Broadway Limited 2-8-2

[CBQ Fan]

I have shared before that I have no real interest in DCC and that still holds true.  That being said I picked up a BL Mikado in Q awhile back just to compare it with my old Kato units. I have to say I am pleasantly shocked how much I enjoy steam engines with sound. I have enjoyed how well this engine runs and the steam sounds are cool as heck. I have enjoyed it so much I just ordered a GN 4-6-2.  I picked up a BL SW unit and diesel units with sound just doesn’t do much for me.  My fleet of BL E units are the same. I guess the normal sound of a Diesel engine running is not enough different to me than a non-sound unit.  Steam on the other hand is completely different. I have several Model Power steam locos and the sound is not up to par with BL.

[ncbqguy]

The sounds of a SW7 (for example) when switching are cool.  Diesels make noise when not at speed vs. steam less so. 
If we could get non-toxic black smoke to duplicate an S-2 ALCO kicking cars belching exhaust as the prime mover sounds like a huge tractor ready to blow the pistons out of the hood we’d really have something!
Charlie Vlk

[jdcolombo]

I personally can no longer abide a steam engine without sound.  The chuffs, whistle and bell simply make the engines "come alive" in a way that silent running does not.  Plus it makes it much easier to run the engines at realistic scale speeds when you can hear the chuffs.

Diesel sound is OK - I've converted my entire fleet - but mostly enjoyable when doing switching moves where you hear the prime mover throttle up and down (particularly that EMD 567 or Alco 251).  But overall I find diesel sound less engaging than steam sound.

John C.

[CBQ Fan]

The sounds of a SW7 (for example) when switching are cool.  Diesels make noise when not at speed vs. steam less so. 
If we could get non-toxic black smoke to duplicate an S-2 ALCO kicking cars belching exhaust as the prime mover sounds like a huge tractor ready to blow the pistons out of the hood we’d really have something!
Charlie Vlk

If you could get the smoke for Alcos I would buy more than just for the effect!  Don’t get me wrong I like the SW7, but there is something about the steam. My layout time frame is at the very end of steam so having a handful of steam locos doesn’t look out of place.  I think the other appeal to me is steam locos running singularly. I run my E units in sets of 2-3 and it gets to be a bit much for me. I hear three separate units as opposed to three blended units if that makes any sense.