Sonic Models’ GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T has been designed for simple sound installation, but with simple upgrades it can be enhanced further. MIKE WILD shows how.
The Robinson ‘A5’ 4-6-2T is a standout addition from Sonic Models for ‘OO’ gauge as it models one of the few tank engines with this wheel arrangement. From our own perspective, the type’s Great Central Railway origins made it a must-have addition for our running sessions on Quorn Magna and Swithland Sidings and to make the most of it we wanted to add sound as well.
The ‘A5’ has been designed with sound in mind from the start. It has a Next18 decoder socket in the bunker together with a compact 15mm round speaker, and you can make a sound upgrade as simple as taking the body off, replacing the Next18 blank with a suitable sound chip and refitting the body. However, we wanted to go a step further as we felt the factory-fitted speaker could be improved upon.
To make the upgrade takes a few more steps, and while this is a big tank engine, there aren’t that many free spaces inside the boiler where you can install a larger speaker. Our compromise is making use of the large cab interior to install a bigger, more powerful speaker.
Above: Sonic Models’ GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T is an impressi…
