Bachmann Diesel Sound Locomotives - Loksound Chip Versions

[D400]

Hello all, 

 

I'm trying to compile a list of the versions of the chips (Loksound 3.5 or 4) used in Bachmann sound-fitted diesel locomotives. Below is a list of what I believe are all the sound-fitted locomotives Bachmann have produced so far. I've put a few that I know myself alongside, I therefore appeal to RMweb members to help me complete the rest. When complete I believe it will be a useful resource for people buying second hand sound locomotives. 

 

30-048 Highlander Trainset Class 37 37418 Loksound Select

30-048 The Permanent Way Class 20 20088  Loksound Select

31-368DS Class 03 03026 BR Blue (DCC Sound) - Zimo Next 18

32-038DS Class 20 20124 in BR blue wtih indicator discs - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0

32-030DS 20156 Red Stripe RailFreight DCC sound - V5 DCC 
32-034DS Class 20 D8138 in BR green with centre head code box. DCC Sound V4.0

32-035DS Class 20 diesel 20034 in BR blue with disc headcodes (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-043DS Class 20 diesel 20129 BR blue with indicator boxes (DCC sound on board) V3.5
32-040DS Class 20 diesel D8113 in BR green (DCC sound on board) V3.5
32-033DS Class 20 diesel D8158 in BR Green with center headcode boxes (DCC Sound on board) V3.5 

32-425DS Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel 24035 BR blue (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-429DS Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel D5100 in BR Plain Green with small yellow panel (DCC Sound) V3.5
32-426DS Class 24 Diesel D5038 BR Two Tone Green Indicator Discs (DCC Sound)

32-330DS Class 25/1 D5183 in BR green. DCC Sound V4.0
32-326DS Class 25/2 Bo-Bo diesel 25245 in BR Blue (DCC Sound) V3.5

32-404DS Class 25/3 25276 in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0
32-400DS Class 25/3 Bo-Bo diesel 25095 in revised BR blue (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-401DS Class 25/3 Bo-Bo diesel D7638 in BR 2 tone green (Digital Sound) V3.5

32-783DS Class 37/0 37049 in BR blue with split head code. DCC Sound V3.5
32-785DS Class 37/0 37254 in BR Departmental Civil Link Dutch livery - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0
32-781DS Class 37/0 diesel 37057 BR large logo blue "Viking" and corner indicators (DCC sound on board) V3.5
32-776DS Class 37/0 diesel 37254 with plated centre head code in BR blue (DCC Sound on board) V3.5
32-377DS Class 37/4 37417 'Highland Region' in BR large logo blue. DCC Sound V4.0
32-381QDS Class 37/4 Diesel Locomotive 37409 in Direct Rail Services Compass livery - DCC sound - Limited edition for Model Rail V4.0

32-376DS Class 37/5 diesel 37693 in Railfreight livery (DCC Sound on board) V3.5
32-380DS Class 37/5 diesel 37698 Railfreight Coal sector 'Coedbach' (DCC sound on board). V3.5

32-391DS Class 37/7 37796 Railfreight Coal Sector (DCC Sound) Loksound Select
32-480DS Class 40 D211 'Mauretania' in BR green with indicator discs. DCC Sound on board V4.0
32-652DS Class 44 Peak 44005 in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-678DS Class 45 D55 'Royal Signals' in BR Green V4.0

32-679DS Class 45 D27 in BR green with split head code & small yellow panel. DCC Sound V4.0

32-678DS Class 45 diesel D55 'Royal Signals' in BR green (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-801DS Class 47 diesel D1746 with 4 digit headcode in two tone green with half yellow ends (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

31-658DS Class 47/0 47190 "Pectinidae" in BR Petroleum Sector livery with sound V4.0

