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

Product Features:

  • Works with both HO and N track – The modular pass-through design of the Analog Sound Box means that it can easily be used for both N and HO scale!
  • Choo-choo-choose your sounds – The Analog Sound Box will ship with an included Early EMD 1st Generation Diesel sound chip, but additional diesel, steam and electric sound sets will be available (sold separately) that will allow you to bring nearly any sounds that you desire to your non-DCC layout!
  • Smart Back-EMF reading – The sound box doesn’t just make noise – it will read the strain on the motor in your engines and know how fast they’re moving and how hard they’re working. Certain sound schemes (like steam where the chuff is directly linked to the visual movement of the side rods) will self-adjust the sound based on the speed of the locomotive so what you hear will match what you see, all without the need for DCC!
  • As loud (or as quiet) as you want it – Have a powerful home stereo system? Or maybe you’d prefer headphones so that you don’t wake the neighbors- unlike sound systems that are tied to a locomotive, the Analog Sound Box has a stereo out port so you can connect headphones or speakers of your choice!

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

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Description

Analog Sound Box (US Market Version)

 

Includes:

Analog Sound Box

Jump cable for attachment to Kato Power Packs

Instruction Manual and User Guides

Download instruction booklet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$315.00

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Description

"Big Boy" Steam Locomotive Sound Card

Msrp

$40.00

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Description

North American Rail Travel Sound Card

- Features in-car sounds such as conductor dialog, station platform sounds, train announcements, and more!

Msrp

$40.00

item #

Description

EMD 1st Generation Diesel Locomotive Sound Card

Download 1st Gen EMD Diesel Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

item #

Description

FEF-3 and GS-4 Heavy Steam Sound card

Selectable sounds appropriate for both the UP FEF-3 and SP GS-4 heavy steam locomotives

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download FEF-3/GS-4 Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

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Description

EMD 3rd Generation Diesel Sound Card

Appropriate for multiple modern EMD Diesels, such as the SD80MAC, SD90/43MAC, and SD70ACe.

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download 3rd Gen EMD Diesel Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

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Description

GE 3rd Generation Diesel Sound Card

Appropriate for multiple modern GE Diesels, such as the P42, C44-9W, and AC4400CW.

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download 3rd Gen GE Diesel Overview sheet: PDF LINK

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.

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download US Light Steam Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

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Description

EMD 1st Generation Diesel with Turbocharger Sound Card

Appropriate for multiple EMD Diesels, such as the GP35.

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download 1st Gen EMD Diesel + Turbo Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

item #

Description

EMD 2nd Generation Diesel with Turbocharger Sound Card

Appropriate for multiple Diesels, such as the SD40-2, SDP40F, MP36PH and more!

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

Download 2nd Gen EMD Diesel + Turbo Overview sheet: PDF LINK

Msrp

$33.00

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Description

ACS-64 Electric Locomotive Sound Card

For use with the Siemens ACS-64.

Listen to it on the Kato Youtube channel here: VIDEO LINK

More info coming soon...

Msrp

$33.00

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Description

ALCO PA-1/PB-1 Locomotive Sound Card

Meant for the ALCO PA-1 but compatible with other ALCO engines such as the RS-2 or RSC-2.

More info coming soon...

Msrp

$33.00

Sound Card Information

click the links below to change card specifications

EMD 1st Generation Diesel

Stock #

Description

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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

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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.