SoundBytes XLX

We’ve been working on many new things here in Durango for you. Spring season doesn’t mean time to slow down, it seems we’ve been busier than usual! In this edition, we will share some history about another version of the C-19s and 2-8-0 locomotives. We also have an upcoming appearance now in Arkansas in May. We have also received the boxcar and stockcar shipment here on our doorstep!

Arkansas Visit
We would like to welcome Arkansas Traveler Hobbies in Bald Knob, AR to our Dealer Network. To help introduce SoundTraxx and Blackstone Models to his product line, George will be visiting the store on May 12th giving a few clinics on using Tsunami decoders and installing Tsunami decoders as well as answering your questions!  If you are nearby, be sure to come in to see him and see first hand how to get the most from your decoders!  For more information on clinic times and to sign up to attend, please contact them at 501.724.5326.

Blackstone Models:
With the new run of C-19s and 2-8-0 locomotives coming in early 2013, we wanted to share some of the features of these unique locomotives with everyone. This time, we will speak a bit to the #401, Class 70 Denver and Rio Grande Locomotive. Blackstone is pleased to be the first company to ever offer a painted ready to run version of a class 70 locomotive of the D&RG as it appeared frequently from Durango to Alamosa during the 1910s and into the early 1920s.

From the original 2-8-0 locomotives, the D&RG began a re-building program in the early teens that included new boilers, adding the dynamo, air pump, but still retained the box-style headlamp and the fluted smoke box door. In 1921, the Railroad re-organized as the Denver and Rio Grande Western. It was around 1923 that these locos underwent another program that would eventually classify these locos as C-19s and be re-numbered 340-349.

This model is perfect for those that wish to model the earlier times of the railroad. The upcoming release of Passenger Car Red coaches (PN B350110) would be right at home behind this unique locomotive.

We have received the new run of the Boxcars and Stockcars here in Durango Friday, April 27th. These cars will begin shipping mid week to our dealers around the globe.

These cars are a new run of 6 road numbers for each of the boxcars and stockcars, optionally available factory weathered. These cars are high in demand, so be sure to contact your local hobby shop to ensure you get some for your collection!

More information can be found here: http://www.blackstonemodels.com/rolling/box/index.php and here: http://www.blackstonemodels.com/rolling/stock/index.php.

Boxcars.. MSRP Non-Weathered 67.95       Stockcars.. MSRP Non-Weathered 67.95

                                    Weathered 74.95                                           Weathered 74.95

B340128(W) #3146 MT Herald                  B340226(W) #5510 FG Herald

B340129(W) #3303 No Herald                   B340227(W) #5578 FG Herald

B340130(W) #3328 FG Herald (Lt Fade)    B340228(W) #5669 FG Herald
B340131(W) #3426 FG Herald (Hvy Fade) B340229(W) #5723 FG Herald
B340132(W) #3587 FG Herald                    B340230(W) #5825 FG Herald
B340133(W) #3743 FG Herald                   B340231(W) #5605 B2/3 Herald


Next Blackstone Models shipment will have the All-New East Broad Top Hoppers along with the second run of Passenger Coaches and the third run of the Narrow Frame Tank Cars. This shipment is currently expected to arrive here around the first week of June. Be sure to visit http://www.blackstonemodels.com/ for more information.

SoundBytes

Welcome to another Edition of SoundBytes. We have a lot to cover this time. We will discuss upcoming shows, start a new segment where we introduce a Blackstone Models loco version and we’ll take a virtual visit to New Jersey to meet Nate, one of our dealers. Lots to do, so let’s get started.

Upcoming Trade Shows:
Don’t forget, the Calgary Supertrain show is coming up quickly. Be sure to come in and say Hello and see what products we will bring to show.

It is being held April 20th-22nd at the Subway Soccer Centre in Calgary Alberta.

Our next show currently scheduled will be at the NMRA National show in Grand Rapids, MI being help the first week in August. There is still time to plan a trip (If you’re not nearby) to come visit and see what we may have in store for new announcements!
Be sure to keep checking back on new announcements and upcoming appearances for our staff.

