Bowser Alco MLW C-630M sound or no sound

[artur]

I'm looking to buy a new C630M. What do you guys think, DC model and put my own sound decoder in or is the DCC and sound model the way to go.

[Mark R.]

Depends on what you like for sound. I personally really like the Loksound decoders and their motor control is excellent.

Keep in mind the factory board has a 21-pin plug, so if you want to install something besides Loksound, you will have to remove the factory board and hardwire everything as Soundtraxx doesn't have a 21-pin plug version available yet.

Mark.

[Canadian Atlantic Railway]

I have factory sound equipped Bowser C630M's and C430's. The 630's have Tsunami and the 430's have Lok Sound. Having run both as recently as last night the Tsunami units do not have anywhere near as good sound quality as the Lok Sound IMO. My suggestion is to check out all of the manufacturers sound clips and decide which one is best suited to your ears.

[Mark R.]

The C-630s come from Bowser with Loksound installed. From the Bowser site ....

Executive Line: Ready to Run, super detailed, numbered, with DCC and Sound or
DC with an 8 pin plug for easy DCC module installation.
Analog (DC) version features NMRA 8 & 21 pin plug for DCC, DCC/Sound version features LokSound Select Dual-Mode decoder which allows locomotive to be used on DC as well as on DCC layouts. Production of locomotives after 6-2014 have 21 pin sound and dcc socket. 8 pin sockets are no longer provided.

Mark.

[Canadian Atlantic Railway]

Mine all say Tsunami. Maybe the next run will have Lok Sound.

[Mark R.]

Wonder why Bowser lists them as having Loksound then ? Has their been more than one run ? Yours aren't even listed on Bowser's site. (?)

Mark.

[Canadian Atlantic Railway]

Dec 23, 2014 23:38:36 GMT -5 Mark R. said:

Wonder why Bowser lists them as having Loksound then ? Has their been more than one run ? Yours aren't even listed on Bowser's site. (?)

Mark.

Just the two C630M runs as far as I know. The 2035 was a custom run by Otter Valley Trains done with the second run but the other two units came from Bowser.

[Mark R.]

I missed the "M" in your response. I was looking at the C-630s. Still, the header claims they come with Loksound, but the individual listings say Tsunami. (?)

Mark.

[Canadian Atlantic Railway]

They are further down the page. www.bowser-trains.com/history/milwc630mloco.html

[artur]

I almost bought a DCC sound unit but after taxes and shipping I can buy two DC unit for the same price. anyone selling theirs? Im looking for the CN noodle and CN with stripes. 

[emd16645]

I have a CN striped unit with sound I can part with. PM me an offer.

[CP_8530]

There seems to be some confusion here.

The first and second (latest) runs of the Bowser C630M have Soundtraxx Tsunamis installed. The DC versions of the first and second runs have 8 pin DCC plugs, not 21 pin plugs yet.

Here's a photo of a sound/DCC (Tsunami equipped) and non-sound C630M chassis from the most recent run. Someone wanted ditch lights and sound on a specific number they couldn't buy with them, so I swapped the frames and end light board assemblies on two.

[artur]

Dec 25, 2014 13:49:35 GMT -5 emd16645 said:

I have a CN striped unit with sound I can part with. PM me an offer.

I just purchased two of them, which CN model do u have?

[emd16645]

Well, I think it might just be easier to post a picture.



This locomotive has sound, but has an aftermarket Tsunami chip, not a factory equipped. I bought the locomotive off feebay with the sound already installed, so I don't know all the details behind it.

[artur]

this is exactly what I bought except no sound, I'm looking for the black version with the CN logo.