IM SD40-2s, how should I get them?

[w neal]

Next to my Kato SD40-2 units, the IM units are too high off the trucks.  I sent mine back.

Daryl

+1!

[Smike]

But at least right now, the main Full Throttle feature, called Drive Hold, can only be used in a consist if ALL the locomotives in the consist are equipped with ESU sound decoders

That's disappointing. That is one way to kill a product line, which goes in the opposite direction from fully functioning in a shared ecosystem.  If each manufacture had functions which only  worked in the presence with there decoders in other locos, DCC as a standard would have have died a long time ago.

[davefoxx]

@Ed Kapuscinski,

Good news!  I have an N scale IM SD40-2 decorated for the Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines scheme) that I received in the mail last night.  Apparently, my email to cancel the reservation several weeks ago went unanswered.    Oh, well.  However, rather than going through the hassle of returning it or eBaying it, I'm keeping it.  Now I have a freight locomotive with DCC and sound that I can bring to ops sessions.  In the meantime, my daughter is ecstatic to have a locomotive with sound on her N scale layout. 

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@Ed Kapuscinski,

Good news!  I have an N scale IM SD40-2 decorated for the Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines scheme) that I received in the mail last night.  Apparently, my email to cancel the reservation several weeks ago went unanswered.    Oh, well.  However, rather than going through the hassle of returning it or eBaying it, I'm keeping it.  Now I have a freight locomotive with DCC and sound that I can bring to ops sessions.  In the meantime, my daughter is ecstatic to have a locomotive with sound on her N scale layout. 

DFF

Ahahahaha. That's excellent! She'll look good running around Windsor St too when you bring her by.

[milw156]

But at least right now, the main Full Throttle feature, called Drive Hold, can only be used in a consist if ALL the locomotives in the consist are equipped with ESU sound decoders

That's disappointing. That is one way to kill a product line, which goes in the opposite direction from fully functioning in a shared ecosystem.  If each manufacture had functions which only  worked in the presence with there decoders in other locos, DCC as a standard would have have died a long time ago.

Lok Pilot decoders, if the newest version at least, will support this function. A lokprogrammer would be required to update the software if the Pilot version predates the Full Throttle function. FWIW, the FT function is very cool to observe in person. with FT active, F10 becomes the brake.

[reinhardtjh]

Lok Pilot decoders, if the newest version at least, will support this function. A lokprogrammer would be required to update the software if the Pilot version predates the Full Throttle function. FWIW, the FT function is very cool to observe in person. with FT active, F10 becomes the brake.

I keep repeating this, but knowing how people like to buy cheap, this will only for the LokPilot V4.  The LokPilot Nano and Standard have too little memory for the firmware updates needed to mimic the LokSound FT features.

[Lemosteam]

@jdcolombo , 8x12 version of the same size enclosure, 13x17x4.5mm

https://www.shapeways.com/product/N8M7HBL6Y

[cbroughton67]

Next to my Kato SD40-2 units, the IM units are too high off the trucks.  I sent mine back.

Daryl

I thought the same thing. There's an easy fix for that...


https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42142.0


Chris

[jdcolombo]

@jdcolombo , 8x12 version of the same size enclosure, 13x17x4.5mm

https://www.shapeways.com/product/N8M7HBL6Y

Hmmm.  Link not working for me as of 7:30 Saturday night central time.

John C.

[Lemosteam]

Sorry @jdcolombo  forgot to turn them on for sale.

All set now.

[cbroughton67]

Ok boys. Now that the previous batch is in stores, it's going to be decision time for me soon.

Unless something crazy happens, I'm happy enough with what I've been seeing to know I'm going to be getting all four numbers. But there's one big question. How many of them should I get with sound?

I like sound. I like the sound in these, but I'm looking for feedback from those of you who run MU consists with sound. Is it worth having it in all the units in a consist?

Hearing multiple units with sound is pretty awesome. Look at it this way, Ed. You won't regret getting them with sound. There's a good chance you will regret getting them without sound. I know it gets pricey, but take the long view and go with sound.

[atsf3751]

Am I in the minority here?

I do not require sound in every engine, I know some do. I am just as happy running engines without sound. Maybe a third of my engines have sound. The diesels that have sound were mostly bought that way, most of my sound conversions have been steam and some diesels with wide car bodies such as F's. And a couple brass steam as well, but those include keep-alives.

When running on the club I will run them in all combinations, all sound consists, mixed sound/non-sound consists, and silent consists.

My philosophy has been that I can convert 3-4 engines without sound as opposed to one engine with sound.

[jdcolombo]

@Lemosteam

Got the 9x16 enclosure.  Can confirm that speaker fits fine and that enclosure fits perfectly in the cutout for the speaker in the fuel tank.  Sure makes the conversion easier!  To my ears, it sounds the same as my custom-made enclosure for the 9x16 speaker, but I'll take a video for comparison purposes.  Won't post anything until I can also compare the 8x12 enclosure and that means it will have to wait until after I return from vacation - sometime around July 4th.

John

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hearing multiple units with sound is pretty awesome. Look at it this way, Ed. You won't regret getting them with sound. There's a good chance you will regret getting them without sound. I know it gets pricey, but take the long view and go with sound.

Yep. That's pretty much my feeling about it now. Especially now that I know more about the FT stuff.