Stationary Decoder on a Curve - Flange Squeal

[Dave V]

I was watching some awesome video from the RGS double-header on the Cumbres & Toltec last year, and noted all the flange squealing on tight curves. It got me to thinking...

My Windy Point in HOn3 is the longest sustained 19" radius curve on the layout...in fact my Blackstone engines normally slow down on their own due to the rolling resistance of having the entire train in the curve (yes, it's slightly super-elevated in keeping with RGS practice, believe it or not!). But it made me wonder if it's feasible to add a stationary sound decoder under the layout there and add optical sensors like I used to use for signals on the old PRR Juniata Division. Once a train enters the curve, the decoder pops on and plays flange squeal. Thoughts?



Not saying I'm gonna go do this immediately...but what do you think?

[C855B]

Makes sense, but do it in a way which randomizes the sound. You'd be surprised how quickly your aural memory recognizes repeated sequences.

[peteski]

I agree with Mike. Also, since this will not be DCC controlled, there are lots of inexpensive tiny sound modules available were you can record or upload a sound file, then the playback is triggered by some external event.  I recall DKS used something like that on his micro-layouts.

Even if you used a decoder, those usually have no means of triggering a sound externally (unless maybe the chuff sensor can be reconfigured for a task other than chuff triggering). I have never really looked into that kind of configuration. For example, if a ESU LokSound decoder can be custom programmed for that functionality, then you could probably program it to randomly play several different squeals.  But that will be one heck of an expensive stationary sound module.

I also just thought of another possible option: https://www.pricom.com/audio/players.shtml

[Scottl]

I think this is a great idea.  One thing I find about sound equipped locomotives is how limited the experience is.  When you watch a real train, even quiet sections of track have a notable hum, squeal and other noises. 

I've been kind of enamored with the Fantasonics ambient noise concept for town, natural or industrial noises (https://www.fantasonics.com/.  Adding some triggered local train noises like squeal or similar would be really cool too.  Arduino would be another cheap way to trigger and run the local noise files.

[peteski]

While not stationary, my friend has installed few of the Soundtraxx soundcar decoders in one of his  Kato passenger trains.  IIRC he bought a 3-pack and installed them in 3 cars spread across the train.  Along with a sound locomotive the effect is very nice.  Those soundcar decoders produce random low volume squeaks and squeals and it does add a new dimension in the overall "surround" sound.  I was skeptical that I would like it when he told me what he did, but once I heard the train moving around the layout I was very surprised and impressed.  Those effects are played at fairly low volume, but they really make a big difference.

[tehachapifan]

Makes sense, but do it in a way which randomizes the sound. You'd be surprised how quickly your aural memory recognizes repeated sequences.

Agreed! I had to seriously modify the flange squeal sequence in a LS5 install I did in my SW1500 because the repeating squeal sequences got way too annoying. I removed all of the longer squeal sequences that started to become sort of musical in their repetitiveness and only left one short squeal noise. Because there was now silence where the longer squeals were, the short squeal only occurs every now and then. So, it doesn't seem quite as repetitive. That said, I was really hoping that assigning a wide sound speed range to that one squeal would make it sound a little different each time it fired, but it seemed to have zero effect.

[Dave V]

Actually, really great information here! I forgot that no, it doesn't need to be DCC. On MR Video Plus, David Popp does a lot of stationary sound applications. He usually uses a push-button, but in my case I would use optical switches to activate the sound.

I would want to power this system from the DCC bus. The speaker would have to be audible from below the benchwork and over the normal volume at which I keep my locos (which is something like less than 20% of max volume, LOL).

This all sounds doable. Thanks for the link, @peteski ! That's probably what I'll do. I'll keep this idea in the queue and see if it's something I can get done prior to the Narrow Gauge Convention next year.

[John]

Dave -- look into some of the cheap arduino / raspberry pi boards that can interface some optical sensors and also drive some sound modules .. take a look at this video for an example ..  you could put several of these in places on the layout and randomly play the sound you want .. the code should be pretty simple for someone who've written atmospheric model code ..  basic loop with some randomizaiton thrown in .

[dem34]

You can also use an arduino. Have it play a randomized sound within a library upon a received contact closure within conditions. Then you can also do things like have toggle, one postion the contact is closed by an IR sensor on the layout for it to be automatic, then one position where the contact is closed by a momentary button.

*edit* ~John quick on the draw with the same idea.

[squirrelhunter]

Dave, Iowa Scaled Engineering is working on product that does just what you are looking forhttps://www.iascaled.com/blog/from-the-workbench-motion-sensing-flange-squeal/

They might be looking for beta testers, so it might not hurt to reach out if you don't want to make your own.

[Dave V]

Dave, Iowa Scaled Engineering is working on product that does just what you are looking forhttps://www.iascaled.com/blog/from-the-workbench-motion-sensing-flange-squeal/

They might be looking for beta testers, so it might not hurt to reach out if you don't want to make your own.

Whoa, that's EXACTLY what I'm looking for! Thanks, man!

[peteski]

I would want to power this system from the DCC bus. The speaker would have to be audible from below the benchwork and over the normal volume at which I keep my locos (which is something like less than 20% of max volume, LOL).

If the sound module will accept either AC or DC power in a range of voltages compatible with DCC, then you can just connect it to the DCC bus.  IF the sound module requires DC voltages, a simple circuit with bridge rectifier, filter capacitor (and possibly voltage regulator) can be built to power the sound module from the DCC bus.  But remember that this will be consuming the DCC power from your booster.