Kato Pacific Surfliners

[EspeeGoldenState]

Nice find - thanks! Might as well make the image visible in a post.  Is the car with large windows (5th row) also part of the set?  nto familiar with Surfliners, but it looks interesting.

Just the first 3 rows are Pacific Surfliner stuff, the rest is all Japanese prototype stuff.

[DMU-Fan]

Even without the paint they look nice! I was going to call Kato yesterday to find out if the cab car will come with its own sound decoder. If I remember correctly, I purchased one of the Metra sets with DCC and Sound, and the cab car had a small decoder for the lights, but no sound.

[C62-2]

The car in the 5th row is the サロ124 car from this set: https://www.katomodels.com/product/n/113kei_2000

[peteski]

The car in the 5th row is the サロ124 car from this set: https://www.katomodels.com/product/n/113kei_2000

Thank you C62-2!  That car looks somewhat similar to American Superliners.

[nightmare0331]

Even without the paint they look nice! I was going to call Kato yesterday to find out if the cab car will come with its own sound decoder. If I remember correctly, I purchased one of the Metra sets with DCC and Sound, and the cab car had a small decoder for the lights, but no sound.

No on the cab-car having sound.  From what I understand the DCC and DCC/Sound sets will have a Kato/Digitrax FL12 function only decoder installed.

Hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

Yes, if there were 2 sound decoders installed, the price would reflect that.    Remember the price of Rapido sound-equipped Turbo train?  That one has a sound decoder in both end units.

[jagged ben]

No on the cab-car having sound.  From what I understand the DCC and DCC/Sound sets will have a Kato/Digitrax FL12 function only decoder installed.

Hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

Yeah, I figured.   Oh well.

[MetroRedLine]

No on the cab-car having sound.  From what I understand the DCC and DCC/Sound sets will have a Kato/Digitrax FL12 function only decoder installed.

Hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

What would our options be for DIY light/sound then? ESU doesn't make a compatible light & sound decoder in that form factor, do they? Does anyone else?

[peteski]

What would our options be for DIY light/sound then? ESU doesn't make a compatible light & sound decoder in that form factor, do they? Does anyone else?

You could buy and install a sound decoder (without connecting motor of  course), then since all you want it lights, bell and horn,  turn down the volume of the prime mower and all the other related sounds.  If you use ESU LokSound decoder, you can map the sound effects to only work  when the decoder is running in reverse.  Not many other brands of decoders have this type of programming flexibility.

[jagged ben]

You could buy and install a sound decoder (without connecting motor of  course), then since all you want it lights, bell and horn,  turn down the volume of the prime mower and all the other related sounds.  If you use ESU LokSound decoder, you can map the sound effects to only work  when the decoder is running in reverse.  Not many other brands of decoders have this type of programming flexibility.

That's a cool idea. It would allow you program the loco and cab car to the same address and get the correct horn depending on your direction.   Easier than redoing a consist each time (although I guess the prototype essentially has to do that anyway  ).

[EspeeGoldenState]

Would one of the LokSound 5 Fx decoders fit in the cab cab? I can never find the width/length of these things, specifically the dimensions for the 58210 decoder, but would one be able to cut off the 8 pin and hardwire the rest?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I found the size;  21.5mm x 15.5mm

[nscaler711]

You could buy and install a sound decoder (without connecting motor of  course), then since all you want it lights, bell and horn,  turn down the volume of the prime mower and all the other related sounds.  If you use ESU LokSound decoder, you can map the sound effects to only work  when the decoder is running in reverse.  Not many other brands of decoders have this type of programming flexibility.

Sure, you could go that route, or... hear me out...
https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami-soundcar

I have not used one (yet) but I have seen them in operation, they are great for cab cars, and they have other noises besides the bell and horns. They are also 8.5mm wide so will most definitely fit in most freight cars and passenger cars.

[tehachapifan]

I believe ESU has a sound-only decoder that might work well in the cab car.

[Jbub]

I believe ESU has a sound-only decoder that might work well in the cab car.

They do have a sound and function only decoder but they might be (are) too big for n scale at 21.5mmx15.5mmx5.5mm in size. The two decoders are 58210 and 58219 with the difference being the connector.

[peteski]

Sure, you could go that route, or... hear me out...
https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami-soundcar

I have not used one (yet) but I have seen them in operation, they are great for cab cars, and they have other noises besides the bell and horns. They are also 8.5mm wide so will most definitely fit in most freight cars and passenger cars.

Friend of mine installed few of those in his Kato UP executive train.  The effects they produce (usually random wheel squeals and clicks) really add an extra sound dimension. When he first  told me he did that I thought it would be just a silly gimmick, but once I heard it running on the layout I was very impressed.

But can it be programmed to play he horn and bell only when the train is running in reverse?  If not, some additional futzing with the throttle will be needed.

Would one of the LokSound 5 Fx decoders fit in the cab cab? I can never find the width/length of these things, specifically the dimensions for the 58210 decoder, but would one be able to cut off the 8 pin and hardwire the rest?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I found the size;  21.5mm x 15.5mm

That's the larger "standard" 59210 LokPilotFX.
https://sbs4dcc.com/products/esu-59220-lokpilot-5-fx-standard-nmra-dcc-function-only-decoder-nem652-8-pin-wired-plug.html

The 59120 LokPilotFX micro is tiny, 8mm x 7mm.  https://sbs4dcc.com/products/esu-59120-lokpilot-5-fx-micro-nmra-dcc-function-only-decoder-nem652-8-pin-wired-plug.html

Yes, you can cut off the connector, making it wired-in decoder.