Large Scale Central

Sound Locos

When I started to dabble in this hobby 25 years ago, LGB was my passion. I was certain that it was all very collectible, and bought everything that came out. And yes, I believed the propaganda that there were only a thousand of the Coke cars made, two thousand of the Bud cars, Etc. so now I have all kinds of the stuff and ended up with a large storeroom full of LGB boxes, --------which I have now crushed and sent to the land fill. I am left with 28 engines and a couple hundred other pieces of rolling stock. For the first time in my life I have built a real honest to goodnes layout to run the stuff on, and want to stick with American prototype. With some Krylon, Rust-olyum, decals and an xacto knife I have attempted to Americanize some of the Euro stuff to go along with the Moguls and U.S. boxcars and reefers. I guess I’ll try to sell the pantograph stuff on eBait.

Bachman (nothing but evil bias) has always been a dirty word in my mind, but after reading a thread here a few weeks ago with a lot of praise for the “Annie” and the fact that LGB seems to be heading the way of the dodo bird, I took a good look at the Bachman product line. Lots of very nice detail and variety, but how is the sound system? While the whistle on the later LGB Moguls left room for improvement, the bell and chuff sounded good to me. I’m about to spring for an Annie or two. Are you happy with the sound system???

Norm

Annie sound is poor at best. It is chuff only, and is just a simple white noise generator connected to a timing drum in the loco.

If you want good sound, bells and whistle you will have to spring for an after market sound system.

…and the only game in town for a “GOOD” sound system for use on regular DC track power, is the Phoenix PB9. Which will cost as much as the “Annie”.

Ther eright the sound is poor in a Annie but the detail and the price cant be beat. If you ever do have truble with it have a BBT drive put in it and you will be very happy. I am in the middle of selling all my LGB locos and going with Annie’s and BBT drives. I’m not big on sound so that doesn’t bother me.

I love this site! – Thanks for the info. Guess for now I’ll add detai to my LGB moguls where I can, and maybe go for an Annie later.
Norm

Norm you could pull the sound out of a LGB and put it in the Annie.

I have an “Annie” with the BBT drive and a Phoenix PB9 sound system – I love it! The sound is great, and with the BBT drive the loco is a strong puller that tracks well while looking terrific.