The very real voice of the railroad is the commanding thunder of a powerful locomotive. To be sure, the giant steam locomotives that once powered our Nation had an emotional and pictorial edge over electric locomotives or diesel-electrics. But each unique class of motive power has a distinctive and captivating sound that resonates in memory, long after the train passes.
Model railroaders craved train sounds as early as 1934 and Lionel Corporation introduced a semi-realistic whistle option by the late 1930s. Rival American Flyer soon followed with their own whistle sound option and both companies also added the smoke feature to many of their steam locomotives. The sound concept later expanded to include the horns of the diesel-electric age. That sufficed for tinplate, O-gauge and S Gauge systems but scale model railroaders in two-rail O Scale, HO, or OO Gauge had no viable sound options and instead, relied on the once, widely available “train sound” records to accompany operation sessions with visitors.
Mercifully, times have changed and DCC sound systems, available for all scales, are now almost mandatory for individuals that want to fully maximize the model railroading experience. Such sound systems are now driven by powerful command stations, power cabs and throttles to make your railroad come alive with realistic speed control and a wide range of sound options. In addition to the rolling thunder sound, a range of other locomotive sounds, appropriate for steam, electric and diesel-electric locomotives are available including bells, horns, air-compressors and crew sounds and all add a new and exciting dimension to model railroading.
Following the voice of the railroad, various applications of lighting along railroad right-of-way’s, signaling and bright lights of the city likewise had an emotional attraction. Railroad signals came in all descriptions from low, track-level dwarf signals to taller signal masts with semaphore signals or later versions of color light signals and stations with platform lamps of very description and yards were illuminated by tall flood light towers. Machine shops, erecting shops, roundhouses and diesel shops were always ablaze with beams of light at night.
The bright lights of the city, and smaller urban areas, were defined by an unbelievable assortment of lamp posts, traffic signals, spot lights movie marquees and illuminated billboards. The latter moved to first place after neon became the standard often accompanied by live animation. Even the illuminated windows of shops, stores, tall office buildings, churches and gas stations had their own uniqueness that left a lasting impression with generations of viewers. New technology and manufacturing techniques have also made a wide array of lights and lighting systems widely available and affordable for model railroaders.
For all those reasons, we want to “cast the spotlight” on all electronics related to sound and lighting with our current promotion. Like many contemporary model railroaders, we too are constantly amazed by the lightning-fast evolution of electronics in miniature sound and lighting and we are committed to making the widest range available to you, with ample inventory at competitive prices – lighting the way for greater enjoyment and fulfillment of the World’s Greatest Hobby!
Frank Wrabel
modeltrainstuff.com