Was interested in finding out how many of you run sound units and how many dont.
I myself run sound but i do have a few locos that dont have it and i enjoy them just
as much…
Nick
No sound…yet
I really didn’t miss sound, until I heard other people’s large scale locomotives with sound.
With my previous experience in the smaller scales, I wasn’t too impressed.
Didn’t know what I was missin 
Ralph
I like sound, but I hate the automated crossing whistle, brake squeal etc. That stuff will drive you nuts quick. I set mine up for manual control of all but chuff / diesel rev.
I think sound adds another whole dimension to our trains. I only have one engine with sound and it really turns heads even though it is only a LGB starter 2 4 0 loco. At Christmas my sisters 18 month old liked the train going around the tree but she really liked it when I turned the sound on and the bell and whistle was set off. I have always wanted to add sound to other engines but the cost is a real killer. I have several engines that I really like and they get regular use so adding sound to each is BIG $. I have thought about adding one system say a phoenix to a boxcar that could be shared. There is also the install into the loco that is a bit beyond my ability right now. Someday.
I think sound systems are really cool and there is always an off switch.
I only have had two engines that had sound, a Bmann Indy and the Bloody L prairie, both experiences were less than satisfactory. I just found it distracting. Add in cost, space and extra expenses its just not right for me.
Ralph Berg said:Nearly forgot about the Buddy L and Bachmann 10 wheelers I have. The sound is BAD, so I never use it. Ralph
No sound......yet I really didn't miss sound, until I heard other people's large scale locomotives with sound. With my previous experience in the smaller scales, I wasn't too impressed. Didn't know what I was missin ;) Ralph
I have found that a decent sound system can make running my trains more realistic, I like to hear the occasional bell or whistle. I keep it reasonably quite so the volume fades away as the train moves into the distance. I once was at an open house and there was a Aster/LGB Garratt on full volume you could even hear it on the road outside by the cars- too loud I think.
Alec
I dont have any sound on my engines. I like the way they sound for a very short period but then after a while it drives me nuts. Plus I think the cost of a good sound unit is ridiculous. In my case I would be spending more on a sound unit then the engine itself. I rather listen to the sound of the metal wheels as well as the birds or a live steam engine. I like to relaxe when watching my trains. The only time i wish i had sound is when making a video.
I fitted Mylocosound to my Rogers & Lil-ritter. I also fitted a volume control knob to turn down the volume if reqiured.
When I fist became interested in large scale, the members at the club told me that sound is nice, but it is also nice to be able to turn it off for a quiet run.
Why Mylocosound? The dealer had no Dallee sound for the locos concerned at the time. I tried Mylocosound, & the cost is much more affordable. I would love one of the more expensive Phoenix sound with all the extras,etc, but once again cost is the factor.
Here is the cost difference down under.
Mylocosound - $95au
Dallee - not found on dealers website
Piko - $256au
LGB - $317 au
Phoenix - $390au
Cheers from Andrew
Sandbar & Mudcrab Railway
The plan is: all engines with sound.
Samples:
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/6621176[/vimeo]
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/6629888[/vimeo]
Sierra sound in battery/RC locos; no sound in track power locos. If I’m going to the effort (and cost) to add battery/RC, I might as well add sound, too. In for a penny, and all that.
Sound turned up on the outdoor division; turned down or off on the indoor division.
Steve
I have about nine Phoenix cards installed in my locos.
Having said that, I have a couple in the “to be repaired” file as well.
I have made a pledge to myself not to purchase anymore sound boards.
Sure, it is nice to run with sound, but at the price, it’s no more for me.
Batteries…$35.00
Sound card…$250.00
Off switch…Priceless
I love the sound of my LGB Mikado, waiting for Aristo to release their Revo with sound as I would like to get a few of my Bachmann Fn3 loco’s converted. That said, I tire of the sound quickly. I usually run it at low volume. Several videos I have seen drive me insane where the operator cannot keep their fingers off the horn/bell button.
I understand why some like it and others do not. Me, I’m in the middle.
