KATO USA
Precision Railroad Models
In-Cab Sound from the comfort of your home
The Analog Sound Box has been developed as a joint effort between engineers at Kato and Soundtraxx to craft a simple, versatile, and powerful sound system for use on non-DCC layouts. Completely self-contained, the ASB has a built in speaker and will allow modelers to enjoy an In-Cab experience while operating their favorite trains!
Using separate plug-in sound containers, cartridges each with their own individual sound and programming sets (even including things like momentum!), the ASB is a smart device, not just making sounds but reacting appropriately to the actions of your locomotives by reading back-EMF from the motors. Steam locomotive chuffs will speed up and slow down according to the speed of the locomotive itself; not just the position of the throttle, making the sound a properly interactive experience!
The new Analog Sound Box ships with an included EMD 1st Generation Diesel sound container, appropriate for E and F-units or other older diesel locomotives! Other sound containers are coming soon!.
You can download a copy of the instruction sheet that is included with the Soundbox by clicking here (PDF, 3MB download): LINK
Instruction Guides:
Supplemental Set up Guide for hooking up the Sound box to non-Kato systems.
This guide goes over the basics of how to connect and power your new Sound box if you're using something other than Unitrack or a Kato Power Pack. The Soundbox is compatible with any two rail 12V DC Model Train operating system!
Feature videos:
Final Product Unboxing + Setup: Watch this video (also accessible by clicking the image to the left) to see the final Sound Box in-and-out of the box!
This video will not only show the basic package as you will receive it from your local hobby shop, but it will also show how to set it up – both with and without a Kato power pack – and how the basic operation works!
FEF-3/GS-4 Combination Sound Card Overview: Watch this video (also accessible by clicking the image to the left) to get a product preview of first individual Sound card release for North America – an FEF-3/GS-4 Combination “Heavy Steam” sound set!
This video will cover the basics of the ways the programming on the steam sound cards differs from that of diesels, as well as covers the different horns and whistles available that allow you to switch the card between FEF-3 and GS-4 sound modes.
Sound Box and Related Items
item #
Description
Msrp
item #
Description
FEF-3 and GS-4 Heavy Steam Sound card
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
EMD 3rd Generation Diesel Sound Card
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
GE 3rd Generation Diesel Sound Card
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
US Light Steam Sound Card
Appropriate for small-to-medium sized steam locomotives, such as the USRA 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado.
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
EMD 1st Generation Diesel with Turbocharger Sound Card
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
EMD 2nd Generation Diesel with Turbocharger Sound Card
Msrp
$33.00
item #
Description
ACS-64 Electric Locomotive Sound Card
More info coming soon...
Msrp
$33.00
Sound Card Information
click the links below to change card specifications
EMD 1st Generation Diesel
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
EMD 567 Diesel Engine
Horn Selection:
Wabco E2
Leslie A125/A200 Combo
Leslie RS3L
Bell:
EMD air-rung bell
Special Sound Features:
EMD Standard air compressonr
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
EMD NW2, EMD E5, EMD E8/E9, EMD F2, EMD F3, EMD F7
EMD 3rd Generation Diesel
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
EMD 710 Diesel Engine
Horn Selection:
Wabco E2
Nathan M3
Nathan K5LA
Bell:
EMD Electronic Belll
Special Sound Features:
EMD Standard air compressonr
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
EMD SD70M, EMD SD70MAC, EMD SD80MAC, EMD SD90/43MAC, EMD SD70ACe
GE 3rd Generation Diesel
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
Modern GE FDL16 Engine
Horn Selection:
Leslie S2M
Leslie S3L
Nathan M5
Bell:
FDL16 Bell
Special Sound Features:
Modern FDL16 Air Compressor
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
GE U28C/U30C, GE C30-7, GE C44-9W, GE AC4400CW, GE P42 "Genesis"
FEF/GS-4 Heavy Steam Locomotive
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Exhaust Chuff, Blower and Dynamo:
Frisco #1522 Chuff, Frisco #1522 Blower, UP #4018 Dynamo
Horn Selection:
FEF: UP FEF Whistle
GS-4: #4449 Whistle
GS-4: #4449 Air Horn
Bell:
Air rung bell
Special Sound Features:
Constant Blower sound
Dynamo spools up when sound card activates, then plays continuously
Air pump sound plays periodically, playing slower as time passes. It will speed up every third time the brakes are used.
Chuff and rod clank (every 4th chuff) play according to proportional speed from locomotive by reading Back EMF of the motor.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
Union Pacific FEF-3, Southern Pacific GS-4
US Light Steam Locomotive
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Exhaust Chuff, Blower and Dynamo:
GBL #40 Chuff, GBL #40 Blower, WSLCo Dynamo
Horn Selection:
B&O 3-Chime
SP 6-Chime
USRA 6-Chime
Bell:
GBL #40 Bell
Special Sound Features:
Constant Blower sound
Dynamo spools up when sound card activates, then plays continuously
Air pump sound plays periodically, playing slower as time passes. It will speed up every third time the brakes are used.
Chuff and rod clank (every 4th chuff) play according to proportional speed from locomotive by reading Back EMF of the motor.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
USRA 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado
EMD 1st Gen Diesel w/ Turbo
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
EMD 567 Diesel Engine with Turbocharger
Horn Selection:
Leslie RS3L
Nathan P5 (Early)
Nathan M5
Bell:
EMD air-rung bell (GP)
Special Sound Features:
EMD Standard air compressonr
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
EMD GP35
EMD 2nd Gen Diesel w/ Turbo
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
EMD 645 Diesel Engine with Turbocharger
Horn Selection:
Nathan K3LA
Nathan K5LA
Nathan P5A (3rd Gen)
Bell:
EMD Bell
Special Sound Features:
EMD Standard air compressonr
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
EMD GP50, EMD SD40, EMD SD45, EMD SD40-2, EMD SDP40F, EMD F40PH, MPI MP36PH
ACS-64 Electric Locomotive
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
Siemens 3-Phase AC Fully Suspended Traction Motor
Horn Selection:
Nathan K5LA (ACS-64 Amtrak Version)
Nathan K5LA (Metra version)
Bell:
ACS-64 Electronic Bell
Special Sound Features:
Cab Alert Beep (every 60 seconds)
Machine Room Blower + Transformer Hum while pantograph is up.
Air Compressor plays when pantograph goes up - builds + discharges prototypically over time.
Traction motor + track rolling sounds match to the speed of the locomotive, matched by Back EMF.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
Amtrack ACS-64
ALCO Diesel
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Prime Mover:
ALCO 16 Cylinder 244 Diesel Engine
Horn Selection:
Leslie A125
Wabco E2
Leslie S5T (AT&SF Specific)
Bell:
Alco bell
Special Sound Features:
ALCO Standard air compressonr
Triggerable Dynamic brakes
Automatic fan while engine is on.
Air Compressor sound plays periodically while engine is on, activating every third time the brakes are used.
Poppet valve sound plays at random intervals, whether engine is on or off.
Fitting Kato locomotives:
ALCO PA-1, ALCO PB-1, ALCO RS-2, ALCO RSC-2
Where to buy:
Looking for these items? Please visit your local retail hobby shop to purchase our products.
