This was an eye catcher from the beginning when I visited my local hobby store (clarksburg,WV) a couple of weeks ago, the owner showed the syetem that included: 1 controller and 2 speakers.It operated from a simple AC standard home wall outlet. It was a impressive with the 18 sounds, and so It topped my Christmas list. Well, santa found it and I am proud to own one, It's not all that fancy but nice for a medium sized layout. The sound is very good (((i say this because the steam chuffing is like popping a cork)))and the easiness to operate is A+. The system retails for over $60.00 but the sound system as received was $55.95 trust me, this is well worth the money if you don't deal with DCC or those "in-car" sound systems. A round of applause and an A+ to the Model Recifier Corp for their Sound Station 312 model sound system. ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER #204 Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
What are all of the sounds it prodoces besides steam? How about diesel at idle? Horn? Bell? From what you've said so far, it sounds like a great package! Thanks for the heads up, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
I saw one of these units at a recent NMRA meet here in England, and had it demonstrated for me. I want one! However, it is not yet available for our voltage, and we have to buy a transformer, with an American socket, and a UK plug. I will investigate getting one The sounds are very good, for such a low priced unit, and would be very suitable for my small railroad ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
there are 18 buttons/switches: diesel horn #1 long #1 short #1 combination Diesel horn #2 long #2 short #2 combination Steam Whistle#1 long #1 short #2 combination Conductor Brake Sound Steam Release Coupling Engine Bell (steam) Crossing gate bell Rail Clack Styeam chuff (popping cork sound) Diesel engine at idle or coasting. Two powerful speakers and amplifiers Hand held controllerwith convenient push buttons and slide switches. Volume control Many sound-on-sound combinations, to intensify authenticity 8 foot cable for mobility operates on standard american AC outlet. TYnhis is not ment to be an ad, but to aware my fellow modelrailroaders of somethiung worth more than you paid/will pay for!!! two different diesel horn sounds, #1 is more like an EMD, #2 more like a GE Whistles more like steam LOL ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER #204 Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
What about tearing the hand set apart and installing your own switches for the different sounds? You could put infared sensors between the rails and as the train passed over them, the crossing bells would activate, etc. ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that! [This message has been edited by wabash_one (edited 26 December 2000).]
ten87... I would not reccomend it, because there isn't much of any room to add more, besides why take the chance of ruining a very nice product anyway?? ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER #204 Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
I've been watching this thing too, and I'm glad to hear a review of it !! Even if I go DCC for the new layout, this may come in handy for ither things (like constant yard sound etc.) Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
If you want to select sounds instead of buying all sounds in one unit then you should also look ti ITT. These are very good sounds and most modules have 2 different sounds. One module costs about $23.00 Check the sounds out at the following website (scroll down and you will find a lot of sound samples) http://www.ittcsoundeffects.com/tsg.htm ------------------ Paul the 2nd Paul Van Herwegen HO Rappannahock Terminal Railway G Emerald Valley RR http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=977739&a=7560092
If you want to select sounds instead of buying all sounds in one unit then you should also look ti ITT. These are very good sounds and most modules have 2 different sounds. One module costs about $23.00 Check the sounds out at the following website (scroll down and you will find a lot of sound samples) http://www.ittcsoundeffects.com/tsg.htm ------------------ Paul the 2nd Paul Van Herwegen HO Rappannahock Terminal Railway G Emerald Valley RR http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=977739&a=7560092
Hi Folks, I posted this to RMR newsgroup after I had got it: 11/11/00 Lets see how it holds up: "MRC sound station 312 review: Comes with two PC type speakers connected via 32" speaker wire and an 8' cord for the sound controller handheld unit. One speaker comes with the 5 watt amp inside and has a 5'-6' cord with a two prong AC plug for power. 18 sounds in all. There are two "groups of sounds" the top group with whistles, horn sounds, and the "All Abroad" conductor message. These are small push button duration activated with the next button pushed terminating the first sound being played. One can do the short, short, long, short type of whistle sounds for example. This group does NOT have volume control. The bottom group has crossing gate, clacking wheels, steam chuff, brakes, coupling, steam release, engine bell and diesel idling. These can be set via a slide switch to remain on. This group has volume control to lower the diesel idling for example. You can play the push button sounds from the top group over the bottom group. Each sound will come out of a different speaker. Truely plug and play as the whole thing is under 5 minutes to unpack and figure this out. The Good: Nice and clear. Will put to shame other sounds as the speakers are larger and more robust then mini speakers. (This was expected). Easy to use. Attractive look. I need to try to do doppler effect using volume up/down control. The Bad: Will the small slide switches/buttons hold up to kid/adult use? Unknown of course at this time. Two sounds such as bells and clacking wheels can't be used at same time on the bottom group. The 32" run between the speakers may be limiting. Radio Shack and mini jacks/wire will help here. The 8' tether controller cord seems to short. The Ugly: The top set of push buttom sounds are preset to a specific higher volume. This may not be a problem in a layout room with other "background noise (Athearn growlers for example <G>). But, way too loud for just testing purposes. I feel this top sound group needed a volume control also, or at least a pot on the back of the one speaker to define this groups fixed level of output. The black tether cord looks like it may be weak point will be where it flexes and attaches to the hand held. Overall First impression: The price/performance is excellent. Digital clarity is very nice. Large layouts can position them at switching town locations and require the use of bells, horns, uncoupling, steam release as part of the operating session activities. The layout of the sounds needs work. All the steam sounds grouped together, for example. All sounds should have volume control. The "continuous sounds" diesel running, wheels clacking, steam chuff should be able to be overlayed with brake screech, crossing bells, and coupling for example. Too bad MRC didn't let a few modelers test this out first. An almost "killer" product! This would appear to be a great holiday gift. (hint: Tear off the back cover of the mag and leave it lying around with a note!) I'll use it on the Levittown Tree subdivision of the NY&W and put it through its paces, along with some of the younger operators that come to visit. SL" Best, Steve ------------------
Steve, Thanks for the honest review of what sounds like a nery good product . Keep us up to date about it, because I know a lot of folks are interested in this for their own layout (like me !!). Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
During the short demonstration I had, I did not realise that some sounds could not be overlayed, but still a terrific unit for the price, and I will definitely be acquiring one ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I should have indicated in the review that you can get one for under $40 via mail order or as I did at TRAINLAND, Lynbrook, NY. Buy it, period; based on the price/performance fun aspect. BTW, I tried to send MRC the review but their web site doesn't have email response. So perhaps a letter will have to do. They were very close with this product... SL Would I buy another for another town? Yes. ------------------
