Add sound effects

George Dent and Peter Marriott showcase a range of easy-to-install sound effect units.

George Dent and Peter Marriott examine a range of easy-to-install effects.

Model railways have always been a highly visual medium, where trains can be observed as they pass through a miniature landscape. Sound, however, adds an extra dimension, turning a layout into a multisensory experience. The increasing popularity of DCC soundfitted locomotives and multiple units has provided layout operators with extra ‘play value’, yet real trains don’t operate in a silent vacuum. A natural progression from sound-fitted traction, therefore, is the addition of complementary ambient sound effects.

Non-digital layouts can also benefit from the addition of sound, whether it be sounds of the urban or rural landscape, or generic rail-themed noises. Indeed, many layout builders have been employing ambient soundtracks on their analogue layouts for decades. The sound of birdsong, barking dogs, road traffic, human voices, industrial noise, the clanking of wagon buffers and couplings, the clattering of mechanical signal levers – each can be effective in helping viewers immerse themselves in a miniature scene.

Some background sounds can be played on a constant loop, while layering multiple sound tracks can help recreate the hubbub of a busy town or goods depot, for example. Alternatively, other sound effects are better suited to short bursts, such as a horn, siren or platform announcement. For both analogue and DCC layouts, there are plenty of off-the-shelf sound units to choose from, which can be operated in a variety of different ways. A small selection is showcased here, including a portable sound recording and playback device for the creation of bespoke sound effects.