If you’ve ever longingly looked or listened to the wonderful sound effects possible with DCC trains and wanted something similar for your DC locomotives Train Tech have just the thing.
The Train Tech SFX20 (for diesel locomotives) and its counterpart for steam— the SFX10 — are simple drop-in electrics that will work in OO gauge locos. They don’t need special wiring or digital control and give realistic locomotive sound effects.
I recently tried one out in and covered it on my YouTube channel so you can hear what they sound like.
At around £40, Train Tech has managed to cram a lot into them and they’re certainly a lot cheaper than DCC sound systems (even assuming you already have DCC fitted) and remarkably simple to fit.
If you want sound from your locos they’re definitely worth considering.
Available via Amazon here.
> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.
Ugraded with bigger speaker & battery. https://youtu.be/H3cGWk5ZRuc
Thanks Andy, that’s great. Andy
Any ideas for n gauge sound effects? cheers, Paul.
Hi Paul, thanks for your comment. As I mention, this is too big for N gauge locos but can work in some N gauge tenders. Train Tech explain it on their website. Cheers, Andy
Thanks Andy, I have looked on their site and one other way is too hide the sound chip in a wagon or even a hopper.
Good idea, but, I found the tiniest vibration will set it off.
Hi Ray, I’ll admit this was a concern but having had it in a train for a while now it seems okay on my layout. I’ll keep an eye on it and report back if this does become an issue. Cheers, Andy.
I’ve got two of these, the steam type.
Quality of sound is great if you alter them slightly with bigger battery & speaker. Having one altered as I type this comment.
I Used the SFX10 steam on my triang stephensons rocket worked very well better on tracks but a bit hit and miss on rolling road.