ESU LokSound steam whistles

[jdcolombo]

Hi folks.

The conversation in the Bachmann K4 thread eventually turned to the question of the proper whistle for the K4.  When I read these messages, I realized that although Soundtraxx has sound samples of all their whistles, ESU LokSound doesn't.   So, I got out one of my Walthers/LifeLike Berks that I have installed an ESU LokSound Select Micro with sound file #73817, and cycled through all the whistles so you could hear them.

For reference, I use a Knowles Grand 13x18mm speaker in a custom sealed enclosure in my Berks.   Different speakers will of course sound different.

Here's the YouTube video:

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John C.

[victor miranda]

that was fun!

thank you!

victor

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks you John, that's a great reference,
Otto K.

[central.vermont]

That was really cool John!!!! I'm not a Pennsy fan so which one of those is close to a Pennsy K4?
Out of all of them I really liked #5
Jon

[eric220]

Here's the other half of the reference, from ESU's site:

1. CB&Q 5-chime short bell
2. D&RG 5 chime step-top cast-iron whistle
3. Great Northern 5 Chime
4. Hancock 3 chime
5. Hancock 3 chime short bell
6. Southern 3 chime cast iron
7. NewYork Central 5 chime
8. New York Central 6 chime
9. Norfolk & Western
10. Northern Pacific
11. Oldtime 3 Chime
12. Reading 6 Chime
13. Shay 4
14. JT&P Southern 610
15. Union Pacific Hancock 3-chime steamboat style

which one of those is close to a Pennsy K4?

Out of all of them, I'd say the UP Hancock 3-chime (#15) is the closest, but it's still too high.  Here's what it should sound like:

[jdcolombo]

Here's the other half of the reference, from ESU's site:

1. CB&Q 5-chime short bell
2. D&RG 5 chime step-top cast-iron whistle
3. Great Northern 5 Chime
4. Hancock 3 chime
5. Hancock 3 chime short bell
6. Southern 3 chime cast iron
7. NewYork Central 5 chime
8. New York Central 6 chime
9. Norfolk & Western
10. Northern Pacific
11. Oldtime 3 Chime
12. Reading 6 Chime
13. Shay 4
14. JT&P Southern 610
15. Union Pacific Hancock 3-chime steamboat style

Out of all of them, I'd say the UP Hancock 3-chime (#15) is the closest, but it's still too high.  Here's what it should sound like:

Actually, your list is off one - I just realized that I left out the CB&Q five-chime, which uses a value of zero in CV48.  I started with a value of 1.  So in your list, 2 is 1, 3 is 2, etc.

Here's the list omitting the CB&Q whistle:


1. D&RG 5 chime step-top cast-iron whistle
2. Great Northern 5 Chime
3. Hancock 3 chime
4. Hancock 3 chime short bell
5. Southern 3 chime cast iron
6. NewYork Central 5 chime
7. New York Central 6 chime
8. Norfolk & Western
9. Northern Pacific
10. Oldtime 3 Chime
11. Reading 6 Chime
12. Shay 4
13. JT&P Southern 610
14. Union Pacific Hancock 3-chime steamboat style
15. Western Locomotive Supply 6-chime

Whistle 15 isn't the UP whistle; the UP whistle is #14, although I honestly don't think this sounds anything like the UP844's Hancock whistle.

FWIW, I think Whistle #3, which is listed in the ESU manual as a Hancock 3-chime, is closest to what is on the K4 video.   The problem is that without a true "playable" whistle, it's hard to tell.   I don't have my system set up for a "playable" whistle (where the whistle sound varies with the finger pressure on F2) and I'm not sure the ESU is capable of a playable whistle.  But in terms of overall tone, the Hancock 3-chime is closer to my ears.  It also to me is closest to what UP844 has (which is a Hancock 3-chime).

But I'm also not entirely sure the list in the manual (which hasn't been updated to reflect the latest Select Micro firmware) is completely correct.  That's why I just numbered them.  But I need to go back and take a video of whistle zero, which is the CB&Q whistle.

John C.

[peteski]

  I don't have my system set up for a "playable" whistle (where the whistle sound varies with the finger pressure on F2) and I'm not sure the ESU is capable of a playable whistle.

Now you have me confused.  DCC functions are on/off. Either toggling (press to turn on, press again to turn off) or momentary (on only when the button is depressed). F2 (whistle) is usually a momentary type of function.

The DCC throttle function buttons AFAIK are all standard momentary pushbuttons. The pressure on the button makes no difference on how "on" it is.  Do you have any info that would explain how the DCC throttles handle the pressure thing?

[jdcolombo]

Now you have me confused.  DCC functions are on/off. Either toggling (press to turn on, press again to turn off) or momentary (on only when the button is depressed). F2 (whistle) is usually a momentary type of function.

The DCC throttle function buttons AFAIK are all standard momentary pushbuttons. The pressure on the button makes no difference on how "on" it is.  Do you have any info that would explain how the DCC throttles handle the pressure thing?

DT400 and DT402 throttles have a pressure sensitive F2 button.  Do an Internet search for Digitax Playable Throttle and you'll find a Knowledge base article at the Digitrax web site that explains.

John C.

[peteski]

DT400 and DT402 throttles have a pressure sensitive F2 button.  Do an Internet search for Digitax Playable Throttle and you'll find a Knowledge base article at the Digitrax web site that explains.

John C.

Ah, so this is a Digitrax-thing. I'm an NCE and CVP man myself.  Thanks!

EDIT
OK, I did some checking and I see that NCE also has that feature if the throttle firmware has is recent enough to incorporate that feature.  They use the thumbwheel to play the whistle while holding down F2 key.  This crap is getting too complicated. 

[jdcolombo]

Ah, so this is a Digitrax-thing. I'm an NCE and CVP man myself.  Thanks!

I think NCE also implements this on their Powercab; I vaguely recall reading something about using this feature with a Soundtraxx decoder.

John C.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yup, NCE has a "playable whistle" feature as well.
Otto K.

[reinhardtjh]

Both the ESU LokSound V4 and Select decoders support a playable whistle according to the manuals (dated 2012).  I wouldn't expect the capability to go away but it may also be sound file specific.

In the whistle list I'm thinking #3 (Hancock 3-chime) works best for me. It's lower pitched than most. Not quite as full bodied as the 1391 whistle, but close enough for me.

[Mark5]

Here's the other half of the reference, from ESU's site:


9. Norfolk & Western

Ha! 

I wonder which N&W whistle? Will give this a listen at home sometime lol.

Mark

[Mark5]

Ok, #9 does not sound like anything N&W ... N&W had two main types of whistles

EDIT: re-read above posts to see its supposed to be #8, which would be close to an N&W "hooter" used mainly on freight locos.

http://www.columbusrailroads.com/new/?menu=05Steam_Railroads&submenu=14Norfolk_%26_Western&submenu4=13Sounds_of_the_N%26W

Now, how do we get the sound of the whistle echoing off the surrounding hills in the valley? 

Oh well, gotta thank John for posting the video, and I really like #1 whatever it is.

Mark