Stationary Sound With Layout?

[TiVoPrince]

Why not?
Wire up a couple of EMD, Alco and GE decoders under the layout.  Finding a way to get them just slightly out of phase would be helpful for that multiple loco sound.  Hook them to amplified speakers (with LFE/suboofer) under the layout.  When you MU locos just add an appopriate number of phantom sound locos and operate away.  On a small layout sounds from multiple trains could be simultaneously producing sound...

[SAH]

On a related note, for larger N scale layouts, I've wondered about the feasibility of transmitting the sound to headphones.  As you move around the layout with your train, the sound moves with you.  Walk ahead of the locos and the sound builds as the train approaches.  If you don't move the Doppler effect kicks in as the locos pass.  All possible I'm sure, at a co$t.

[pfs]

Why not?
Wire up a couple of EMD, Alco and GE decoders under the layout.  Finding a way to get them just slightly out of phase would be helpful for that multiple loco sound.  Hook them to amplified speakers (with LFE/suboofer) under the layout.  When you MU locos just add an appopriate number of phantom sound locos and operate away.  On a small layout sounds from multiple trains could be simultaneously producing sound...

I have thought of similar sound methods (sub woofers, computer control), including increasing volume based on some block dection if the layout size/shape permitted.

I never thought of the 'faux' MU TiVo mentions above, but its a brilliant idea....

You could just dupe your single loco sound (if the consist is like or close ala SD's or all GE's) with a  DA (Distribution Amplifier) and add delay to the secondary/ etc feeds. Even make the delay and volume slightly different.

Radio Shack or cheap DA under 50 , much less if used. And used guitar pedals (delay) can be had really cheap via on line auctions.

[randgust]

Been there done that, but even cheaper and more primitive.

I got continuous-loop tapes (answering machine cassettes) in an inexpensive tape recorders.  Output jack to 8-ohm speakers.  The 'microphone' switch control is wired to buttons on the control panel.

I've got one set up for locomotive idle on big bass woofer under the engine terminal.  Another is just yard switching sounds, locomotive idles, bells, a very occassional horn.   Another on the Hickory Valley is just steam locomotive sounds, I still have to do one for the sawmill.  Multiple tape recorders, continuous loops.

But the most fun has been with Radio Shack digital recorders.  Again, dirt cheap.  I've got a 4" speaker stuffed inside the Commercial Hotel at the Flagstaff crossing.  I recorded actual Flagstaff racket from a videotape, including the crossing bells, doppler air horns, and the interesting echoes you get off the buildings downtown.  You push a button and the digital recorder triggers and dumps the 20-second sound loop through the speaker, stops itself.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102855

That's fun.  And it sounds dead-on.  No moving parts.  Coming into Flag you have to trip the gates and blow for the crossing, and it sounds right on.  It should, it is taken from that exact location.

[ednadolski]

... for larger N scale layouts ...

I have to confess, tho.... to me, thundering bass from an N scale diesel does sound a bit out of place 

[Nato]

   I have an MRC 312 Sound Station which comes with a corded remote and two speakers. The sound is pretty good,with it under my main rail yard ths sounds of coupling up, diesels ideling etc. are pretty convincing, now iif there was a way to tie in more speakers say under layoit near crossings and trigger what ever speaker you wanted that would be nice. I bought a bunch of background sound casettes a number of years ago but have never used them. Don't recall the company. I agree diesel or steam sound should be turned down some,but if we had it set to realistic scale sound levels we might need digital hearing aids to hear the trains. I would rather either hear music during Op Sessions, or trains making real sounds as they progress across the layour,wearing earphones would prevent conversations with other operators ,conductor if you have 2 man crews, and you would have to take off to phone the dispatcher. I realize however some layouts use two way headsets for dispatching not good old phones.             Nate Goodman (Nato).

[Mark5]

Why not?
Wire up a couple of EMD,

Turbo or non-turbo? 567? 645? 710? 

[Iain]

Or, in my case, Baldwin 608A and 608SC, Buda, and EMD.

[Walkercolt]

"Stationary sound" on layouts goes back to the late 40's in MR, using 78 RPM automatic record changers! Most of these were "O" scale layouts, and relays tripped the old phonographs. (There is nothing new under the sun, just cheaper, smaller, easier and sometimes better.) CD's and cassettes of different prime movers were made by Green Frog. They also had(have?) "county sounds", "city sounds", "factory sounds", etc... I'm too lazy to check their site right now.