31-659DS Class 47 47001 BR Blue V4.0

31-661DS Class 47/3 47346 BR Dutch Livery (DCC Sound) Loksound Select

32-800DS Class 47/4 47404 "Hadrian" in BR blue with full yellow ends (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-526DS Class 55 Deltic 55018 'Ballymoss' in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-530DS Class 55 Deltic diesel 55001 'St. Paddy' in BR blue (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-525DS Class 55 Deltic diesel D9007 "Pinza" in BR two tone green (DCC sound on board)

32-534DS Class 55 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' BR Blue (DCC Sound)
32-753XDS Class 57 Diesel 57604 in GWR Brunswick Green Livery (DCC Sound)- Rail Exclusive Limited Edition
32-750DS Class 57/0 Co-Co diesel 57003 "Freightliner Evolution" in Freightliner livery (DCC Sound).
32-762DS Class 57/3 57312 'The Hood' Virgin. Weathered. DCC Sound Loksound Select
32-725DS Class 66 diesel 66022 "Lafarge Charnwood" in EWS livery (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-979YDS Class 66 Diesel 66301 in Fastline Freight Livery (DCC Sound Fitted) - Rail Express Limited Edition
32-726DS Class 66 diesel 66522 in Freightliner/Shanks Waste Solutions livery (DCC sound on board) V3.5
32-728DS Class 66 diesel 66546 in Freightliner livery. DCC Sound
32-727DS Class 66 diesel 66702 'Blue Lightning' in GBRf livery (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-733DS Class 66 66040 EWS (DCC Sound)

31-587DS Class 70 PowerHaul diesel 70002 in Freightliner livery. DCC Sound

32-290DS Class 101 2 Car DMU Network SouthEast (DCC Sound) Loksound Select

32-939DS Class 150/2 150236 Arriva Trains Wales (DCC Sound) Loksound Select

 

 

 

Cheers,

Bruce

Edited August 22, 2020 by D400

[ColinK]

How do you tell if your loco has v3.5 or v4?

[D400]

How do you tell if your loco has v3.5 or v4?

 

There are visual differences if you know what to look for:

 

Loksound version 4:

 

Loksound version 3.5:

 

 

Cheers,

Bruce

[legomanbiffo]

V3.5 chips use 100 ohm speakers and V4's use 4 ohm ones, so one way to tell is by the number printed on the speaker (ie 100 or 4).

 

Another way to tell is as follows;

 

Set the master volume control (CV63) to 64 and see how loud the sounds are. Then set the volume to 192 and try the sounds again. If they are louder you have a v4. If they stay the same you have a v3.5.

 

CV63 on the v3.5 can be set to any value from 0 (minimum volume) to 64 (maximum)

 

CV63 on the v4 can be set to any value from 0 (minimum volume) to 192 (maximum)

 

Bif

[daveymills]

excellent idea....

but I would perhaps add the caveat in your OP that these are the chip versions as fitted by the factory.  For those buying 2nd hand - BEWARE - you can never be sure until you look ! 

Edited April 26, 2014 by dwhite4dcc
Useful caveat retained

[SRman]

All of the Bachmann and Hornby sound locomtives issued had 21-pin decoders, so that is definitely not the way to tell if it is v3.5 or 4.

[bigdaveadams1]

V3.5 chips use 100 ohm speakers and V4's use 4 ohm ones, so one way to tell is by the number printed on the speaker (ie 100 or 4).

 

Another way to tell is as follows;

 

Set the master volume control (CV63) to 64 and see how loud the sounds are. Then set the volume to 192 and try the sounds again. If they are louder you have a v4. If they stay the same you have a v3.5.

 

CV63 on the v3.5 can be set to any value from 0 (minimum volume) to 64 (maximum)

 

CV63 on the v4 can be set to any value from 0 (minimum volume) to 192 (maximum)

 

Bif

Are you still able to re-blow a 3.5 with your sounds LMBiffo?

[charliepetty]

On most locomotives in our range, not all!

 

Charlie

[The Black Hat]

All of the Bachmann and Hornby sound locomtives issued had 21-pin decoders, so that is definitely not the way to tell if it is v3.5 or 4.