Blackstone Models:
With the new run of C-19s and 2-8-0 locomotives coming in early 2013, we wanted to share some of the features of these unique locomotives with everyone. At this moment, we have not received pre-production samples of these locos yet, but we do have livery artwork and some information about each model to help familiarize the modelers with each version. This time, we will look closely at the Rio Grande Southern #41.

This new model of the 41 that we are producing in this run will have a newly tooled correct straight-sided tender among many other details to accurately model this locomotive! One of only 3 surviving C-19s, the 41 is one of the most storied narrow gauge locomotives ever to traverse the 3-foot rails of Colorado.



From Michael Ripley Collection



Blackstone Models is proud to produce the 41 as it appeared in the 1930s and 40s on the RGS. This model is the perfect companion for those that have purchased the RGS 40 in the previous run or any of the Blackstone RGS K-27s. Today this engine can still be appreciated in California, operating at Knott’s Berry Farm. This model will optionally be available with factory weathering, as well as a non-weathered version. Be sure to pre-order your RGS 41 with your local hobby shop soon!

Dealer Spotlight:

Nathan Kline is the owner of Nate’s Light Iron Hobbies, a hobby shop dedicated to model trains and related accessories. He has been interested in trains and model railroading all his life, especially narrow gauge and the East Broad Top railroad.

His interest in trains and model railroading and his many years of modeling experience inspired him to establish Nate’s Light Iron Hobbies in August of 2007 to bring a unique business to all fans of narrow gauge and shortline model railroading. Nate’s Light Iron Hobbies specializes in narrow gauge and shortline model railroading as well as DCC and sound. They offer competitive pricing and, above all, excellent customer service. As an authorized SoundTraxx and Blackstone Models dealer they stock all current SoundTraxx decoders and accessories and all current Blackstone Models items, including many items no longer available from the factory!

Although narrow gauge and shortline model railroading is their specialty, they do offer all popular scales and brands of model trains and accessories and don’t believe in offering their customers anything Nate wouldn’t personally use on his own model railroad! Please visit them on the web and shop online at http://www.nateslightironhobbies.com/ or call him at 610-406-1761. Be sure to tell Nate you saw his spotlight here!

SoundBytes XLVIII

St. Patrick’s day is near and spring is blooming, but that is no reason to stop model railroading! This may be the time to take on a new decoder install, or add in that rolling stock for future operating sessions! This issue, we’ll cover some upcoming shows we will be attending and discuss some in-stock Blackstone Models products. For our Tech Tip, we’ll set up a sound zone from a detector block for SurroundTraxx.

Upcoming Shows

Next month, we will be setting up at the Super Train 2012 show in Calgary, AB CANADA. If anyone is in the area, we encourage you to come by and see what we have to show.

This is the largest Canadian Model Train Show. It will be held at the Subway Soccer Centre April 21st and 22nd, 2012. This was a great show last year and we are expecting it to be even better this year!
Stay tuned for other shows and appearances for our staff near you.

Blackstone Models

When we receive a new Blackstone Models product, the number of models is limited. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is sold out. We take reservations for the models and when the shipment arrives, they begin shipping out to the hobby shops.

There has been occasions recently that a Blackstone Modeler will contact us asking about existing stock, stating their dealer says it is sold out, while on our website it is not. The website is kept up to date as much as possible, so it is a good indicator of our available inventory.

There are still K-27s, boxcars, stock cars, double-deck stock cars, high side and drop-bottom gondolas, flat cars and cabooses in stock here for you.

Just be sure to let your Blackstone Models dealer know what you are looking for and if available, we will be happy to get these out to you!

