Selecting TTS decoders for non TTS locos

[RAF96]

Differing wheel sizes can be a bonus. I have Tornado TTS installed into a GWR pannier tank 0-6-0 and for the track speeds I use the chuff is nicely synchronised.

[Tallpaul70]

But what do the whistles sound like?

I am interested in this because I am looking for TTS to install in my panniers and other GWR locos, but the only GWR available are the 4 cylinder King and Castle.
I would have thought the LNER whistles would sound wrong?

Thanks
Paul

[Steve M]

Hornby have done the two cylinder Hall in TTS but haven’t released it as a stand-alone decoder yet (as far as I know) - that may work for the GWR tank locos at a push, if you can find one or wait until it is released separately.

[mijj]

How can anyone match a whistle/horn to a loco if one has no knowledge of these things .
Jim.

It’s probably only a purist that would notice but I would expect steam whistles from any given operator to be similar.

Thanks for replying.
That means that any visitors would have to take their 'purist hats' off wouldn't they .
Mine would be a heritage/freight railway.
Jim

[Steve M]

Although most visitors would never know the whistle was ‘wrong’, I would, and that would bother me.

[Walkingthedog]

I don’t think whistles are similar. GWR locos sound very different to those of the LNER. But to be honest they sound pretty pathetic in OO.

[Tallpaul70]

I don’t think whistles are similar. GWR locos sound very different to those of the LNER. But to be honest they sound pretty pathetic in OO.

Hi Walkingthedog:-

I agree GWR locos sound very different to LNER ones.

However, please can you explain your comment:-

I , for one am unclear as to what you mean?
Do you mean all loco chips, or all TTS, or the two Steve has recorded?
Any by pathetic do you mean not at all like the loco they are portraying, or not like the locos Steve is using them to portray, or too quiet, or what?

Many thanks
Paul

[Steve M]

Paul, Brian is known for his aversion to sound in OO gauge locos.

He makes a fair point about scaled down whistles, they can seem a bit shrill and thin, but even though not perfect I prefer that to nothing at all.
In my limited experience, GWR whistles and LNER chimes are very distinctive and need a reasonable approximation when reproduced - others less so.

Changing tack slightly, the Black 5 has a distinctive ‘bark’ in its chuff (Ooo err matron) but some 1:1 tank locos I have heard also sound quite ‘rorty’ so that may be an option for some, but not GWR for obvious reasons.

[Walkingthedog]

I just don’t like OO sound. O gauge is OK but OO is akin to a cigarette packet attached to a bike frame with a peg rubbing against the spokes pretending to sound like a motorbike. Just my view. I know many love it. And don’t get me started about smoke.

[brian1951]

And don’t get me started about smoke.

Or DCC.