DIGITAL SOUND
The world of digital operation holds huge potential for realistic model railway operation. In this section we will show you how to install sound decoders into locomotives big and small across 'OO', 'O' and 'N' gauge as well as revealing more about the abilities of this control system in future features author by Mike Wild and Paul Chetter.
SOUND IDEA!
DCC sound is an exciting and engaging development for the hobby that adds a new dimension to operating model railways and puts you firmly in the driving seat, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
Sound fitter’s toolbox
Adding sound to your locomotives requires a selection of tools and consumable materials. MIKE WILD explains the essentials to get you started.
SPEAKING VOLUMES
There is a huge array of speakers available, but how do you go about choosing the right one for your model? MIKE WILD explains all.
TWIN TRACK MIND
If you are looking for the ultimate starter sound decoder which won’t cost the earth, Hornby’s Twin Track Sound diesel decoders offer superb value for money and an enthralling driving experience. MIKE WILD shows how to add a Twin Track Sound decoder to a Class 31 as well as upgrading its speaker.
MODERN SIMPLICITY
The latest locomotives from Bachmann are being designed to make upgrading to sound as simple as possible. MIKE WILD shows the process with the new Johnson ‘1P’ 0-4-4T for ‘OO’ gauge.
Using ‘stay alives’
The capacitor is a useful electronic component and the latest generation of sound decoders allow these to be connected to maintain uninterrupted sound. MIKE WILD explains how they work and which brands support their use.
Giving Bulldog its bark
Locomotives with 21-pin decoders sometimes require a different approach to connecting a speaker. MIKE WILD explains all with Kernow Model Rail Centre’s ‘OO’ gauge model of the D600 ‘Warship’ diesel-hydraulic.
STANIER SOUNDS
It isn’t just the latest locomotives which can benefit from digital sound. MIKE WILD delves into his stores to find one of the early modern day Hornby ‘Black Fives’ which predates the ease of tender-mounted decoder sockets.
Factory sound
If installing a sound decoder is not for you, there is another option – factory fitted digital sound, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
RULE ‘BRITANNA’
The ‘Britannia’ 4-6-2s were the largest fleet of ‘Pacifics’ in the BR Standard series. MIKE WILD installs a Doehler & Haass 8-pin decoder loaded with Locoman Sounds’ new ‘Britannia’ sound file in the Hornby ‘OO’ gauge model with the addition of extra lighting functions.
Stanier ’Princess’ upgrades
New to the Hornby collection in its 100th anniversary year is the latest generation model of Stanier’s first ‘Pacific’ design – the ‘Princess Royal’. MIKE WILD breaks out his tools to give 46207 a digital makeover with the addition of sound, ‘stay alive,’ working lamps and a smoke generator too.
’Q6’ SOUND
Eight-coupled freight engines were hard working locomotives and Locoman Sounds has set out to recreate that effect with its Doehler & Haass sound file for the Raven ‘Q6’ 0-8-0. MIKE WILD shows how it can be installed in the Hornby model with extra features.
VIDEO: Bachmann Class 117 sound installation
Following the arrival of Bachmann's new Class 117 DMUs we were keen to test the models abilities with a sound decoder installed. This video guide with MIKE WILD explains how it is done using a ZIMO MX645P22 decoder.
VIDEO: SLW Class 24s in detail
In this exclusive KeyModelWorld video, MIKE WILD demonstrates the full suite of sounds on Sutton's Locomotive Works stunning 'OO' gauge Class 24s. Join us now for extra images and video which you can only watch here.
UNDERGROUND SOUND
The London Transport Stock was hugely popular when it was released in 2015 and now DC kits and legomanoifffo have produced a new ESU sound decoder twin pack to bring these units to life. MIKE WILD explores its potential and shows how he went about upgrading a four-car set with additional functions.
Digikeijs digital lighting
With Hornby’s centenary celebrations in full swing, MARK CHIVERS looks to its growing range of BR Mk 1 carriages as he opts to install fully controllable digital lighting, with impressive results.
‘Hoover’ sound
The Class 50s had a distinctive and impressive soundtrack which can be replicated in model form with high-quality digital sound files. MIKE WILD picks the Heljan ‘O’ gauge Class 50 to show how this main line diesel can be equipped with realistic sound.
Heljan’s dock shunter
The Ruston and Hornsby Class 07 shunter is full of character which can be enhanced further with sound. PAUL CHETTER shows how to bring this superb Heljan model truly to life.
Heljan 'O' gauge 'Hymek' sound
In this exclusive online feature, MIKE WILD shows how a ZIMO digital sound decoder was installed into the latest version of Heljan's 'O' gauge 'Hymek' diesel-hydraulic.
Evening Star digital sound
The BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0s were one of the most impressive of the Riddles Standard designs and the last was built in March 1960 - 92220 Evening Star. MIKE WILD looks to the Bachmann model and shows how a twin speaker setup can be added together with stay alive and firebox flicker.
Bachmann 'J72' 0-6-0T sound installation
Bachmann’s recently released, newly designed ‘J72’ 0-6-0T model reveals its advanced internal features to PAUL CHETTER as he installs sound and stay alive capacitors.
Narrow gauge sound
PAUL CHETTER explains how he fitted sound to ‘OO9’ narrow gauge model locomotives from Bachmann and Heljan revealing how a model’s basic design can greatly influence the ease with which this can be achieved.
Oxford ‘N7’ sound
The chunky lines of the Great Eastern ‘N7’ 0-6-2Ts are hard to resist. MIKE WILD completes his GER collection by installing sound in Oxford Rail’s new BR black model of Stratford allocated 69612.
Sound for the 48DS
The brand-new Ruston 48DS might be tiny, but it can still be equipped with digital sound by choosing the right components. PAUL CHETTER describes how the much admired and tiny 48DS can be transformed for digital operation.
Making Class 37s’GROWL’
The English Electric Type 3 is one of the most popular diesel locomotives and it has been the subject of many models over the years. MIKE WILD tackles the Bachmann and ViTrains ‘OO’ models in this double sound installation.
Upscaling to ‘O’ gauge
Changing from ‘OO’ to ‘O’ gauge is much simpler than it used to be with an increasing range of motive power and greater consideration to digital control and sound. MIKE WILD opens up the Heljan Class 05 for ‘O’ gauge and shows how it can be enhanced with sound quickly and simply.