Tech Tip

The SurroundTraxx is an inexpensive option for great sound for the modeler in small scales. An important piece to getting this to work is to use the block-detection system from Digitrax known as Transponding. Once this has been installed and is functioning properly, its time to assign the detection blocks to the SurroundTraxx’ sound zones.
For our examples, we will assign a loop, like the Tehachapi Loop, to a single sound zone, zone 3, and then 3-track yard and through mainline in sound zone 2.
Starting with the example loop of track, it is assigned to block 2 on the Digitrax BDL-168. To set this up in the SurroundTraxx menu, press the knob and “ROUNDHOUSE” should appear. Rotate the knob until “ZONE IDS” appears in the window. Press the knob to select. Now rotate the knob until “ZONE: 3” appears, then press the knob to select. At first, “BEG ID:000” will be displayed, then press the knob to select. Using the knob, rotate to select each digit (0-9) and then press the knob to select and cycle through each of the 3 digits individually. Using the knob, select id # 002, (press knob, 0, press, 0, press, rotate to select 2,) and then press the knob to save. The setting, “BEG ID:002” should now be displayed. Next, rotate the knob to “END ID:002”. Confirm this is correct. If it does not, change this to zone 002, following the procedure above, to ensure that the zone will be correct. Now, when a loco is detected in zone 2, the sound profile (previously set up) will be played coming out of the speaker connected to the orange wires, or zone 3.
A group of tracks, in this case, a yard where each track has its own BDL-168 detector zone, can share a speaker output. For this example, the three yard tracks with a main through track are assigned to zones 6, 8, 10, and 12. These have to be un-interrupted consecutive numbers. Blocks 2, 4, 10 and 12 can be assigned to a single sound zone, but any number in between (6 and 8) must be in that same sound zone or the SurroundTraxx will not operate properly.
To configure this part of the layout, first select ZONE ID for zone 2. Next, set the BEG ID to 006 and the END ID to 012. Rotate the knob to confirm these settings are saved. Now any time a loco is run on any of the yard tracks or the through main, the sound for that loco will play out of the speaker connected to the yellow wires, or zone 2.
Setting up the SurroundTraxx allows you to take advantage of the surround sound for your layout. With the loco sounds traveling with the locomotive around the layout, full-scale sound is now possible, especially for smaller scales.
Now with the blocks set up, customize the sound channels for each one by adding in reverb or echo as appropriate to the layout for great sound effects. See an earlier post for details.

SoundBytes XLVII

Its time for another edition of SoundBytes. We hope you have been enjoying the look into the world of SoundTraxx and Blackstone Models. This time, we will discuss the upcoming Blackstone Models Releases.

SurroundTraxx

We have been shipping the SurroundTraxx to our dealers for a while now. We are interested in hearing back from you about your experiences with our product. If you are interested in sharing your successes with SurroundTraxx, please send a short 1-2 paragraph description of your SurroundTraxx setup.

Be sure to include information about your layout, how many locos you have, and how you have been able to get the complete sound for your layout. We are interested in taking some of these testimonials and re-posting them here for others to read as well, if desired. Please send these to: jireland@soundtraxx.com

Upcoming Releases:

Now that we have received and shipped out the new run of K-27s,

our next products to arrive will be the new boxcars and stock cars, expected to arrive here in late spring. These are 6 new Denver and Rio Grande Western road numbers for each, both weathered and non-weathered. Don’t forget to place your reservations for these cars now!
Arriving around early summer will be our very popular East Broad Top hopper. These cars are very popular with many of the cars getting close to being sold out!

Be sure you have these reserved so you are not left out! We are producing a painted/unlettered version as well as a painted version with the EBT Herald and data, but no road number for those who are looking to amass a large fleet of these cars as well as 6 pre-lettered and numbered cars with various heralds.
Expected to arrive in mid-summer will be the new run of passenger coaches

and the third run of the extremely popular Tank cars.
For more information on all future releases, please visit http://www.blackstonemodels.com/

Tech Tip:

We are now supplying many of the major HO model train manufacturers with our Tsunami Dual-Mode Sound Decoders and some with our Dual Mode Non-Sound Mobile Decoders. We get many questions regarding the design of these models and what are the default settings. Let’s take a few moments to discuss how a project is developed and designed for the various manufacturers and where to find information about their decoders.
Once we reach an agreement on supplying a decoder for a model, both parties work together to hammer out details. The other manufacturer will supply information, desires and specifications for the model in question, and we design a circuit board to fit in the given space that will be easy to install during assembly that matches their specifications. We then send sample decoders and a checklist for them to approve. This can cover everything from fit into the model, CV default settings and operational requests, volume settings, etc. Once the samples are approved, we then are given a target date as to when the decoders are needed. We then collect the components and circuit boards and get them built by the date requested. Once the boards are built, we ship them to the address specified and they are forwarded on to the assembly floor for that manufacturer. We do not generally supply the speakers or lighting for the models, just the decoder.
To find the specific defaults for the locomotives, start at http://www.soundtraxx.com/.  Down in the lower right corner, there is a box labeled Quick Links.

Select Factory-Installed Decoders from this list. Then, you will be asked to select a manufacturer from Athearn, Bachmann, Bowser, Intermountain, S-Helper, and Walthers. For this explanation, we will select Bachmann. There, you will find a brief description of their products and sound Decoders supplied. Under this, a list of all the locomotives we have manufactured decoders for can be found. Selecting any of these will pull up a page listing the default values for the various CVs for that model.
Up in the upper left corner are various documents related to use with that model manufacturer’s Tsunami decoders. These can be very helpful as well.

Knowing where to find this information can help with programming any Tsunami factory-equipped locomotive to meet the desires of the discriminating modeler.

SoundBytes XLVI

This year has started off great! We’ve been busy, so this year also has been moving quickly. We looked up and it’s already the middle of February! We have lots to cover this time, including the new painted samples of the much-anticipated EBT Hoppers, the arrival of the new run of K-27 locomotives. For our Tech Tip, we will discuss the implementation of CVs 5 and 6 in our MC2 line of DCC Mobile Decoders.


In-Office Rivalries…
The last few weeks have been fun with the NFL playoffs. Allison had her heart broken when the Ravens had a chance to win and missed the field goal. Last weekend, the Patriots lost the championship to the Giants. Overall, these games turned out to be close and fun to watch. Good friendly fun and entertainment was had by all of us here. Hockey season is going, so more rivalries to come!

News:
We have just gotten our new run of K-27 locomotives in our Blackstone Models product line here late on Friday. Once these undergo inventory and inspection, they will begin shipping out the dealers late this week.

This run includes the popular RGS #455 post-wreck. Many of these locomotives are almost sold out, so be sure to get your order in for these before they are all gone!

We also have received the first decorated samples of the East Broad Top Hoppers here in Durango for us to review. These cars look great and should look good on any HOn3 layout!

These cars are expected to arrive here early this summer! The demand for these cars has high and will be at home on any HOn3 layout!

Following the K-27s will be the next run of box cars, stock cars, EBT hoppers, passenger cars, a third run of tank cars and then new C-19s.

Tech Tip:
Now featured in the MC2 series DCC Mobile decoder line (and Bachmann’s New Spectrum Series 2-part decoders and their “Sound Value” line of decoders) is the ability to quickly adjust speed tables using CV 5 (Top Speed) and CV 6 (Mid Speed). This allows the user to easily set the top speed of a locomotive or quickly speed match with other locomotives in the fleet. For example, if a top speed of 80% of full throttle is desired, set CV 5 to 204, then set CV 6 to 102 for even acceleration across a linear speed table. CV 6 could be set to 50 to give smaller gains in speed through the first half of the throttle, but larger gains through the second half of the speed table until the top speed is reached. They work together to create a 3-point speed table.

CVs 5 and 6 are active when standard speed tables are selected using CV29. Setting CV29 to activate alternate speed tables, disables CVs 5 and 6, but activates CVs 66-95 for more refined speed table setup.

SoundBytes XLV

Happy New Year to everyone! Make your new year’s resolution to get on those Tsunami sound conversions you have been putting off. You’ll be happy you did!