 

Some early Bachmann sound fitted engines had 8 pin decoders. Am sure I have a 25, 37 and 66 thats an 8pin 3.5 chip from Bachmann....

[SRman]

Hi David. Are you sure they weren't retro-fitted with sound? I have done quite a few myself with 8-pin decoders.

My earliest factory sound-fitted purchases were all 21-pin v3.5 fitted. That included classes 20, 24, 37 and 66, most of which swapped their bodies with earlier models that I had modified or renumbered to suit my own layout (anyone want a Bachmann 37 051 'Viking' with no sound?).

I would be interested to see any factory-fitted sound versions that were 8-pin and how they dealt with the speaker wiring.

[pheaton]

In the world of Bachmann

 

66022 and the 20 and the 47404 which were among the first RTR DCC sound fitted loco's were always fitted with a 21pin sound chip. I believe to eliminate the harness and increase room to cut down re-design costs, and manufacturing issues.

 

In the world of Hornby

 

31s and 50s despite being native "8 pin" machines had a redesigned chassis to accommodate the smaller 21 pin fitted circuit board....never really worked out though why Hornby make there circuit boards so complicated....

 

I don't recall any manufacturer fitting a RTR loco with 8 pin sound.

[legomanbiffo]

Apologies, I didn't spot big Dave Adam's post. All of my sounds that were originally created for the v3.5 chip are still available as reblows. When v4 came along it became clear that it was not straightforward to backdate the sophisticated v4 projects to load onto the v3.5 chip, plus there was the issue of space (the v3.5 having only half the memory of the v4). I decided that my time was better spent creating better v4 projects instead of 'dumbing them down' to fit on 'old' chips. In short, everything I do is available on v4 but only the earlier projects are available on v3.5. There are quite a few of these early projects though. A full list is available on request.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Bif

[TedW]

I think the 32-040DS Class 20 has the v3.5 sound chip as an eBay auction mentionned that it had 100 ohm speakers.

[MrB]

66522 has the same set up as 66022, V3.5 21pin with 20x40mm speaker with reduced depth bass enclosure. Just checked.

[MrB]

I think the 32-040DS Class 20 has the v3.5 sound chip as an eBay auction mentionned that it had 100 ohm speakers.

Just checked D8113 32-040DS is also a 21 pin V3.5 with 20x40mm speaker, not much of a bass enclosure more of a mounting bracket

[bigdaveadams1]

Apologies, I didn't spot big Dave Adam's post. All of my sounds that were originally created for the v3.5 chip are still available as reblows. When v4 came along it became clear that it was not straightforward to backdate the sophisticated v4 projects to load onto the v3.5 chip, plus there was the issue of space (the v3.5 having only half the memory of the v4). I decided that my time was better spent creating better v4 projects instead of 'dumbing them down' to fit on 'old' chips. In short, everything I do is available on v4 but only the earlier projects are available on v3.5. There are quite a few of these early projects though. A full list is available on request.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Bif

Thanks for this. Only just spotted the reply, not sure why I haven't returned to this thread in a year!

[Tony Burgess]

Hello all, 

 

I'm trying to compile a list of the versions of the chips (Loksound 3.5 or 4) used in Bachmann sound-fitted diesel locomotives. Below is a list of what I believe are all the sound-fitted locomotives Bachmann have produced so far. I've put a few that I know myself alongside, I therefore appeal to RMweb members to help me complete the rest. When complete I believe it will be a useful resource for people buying second hand sound locomotives. 

