It depends on the specific model.
Most Mainline dcc/sound models use a stripped-down, el cheapo decoder, and some use a less sophisticated driveline.
Running Bear's July 2025 Coffee Shop
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Most Mainline dcc/sound models use a stripped-down, el cheapo decoder, and some use a less sophisticated driveline.
It was the Trainline models that used the stripped down drives.
These units will see very little run time on my layout. These were purchased to represent the Wisconsin Interstate for a once a month session at a few layouts that alternate “run what you brung” OPS sessions. 6 axle units on the Wisconsin River Valley and Terminal RR is overkill for this class 3 railroad but on the bigger layouts they can stretch out and run!
I'm sure they are a more economy decoder that the full blown Loksound V5.
That photo is a Kato, 137-2015, N scale. One of the few N scale locomotives I own. I missed the Lionel O scale version when it was released and I am not interested in paying $4000 to get one on eBay.
Williams by Bachamnn also makes an O scale version, but I have yet to find one for sale.
From the Walthers website
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Most Mainline dcc/sound models use a stripped-down, el cheapo decoder, and some use a less sophisticated driveline.
Patrick
What, me worry?
Morning all,
Rough night. We had about 4" of rain overnight. I say about because there was about an inch left from the other day I was unable to get out to empty, and from the window there was about 5" in the gauge this morning (read from about 10' away). Thunder booming, but nothing severe.
Got some errands and appointments we're running so be back later.
Rough night. We had about 4" of rain overnight. I say about because there was about an inch left from the other day I was unable to get out to empty, and from the window there was about 5" in the gauge this morning (read from about 10' away). Thunder booming, but nothing severe.
Got some errands and appointments we're running so be back later.
migalyto
Well-Known Member
I thought all Mainline models used the proto drive? The 3 I have all do.
It was the Trainline models that used the stripped down drives.
ctclibby
Well-Known Member
Good Morning All!
56F @ 72% severe clear. To 85F later.
Rambling this time.
Have any of you tried Colostrum from ARMRA? So far, it is amazing, I now sleep 7 to 8 hours vs 5 to 6 hours, and have less joint pain and didn't need a 0P:30. Little spendy, the recommend dose is about 1/8 Tablespoon ( 120 per bottle ) so we will see what happens after a month of every other day.
And, if you have cats with hair ball problems, Our two problem child's:
Bob, the tractor helper.
Fluff, although you can't really see how long her hair is.
The other two don't seem to have the problem. Anyway, Maria used to just squirt it in their mouths. She read the directions and found that putting the stuff on their paw is the easiest way. They like the taste, so they just lick it off and you don't have the hassle.
L8r
56F @ 72% severe clear. To 85F later.
Rambling this time.
Have any of you tried Colostrum from ARMRA? So far, it is amazing, I now sleep 7 to 8 hours vs 5 to 6 hours, and have less joint pain and didn't need a 0P:30. Little spendy, the recommend dose is about 1/8 Tablespoon ( 120 per bottle ) so we will see what happens after a month of every other day.
And, if you have cats with hair ball problems, Our two problem child's:
Bob, the tractor helper.
Fluff, although you can't really see how long her hair is.
The other two don't seem to have the problem. Anyway, Maria used to just squirt it in their mouths. She read the directions and found that putting the stuff on their paw is the easiest way. They like the taste, so they just lick it off and you don't have the hassle.
L8r
TLOC
Well-Known Member
David. Not sure as I’ve never pulled a Proto unit apart. The online community says only the body details are different between the Mainline and Proto and the drives are the same. But I do know the older Mainline use Soundtraxx Econami or Tsunami versus the Tsunami2’s in the more current runs. Proto uses the Tsunami2 sound decoder.
These units will see very little run time on my layout. These were purchased to represent the Wisconsin Interstate for a once a month session at a few layouts that alternate “run what you brung” OPS sessions. 6 axle units on the Wisconsin River Valley and Terminal RR is overkill for this class 3 railroad but on the bigger layouts they can stretch out and run!
migalyto
Well-Known Member
My older run SD70ACE has a Soundtraxx sound board, and the 2 more current run ES44s have ESU sound decoders in them.