Now, on to our first post of 2012. First up, SoundTraxx was presented a model railroad product award from a popular regional magazine! Also, we have gotten some initial feedback on the new SurroundTraxx to share. Next, we will quickly recap upcoming 2012 Blackstone Models releases, and for our Tech Tip: An introduction to Bachmann’s new Tsunami Sound decoder arrangement!

Football Anyone?We have a small rivalry going on in the office here at SoundTraxx.  Allison, one of our sales people, is a huge Baltimore Ravens fan, while Jaime, our Administrative Assistant, is a huge New England Patriots fan.  Now that these two teams are meeting in the AFC Championship game, there is some fun bantering going on from these two.  (It also helps that Nancy, co-owner of SoundTraxx, is a Pats fan as well!)  No matter what this weekend's game holds, I'm sure the fireworks will fly from the winner on Monday!

SoundTraxx News:
We are proud to have received the 2011 Gold Rail Award for Best New Model Railroading Product voted on by a panel of readers of the Cowcatcher magazine for our DCC mobile decoder product line!

These decoders offer all motor and Hyperlight light control to allow any non-sound decoder-equipped locomotive to more easily speed match with a Tsunami sound-equipped locomotive. 

This includes the F11 brake feature turning an ordinary sound effect into an actual working brake! If you have not yet used these decoders, be sure to give them a try!

 We are confident you’ll enjoy operations with these decoders!

Now that the SurroundTraxx has been shipping for a few months now, we have gotten some great feedback. Many of the comments refer to the great quality sound now able to be achieved, even in small scales!

We have updated the information pages to give a more-in depth look at the product. Be sure to check this exciting new product for sound here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/.

Blackstone Models News:

This will be a busy year for Blackstone Models. We start off with the impending arrival of the new K-27 expected to arrive mid-February.

Following that will be the new passenger coaches expected to arrive in early spring,

Boxcars in late spring, stock cars in early summer, and the tank cars in mid fall. Included is the much-anticipated EBT Hoppers scheduled to arrive in early summer as well! The guaranteed reservation order deadlines on these models have passed, so if you have not yet ordered your new releases, be sure to do so before these popular models are all snapped up!
We have not passed the deadline for the second run of C-19s yet, so be sure to contact your dealer today!

Tech Tip:
This Month we will introduce you to the Bachmann’s new optional sound module design. The first locomotive to be released with this arrangement is the Spectrum HO B&O EM-1.

Inside the model, is a SoundTraxx dual-mode DC/DCC decoder. This allows the model to be run out of the box in either DC or DCC without sound. To add in SoundTraxx Tsunami sound, you will need to order the sound module through your dealer from Bachmann. (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=3924) This is a 21-pin plug-in module that simply plugs into the 21-pins on the mobile decoder already installed to create a DC/DCC Tsunami sound decoder. The speaker is already installed in the model allowing a simple conversion to a sound model.

Some of the confusion stems from the 21-pin plug on the decoder. There are many European models that use this connector for the DCC decoder installation as well. This Tsunami sound module does not follow the NMRA Standard 21-pin protocol. Instead it is unique to the SoundTraxx interface for use with the Bachmann motor decoder only, even though connector is the same. Using any other brand decoder other than the Tsunami sound module available from Bachmann will result in damage to either the SoundTraxx motor decoder or the other brand of decoder attempted. Be sure to use only the SoundTraxx Tsunami sound module available from Bachmann.
Once the Tsunami sound module is installed, you will have a Tsunami sound decoder for their great HO Steam Locomotive.
This design will be coming up on future Spectrum products as well, so be sure to note these for your customer.

SoundBytes XLIV

The Holiday Season is here. We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In this post, we’ll share our Holiday Schedule; discuss recent announcements for future products in Blackstone Models, including new Tank Cars and C-19s, and for our Tech Tip, well look closely at the new lighting decoders for Blackstone Models Coach and Caboose.
Also, for those of you wanting a wish list to give your loved ones, we have our “Honey Please” lists for both SoundTraxx and Blackstone Models found on the home page of each.