Phoenix is almost off my list just because of the whistle blast they insist on assaulting you with when you visit their page. 
I have no sound …however it is very cool when I’m running and the real 1:1 comes rolling behind the house throttling up and blowing them nathans!
I just can’t justify the cost. Besides, it sound silly when the “engineer” finally gets around to giving the whistle two toots for “I am preparing to move forward,” after the train is already at 30 smph. It also sounds silly when the diesel finally spools up to notch 2 after the loco is already moving at 30 smph.
If Phoenix and the R/C card manufacturers could solve those problems, sound would be a lot more attractive.
I enjoy the sound, and will put sound units in the engines, when I can…
I, too, love the sound from my LGB Mikado, and I would love to convert the loco to battery power, but I dare not tinker with LGB’s wiring for fear that I will mess up the sound, as I did when I converted my LGB Mogul to battery power, so about the only reason I continue to have track power is for the Mikado’s sound. The Mikado will whistle and ring its bell, however, only when it passes over an LGB magnet. That can be monotonous and annoying to have the same whistle or bell in the same spot on every tour around the layout. I also love the Phoenix and Sierra sound in my USAT SD70 MAC and USAT GP30, respectively - and so do all the little kids who enjoy the trains on my layout, justifying the expense, which, I agree, is exorbitant, but it is a one time expense in contrast to smoke fluid which is an on-going expense. I have RAM Track sound in my USAT NW2 and it can be annoying, because it doesn’t modulate with speed or strain, but it is reasonably priced, and the whistle is cool. The sound in my Bachmann 4-6-0 is worthless.
Steve Featherkile said:
I just can't justify the cost. Besides, it sound silly when the "engineer" finally gets around to giving the whistle two toots for "I am preparing to move forward," after the train is already at 30 smph. It also sounds silly when the diesel finally spools up to notch 2 after the loco is already moving at 30 smph.If Phoenix and the R/C card manufacturers could solve those problems, sound would be a lot more attractive.
You could always go DCC, if the other guys can’t make things work.
Art Sylvester said:I guess you need to install a magnet right beside the whistle posts, or better yet follow along with the train aka "be the engineer" and blow the whistle where it's called for and ring the bell in the same manner.
I, too, love the sound from my LGB Mikado, and I would love to convert the loco to battery power, but I dare not tinker with LGB's wiring for fear that I will mess up the sound, as I did when I converted my LGB Mogul to battery power, so about the only reason I continue to have track power is for the Mikado's sound. The Mikado will whistle and ring its bell, however, only when it passes over an LGB magnet. That can be monotonous and annoying to have the same whistle or bell in the same spot on every tour around the layout. I also love the Phoenix and Sierra sound in my USAT SD70 MAC and USAT GP30, respectively - and so do all the little kids who enjoy the trains on my layout, justifying the expense, which, I agree, is exorbitant, but it is a one time expense in contrast to smoke fluid which is an on-going expense. I have RAM Track sound in my USAT NW2 and it can be annoying, because it doesn't modulate with speed or strain, but it is reasonably priced, and the whistle is cool. The sound in my Bachmann 4-6-0 is worthless.
Steve Featherkile said:
I just can't justify the cost. Besides, it sound silly when the "engineer" finally gets around to giving the whistle two toots for "I am preparing to move forward," after the train is already at 30 smph. It also sounds silly when the diesel finally spools up to notch 2 after the loco is already moving at 30 smph.If Phoenix and the R/C card manufacturers could solve those problems, sound would be a lot more attractive.
Steve, Pheonix have solved this problem providing you purchase the appropriate software, I have been able to get my diesel and Budd car building revs up before moving quite nicely, I disable all the automatic functions and do all my toots and whistles manually, I wouldn’t be without sound but I must add that the cost of that pleasure hurts real bad, I often think of the other things I can buy for those dollars.
Andrew, you quote in Aussie dollars so I presume you are in Australia, you are being ripped off (by an Aust dealer I presume), import direct from the states and you will halve your cost.
Wayne