MRC 2-6-0 with sound.

[Chris333]

Anyone have one yet?

If so what do you think? 

[Joetrain59]

I have one. Great, smooth runner out of the box. Don't have my DCC hooked up yet, so really can't comment on sound.
 Joe D

[Chris333]

Joe, so are you saying the sound doesn't work without DCC?

[Joetrain59]

I do get chuff, but could be louder.  Going to be a rainy night into Sat. Won't take long to hook up my DCC.
 Joe D

[peteski]

If these MRC models have MRC decoders then that is all I need to know. Sorry if I sound  jaded. 

[Chris333]

So MRC DCC is crap?  My only interest in buying one is the sound to make a HOn30 loco with sound.

[peteski]

So MRC DCC is crap?  My only interest in buying one is the sound to make a HOn30 loco with sound.

Unless they have totally redesigned their decoders and their firmware, as far as sound decoders go,  to me they are at the bottom-of-the-barrel. These are the ones that kept blowing up in the first run of Athearn Big Boys.

Do yourself a big favor and buy one of the ZIMO or ESU sound decoders. They are light year ahead of most US-made decoders. Plus with the excellent Euro/US$ exchange rate, they are quite affordable.  But are you planning on running those decoders on DC? 

[Chris333]

I don't know if it would DC or DCC. The only reasons for me to use DCC would be to set the speed scale and blow the whistle. I guess adding capacitors would be a plus.

[Mike C]

It would sound better if the speaker were in an enclosure .  But I agree , A better sound decoder like Tsunami 2 would make it sound really good .

[Chris333]

OK so next question. Can you wire capacitors to any DCC sound decoder?  If not what decoders can you wire them to?

I assume you can change the speakers around to get better sound.

[peteski]

I don't know if it would DC or DCC. The only reasons for me to use DCC would be to set the speed scale and blow the whistle. I guess adding capacitors would be a plus.

Generally all brands of sound decoders work poorly in DC.  They are not really designed for full-featured DC operation.
With MRC is not a lack of keep-alive caps that is the problem - it is just poor decoder design and poorly done sound files. Of course speaker and its enclosure also makes a yooge difference, but if a crappy decoder drives even the best speaker, it will still not sound good.

[Chris333]

Is this the cheapest it's gonna get?
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product-p/stx-884001.htm
Functions mean nothing to me since I won't even be using a headlight.

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/SoundTraxx-CurrentKeeper-p/stx-810140.htm

Do I need to use their capacitors? I mean caps are like .50 cents if I just get the right ones.

[peteski]

Is this the cheapest it's gonna get?
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product-p/stx-884001.htm
Functions mean nothing to me since I won't even be using a headlight.

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/SoundTraxx-CurrentKeeper-p/stx-810140.htm

Do I need to use their capacitors? I mean caps are like .50 cents if I just get the right ones.

No need to obsess about the extra caps. The decoders work ok without them. Well, with whatever capacitor (built-in or external) is included with the decoder.  Additional caps improve reliability on dirty track but are not essential.

I'm not a "Tsunami guy". I prefer ESU, Zimo or QSI.  The one you found is fairly pricey. I would rather see you get this
http://store.sbs4dcc.com/ZimoMX648FSub-MicroSoundNMRADCCDecoderNEM6516-pinWiredPlug.aspx
or maybe
http://store.sbs4dcc.com/ESU73800LokSoundSelectMicroNMRADCCSoundDecoderNEM6528-PinWiredP.aspx
Or this one (with larger selection of US-prototype sounds):
http://store.sbs4dcc.com/ESU54898LokSoundMicroV4.0NMRADCCSoundDecoderNEM662Next18Connecto.aspx

You need to ask for installation of the sound files you want to use.  Streamlined Backshop will do that for you.  They also sell the keep-alive modules (if you want to get one).

[Joetrain59]

From the loco's CV programming chart, MFR ID, 143. MFR version #, 19. Other side of paper says 15mm speaker.
 Joe D

[Cajonpassfan]

So MRC DCC is crap?  My only interest in buying one is the sound to make a HOn30 loco with sound.

Chris, others may not agree with me, but I wouldn't simply dismiss the new generation MRC steam decoders as crap. The new 1 amp, 16 bit decoders have quite a variety of programmable sounds, adjustable BMF, programmable individual sound volumes and imho very decent motor control. After a pitiful experience with the original MRC equipped Athearn Challenger (which I promptly converted to a Tsunami), I was skeptical, but recently got a great deal on a MP/MRC 2-8-2 with the sound inside a small  Vandy tender which I needed for a UP loco, and I'm very pleased with it. I'm not saying it's on par with the current ESU or Soundtraxx decoders (and they both too have their unique issues with steam sounds), but it is a viable, affordable and readily available alternative. It also provides a different set of sound tones for contrast with the other manufacturers.... I find multiple steam locos using the same brand decoders just sounding too much the same and if anything, steam locos had their distinct personalities and sounds.

Now, if I were building or bashing a steam loco (and I have too many on the workbench) I would use an ESU or Soundtraxx decoder; there is too much work involved to not use the best available sound unit in it and the effort to install a decoder/speaker package is generally the same regardless of brand. But, if a ready to run loco with an new MRC decoder is available, I'd consider it a viable alternative (and use time saved on other projects).
Otto K.