PEELING PAINT & FADED WEATHERING EFFECTS: BR Green & "Dutch" Class 31 comparison.

All of the videos on this channel only use sounds from the real world that are carefully dubbed over footage taken on the layout - until today!
DCC Sound has been a revelation for many in the model railway world for the last 2 decades - and I can see why. It offers many additional features and a whole new dimension to operating a model railway.
When done well, DCC sound is excellent. However, if done badly, its just not worth doing at all!
Because of my Custom Weathering Studio, I have had many excellent DCC sound equipped locomotives through these doors. My customers have been kind enough to let me run them on Neville Grove, and because they invariably have a high spec chip and speaker - I have been genuinely impressed and had hours of enjoyment operating them.
By comparison, running my home fleet now actually feels rather flat as none of my locos are sound fitted. I won't be converting my collection though, because the cost and time involved would be prohibitive.
However, BR Green Class 31, D5627 is a new addition to the fleet, and because I had to remove the body to gain access and purchase a DCC chip anyway, I decided to install the affordable Hornby Class 31 TTS Sound decoder.
Using the excellent "Step by Step" guidance in Issue HM 163 of Hornby Magazine, I also upgraded the speaker with a Rail Exclusive 40 x 20mm "Big Boomer" unit.
This combination packs a punch with an array of 25 functions, good sound files and a decent noise output - and all at an affordable "budget" price point. Operationally, D5627 is one of my favourite locos in the fleet since the sound install, and weathering really helps to bring the wealth of detail included in the Hornby model to life.
This video shows it in action alongside visiting 31147 in "Dutch" livery. The dutch one isn't sound fitted, so I have dubbed real world Class 31 sound effects over in the video edit. Having both together, I thought would provide a fascinating comparison, and shine a light on just how good the installation in D5627 sounds.
Sure, the difference is pretty stark - the sounds from the real world are multi layered with various notes and a very deep rumbling bass which just isn't currently possible with DCC - especially at this price point. However, the microphone on my camera doesn't do DCC Sound equipped locos justice - it seems lighter and "tinnier" than when heard in person.
My Conclusion:
I think the comparison here with real world sound is clearly unflattering to DCC Sound in terms of realsim. But this is partly down to the affordable budget of this particular setup, and the limited reproduction of its quality through the microphone on my camera.
Will I be adding more DCC Sound to my fleet? - Because the experience of operating the model railway is so greatly enriched with DCC Sound - absolutely YES! But likely only to some new locos - and probably only diesels if and when I can afford it, and, if its an easy installation I can do myself.
All my future videos will continue to have Real World Sound added at the editing stage - even when filming locos with top of the range sound installations. I'm just too much of a train noise obsessive to settle for anything else.
Of course real world sound effects can only be applied at the editing stage of making a video - long after the running session has finished! So DCC Sound will long be king for operating model railways and the enriched experience it brings.

[@DaiElsan]

The weathering on the Diesel is just sublime.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks a lot Dave, there’s plenty to get stuck into on a 31.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Another great video you done thanks for sharing.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks very much, and thanks for watching! 👍

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@NEVILLEGROVE Thanks very much for replying to my comment. It's nice to see other people's work to get idea to improve my Channel. Take Care & Stay Safe.

[@unixbadger]

The way to a railroad buff's heart is through his ears.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Great quote - I couldn’t agree more Gordon 👍

[@beacon_models]

This is brilliant! That loco is beautifully weathered, it's so great to see some real character being added to already very nice looking models.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks very much. You’re right these are excellent models straight out of the box, but yeah weathering really brings them to life and reveals the wealth of detail.

