Large Scale Central

Need Help with LGB Train controlled by Lionel 6-12868 wireless c

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Let me give some background.

I’m a home builder that is helping with a LGB train that has been installed in one of our high end houses.

The train (engine) is a LBG 25196 (LGB Mogul Stm Loco D&S #376)

This is wired to a Lionel 6-82116 AC to DC converter.

The track is a single loop (suspended) in a child’s bedroom. Actually a really neat set up.

The wireless controller controls start/stop and speed.

Now my problem.

The customer wants to know why it doesn’t make any sound. Specifically whistle and bell. The controller has whistle and bell buttons so that’s got him asking.

My question:

Is there any way to get this train to make whistle and bell sounds from a remote control? The same remote control that makes the train start and stop. It doesn’t matter if I have to get new equipment, I just have to solve the problem. The only solution I’ve come up with so far is to sacrifice a lionel engine connected to the AC side of the transformer with the motor disabled and that would respond to the whistle and bell buttons on the lionel wireless controller. Only problem with that (assuming it would work) is that the sounds would be stationary, not coming from the LGB engine.

I’ve been reading over the past several days about DCC/sound cards and all sorts of things. Does this LGB engine even have sound? Can it be added? How would it be controlled?

I’m not opposed to getting the engine modified to include sound if I can follow up with a controller to control it.

I apprecite your help. Please understand in any responses your talking to a home builder, a technical one, but still, not a train guy by any stretch.

Thanks.

#2

Fred;

I looked up the LGB locomotive by model number on Trainworld’s web site. This locomotive does not come with a sound system.

From what you have written, I believe that you are trying to run it from the Lionel proprietary command control system. I am not very familiar with that system, but I do know enough to recognize that you have an “apples to oranges” situation. I would suggest that you try to find a local Lionel service station (usually at a hobby store) that has some expertise with the Lionel command control system. It may be possible to add a Lionel small steam locomotive sound system to the LGB locomotive’s tender and have it recognize signals from the command control system, but that would require the input of someone well-versed with Lionel’s features and technology.

I do know from hearing Lionel’s digital sound equipped locomotives that the Lionel sound would be more than adequate if installed in the LGB locomotive.

Hope this helps,
David Meashey

#3
Dave Meashey said:
Fred;

I looked up the LGB locomotive by model number on Trainworld’s web site. This locomotive does not come with a sound system.

From what you have written, I believe that you are trying to run it from the Lionel proprietary command control system. I am not very familiar with that system, but I do know enough to recognize that you have an “apples to oranges” situation. I would suggest that you try to find a local Lionel service station (usually at a hobby store) that has some expertise with the Lionel command control system. It may be possible to add a Lionel small steam locomotive sound system to the LGB locomotive’s tender and have it recognize signals from the command control system, but that would require the input of someone well-versed with Lionel’s features and technology.

I do know from hearing Lionel’s digital sound equipped locomotives that the Lionel sound would be more than adequate if installed in the LGB locomotive.

Hope this helps,
David Meashey


Thanks for the quick reply. My “Local Guy” is who created this situation and for now is all “out of ideas”. I even had to come up with the Lionel solution.

Let me ask this. If I were to do again, keeping the G guage, what control equipment should I have used and are there wireless options available? If there are, are their options to add sound to my engine and then control it with LGB based quipment? I’m not opposed to changing out the transformer and control if I can get to a solution, I need to keep wireless but understand the apples to oranges situation I’m currently in.

Also, Are there any “similar” engines that include sound? Would it not make sense to explore getting a sound equipped engine, LGB compatible control and then my problem is solved? Ebay could take care of what ever is left over. Just looking for quickest/cleanest options.

Thanks.

#4

Fred;

I am a KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) sort of modeler. My only exposure to command control has been operating on a friend’s HO layout.

I would suggest that you get in touch with Axel Tillmann of Train-Li-USA Email: [email protected] Phone: 508-529-9166 Axel is very well-versed in command control and sound for LGB and other large scale manufacturers. As a customer, I have relied on Axel for help finding parts for some of my older LGB. He is very helpful, and should be able to create the best package for your needs.