I'm sure they are a more economy decoder that the full blown Loksound V5.
Thanks Tom, I wasn't able to see that there was any difference between the current production units other than the level of detail.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
That is indeed what it is! Thank you, Willie, I had left to get ready for work.
That photo is a Kato, 137-2015, N scale. One of the few N scale locomotives I own. I missed the Lionel O scale version when it was released and I am not interested in paying $4000 to get one on eBay.
Williams by Bachamnn also makes an O scale version, but I have yet to find one for sale.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
I can’t say I’ve seen a real EF58 except at a museum but I do have the special boxed set of 4 that KATO did with “fantasy” liveries as I understand it(?)
kbkchooch
Verified Human
Thank you, it’s amazing what you can do with a cheap bachmann locomotive, and a little weathering
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I just returned from the range to get a feel for the new pistol. My club has some conex boxes converted to short range pistol shooting. Targets can go out to the standard 7yd defensive range. No problems with pistol, but all of a sudden during double tap drills I felt a sting in my belly. I look down and there's a piece of flattened lead, without the jacket, stuck on my shirt. It must have been a ricochet. It didn't break skin, but it was a good reminder about the requirement to wear safety glasses.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
I had that once at our club running outside defensive drills a long while ago in NH. Some of the steel was a bad angle and I got some splash back. Big sting but no skin broken as well.
I belong to the largest (230ac) club in the PacNW. You can check the facilities and event calendar at the link below. Something for everyone.
I joined almost 25 years ago when there was less than 2000 members. There's a 2 year waiting list now.
I joined almost 25 years ago when there was less than 2000 members. There's a 2 year waiting list now.
insomniville
Well-Known Member
It's 93.4F and 53% on the patio right now (~ 2PM). We surpassed 100F here yesterday, and probably more of the same today. That's fine; I'll be inside mostly. It currently smells faintly of brush fire, which is probably not a good thing, but I don't see any smoke. It's actually kinda ugly out; no clear sky, but not a single chance of rain, either.
Probably heading up to Richardson next week for my uncle's funeral, followed by a consult for a routine colonoscopy back home the next day (sigh), but that's all I have on the plan right now.
Currently waiting for the laundry to finish. Lots of forum threads to read, and then I'm debating between (a) setting up a simple tabletop Unitrack layout on the now-relocated desk in the train room just to play with, or (b) actually working on the design for my real layout, which will take some doing. We'll see where I end up. Maybe I'll have enough time to do both today.
I need to figure out how to defend the trains from the cats, still. A fairly sizable problem, that.
My current random thought is that I should pick a DCC system and order it, and convert my one single locomotive to DCC. Then I can buy DCC locomotives when the mood strikes, and just not worry about it. The layout, when I get there, will definitely be DCC; there is no question on that. Much more interesting questions surrounding things like LCC, but that will take some research that I can put off for a while.
I'm wishing right now that I had leftover pizza from last night (yes, I ate pizza), but alas, I ate it all. Hmmm... I have no clue what I'm doing for dinner tonight. Might be something frozen, or maybe I'll go buy a steak or something. Who knows...
Anyway, I'm rambling again. Off to get caught up on the forum!
Have a good day, and a great upcoming weekend, folks!
Probably heading up to Richardson next week for my uncle's funeral, followed by a consult for a routine colonoscopy back home the next day (sigh), but that's all I have on the plan right now.
Currently waiting for the laundry to finish. Lots of forum threads to read, and then I'm debating between (a) setting up a simple tabletop Unitrack layout on the now-relocated desk in the train room just to play with, or (b) actually working on the design for my real layout, which will take some doing. We'll see where I end up. Maybe I'll have enough time to do both today.
I need to figure out how to defend the trains from the cats, still. A fairly sizable problem, that.
My current random thought is that I should pick a DCC system and order it, and convert my one single locomotive to DCC. Then I can buy DCC locomotives when the mood strikes, and just not worry about it. The layout, when I get there, will definitely be DCC; there is no question on that. Much more interesting questions surrounding things like LCC, but that will take some research that I can put off for a while.
