Ever Heard a Real 539T?

The turbo whine is fairly pronounced on those engines.  Sample some of these videos:

Some nice sound switching with a remotely controlled S-2:

A nice start-up sequence:

Actually

Most all decoder manufactures have the 539T sound dead on.  Even the MRC decoders have the 539T dead on!  Probably their best sound files are the 2 Alco files from MRC. I have the sound value Bachmann S2 and it sounds very good.  The RS1 has turbo whine and sounds almost like a whistle at times.  Wait till you do some switching whith it, especially if you have some momentum cranked up so you can spool up the prime mover when pulling or pushing a string of cars.

Nice video's, thanks

Yup. the video's sound a whole lot like the models. I already have 2 RS-1's still in line waiting for completion of the paint booth.  Older models and will eventually get decoders. I thought a couple more would be nice.

I love the sound for the -2's and -3's. I will put loksound in those. Maybe skip the models with 539T engines and go for a couple sw1200's? My ears just prefer diesel sounds without the turbo's. And that does limit my choices a little bit.

 "My ears just prefer diesel

Yeah, I used to listen to the local come by in the evening and it always sounded best when it was powered by GP38-2 or GP15-1 locos ,they just sounded better in the summer evening air.   You can always go with the old reliable GP9 or SD9 :> ) ........DaveB 

Sounds

I hear trains almost every night. Sometimes several. They are about a mile away going from Auburn, WA. to the east side via Stampede Pass. I don't know the engines on them cause I never see them as its about 2 am when they get busy. I only hear the rumble, but that may be a factor of distance. Low freq carries much farther.

I am going to add to my loco roster and I will listen carefully to what sounds are applicable for any specific engine before I buy. I have been doing a little bit of that already when taking a break from prepping the basement.

I am also interested in (rolling thunder) from BLI. I am hoping I can do the same effect with Loksound decoders. Maybe its already possible? That would be a great effect to have a couple helper engines hooked up to that and put the speakers under the grade. Anyway, I can wait until the mfg's come out with the new toys.

I like the sound of the 539T

I like the sound of the 539T just fine. Thanks for posting the clips.

Ah ha!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alcomike/7518760866

So there is a prototype for switching engines. This was an alco that they swapped in an EMD 567. I have no idea why that happens.

I put my boat up for sale and already have a few inquiries. When it sells I will have to take the pain of losing it away by buying some more decoders for the loco's I have and likely a couple new ones. As much as I like the RS-1's, I am going to pass for now. I have two already and will try the Loksound 539T. I understand the idea of adherence to the prototype. Not doing so can affect the value and I already have my kids tuned into my trains and the idea that they will be selling them one day to retrieve some of their inheritance. When I posted the for sale ads, I almost cried. So I will need some serious consolation to get me thru the mourning of the loss.

So I am looking at for sure an SW1200 with Loksound. I am really impressed with the IAIS 250 that was posted by rrfaniowa in the Tsunami vs QSI Titan thread. I am today in the market for that one, maybe 2 of them.  I will even try making a wood speaker enclosure if that enhances the sound. For another loco I am thinking of maybe a couple F-7"s. Or maybe E units? And I really want something that would make good helper engines. My grades won't be that much but a 3 unit set of helpers waiting on a siding would be a nice addition to an operating scheme. I had originally thought that SD-38's or SD-40"s would be just the ticket but I haven't found sound files that really make me want them over something else. 

What I don't know is which mfg of the sw1200's makes the best candidate for sound. Or with loksound already installed. Which one is easiest to find room for speaker(s). And I guess the other question would be is factory installed preferable to self install? Specifically I am very likely to experiment with speaker combinations. Sound is one of the main reasons I am here so I am willing to try different things to conquer the learning curve.

Wind

The wind buffeting almost covers up the sound of the diesel.