I’m grateful for you discussing the issue with the sound decoder on this production run, I bought a used Rapido w/ sound for around $200 USD but later I’ll get a Walthers version but without sound and I’ll install a sound decoder of my choosing.
Not a bad idea! Walthers was great on sending me a replacement, but it's something to definently be aware of with what the engines ran new. Prices are better these days of course, and if there's an issue I'm sure they'll cover it.
It's honestly one of the weaker P3's in the ESU library, I was surprised they went with this old recording instead of a newer one. Fortunately that was fixed after some work with a fresh soundfile.
Wow, guess you never lived by the SP back in the day, the only time they got a SW1200 up to that speed was if it went through a bridge or trestle and was in free fall. All kidding aside, the engine is a looker though, pretty decent details, better looking than the one from up north. I do seriously want to thank you for this video, if I get one I'll do it less sound and add a Tsunami to it, ESU makes outstanding Alco sounds, but EMD, not so much. I have a Walthers SD9E and it sounds different from all my Tsunami equipped SD7's and 9's, enough to really make me not want any more ESU EMD chips. Why so picky? I spent hundreds of hours track side listening to the Caddy's running and that sound is burned into my brain, same with the smaller 567's, something is just missing is all I can say. Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately living by SP wouldn't be the most practical for an under 30 NC resident, I've had to settle for what surviving scraps made their way east. The ESU files are great, biggest issue with Walthers is that absurdly weak speaker that comes from factory. Scale Sounds Systems drop in replacements are the first thing I do to any Proto or engine I'll be running a good bit. More recent videos highlighting Athearn GP9's showcase them working a bit more together with a much better bark from the engine. Tsunami just needs some variety in their base 567 files + P3's, and they'd be on a much better track.
@@SCL3618 LOL, guess not being under 30 and all. I was on my honeymoon on 9/11/96, heading to Silverton riding the parlor car Alamosa the day the SP went officially away; that was many moons ago for sure. I will look into that speaker you suggest and see if that might fix the Walther's SD9E I have. Then again, knowing Walther's as I have for over 50 years in the hobby, well, nothing surprises me any more.
If they were the same models, sure thing. Otherwise it's going to be a different result each time. Athearn has only made the MP15 + SW1500, this Proto is a 1200. I'd say rule of thumb to avoid the BLI units, they're geared very low and the SW1500 has a habit of catching on fire (mine did). Unless you score a great deal or get a SW7/9 with Paragon 4 + keep alive- which has been a great engine to work with. Proto and Athearn units are geared faster, but have different motors under the hood so performance isn't identical. Ultimately it all comes down to what you really want out of the engine and prefer.
I’m grateful for you discussing the issue with the sound decoder on this production run, I bought a used Rapido w/ sound for around $200 USD but later I’ll get a Walthers version but without sound and I’ll install a sound decoder of my choosing.
Not a bad idea! Walthers was great on sending me a replacement, but it's something to definently be aware of with what the engines ran new. Prices are better these days of course, and if there's an issue I'm sure they'll cover it.
That horn is super clean
It's honestly one of the weaker P3's in the ESU library, I was surprised they went with this old recording instead of a newer one. Fortunately that was fixed after some work with a fresh soundfile.
@@SCL3618 interesting, thanks for the insight, loved the video btw
@@yourfellowpancake6335 Thanks for watching!
I love that Unit
very good model
Good very good 😊
Super👍
Wow, guess you never lived by the SP back in the day, the only time they got a SW1200 up to that speed was if it went through a bridge or trestle and was in free fall. All kidding aside, the engine is a looker though, pretty decent details, better looking than the one from up north. I do seriously want to thank you for this video, if I get one I'll do it less sound and add a Tsunami to it, ESU makes outstanding Alco sounds, but EMD, not so much. I have a Walthers SD9E and it sounds different from all my Tsunami equipped SD7's and 9's, enough to really make me not want any more ESU EMD chips. Why so picky? I spent hundreds of hours track side listening to the Caddy's running and that sound is burned into my brain, same with the smaller 567's, something is just missing is all I can say. Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately living by SP wouldn't be the most practical for an under 30 NC resident, I've had to settle for what surviving scraps made their way east. The ESU files are great, biggest issue with Walthers is that absurdly weak speaker that comes from factory. Scale Sounds Systems drop in replacements are the first thing I do to any Proto or engine I'll be running a good bit. More recent videos highlighting Athearn GP9's showcase them working a bit more together with a much better bark from the engine. Tsunami just needs some variety in their base 567 files + P3's, and they'd be on a much better track.
@@SCL3618 LOL, guess not being under 30 and all. I was on my honeymoon on 9/11/96, heading to Silverton riding the parlor car Alamosa the day the SP went officially away; that was many moons ago for sure. I will look into that speaker you suggest and see if that might fix the Walther's SD9E I have. Then again, knowing Walther's as I have for over 50 years in the hobby, well, nothing surprises me any more.
Your hilarious comment snuck up on me when I was reading your post, haven’t laughed that hard about a locomotive before.
Could you PLEASE do a comparison video between this, an athearn genesis one, and a BLI model? I’m trying to see which one would fit best.
If they were the same models, sure thing. Otherwise it's going to be a different result each time. Athearn has only made the MP15 + SW1500, this Proto is a 1200. I'd say rule of thumb to avoid the BLI units, they're geared very low and the SW1500 has a habit of catching on fire (mine did). Unless you score a great deal or get a SW7/9 with Paragon 4 + keep alive- which has been a great engine to work with. Proto and Athearn units are geared faster, but have different motors under the hood so performance isn't identical. Ultimately it all comes down to what you really want out of the engine and prefer.