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You have asked, repeatedly, I have listened, finally...

I offer the "Sugar Cube" Speaker in four sizes:

• 8 x 12 mm
• 9 x 16 mm
• 11 x 15 mm
• 13 x 18 mm

• Standard
• Boiler Baffle
• Long Boiler Baffle
• Close Coupled Twin
• Close Coupled Quad
• Close Coupled 2x2
• Hyperbaric Coupled
• Isobaric Coupled

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I need to make room for the new Tsunami2 Digital Sound Decoders so all remaining Tsunami Digital Sound Decoders have been moved to the  Clearance Aisle  and priced to sell .

This includes all remaining stock of model  TSU-750, TSU-1000, TSU-AT1000, TSU-GN1000, TSU-KT1000, TSU-IM1000, and  TSU-BW1000 sound decoders.

Be sure to have a look as there are always great products and fantastic prices on the Shelf In The Corner...

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So... I'm not really doing an all-products newsletter these days but these new products are just too cool to ignore...

Kato 29-352 FL12 DCC Decoder For Kato Tail Light Control

Kato 29-353 FR11 DCC Decoder For Kato Interior Light Control

Kato N Scale Unitrack Master/Variation Track Sets

Kato HO Scale Unitrack Master/Variation Track Sets

N Broadway Ltd Imports 4-8-2 M1a Mountain w/ Paragon2 Sound/DC/DCC

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It is often challenging to make a scale model preform like it has the mass of a 260,000lb locomotive pulling 5,000 tons or more! Some of this can be done with BEMF - when the loco "feels" a load, it will automatically rev up to work harder to pull this actual load. But this is often a flawed method in modeling. Today, model train car wheels are so free rolling that they often do not simulate sufficient drag to replicate a typical prototype situation. Also, often we do not sufficiently weigh our cars to represent a scaled-down version of the prototype. One of the biggest problems with BEMF controlled load is due to the fact that in our modeling and operations we often "simulate" loads inside a closed car. The payload inside a prototype car can weigh as much as 100-tons more than the car itself. This is especially important at operating sessions. Empties in and Loads out or vice versa. There is no way for a decoder to know the proposed weight of the cars it is pulling. Our "car cards", showing whether a car is loaded or empty, are seen only by the operator, not by our decoders!

To compensate for what the decoder cannot know, we have created Full Throttle decoder features! This series of new features includes "Drive Hold", "Run 8", "Coast", improved "Dynamic Brakes" and a new "Independent Brake" feature.

Drive Hold:

This feature allows the modeler to easily simulate a loaded or empty train by adding a single "Drive Hold" function button. When the button is pressed, the motor will remain at a constant speed, while the sound can be controlled independently from the motion with the throttle knob! This exciting, new feature gives the operator the ability to
have his or her train crawl in notch 8 or coast at 50mph. Then, by releasing the Drive Hold function button you simply go back to throttle-controlled speed and motion. No more switching between manual notching and programming on the main to go back and forth. All of this can be done on the fly with hardly even thinking about it.

Run 8:

There are times when hauling a heavy train over rolling hills that you may wish to remain in notch 8 at any speed desired. You could have the train slow, as it climbs a steep grade and then speed up upon levelling out. The Run 8 feature will allow for exactly that. Simply press the button and the prime mover will increase RPMs from wherever you are, all the way up to Notch 8 and hold. Once the function button is pressed, the sound is disengaged from the speed. Using the throttle knob you can now speed up or slow down with the sound remaining constant, at full throttle.

Coast:

The opposite of "Run 8". Often when coming to a stop, the throttle of a real locomotive is put into Idle and the engineer coasts to a stop. Another situation that occurs is that once a train is up to speed when operating over rolling terrain, the engineer can coast to maintain a certain speed. By pressing the coast function button, the sound drops from wherever you are to idle and remains there. Once this function button is pressed, the sound is disengaged from the speed. Using the throttle knob, you can now speed up or slow down the train with the sound remaining constant, at idle.

Brake:

Along with Dynamic Brakes, a locomotive has an Independent Brake as well. This allows for the locomotive to stop more quickly than its regular momentum would normally carry it. LokSound Decoders now also have a working Independent Brake. This one is pretty self-explanatory - just press the brake and come to a stop! While this will
work with whatever deceleration settings are in the loco, it tends to work more realistically if the loco has a large amount of deceleration. With these settings the loco will drift or coast much further when the brake is not applied. Then, by applying the brake, the loco will stop in a much shorter distance. As a note, you can now do standing
brake tests by keeping the brake on and advancing the throttle knob so the sound of Notch 4 can be heard. In EMDs this is the point at which the Shaft-Driven compressor reaches its second stage, and pumps air faster through the train.