I'm wishing right now that I had leftover pizza from last night (yes, I ate pizza), but alas, I ate it all. Hmmm... I have no clue what I'm doing for dinner tonight. Might be something frozen, or maybe I'll go buy a steak or something. Who knows...
Anyway, I'm rambling again. Off to get caught up on the forum!
Have a good day, and a great upcoming weekend, folks!
logandsawman
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
Good afternoon all,
83 and hazy. Mowed lawn yesterday, here it grows fast so once per week is the minimum or bring in the baler.
Spent all morning in the train shed, made some adjustments to the backdrop, checked out my new people, cleaning up, a little scenery, and one switch stand installed.
Four switchstands left to install, then all that inventory will be on the layout!
Sleep schedule: about one night per month I suffer from wakefulness, otherwise sleep soundly each night. I get 8 hours just about every night, my requirement.
I usually remember 2 or 3 dreams clearly. Also, get up once to pee then fall right back to sleep. No sleep aids required, thankfully.
40 species of birds in one hour this morning, unusually high. Very calm winds partially explains it.
Hot and humid again tomorrow.
Dave LASM
83 and hazy. Mowed lawn yesterday, here it grows fast so once per week is the minimum or bring in the baler.
Spent all morning in the train shed, made some adjustments to the backdrop, checked out my new people, cleaning up, a little scenery, and one switch stand installed.
Four switchstands left to install, then all that inventory will be on the layout!
Sleep schedule: about one night per month I suffer from wakefulness, otherwise sleep soundly each night. I get 8 hours just about every night, my requirement.
I usually remember 2 or 3 dreams clearly. Also, get up once to pee then fall right back to sleep. No sleep aids required, thankfully.
40 species of birds in one hour this morning, unusually high. Very calm winds partially explains it.
Hot and humid again tomorrow.
Dave LASM
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Ok my bad! I opened up the box on one of the 2 of my current Walthers Mainline Sd70ace’s. My notes in the box indicate I purchased the units in 2016 and I replaced the factory installed ESU decoders in 2023 with a Tsunami2 as I started doing with my personal units. The speakers were replaced in 2024 with Scale Sound Speakers.
From the Walthers website
- Same powerful drive as WalthersProto(R) locos featuring:
- 5-pole skew-wound motor
- 14:1 gear ratio
- Helical-cut gears for quiet operation and easy multiple unit operation
- All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
- Dual machined brass flywheels
- Heavy die cast metal chassis
jmupton2000
John M Upton
Been away for a while, so I need a lot of tea and as many cakes as there are still going please.
My "we have exchanged the contracts so it will be three or four weeks before moving day" turned overnight into "your buyers can only do next week, can you be moved to your new place by Tuesday?" which has meant a hectic six days organising, packing, booking a removal firm (they did a lot of the packing too, worth every penny), changing address details on everything from local authority tax records to my Railroad Model Craftsman subscription!!!
It is truly astounding just how many different things I needed to change the address on, and it was only less than a mile down the road!!!
Now surrounded by boxes but my new workbench in the garage is coming together nicely, probably helped by me putting my plank dioramas, key items of stock and my tools and paints (the movers actually were not allowed to carry my paints it turned out) in my car for the move.
Phew...
My "we have exchanged the contracts so it will be three or four weeks before moving day" turned overnight into "your buyers can only do next week, can you be moved to your new place by Tuesday?" which has meant a hectic six days organising, packing, booking a removal firm (they did a lot of the packing too, worth every penny), changing address details on everything from local authority tax records to my Railroad Model Craftsman subscription!!!
It is truly astounding just how many different things I needed to change the address on, and it was only less than a mile down the road!!!
Now surrounded by boxes but my new workbench in the garage is coming together nicely, probably helped by me putting my plank dioramas, key items of stock and my tools and paints (the movers actually were not allowed to carry my paints it turned out) in my car for the move.
Phew...
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