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After surveying the state of scenery on the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, David turns his attention to adding realistic sound effects to various settings. In this episode, he’ll walk you through a quick installation of an ambient sound system, including the Dream Player components, speakers, and fascia-mounted pushbuttons.
Another great video, David! I’m amazed at how adept you are at computers as well as model railroading. Keep it up!
A “DIP” switch is a contraction of “Dual In-line Package” switch. The underside of the package has two parallel rows of multiple pins which connect the module to the circuit board. Typically each switch on the top of the package connects or disconnects its closest pin in the top row of pins to its mate in the bottom row. “Dual In-line Package Switch” is a mouthful to say over and over so it has simply become “DIP Switch” which is much easier to say.
I have a question, as I’ve said before I would like to build the Olympia in HO scale. My question is ….. is there some place I can find information on a logging line that says what they did (hauled or carried) besides lumber and logs? I realize parts for mill may come in and such like that.
But what I’m looking for is information like switch lists, timetables, how many loads per day mill needed or loads out. Chip wood cars? I’ve watched the video on the Hull Oaks Mill (I think that was it). And I don’t think I found what I was looking for.
I’ve always wanted to model a logging layout, but I also like the “Tar Branch” trackage. Has anyone thought about using more or less that track design and build a sawmill operation. The mill, chip wood, pulpwood, and whatever else would go along with this type of operation. Build a switching layout with a logging theme with different types of cars.
Maybe I’m just trying to hard to get more operation in than there actually is in a logging line. Just want more than just log cars.
Just not sure what to do.
Are the trees on the Olympia layout hz\andmade or store bought? They look very real.
Richard Daniels, you can use Windows to load the cards with the sound file. you just need conversion software that will convert whatever format you have the sound file in to .wav. There are more of those conversion programs out there than you can count, some free some not. Your call. The card will just show up as an additional drive you can copy to.
David, while I am aware that you probably will not recommend a particular vendor but can you provide me a list of vendors I can review for me to design a layout in HO? I am not a CAD person so the software needs to be user-friendly. I am doing a double deck around the walls in a basement room 11’ by 22’. Thanks.
Ron Leonard
David, what you have termed as the warehouse in reality would really be called “Mill Supply”. In a sawmill complex, the Mill Supply buildings that I have been around in my Forestry career had practically all, or could get, the parts of the mill to keep it running that weren’t fabricated on site. They also contained a significant supply of logging equipment for the woods loggers. Just a suggestion and thanks for your realism in the logging and sawmill arenas.
Could hardly hear at all even with high end computer audio with sub woofer. Appears only one sound at a time eh? Also, like some others like the option of tripping a sound with motion detection, either train or human in the view. Thanks
do you need a apple computer or will a hp computer running windows 10 work just as well
Appears you can have up to 8 different sounds on the same card, but can you play 8 different sounds in 8 different places at the same time on the layout. Or if your going to have sound playing at all the locations on the same layout (different places around the layout) you’d have to have 8 different devices.
Is there some reason that nearly all sawmills had a log pond? Did any sawmills operate without the pond? Have read history of some sawmills that said most were shut down in winter because the log ponds were frozen over. Only those with hot springs or operate in warm climates would work with a log pond?
A note for Kurt– I have a 24″ max width on my HO layout, which is also fairly high (up to 52″). Where those 24″ wide shelves meet in the corner of your L-shape, you will have a corner spot that is nearly 36″ from the front of the layout. Unless you have the wingspan of an NBA player, you will find installing scenery here will be a challenge! I hadn’t thought about that, and I wound up creating the scene on a separate piece of foam and then gluing it into place. Don’t plan on putting track back into the corner, it will always be an access headache.
Excellent demonstration, thank you!
Olympia in HO? Great idea!
Kurt, in answer to your questions, let’s start with width. Olympia is 22″ wide. If you’re going to build an HO version of the layout, I’d suggest keeping the depth the same if at all possible. You’ll be surprised how quickly scenery and structures eat up space, and I’m always fighting to have enough room between layout features so that it all looks correct. Trust me, you’ll be glad to have the available depth.
L shape will work fine, however, you’ll need to work out the track arrangements for the curved spaces, and that will probably mean moving things around in the middle to make it fit. Being that you will be using HO scale buildings, you probably won’t need as much room for the log pond and sawmill area.
18″ radius curves will work for what you have in mind. You may want to go larger on the back curve that leads to the logging camp, as you should have the space.
Once you get rolling, feel free to send in photos – and that goes for anyone modeling this or similar logging railroad projects. You can send them to dpopp@kalmbach.com. I’d like to see them, and maybe I could share them in a future blog.
Thanks again all for watching!
D.
I’m interested in building my version of the Olympia but in HO scale. Question, since On30 uses “HO track” should I keep the layout the same size or could I go a little smaller….. say 18″ wide (more or less shelf layout) or should I keep it at 24″ wide. Also I like that you have yours in a straight line but I’m going to have to build it as an ‘L’ for space reasons. I also like the track plan you have come up with now rather than the one you described in the “project layout” for the Olympia. How would you fit that all in on an ‘L’ type layout? I plan on using 18″ radius curves. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Great addition to the layout. Enjoyed the video but found it difficult to hear the sounds using my iPad.
David; Great video… You make it look easy…
Sounds really good David, it’s like you are a part of the layout not just standing there operating it. It will also put your focus more on the area you are operating and not noticing the rest of the layout. With walk around, that is exactly what you want, to be in the scene and part of the action.
I’m looking forward to the next log blog to see what else you have in mind.
Great layout, all of the MRVP staff have done a really nice job.
Nicely done, David…..and glad you are doing it on the On30 modular layout.
It would be fun to swap the push buttons for passive infra red (PIR) detectors, which would sense body heat to turn on the sounds.
For the next log blog can you please do an updated operations video showing how you’ve either updated the card activation system or have implemented a new scheme.
great video… Question could you use a proximity activation so that when some one gets to that part of the layout the sounds start while they are in thqat location?
David
It was nice to see the review/installation of a Pricom product. I’ve often wondered why they never seemed to get a review as I’ve like them since I first saw them. The background sounds certainly enhance a scene. It’s worth pointing out that you can also make your own sound files if you have something special in the way of sounds. Maybe your own child crying or squeeing on a swing.
I look forward to more Log Blogs.
David
David,
It is so good to see some easy and practical electronics projects on MRV! While I’m in the very early stages of building my layout, this sound project will by in my mind as a nice finishing touch.
Thanks,
Robert
Very, very cool addition to the layout David. Thorough ‘overview’ of how it operates and installation, and I know I could do this one from all the other projects you’ve taught us through the years. Just doubt I’ll add this much ambient sound, although I did add ‘distant thunder’ for an approaching storm scene on a portion of my layout. The Olympia or the Canadian Canyons should be displayed at Trainfest 2018!!!
Nice sound system David, might have to look into that for my layout. The Olympia is shaping up to be a super shelf layout. The scenery (especially the rock faces and trees) is looking great. Believe it or not, I saw a mortared rock wall around part of a pond at a sawmill in PA long time ago……thanks.