Sound Sampling

Just watch this...

Code 88 Wheels Redux

It's been brought to my attention that some of my visitors could not discern the differences in wheel tread widths in the post originally titled Code 88 Wheels. As such, here is a photo depicting a truck with both types of wheel-sets on the same truck. It offers a side by side comparison of the two. The differences should be much more apparent now.
Standard HO to the left, Code 88 to the right. Compare and enjoy. I do sell these wheelsets so if you are looking for them I can get them for you. My current stock is running low but depending on demand, I can get a couple new orders in.

Soundtraxx Sound Decoder Installations

It's true! I now (and have always) offered my sound decoder installation services to friends, and the general public. And with Soundtraxx now offering more decoders in various formats, just about any diesel locomotive model can have sound! Oh and if you don't think it can fit, you'd be amazed at what can be done to make it fit. No hammers necessary!

Here is a list of locomotives I can install sound in:

Athearn Genesis
EMD F-Units	TSU-GN1000 EMD 567
EMD MP15AC	TSU-1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD F45/FP45	TSU-GN1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD45-2	TSU-GN1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD60/70/75	TSU-GN1000 EMD 710
Athearn RTR
ALCO RS-3	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 244
EMD F-Units	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD CF-7	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD SW1000	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD SW1500	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD GP38-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD GP40X	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD GP40-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD GP50	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD F59-PHI	TSU-AT1000 EMD 710
EMD GP60	TSU-AT1000 EMD710
EMD SD38/40	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD SD40T-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD40-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD45	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD45T-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD50	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD60	TSU-AT1000 EMD 710
GE Dash-9	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE AC-4400	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE AMD-103/P42	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16

Atlas
ALCO S1/S3/HH600
ALCO S2/S4	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 539 Turbo
ALCO RS-1	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 539 Turbo
ALCO RS-2/3	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 244
ALCO RSD-4/5	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 244
ALCO RS-32/RS-11/C-420	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 251 V12
ALCO C-424/C-425	TSU-1000 ALCO 251 V16
EMD GP7/GP9/FP-7	TSU-AT1000 EMD 567
EMD GP38/GP38-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD GP40/GP40-2	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD MP15DC	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
FM H24-66	TSU-1000 Fairbanks Morse
Fm H16-44	TSU-AT1000 Fairbanks Morse
FM Trainmaster	TSU-1000 Fairbanks Morse
GE B23-7	TSU-1000 GE FDL-16
GE C30-7	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE Dash 8-40B/C	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE U23B	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE U30/U33/U36C	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16

Bachmann
GE Dash 8-40C	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
EMD FP-7	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD F40-PH	TSU-1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD45	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD DD40AX	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo

Bowser
ALCO C-628/C-630	TSU-AT1000 ALC0 251 V16
EMD F-Units	TSU-AT1000 EMD 567
GE U25B	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL 16

Intermountain
EMD F3/F7/FP-7/FP-9	TSU-AT1000 EMD 567

Kato
EMD NW-2	TSU-750 EMD 567
EMD F40-PH	TSU-KT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD40-2	TSU-KT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD45	TSU-KT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD70	TSU-KT1000 EMD 710
GE C44-9W	TSU-KT1000 GE FDL-16

Life Like Proto 2000/Walthers
ALCO PA/PB/FA/FB	TSU-1000 ALCO 244
ALCO RS-2	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 244
ALCO RS-11	TSU-AT1000 ALCO 251 V 12
ALCO RS-27	TSU-1000 ALC 251 V 12
EMD BL-2	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD E6/7/8/9	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD F40-PH	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD F-Units	TSU-AT1000 EMD 567
EMD GP7/GP9/GP9m	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD GP15-1/GP15-T	TSU-AT1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD GP18	TSU-1000 EMD 567
EMD GP38-2	TSU-1000 EMD 645 Non Turbo
EMD GP60	TSU-1000 EMD 710
EMD SD7/SD9	TSU-AT1000 EMD 567
EMD SD45	TSU-1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD50	TSU-1000 EMD 645 Turbo
EMD SD60	TSU-1000 EMD 710
EMD SW9/SW1200	TSU-750 EMD 567
FM H10-44	TSU-1000 Fairbanks Morse
FM C-Liner	TSU-1000 Fairbanks Morse
FM Erie Built	TSU-AT1000 Fairbanks Morse
GE P42	TSU-AT1000 GE FDL-16
GE U30B	TSU-1000 GE FDL-16

So just about any diesel can have sound! And just because it is not on this preliminary list does not mean it cannot be done. Just ask!

Code 88 Wheels

I've got a liking for hopper cars in HO scale. There is something about them that really grabs my attention. As such I decided to start upgrading my hopper cars. With that said, here are two comparison photos between Code 88 wheels:



and with regular wheels.

ALCO S6 Early Steps

As with any product design, the first steps involve a large amount of research. The best products are also the best researched. It is also best to have the research completed and verified prior to any actual production whether it be prototyping or actual final stage production. With the S6, I have a 1:1 version available to me that I am currently acquiring dimensional data and detail photos from for use on my upcoming S6. Many component manufacturers have been approached and so far the response has been good. Stay tuned.

For now, enjoy these photos:

Stuff and/or Things

Sometimes we're not sure how to begin things. My goal is to bring the following models to fruition in HO scale:

1) ALCO S6
-with sound(Soundtraxx Tsunami) and DCC
2) ALCO T6 (both N&W and PRR Versions)
-with sound(Soundtraxx Tsunami) and DCC
3) ALCO S5 (not sure about this one, the demand is not there)
4) EMD SW-1
-with sound(Soundtraxx Tsunami) and DCC
5) NYC/PC/CR N11 and N11e Cabooses

This is only the beginning. On the side I do custom sound and DCC installations, DCC consultations and web development. Contact me today!