 

32-038DS Class 20 20124 in BR blue wtih indicator discs - weathered. DCC Sound 

32-034DS Class 20 D8138 in BR green with centre head code box. DCC Sound V4.0

32-035DS Class 20 diesel 20034 in BR blue with disc headcodes (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-043DS Class 20 diesel 20129 BR blue with indicator boxes (DCC sound on board)

32-040DS Class 20 diesel D8113 in BR green (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-033DS Class 20 diesel D8158 in BR Green with center headcode boxes (DCC Sound on board) V3.5 

32-425DS Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel 24035 BR blue (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-429DS Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel D5100 in BR Plain Green with small yellow panel (DCC Sound)

32-426DS Class 24 Diesel D5038 BR Two Tone Green Indicator Discs (DCC Sound)

32-330DS Class 25/1 D5183 in BR green. DCC Sound

32-326DS Class 25/2 Bo-Bo diesel 25245 in BR Blue (DCC Sound) V3.5

32-404DS Class 25/3 25276 in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-400DS Class 25/3 Bo-Bo diesel 25095 in revised BR blue (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-401DS Class 25/3 Bo-Bo diesel D7638 in BR 2 tone green (Digital Sound) V3.5

32-783DS Class 37/0 37049 in BR blue with split head code. DCC Sound V3.5

32-785DS Class 37/0 37254 in BR Departmental Civil Link Dutch livery - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0

32-781DS Class 37/0 diesel 37057 BR large logo blue "Viking" and corner indicators (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-776DS Class 37/0 diesel 37254 with plated centre head code in BR blue (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-377DS Class 37/4 37417 'Highland Region' in BR large logo blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-381QDS Class 37/4 Diesel Locomotive 37409 in Direct Rail Services Compass livery - DCC sound - Limited edition for Model Rail V4.0

32-376DS Class 37/5 diesel 37693 in Railfreight livery (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-380DS Class 37/5 diesel 37698 Railfreight Coal sector 'Coedbach' (DCC sound on board). V3.5

32-480DS Class 40 D211 'Mauretania' in BR green with indicator discs. DCC Sound on board V4.0

32-652DS Class 44 Peak 44005 in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-679DS Class 45 D27 in BR green with split head code & small yellow panel. DCC Sound V4.0

32-678DS Class 45 diesel D55 'Royal Signals' in BR green (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-801DS Class 47 diesel D1746 with 4 digit headcode in two tone green with half yellow ends (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

31-658DS Class 47/0 47190 "Pectinidae" in BR Petroleum Sector livery with sound V4.0

32-800DS Class 47/4 47404 "Hadrian" in BR blue with full yellow ends (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-526DS Class 55 Deltic 55018 'Ballymoss' in BR blue. DCC Sound V4.0

32-530DS Class 55 Deltic diesel 55001 'St. Paddy' in BR blue (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

32-525DS Class 55 Deltic diesel D9007 "Pinza" in BR two tone green (DCC sound on board)

32-753XDS Class 57 Diesel 57604 in GWR Brunswick Green Livery (DCC Sound)- Rail Exclusive Limited Edition

32-750DS Class 57/0 Co-Co diesel 57003 "Freightliner Evolution" in Freightliner livery (DCC Sound).

32-762DS Class 57/3 57312 'The Hood' Virgin. Weathered. DCC Sound

32-725DS Class 66 diesel 66022 "Lafarge Charnwood" in EWS livery (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-979YDS Class 66 Diesel 66301 in Fastline Freight Livery (DCC Sound Fitted) - Rail Express Limited Edition

32-726DS Class 66 diesel 66522 in Freightliner/Shanks Waste Solutions livery (DCC sound on board) V3.5

32-728DS Class 66 diesel 66546 in Freightliner livery. DCC Sound

32-727DS Class 66 diesel 66702 'Blue Lightning' in GBRf livery (DCC Sound on board) V3.5

31-587DS Class 70 PowerHaul diesel 70002 in Freightliner livery. DCC Sound

 

 

Cheers,

Bruce

 

Was browsing, and spotted this topic - well done for creating this list.

 

Others may be better able to confirm, but I'm pretty sure that Loksound ver3.5 came in two "varieties" - one ( I presume the later production ) with TWICE the memory of the others.  I think you will see confirmation of this on the ESU sound files listing.  If there was any reference to this in the days when I bought my first ver3.5s, I was unaware of it, but maybe I diidn't have the knowledge to recognise that I was buying the smaller-memory ones.

