Small Scale Cards

The simplest and most economic way of using the sound cards is to provide a sound effect for your layout as a whole rather than in specific locos or sound trailers. While this would not be realistic on a large layout, because the sound will not move down the line with the train, it can be useful on small layouts or at exhibitions where spectators are not close to the layout edge.

The diagram below shows how the sound card can be connected direct to the DC train controller:

The sound card is connected directly to the controller track outputs via a simple on/off switch.

A 3.6 volt cordless phone battery must be connected to the sound card and will recharge automatically if the sound card option switch 6 is on.

A button can be sited on your control panel to operate the whistle or horn. The automatic whistle or horn can be turned off using option switch 3.

One or two speakers can be positioned on the layout hidden in the buildings. You can use the supplied speaker or you can buy larger speakers with a better bass performance from your local consumer electronics store.

On-board Sound Cards

Given that there is sufficient space, the soun dcard can be installed within the steam locomotives or their tenders. In both cases, it may be necessary to remove some or all of the lead or steel weights. In that case, the traction of the locomotive is unlikely to be affected because a heavy battery is to be inserted in the place of those weights. Small tank engines will probably not have sufficient space and a sound trailer should be used instead.

We are currently installing the soundcard in a DCC Hornby Castle and and will update this page with a photo and details on completion of the installation.

In a DCC locomotive, the M1/M2 sound card terminals need to be connected to the decoder motor outputs. If the soundcard is installed in the tender then these wires will need to be carried through into the locomotive if that is where the decoder is positioned. The soundcard whistle terminals need to be connected to a decoder function output and common return.The polarity of this connection is very important and is shown in the instructions.

In a DC locomotive, when the soundcard is in the tender, then the input from the track could be achieved by phosphor bronze wipers picking up from the tender wheels or by a pair of wires running through to the locomotive motor.