Holiday Schedule:
For the Christmas and New Year Holidays, we will close so our staff can spend time with their families for the week of December 26th through the 30th. We will re-open January 2nd, 2012.

Narrow Frame Tank Car 3rd Release
Back by popular demand, Blackstone Models will be doing a 3rd run of the UTLX Narrow Frame Tank Car. These are available in both weathered (W) versions and non-weathered versions. The new part numbers are:
B340607(W) - UTLX No. 12812, Yellow Lettering
B340608(W) - UTLX No. 12822, Yellow Lettering
B340609(W) - UTLX No. 13119, Yellow Lettering

We are also proud to announce CYCX Narrow Frame Tank Cars!

HOn3 modelers will immediately take note of the unique livery of the Penn-Conley Owned CYCX cars leased to the Texaco company. In stark contrast to the yellow lettering of the typical UTLX car, these second-hand UTLX narrow frame tank cars are adorned with white "Gothic" style reporting marks and utilize a more spartan approach to the data painted on the tank ends. None of the CYCX cars are equipped with tank side ladders that were applied to certain remaining UTLX cars during the war years. Because they were few in number, the CYCX cars are a special addition to any modeler's HOn3 collection and will find a special place in the consists of those diminutive tank and manifest trains! The new part number are:
B340610(W) - CYCX No. 63, White Lettering
B340611(W) - CYCX No. 64, White Lettering

Non-weathered cars will retail for $67.95. Weathered versions will retail for $75.95. The guaranteed pre-order deadline is January 13, 2012. We expect these to be in stock and shipping to dealers in the Summer of 2012.

New C-19s!
Blackstone Models is proud to announce the release of 7 new versions of the popular C-19 along with a re-run of a popular road number. Newly-tooled tender styles allows us to model new versions, including the popular RGS #41. 

Otto Perry photo from James L. Ehernberger Collection

These will all be available with sound and optionally weathered. Versions are:
B310201-S: #345 Flying Grande Herald, Switcher Pilot
B310209-S: #342 Royal Gorge Route Herald with Straight Sided Tender
B310210-S: #346 Post Wreck, Flying Grande Herald, Flared Top Tender
B310211-S: #401, Class 70, Late 1910s 401 on Straight Sided Tender
B310212-S: #40 RGS “Rising Sun” Herald
B310213-S: #41 RGS, 30s 40 on Straight Sided Tender
B310214-S: Painted/Unlettered, Diamond Stack, Flared Top Tender, Russia Iron Boiler
B310215-S: Ptd/Unl, Later Style, Straight Sided Tender

MSRP will be $499.95 for non-weathered versions; weathered versions will list for $554.95.

Tech Tip:
We have recently begun shipping the lighting decoders for the Blackstone Models coach and caboose. These are designed for these models, but can be adapted for use in other models as well! Designed for use in both DCC and analog DC, this produces flicker-free operation for up to 2 minutes after track power has been removed.

Each decoder is equipped with 3 surface mount LEDs to illuminate the interior of your car. There are also 3 additional lighting outputs for other lighting options, such as marker lamps, rear flashing lamp, Stove flicker, and more. All of the SoundTraxx Hyperlight effects are built in. This means that you could use a MARS light effect for the interior lamps if you want to.
The decoder is just like any other decoder; it will use a short address (1-127) or a long address (0001-9999) and can be consisted with decoders installed in other cars on the same train! One popular feature of this decoder is the ability to adjust the brilliance of the outputs with a CV. This allows the marker lamps or interior lights to be adjusted to your desired brilliance. To dim the interior lamps, for example, CV 55 adjusts brightness for FX5 (Interior lamps) and FX6. This CV can be adjusted from 0-100 (Numbers above 100 will default to 100). To set the interior lights to 50% bright, set CV 55 to 50. It is just that easy!

This decoder can be used in many ways. Feel free to explore the potential uses. The User’s Guide for the lighting decoders can be found here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/light_userguide.pdf.