GTEL Turbine

Horn Ahooga

What is special about RailPro's Ultimate Series sound files?

The main difference in an Ultimate (or ULT) sound file is the fact that when a locomotive is continuously playing in a notch it sounds continuous and flowing.  The typical DCC module has a recording of a second or so of sound for each notch and they just play the same second of sound again and again.  It does not sound realistic and can even sound annoying.  RailPro ULT technology sounds natural! ULT sounds of primemovers are from excellent source recordings including locomotives operating under load.  When coupled with our patent pending Load Feature Technology it really sounds authentic! Since it is common for your locomotive to spend most of its time at idle or running in one constant notch the RailPro ULT technology really makes a difference!
 

Do I have to buy a special module for Diesel or special module for Steam sounds?

No.  Our sound modules can be loaded with diesel or steam sounds.

Can a locomotive with a RailPro module with ULT sounds be controlled by my DCC layout?

Yes!  A locomotive with a RailPro module installed is dual mode meaning it can be run by RailPro Radio Control or by standard DCC (through the track) systems.  If you have a DCC system you would want to buy a low cost Computer Interface, CI-1, to setup the module for DCC and load the sounds that you want. 
 

Is there limitations like I only get this bell or that horn for this primemover?

No.  You pick any primemover you want and load any bell or horn or any auxiliary sounds (like coupler clank etc.) that you want!  You can even load multiple bells and horns to the same locomotive!  RailPro is really capable and flexible so you can setup you locomotive like you want!

How do I find the proper primemover sound file name for my particular diesel locomotive?

I do not hear all eight notches in the primemover samples.  Do the real RailPro sound files have all eight notches?

YES!  These are only short samples to let you get an idea of what the sound is generally like.

I do not hear compressor and let-off sounds in the primemover samples.  Do the real RailPro sound files have these sounds?

YES!  There are appropriate automatic compressor, let-off, and brake sounds with each primemover sound file.

Why do some sounds not play and have a play time of 0:00?

The PC sample sound has not been completed so far.   If the sound is in this list then the RailPro format of the sound is ready to load into your RailPro model railroad and we plan to put a sample sound up as soon as it is finished.  We plan to offer all primemovers, horns, and whistles as ULT sounds and we plan to make an appropriate PC sound sample at that time.

Why does more than one locomotives have the same primemover file name specified?

The majority of the sound that a locomotive makes comes from the exhaust of the diesel fuel burning primemover engine.  Sometimes different locomotives use the same diesel fuel burning primemover engine and therefore can sound the same. 

Can I load my own custom sounds?

YES! Any sound that you can save in a proper wave file can be converted into RailPro format and loaded into locomotive modules or accessory modules.

What type of custom sounds can I load into RailPro modules?

You can load simple single play sounds (i.e. you press a button and your sound plays once).  You can also make your own custom looping sounds.  These are comprised of three different sound files.  A Looping Sound has a beginning sound, a looping sound, and an ending sound.  When a button is pressed the beginning sound is played then a looping sound is played again, and again, until the button is turned off.  When the button is turned off, an ending sound is played.  With looping sounds you can make custom Bell sounds and much more!

I see farm animal sounds.  That is odd for a locomotive....so...why are they here?

With RailPro you can add automation for the entire layout and control the lights, actions, and sounds from a RailPro Handheld controller!  You can add our accessory modules such as AM-1S and add projects to control Farms, buildings and so much more.  For example, you can touch a picture of the farm on your layout and play farm animal sounds. Locomotive modules like on LM-3S can be changed to accessory modules and added to a caboose or passenger car.  You can then touch the picture of the caboose or passenger car turn on lights or play the sounds that you want!
 

Will my model sound just like these samples?

Yes and No.  Yes in that the PC samples are taken directly from the RailPro sound files that you load into your models. The samples are compressed for the internet so the RailPro sounds can sound better from that perspective.  You should keep in mind that your PCs speakers may be much larger than your model speakers and that can have a significant impact on overall sound.   However, in G Scale locos, you can put speakers in that are similar in size to common PC speakers and since the LM-3S-G has up to 13 Watts of power it can sound very much like your PC playing these samples and possibly even sound better! If you preview the sounds on a smart phone, tablet, or laptop with smaller speakers, the sound form even HO models with good speakers can sound better.

Do you plan to add more sounds?

Yes.  We continue, and plan to continue to improve and add more sounds.