Soundchipping a brass steam switcher

[Jon Grant]

I made a start on soundchipping one of the 2 brass locos I picked up last weekend. This is the one I chose to begin with.

Not only do I want to bang a Tsunami into it, I want to convert it from an oil tender to a coal version and lettering it for the Belt Railway of Chicago - I don't do things by halves.
I kicked off by removing the trucks(the wheels only pick up off one rail) I will replace them with the trucks off a P2K caboose.

Next I drilled some holes in the base to accommodate the round speaker.

Lastly, I fitted an 8 ohm 3/4" round speaker slightly off-centre to avoid the underframe parts. I also sealed any holes in the tender floor so the inside of the tender can be used as the speaker baffle.

Next to fit the trucks and wire up the pickups.

Jon

 

[GN.2-6-8-0]

Frankly if it was me the first thing i would have done was to strip off the terrible looking paint job....then do my modifications and finish up with a fresh coat of paint

 

[MilesWestern]

That, however is just another interesting Oil burner! (not for long though..) I really like it's design, who made it?

Jon, Your photo gallery is an unending source of inspiration for me, as I model the steam era as well, and your layout, rolling stock, and details are unparalleled! Please post some more great progress on you fantastic layout!

I'm about to undertake a nearly identical project, and am REALLY wondering what decoder you purchased, and where, and for how much. Could you please provide me with the information? Thanks!

 

[Jon Grant]

The next task was to wire up and fit the tender trucks. I used the least stiff wire I could and fed it through small holes in the tender base, leaving sufficient 'slop' to allow the trucks to turn.

I then started fitting the basic decoder wires to the connections - I will wire up the lights once I have the loco's running abilities sorted out - one thing at a time.

The Tsunami fitted neatly under the tender shell, with plenty of room to spare for the capacitor.

Finally it was only left to refit the tender top with the 4 small screws.

.

Now to link everything up to the loco.

Jon

 

[Jon Grant]

That, however is just another interesting Oil burner! (not for long though..) I really like it's design, who made it?

It's a Baldwin 0-6-0 built for the AT&SF (#2100 class). (I'll edit in the Brass loco manufacturer later)

I'm about to undertake a nearly identical project, and am REALLY wondering what decoder you purchased, and where, and for how much. Could you please provide me with the information? Thanks!

Tsunami light steam decoder by Soundtraxx. I got mine from Litchfield Station in Arizona, although lots of web stores carry them. You also need an 8 ohm speaker to suit your available size - the biggest that will fit unto the space tends to be the norm.


Jon

 

[Jon Grant]

First video taken of the new Baldwin locomotive, as yet undetailled or weathered.
Normal video
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/album508/abb

Aged Sepia
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/album508/abc

Now I will start to convert it from oil burning to coal, before repainting, lettering and weathering.

Jon

 

[MilesWestern]

Very unusual whistle...are there other choices for the whistle? Otherwise, the rest sounds great. It seems the Tsunami's have very solid chuff sound, and the bell seems clear as well.

I'm Soundchipping an ATSF 1950 class 2-8-0, would small steam still work, or should I upgrade to..what? Any suggestions?

EDIT: are you still using the original Open Frame motor?

 

[GN.2-6-8-0]

Whistle sounds almost european....but none the less..... fantastic job:thumb: