Kent Johnson demonstrates talks about the different types of sound effects you can utilize on your railroad model layout.
	Chris visited Knoxville, Tenn., to enjoy this steam locomotive passing famed Neyland Stadium on the University of Tennessee campus along the Tennessee River.
	Kent Johnson (middle) shares his love of model railroading with his father and son.

Steam and diesel locomotive sound effects can add realism and fun to your model railroad layout, and Chris Chianelli and Kent Johnson are going to explain how.

• Did You Know? Back in the days of the old steam engines the operators could use the whistle as a form of self expression. True! By playing with the whistle rope, the operator could create different tones and sounds.

• The whistle also had a lot to do with communication between the railroad crews—but not so much today. Throughout history, however, there were many whistle commands an operator could use to reveal a message.

• The sound effects today, according to Kent, are "not" the sounds of toy trains from years ago. "What we've got now are electronic circuit boards that are reproducing some of the sounds."

• Kent's layout is in his home near Milwaukee, Wis. His O gauge track has been built over a number of years. His layout includes a number of different structures, buildings, trains and sound effects.

• The locomotives that run on Kent's railroad give enthusiasts the opportunity to hear something much closer to reality. "The engines I run are mostly diesel engines. They have a nice, throaty sound that gives a sense of echoing through the valley."

  Note: Kent knows something about reverberation because he comes from a musical family. His father, Carl, is a retired music teacher and also a model train lover. "Sounds are the biggest part of my life," Carl said.

• O gauge equipment can replicate the sounds of real trains. The larger size plays to the sounds of locomotives.

• Kent's son, who has been running trains since he was three, is a fourth generation model railroader.

Kent's Model Railroad Layout:

	Figure A
	Figure B

Adding Sound Effects to Your Railroad Model Layout

• Kent demonstrated the sound of an old Lionel train from the '30s that resembled a pencil sharpener more than an authentic locomotive, but that was then. Today the realistic sound effects are available.

• Today there are sound chips that are loaded inside the model locomotives, including the MTH DCC system (figure A), which is a state-of-the-art sound effects system.

• Speakers that house the sound chips can go right inside one of the model cars.

• The size of the speaker is predicated on the size of the locomotive, which means the smaller scales won't have the power of sound as the larger scales, such as the O scale Kent uses.

• Th MTH DCC systems comes with a clever hand-held unit (figure B) that controls all the sounds. The handheld remote talks with the computer box, which is installed via wires to the track. There are inputs that can download "sound" software in order to supply an array of unique sound effects for your model railroad.

• The MTH DCC system has both variable and constant (or fixed) voltage going to the track. Variable is usually used for accessories.

• You can run a whole sequence of sounds with this system, including random cab chatter.

• Another great feature of the handheld remote is that you can record your own sounds as well. The flexibility of the system is endless!

RESOURCES :

Magazines and Books on Railroading
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Website: www.modelrailroaderbooks.com

DCC Systems
Digitrax, Inc.
Website: www.digitrax.com

Trains and Accessories (All Scales)
Bachmann Industries, Inc.
Website: www.bachmanntrains.com

Trains in N, HO, O
Atlas Model Railroad Co, Inc.
Website: www.atlasrr.com

Model Railroader magazine
Website: www.kalmbach.com

Lionel Trains in O and G
Website: www.lionel.com

National Model Railroad Association
Website: www.mnra.org

Scenic Supplies and Modules for all Scales
Woodland Scenics
Website: www.woodlandscenics.com

Scenery Supplies
Scenic Express
Website: www.scenicexpress.com

O Scale Trains and Accessories
MTH Electric Trains
Website: www.mthtrains.com

GUESTS :

Kent Johnson
Associate Editor, Classic Toy Trains magazine
Kalmbach Publishing
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha WI 53187