HO Scale Atlas ALCo S2 Western Pacific #551 with MRC DCC + Sound

This installation required the frame to be milled to allow room for the speaker. A rear headlight is also operational with this setup, something the original model lacked.

Sorry about the poor lighting. We will be improving this for our next videos...

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• HO Scale
• Atlas
• Alco S2
• Switcher
• DCC
• installed
• Sound
• MRC

[redmus1959]

Do you still like the decoder and sound?

I have an older Atlas S2 I want to convert and no I cannot have a Tsunami installed, it draws too many AMPs. Breaker for Tsunami is .75 AMP and my engine draws 1.2

[DCCinstalled]

@redmus1959 This was done for a customer but last I heard from him he was happy with it. A guy at our club has one with the MRC and it has been ok so far.

[Saugertiesrailfan]

;( im sad to see you wasted money on MRC, soundtraxx just came out with desil sounds and there amazing! theres a video of it somewhere but you can chose from 16 horns......

[DCCinstalled]

The MRC decoder is a board replacement for this model. Even with being a direct replacement there was soldering and milling of the frame involved.

In order to fit a Tsunami in this locomotive you would have to do some serious modifications to allow for room for the decoder and speaker.

I will certainly agree with you that Tsunami is the winner when it comes down to sound. But there are often more factors that need to be considered. The Tsunami would have also added about 50 + dollars!

[thinkyization]

i have one just like this

[davidmbedard]

@ghfakar My post made was over 2 years ago. They were direct, accurate and appropriate to the video posted.....2 years ago.

You, however, have replied to a comment that was made 2 years ago. Not only that, you replied 3 times to said comment made 2 years ago.

Now, you have wasted my time and the time of others in the posting of your comments to a response I gave 2 years ago.

Your reply, however, to a response I gave 2 years ago was neither helpful or insightful. FYI

David B

[ghfakar]

@davidmbedard My point to all of this? It's YOUR money YOUR choice. But don't tell others they messed up because they either cannot afford the Tsunami or QSI, or maybe they really don't hear the difference. Or don't care. Personally, if I had the money, I would spend it on the better. However I do not. So MRC it is. If you want real, go to your closest railroad and sit by the track and wait. That is the ONLY system that sounds real. Tsunami doesn't, QSI doesn't etc.

[ghfakar]

@davidmbedard You remind me of the modelers(so called) at a local club I went to for a short time. They complained about bachmann until I showed them A spectrum steam loco. I model professionally. So I know brass, plastic all of it. I have NEVER seen a brass loco for instance with the detail of a P2K heritage or a Spectrum Steam loco. Now, the problem? Brass builds them to fit a specific prototype. Plastic does not. That is where I come in or the modeler him/herself.

[ghfakar]

@davidmbedard Funny I haven't heard ONCE of ANYONE sending an MRC decoder back. First of all, it wouldn't be worth the S&H to do so. No, they DO NOT pay that, you do. Next I have heard the Tsunami and I think the QSI is either equal or better. I had the QSI. So what? This sounds like a couple of real S2 alcos I have heard before. Again, without being able to fit a speaker of at least 8" , it will NEVER sound real. It doesn't even sound like a locomotive 1/87 in distance. Period.

[ghfakar]

Many of us who fell on hard times would be glad to have this sound system. I know I would. I had to sell my equipment. Not crying, just saying. I am glad I have a couple locos left to work on and enjoy. Good enough. Someday I might not even have them!

[ghfakar]

You will NEVER get the rumble, shaking or other elements of the real thing in a model> Unless it is 1/1. You simply CANNOT produce the bass>low end like the real thing without maybe getting a hold of some BOSE speakers and miniaturizing them even smaller than they are! But then again, I have seen the best model work in the industry, and I still knew they weren't real. Quit being silly and falling for the old Chevy vs Ford vs Chrysler childish arguments. They ALL made good/bad products.Silly

[ghfakar]

Funny, with all the complaints MRC decoders work fine. I have had the top of the line and NONE sound real> I have been ON more than one locomotive in my life, I won't say which SO Cal operation, but the switcher I was on sounded NOTHING like soundtrax for the same unit nor QSI and I am a fan particularly of Qsi. So what? They are expensive and bills are more important than even trains. I am a professional modeler making money on the hobby, so I know a little. You are being silly criticizing this