I want to get one of these railbuses, but I want to add sound. How difficult is it to remove the Bachmann decoder and add the Loksound one?

It should be easy using the Loksound. Just remove the roof and the decoder and speaker housing are right there. Unplug the B-Mann decoder, plug in the Loksound decoder, place the speaker in the housing, and you're done.

Now I have to find a decoder!

Any recommendations?

I get my LOK decoders from Nancystrains. He has a E-Bay store. Go to E-Bay and search for LOKSOUND and his store is there as well as others. HIs price is $108.50 for a LOKSOUND V3.5. The Goose sound file is #72461. His store has a link to ESU so you can listen to all the sounds. You tell him what sound file you want and he loads it before shipping to you. All LOK decoders have the 8-pin plug already attached so it makes installation super simple. All ya gotta do is plug it right in. The speaker is also wired on, so it is an true "plug and play" affair. Have fun.

The Loksound v3.5 fits nicely with no modifications and the stock goose sound file is a good way to go.

Will the Loksound fit into the B-MM rail truck bed?
Al

quote:

Originally posted by AL CLAIR:
Will the Loksound fit into the B-MM rail truck bed?
Al

I don't have one, but looking at the photo on B-mann's web site, it appears there's a "box" shaped affair in the truck bed. I'm assuming this may cover the curcuit board/decoder. Since the LOKSOUND is only slightly larger than the B-Mann decoder, I don't see why it wouldn't fit. I'd bet there might be space for the speaker in there too. My LOK decoders fit where the B-Mann's were in all my ON-30 locos. I saw a picture of a rail truck where the person had fashioned a tarp covered cargo load to cover(hide)the decoder/speaker installation.

As a side note...

I find it a touch funny that nearly every railbus/truck is frequently referred to as a "Galloping Goose". Bachmann actually has released a model of one of the 8 authentic Galloping Geese (wisely, the least distinct one) and it is always referred to as a rail truck (which is also correct). I'd like to get one of them in time...but I can't justify a third Goose (the others are PCM's #3 & #4) with my current roster of 4 steam locomotives.

(the eighth goose was for the San Christobal...I think it is covered in one of the Colorado Rail Annuals)

Has anyone built Grandt Line's Goose #6? Considering their usual quality, I've long wanted one but the same rule applies that restricts the purchase of #1...plus the $200 is better spend on South Park related items...

My PCM Geese sound wonderful with the LokSound decoders...

Michael