Presently, my only two LGB locomotives with sound are analog, but I do know that LGB makes locomotives with digital sound that allow whistles and bells to be activated via remote control.

Yours,
David Meashey

#5

LGB and others have sound engines. You could also add a sound card to the engine that can be controlled by either radio or magnets placed in the track. If I were to do this, I would use a radio control system (one advertises on this site - his website is www.rcs-rc.com ) that would allow complete control of the engine and the sounds.

#6

You are trying to provide what is an advanced modern, wireless control with realtime sound and light control. Starting with outmoded, no longer manufactured components, then using a makeshift adapter is somewhere between difficult and impossible. The short answer is that there is probably no way to make the Lionel wireless controller run realtime controllable sounds from the LGB locomotive. Even if some electronics guru convinces you this is possible, you will find it costs more and is way less reliable than you want it to be.

Note that putting a sound system in the LGB locomotive does nothing to make the hand controller run it. That would most likely be a custom electronics engineering job that would have a large development cost and potential low reliability.

To make a simple, reliable system, I would recommend that you start with components that have been designed and produced in this decade, or at least this century, and are fully compatible with each other. Take a look at Aristocraft and / or Bachmann. They offer locomotives that are either sound equipped or can easily be sound equipped. Their systems are not compatible with each others, but they are built to supported ‘standards’ that are also supported by the industry. Both their Large Scale products will run on the track you already have installed.

Aristocraft produces a control system (the Revolution) that allows wireless control of the engine speed, direction, lighting and sounds via a 2.4GHz (wifi) handheld remote. It works on track power and receives good reviews from users. This is a proprietary system with little third party support, but Aristocraft seems to be fully committed to supporting it.

Bachmann produces DCC (Digital Command Control) equipped locomotives and a DCC control system that can also be equipped with a wireless (infrared) remote. DCC is the National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) standard. It is a well accepted standard with support from lots of manufacturers. DCC can also be used to control turnouts, lighting in cars and buildings, and about anything else you would like to control.

Note that both of the above systems use track power for the locomotive. I would not recommend a radio control system that employs batteries for the motive power (such as the RCS system recommended above) as you probably don’t want your client to have to take the locomotive down for charging.

Hope this helps.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#7

Actually Jerry the three RCS R/C controllers I make nowadays will all run on a constant track voltage or battery power or both. All three have an interface capability with Phoenix, Dallee and My Locosound.

#8
TonyWalsham said:
Actually Jerry the three RCS R/C controllers I make nowadays will all run on a constant track voltage or battery power or both. All three have an interface capability with Phoenix, Dallee and My Locosound.
Oops! My mistake Tony. I was considering the earlier RCS units. I did not know that the current units can use track power.

As you are probably aware, I have several of your earlier units and they all control the speed, direction, lights and sound very well. They are rugged and reliable. I would definitely add the RCS systems to the possibilities.

My apologies for the mistake.

Happy (Better Educated) RRing,

Jerry

#9

Thanks Jerry.

#10

So let me ask this question:

If I were to buy a G scale engine that has “sound”, (example: LGB 2019S Colorado & Southern Mogul Loco & Tender w/Sound). What simple wireless controll system could I use to start/stop, control speed, and blow the horn/whistle?

This seems like it might be the easiest route for me. Keep in mind, this is not a realistic rr setup. It is suspended from the ceiling of a young childs bedroom. Having all the advanced features of these systems is not necessary. I just need to be able to run the train and blow the horn.

Thanks.

#11

Fred,
You still will not be able to do anything with that particular model right out of the box.
You need a newer version with the MTS decoder either already on board or “plug n play” capability
with the MTS decoder.
In addition you need an MTS central station and the wireless remote. Maybe some more
parts. (Some one who runs MTS might chime in here.)
If the child is young, he/she will probably not know too much about programming the decoders, keeping the track clean. etc.

Yes, you can convert the 2019S, as I have done several. But I installed Airwire DCC, battery powered,
and after market sound boards in them.

#12

A very simple wireless is the Aristo basic train engineer which has 2 amp output but only controls the engine speed.

Sound unit bell and whistle on the 2019s can be activated with magnets.