Dynamic Brake:

The ESU Dynamic Brake works like the prototype. Once applied, the sound will drop to idle. Then (once the electricity dissipates from the traction motors) the prime mover will rise depending on the prototype. Most EMDs rise to about notch 4. Other brands will vary. Once the prime mover comes up, the dynamic brake fans will be heard. During this time, a deceleration will be quicker since you "have your dynamic brakes on." Once you release the button the fan will shut off as the prime mover drops again to idle. After a short delay the prime mover will once again come up to match the speed of your throttle - (other Full Throttle features may affect where your prime mover sound returns after the dynamic brake is turned off.) Please note, if you come to a stop when your
dynamic brake is applied, the fan sound will cease and the prime mover will go down to Idle. You will need to turn it off before you begin to move or the cycle will start again. Prototype locomotive dynamics will not work while stopped.

The ESU Dynamic Brake has not really changed much with the new added features. But the new files will now work better when consisted together and using the Dynamic Brake. Also since not all locos have dynamics, you will now be able to set up your non-dynamic locos to work correctly with consisted locos using dynamic brakes. The
ESU Dynamic Brake Logic Feature does increase the deceleration rate so please take this into account. If your loco does not have dynamic brakes you should still apply the "Dynamic Brake" LOGIC when consisting so that the engine slows with other dynamic brake-equipped locos in consist. If your loco is not equipped with dynamic brakes
please choose Sound Slot 21 (Coast) for the sound on the dynamic brake function button. This will have your loco drop the prime mover sound to idle while the dynamic brake-equipped locos in the consist go through the dynamic brake cycles. You should not use the "Shift" logic with non-Dynamic brake locos. Doing so will result in the prime mover rising up to Notch 4. This is not correct for Non Dynamic Brake Locos in a consist. It needs to stay at idle.

The Full Throttle manual and New Full Throttle sound files are available for download at the ESU website.

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ESU 50098 ECoS Detector RC Feedback Module - 2 Operation with RailCom

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Ideal for use with the ECO-100, these speakers pack a lot of punch in a small package. This makes them perfect used as standalone speakers or in multiples for even more power-handling and extra volume. The Mini Cube is rated at 8ohms, 1 watt and measures just 16mm X 12mm X 11.5mm. Despite its small size it produces an impressive volume level as compared to much larger model railroad speakers.  The Mini Cube 2 is the smallest model train oval speaker on the market, with a rating of 32 Ohms and 0.75mW peak power. At just 13mm X 9mm X 8.85mm it fits in many small models where sound applications seemed nearly impossible just a few years ago.

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TCS 2000 KA3 DCC Decoder Keep-Alive Device

 

Each of these WOWKits contains everything you need to economically convert a locomotive to WOWSound DCC with built-in Keep-AliveTM. 

These WOWKits fit a wide range of locomotives so check the list below to see if your engines are included!

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TCS has just added a whole bunch of new speaker models to their WOW Speaker line. 

You can see the complete line by visiting the  TCS Speakers speakers category.  I will be adding the new models and bringing in stock as soon as possible.

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Get your engine converted to WOWSound while learning how to perform your own WOWKit installations.

Register here to schedule a time slot for a guided WOWKit installation at the TCS booth at the NTS in Indianapolis, IN July 8th-10th. Simply register a time slot and then arrive at our booth at the NTS with one of the locomotives from the list on the registration form. We will provide and perform the WOWKit installation while guiding you for your own future installations.

Time slots are limited so get registered while you they are available!

SBS4DCC is not affiliated with this offer in any way.  

I am just sharing a great offer from TCS in hopes some of my attending clients can have an awesome experience at the 2016 National Train Show in my hometown of Indianapolis.

Please direct all inquiries about this matter to TCS.

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Zimo MX649 Micro NMRA DCC Sound Decoder


The decoder family MX649 is the successor and replacement for MX646, thus the same interface options are available.

- DCC + RailCom, DC-Analogue, MM
- 30 V maximum voltage
- 0.7 A Motor-and Total Current (1.5 A peak)
- 4 Function Outputs (Lv, Lr, FA1, FA2)
- 2 Logic-Level Outputs for additional Functions, Servo-Control or SUSI
- 1 Watt Audio, 8 Ohm, 32 Mbit, 6 Channels
- All well-known ZIMO characteristics for Firmware Updating, Motor Control and Regulation, Train Control and Feedback

In terms of circuitry, the MX 649 is practically the same as the MX648 and MX658 (available for about two years or one year, respectively).

The decision between these three miniature sound decoders depends on to the desired interface :- NEM-651 MX649N PluX-16 MX648P16 Next-18 MX658N18 or in the case of where the interface is not important (wires only) then the dimensions decide: not so much by the absolute area (5% less in favor of the MX649), but rather by the reaction on the length and width:

Long and Narrow MX649 >>> (23 x 9 x 4 mm)

Short and Wide MX648 >>> (20 x 11 x 4 mm)


Zimo MX649 DCC Decoders offer the following features:

The miniature sound decoder for various N and TT models suitable as an alternative for 00/H0, driving and full sound functionality like the MX644 or MX645, despite small dimensions, 6 function outputs.

Decoder Versions:

MX649, 11 highly flexible wires 120 mm in length
MX649N, small (6-pin) interface connector
MX649R, 8-pin interface connector on 70mm wire
MX649F, 6-pin interface connector on 70mm wire

Dimensions:

.91 x .36 x .16 inch (23 x 9 x 4 mm)

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