by The-Bandwidth-Limited
Hey folks,
I'm brand spanking new around here, though I have been lurking on and off for awhile. I'm seeking some help from some more knowledgeable and experienced model railroaders in a problem I have had no luck really getting a handle on. About two months ago I won an action on Ebay for an HO Atlas Dash 8-32BHW locomotive in Amtrak Phase 5 paint scheme, road number 517 (Item #7278). It was a good buy, the item is in brand new condition and looks to be actually new in the box. None of the grab irons had or still have been installed and all the packaging is still as is. It is a Silver Master Series locomotive, and that means it is without a decoder and only designed to run on a DC layout. I, however, run on a DCC layout and would very much so would love to have a sound unit that prototypical sounds, or as close to prototypical sounds as possible.
So I'm going to start firing off some questions here, so bear with me here because I have never done a decoder install and I don't necessarily know what it entirely entails. What decoder should I get if I want prototypical sounds of the Dash 8-32BHW? Will said decoder be able to support flashing ditch lights? What speaker should I get and where should it get housed? Do I need a mount for the speaker and decoder? Are there any other components I need to install in order to get DCC and sound? Would you recommend me install it myself or should I get a professional to do it? If professional is the case, I live near a hobby store, should I use the technician there who charges a dollar a minute, or should I send it someplace else to get worked on?
Thanks in advance everyone,
The-Bandwidth-Limited.
I'm brand spanking new around here, though I have been lurking on and off for awhile. I'm seeking some help from some more knowledgeable and experienced model railroaders in a problem I have had no luck really getting a handle on. About two months ago I won an action on Ebay for an HO Atlas Dash 8-32BHW locomotive in Amtrak Phase 5 paint scheme, road number 517 (Item #7278). It was a good buy, the item is in brand new condition and looks to be actually new in the box. None of the grab irons had or still have been installed and all the packaging is still as is. It is a Silver Master Series locomotive, and that means it is without a decoder and only designed to run on a DC layout. I, however, run on a DCC layout and would very much so would love to have a sound unit that prototypical sounds, or as close to prototypical sounds as possible.
So I'm going to start firing off some questions here, so bear with me here because I have never done a decoder install and I don't necessarily know what it entirely entails. What decoder should I get if I want prototypical sounds of the Dash 8-32BHW? Will said decoder be able to support flashing ditch lights? What speaker should I get and where should it get housed? Do I need a mount for the speaker and decoder? Are there any other components I need to install in order to get DCC and sound? Would you recommend me install it myself or should I get a professional to do it? If professional is the case, I live near a hobby store, should I use the technician there who charges a dollar a minute, or should I send it someplace else to get worked on?
Thanks in advance everyone,
The-Bandwidth-Limited.