 

But in respect of factory equipped Bachmann locos, my guess would be that none of those sold into the UK market had the smaller-memory type.

 

Tony

[pheaton]

I think you might be talking about loksound 3.0s tony which i believe were 8mb, and you are right in as far as i know none of the Bachmann sound locos have ever had anything different than a 3.5 or a 4 in, however even a lot of the newer locos both Bachmann and Hornby have been turfing out recently have 3.5s in still which is odd, obviously Hornby are dropping loksound soon and switching to TTS, which is an interesting decision.....Bachmann themselves have been known to equip trainset locos with loksound selects which is a little annoying as the Bachmann factory sound useually leaves a little to be desired.

[airflow]

I've just been told by Hattons that this 37 has a Select chip.

 

32-785DS Class 37/0 37254 in BR Departmental Civil Link Dutch livery - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0

 

As a newbie to DCC sound this has put me off buying it. Am I correct in thinking that if it was a proper V4 I could have it re-blown with better sounds if I am not happy with the supplied ones, but I cannot do this with a Select?

 

Shame, I really wanted a Dutch 37.

[pheaton]

Hmm, this is a worrying trend, if the loco does have a select chip then  you wont be able to reblow it, you will be stuck with bachmanns default 37 sound, which isnt the best....

if it was a proper V4 then yes you could have reblown it....to date as far as I know Bachmann have only equipped trainset locos with selects, but it would appear a quick search confirms you may be right.

 

if any of Bachmann read this.....the only thing you will achieve with selects in standalone locos Bachmann is upset customers!

[D400]

I've just been told by Hattons that this 37 has a Select chip.

 

32-785DS Class 37/0 37254 in BR Departmental Civil Link Dutch livery - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0

 

As a newbie to DCC sound this has put me off buying it. Am I correct in thinking that if it was a proper V4 I could have it re-blown with better sounds if I am not happy with the supplied ones, but I cannot do this with a Select?

 

Shame, I really wanted a Dutch 37.

 

Interesting. Because my 32-785DS defiantly has a V4.0 chip has I have been able to read it using my Lokprogrammer. 

 

Bruce

[daveymills]

whilst I have had many positive buying experiences with Hattons, their knowledge of details is not always the best

 

perhaps this is to be expected with a move somewhat away from a true modeller's shop to the 'boxshifter' tag that they have acquired.

[airflow]

I have also had many trouble free transactions with them over the years.

 

I asked via their web form what type of decoder is installed and they initially said "The sound chip that the Bachmann 32-785DS is a Loksound V4 select decoder."

 

So I asked :-

My understanding is that these are two different products.

The Loksound V4 is a full featured decoder that can have new sounds loaded if desired

The Loksound Select is a cheaper version that cannot have new sounds loaded

This is the reason for my question.

Please can you clarify for me?

 

They came back with "I can confirm that the Loksound select is the Loksound V4 select. You would not be able to have the sound modified."

 

I can see that the info might be false so I could just order it and take a chance.

 

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the info.

[Salmotrutta]

I believe you can reblow select chips but not edit them. The ESU website has all the select sounds as down loads but they were mostly US types when I last looked. Unfortunately for the the V4 there are very few UK sounds available so even though I have a programmer I can't easily put sound in my fleet without ordering chips from the UK (although at the current $US exchange rate maybe I should!)

[wiggy1]

Hi,

You can reblow a select chip with a select file from the ESU web site and change things like different horns but not a lot else.

The advantage of having a programmer is that some suppliers will send you a Loksound version 4.0 file over the internet and can save on postage and is a lot quicker.

As I assume you are in the USA it will save on custom duties etc.

Check out this link for a bit more info. http://www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk/page41/index.html

If you order a version 4.0 decoder from the UK not sure what charges you will occur postage and customs so check it out first.