Sound only decoders

[jjb62556]

I have a A-B-A Erie built set for my Hiawatha that I would like to put sound only in the Dummy B unit.
Does anyone make a sound only decoder I could use? I was thinking a PA sound would be close enough
for me.  Jim

[peteski]

Yes,  Digitrax makes (or made) a "Sound Bug" which is a sound only module. But I don't recall if it works by itself or needs to be coupled to a standard decoder. Here is more info: http://www.dccguy.com/?p=140   http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/digitrax-products/sound-decoders/sound-only-decoders/  I'm  not a big fan of Digitrax sound items, but they are a viable option.

Then there is a Soundtraxx decoder - http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/soundcar/soundcar.php but I don't think you can simulate a locomotive engine sound.

[Scottl]

I have a Soundbug and it operates on it's own. 

[RBrodzinsky]

The Soundtraxx Soundcar does not include any locomotive motor sounds. You get a bell, horn, track clacking and other sounds, but no motor.

[mrp]

MRC makes sound only decoders, one steam and one diesel. I put the diesel version in a boxcar, as it is too large for an engine.
For power pickup, I used a kit from SBS4dcc. The sounds are basic, but were good enough for me.
The decoder lasted about 3 years and then died.
The main problem I had was that I couldn’t read back CV’s on the (NCE) programming track, making troubleshooting a challenge. Due to the inability to read CV’s, I opted not to replace the decoder.
Michael Pennie

[Mike C]

What would sound a whole lot better is a full Tsunami 2 in the B unit . You could wire it so the motor leads power one of the A units but wire the pick=up wires to the dummy B .  Just 2 wires between the two locos . The MRC decoders pretty much suck , as do the Digitrax decoders .  The only really good sound decoders are the Tsunami and the Loksound .

[tehachapifan]

MRC makes sound only decoders, one steam and one diesel. I put the diesel version in a boxcar, as it is too large for an engine.
For power pickup, I used a kit from SBS4dcc. The sounds are basic, but were good enough for me.
The decoder lasted about 3 years and then died.
The main problem I had was that I couldn’t read back CV’s on the (NCE) programming track, making troubleshooting a challenge. Due to the inability to read CV’s, I opted not to replace the decoder.
Michael Pennie

I, too, installed 3 of the MRC "sounders" in SP bay window cabooses, using the SBS power pickups, that I keep coupled to the locos they're supposed to be providing sound for (having a caboose lashed to a loco was a common practice with the SP on locals). Although the sounds are not quite to the level of, say, a LokSound decoder, they work quite well and they probably have the best P3 horn I've heard yet. This is a good option for providing sound if the loco itself is too small to install a sound decoder in. I have not had one fail yet.

[nkalanaga]

You could also wire a Tsunami so that it picks up power from both units.  There are plenty of cables and hoses between MU'ed locomotives, so two wires on each side wouldn't be too many.  And, at least in this case, the units will never run separately, so even if it is a little hard to disconnect the wires, you won't be doing it often.