Digital Sound modelling guides
How to install DCC Concepts Powerbase on gradients
Gradients have always posed a problem to model railway builders. MIKE WILD tackles the subject using DCC Concepts Powerbase equipment to install two gradients on our much modified ‘N’ gauge office test track, with impressive results.
MIKE WILD
FAQ: Learning digital command control
We look to the enthralling world of Digital Command Control. MARK CHIVERS considers some of the terminology and jargon you may encounter along the way answering some of the most frequently asked questions.
MARK CHIVERS
Heljan Class 58 digital sound installation guide
The range of speakers available to sound installers is far greater than ever before. MIKE WILD investigates the use of Smart Phone speakers in a Heljan Class 58 using a LokSound decoder.
MIKE WILD
DIGITAL PROGRESSION
Technology is always on the move and specialist model railway decoder manufacturer ZIMO is no exception. MIKE WILD discovers what this Austrian brand’s latest MS series sound decoders have to offer.
iTRAIN software for model railways
Digital Command Control systems are available in many forms, including the ability for full automation of a layout. One such system is iTrain Layout Control, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
MARK CHIVERS
DCC Concepts Zen Decoder family
DCC Concepts’ Zen decoder collection offers a comprehensive and flexible system with the option to add plug-and-play stay alives. MIKE WILD reviews the range.
YAMORC ACCESSORY DECODERS
A new name to the Digital Command Control market is YaMoRC. MARK CHIVERS looks at this fledgling brand’s newly-released accessory decoders.
Installing digital sound in the Bachmann Double Fairlie
The stunning Bachmann narrow gauge Double Fairlie has been a catalyst for new ‘OO9’ layout projects. JOHN GAY explains how you can upgrade the model to feature both sound and a stay alive for uninterrupted running.
JOHN GAY
Locoman’s ‘Scotsman’ sound
Using the latest Hornby model of the Gresley ‘A3’ and a Locoman Sounds profile loaded onto an ESU LokSound chip, MIKE WILD explains how sound can be added to a ‘OO’ gauge model.
MIKE WILD
STAFF PROJECTS: New Junctions for New Junction II
As New Junction II begins to take shape, sleeper spacing, a lack of track pins and a new track formation have added to the workload, as RICHARD WATSON outlines.
RICHARD WATSON
Wheeltapper sound for the Dapol ‘Manor’
The Dapol GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is designed with sound installation in mind. MIKE WILD explores its simplicity with a new sound profile from the Wheeltapper collection on an ESU V5 chip. Read the full guide and watch our demonstration video here.
MIKE WILD
ZIMO Digital sound for the Hornby HST
The scream of turbochargers epitomised the High Speed Trains when they entered service. PAUL CHETTER sets out to recreate the spectacle with digital sound in ‘OO’ gauge using the Hornby 8-pin chassis HST power cars as the basis.
PAUL CHETTER
Locoman sound for the Hornby ‘9F’
The arrival of Hornby’s all-new and stunning model of the BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0 was a sound installation project too good to resist. MIKE WILD shows how you can install sound into the Hornby ‘9F’ as designed and with optional extras.
MIKE WILD
Big sound for a Peco ‘Small England’
How do you fit Digital Command Control, stay-alive and sound into a tiny ‘OO9’ gauge locomotive? JOHN GAY reveals how.
LEGOMAN ‘ Electra ’ - Class 91 sound
The new Hornby Class 91 has all the looks of the real locomotives and a powerful chassis too, but how do you add sound? MIKE WILD takes one apart to show how simple it is and completes a matching Mk 4 DVT at the same time.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Model railway controller choices
Analogue or digital, app or handset, there are new important choices when it comes to driving your model railway locomotives. We surveys the options.
MIKE WILD
YouChoos Class 47 sound upgrades
Digital sound specialist YouChoos has created a brand-new sound file for the ever-popular Class 47 diesel-electric utilising the latest ZIMO MS series decoders. MIKE WILD shows how it can be used to upgrade the outgoing 21-pin generation Bachmann Class 47.
MIKE WILD
Choosing Speakers for your Sound Decoder
Understanding two values will ensure you always pick the right speaker set up for your sound decoder. MIKE WILD covers the basics in this beginner’s guide.
SPROG DCC Decoder Programmer
Configuring digital decoders for optimum performance can prove challenging, especially for beginners. MARK CHIVERS considers one such solution in the intriguingly named SPROG DCC decoder programmer.
Mark Chivers.
VIDEO: Accurascale Class 37 sound demonstration
The latest sound fitted samples of the soon to be released Accurascale Class 37 for ‘OO’ gauge are here. Mark Chivers and Richard Watson find out what is in store.
MIKE WILD
STAFF PROJECTS: Electrical endeavours for New Junction
With the build racing ahead, it was time to pause for reflection giving time to complete the more mundane tasks on this new ‘OO’ layout. RICHARD WATSON plods on with the essential but repetitive tasks.
Big ‘Cat’ sound for the Dapol Class 68
The Vossloh Class 68s are one of the most modern and powerful diesel-electrics running today. MIKE WILD installs the latest generation MS series ZIMO decoder into the feature rich Dapol ‘OO’ gauge model.
LOCOMAN CLASS 37 SOUND DEMONSTRATION
The English Electric Class 37 is one of the most popular diesel locomotives and this distinctive class is Locoman Sounds’ first digital audio project for a diesel. With one eye on spending, MIKE WILD installs a D&H decoder into an older generation 8-pin Bachmann model.
Platinum purple bulleid
The repaint of ‘West Country’ 34027 into a special Platinum Jubilee purple livery has generated huge interest. RICHARD HALL shows how you can recreate the look on a super-detailed Hornby Bulleid ‘Pacific’.
Locoman ‘W1' sound installation guide
New sound projects for the Gresley ‘W1’ 4-6-4 are available from Locoman Sounds to suit both the original high pressure and later rebuilt versions of this unique steam engine. MIKE WILD shows how to install Doehler & Haass decoders into Hornby’s ‘OO’ models with exclusive KeyModelWorld sound demonstration video.
Killer ‘20s’ renumbered, weathered and sound fitted
The Direct Rail Services-operated Class 20/3s offer an attractive and different locomotive for the modern railway scene. For his latest rolling stock project MIKE WILD decided to renumber, weather and sound fit a pair of the recent Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge models.
Hornby Sentinel Sound installation
PAUL CHETTER describes how to add an invisible sound installation to Hornby’s diminutive Sentinel industrial locomotive.
Installing ESU sound in the Bachmann Class 66
Bachmann's Class 66 is a simple locomotive to upgrade to digital sound. In this KeyModelWorld exclusive feature MIKE WILD installs an ESU 21-pin decoder with Legomanbiffo's high performance sound together with a powerful speaker and stay alive into the 'OO' gauge model. Read the full guide here and watch our sound demonstration video.
Digital sound for the Hornby 4-VEP
With the prospect of a new and upgraded 4-VEP from Hornby in 2022, MIKE WILD looked back at the first versions to introduce digital sound while also improving the front gangways in this modelling guide.
SUPER SOUND FOR THE BACHMANN GRESLEY ‘V2’
Bachmann’s all-new Gresley ‘V2’ has been designed with digital sound in mind, but is there a way to introduce a bigger and more powerful speaker in the 2-6-2? MIKE WILD explores the options with a brand new sound file from Locoman Sounds.