Atlas N U23B sound install?

[crrcoal]

Has anyone installed sound and/or LEDs in a U23B? If so what was involved? Pics? The version U23B I have is "DCC Ready" in the blue fade jewel case.Thank you!

[kiwi_bnsf]

I see a couple of options here…

1. Atlas Factory Loksound chassis

If you are feeling patient, then Atlas has already announced U23B locos with factory Loksound:

   https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-626-n118.aspx

These will be the new-style chassis with a speaker chamber in the fuel tank and an ESU 58721 board.

It is usually a reasonably easy job to swap an old shell onto a new factory sound chassis — sometimes there is some minor filing required, and perhaps a different front light shroud.


2.  Custom install with ESU 58751 decoder

ESU make an excellent "Drop-In" style decoder for older Atlas DCC-ready locos:

   https://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-micro-dcc-direct-atlas-legacy/

   (This board replaces the older ESU 73100 board).

You would also need a Soberton 8x12mm speaker and suitable enclosure.


Most DCC-ready Atlas 4-axle chassis follow a similar pattern and the techniques in these two installs from RBrodzinsky show some good examples of fitment:

   https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48929.0

   https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48930.0

Hope this helps!

Cheers

[GM50 4164]

Here is how I did mine several years ago. Speaker I used has a small enclosure but I would probably use one that's a little larger if possible. A little more milling of the frame above rear flywheel would give that room needed. This is using the older ESU 73100 decoder with a couple of caps under the front of the board.

[crrcoal]

Very helpful! Thank you Ben and Tim!

[Steveruger45]

Has anyone installed sound and/or LEDs in a U23B? If so what was involved? Pics? The version U23B I have is "DCC Ready" in the blue fade jewel case.Thank you!

I did one back in 2018 using a ESU version 4 micro select decoder over the rear truck, 8x12 speaker and two capacitors up front.  A similar approach could be done with a new V5 micro or a V5 nano..
Just so you have other options.
Here is the link but if you are going to use capacitors, use quality ones.  I changed mine about a year later.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=43737.msg559037#msg559037