[@timsytanker]

Love all your little audio tricks and editing skills. You are a master craftsmen in many areas 😊

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thank you so much - glad you appreciate them and enjoy the videos! 👍👍

[@stephenparrott3377]

always a joy to watch.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks Stephen I’m glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Bloody marvellous. I love your style of videoing and the sound is great music to my ears.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Excellent thanks for commenting and for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@HemelDownModelRailway]

Great video and the weathering on those locos is fantastic 👍🏻🙂

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thank you very much kind sir! 🙏

[@johnwalker9750]

Very impressive editing and sound - nice loco too.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks John, cracking model the Hornby 31, I can’t help but think there’s not much room for improvement, but I expect Accurascale will find a way, will be interesting to see…

[@phil36310]

Hi, All my steam locomotives S15's - K1's - J15's - Large Prairie are all TTS sound equipped and I just love the results for a very descent price compared with the triple price competition. I have one S15 'YouChoose' with very disappointing sound file on a Zimo and it took me hours of frustration to get it running smoothly - and no service from this seller. The running of the TTS is very smooth and the volume level ones reduced to 1 max 2 is most pleasant to hear. I have one diesel class TTS and find the horn disappointing but in general TTS is my first choice even with the basic speaker - if correctly installed. Thanks for sharing and success ! Cheers, Filip

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

I was very impressed with this TTS chip, I need to adjust the volume levels though, at a scale speed it’s not always easy to hear the engine, whilst many of the other functions are too loud. Great that can adjust, excellent value. This has 6 different horn sounds, 25 functions all together.

[@phil36310]

@@NEVILLEGROVE Thanks for your reply. I have one Diesel Belgian Class 59 waiting a TTS and the Hornby class 31 TTS seems a good fit. Cheers

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

@@phil36310 Good luck with the project 👍👍👍

[@birtle123]

I'm afraid diesels don't do it for me but the weathering is second to none and once again the quality of video was to your usual high quality, holding my interest to the very end

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Awesome, considering diesels aren’t your cup of tea, I greatly appreciate you watching the whole thing - thank you!

[@Miertreg1]

Fantastic, real life👍👍👍👍🔝🎥

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thank you very much for watching and for the comment 👍👍👍

[@lokoiutfftty]

Good man! I'm too far deep in with DC rather than DCC to start converting to DCC so I'm quite invested in the dubbing real sound over the video of the model railway running!

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Same here, it would cost thousands of pounds and many, many hours to convert my fleet - I don’t have either going spare!

[@rogerking7258]

3:51 How the hell did you get that shot?

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Ah well that stretch of line is where the entrance doorway is, so I can reach over the tracks. It took a few attempts though! By coincidence I’m planning on uploading another video tonight with a similar shot - but with steam. Watch this space!

[@MrTBrearley]

Well - real sound obviously, because you have the all round atmosphere, andccarriage effects etc, but you know what - it's closer than I thought it would be. The chip is very good and I'm guessing the Rails booster might be a factor. The main point of interest for me is the excellence of the weathering however, it's another pair of stunners

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks Mr T, yes the carriage sounds are important, also the Doppler effect is reduced with DCC but is still just about there. I wonder if one day there’ll be a system where it transmits sound to headphones. With proximity sensors on the loco and headphones, it would be able to tell if was approaching / passing / going further away - it should also be able to pack a lovely deep bass as your not restricted by the size of speaker you can cram into a tiny model.

[@alyciamarrison2916]

Just incredible!

[@mikeuk4130]

Pardon my ignorance, but what are the large square dark-grey intake grilles on each bodyside, below the roof-mounted fan? They look most unusual to me. Were they a modification to the prototype which you have then correctly modelled? Fantastic sound, btw, and very realistic to watch this great video.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

I think the Dutch one has modified grills yes, I’m no expert but I assume they were positioned there so the fan could draw in cool air. The 31’s were re-engined quite early on, perhaps this modification to the side grills were incorporated at that point.

[@ralphdavey7303]

Great weathering.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Cheers Ralph! 👍

[@railway187]

Hello, a very nice video and indeed interesting to compare DCC and real sounds. I like your added real sounds more than DCC, the quality is better and yes, fitting DCC in a large analog fleet is an expensive thing to do.

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks very much for watching, I thought the comparison would be interesting. No contest really is there when presented like this, but DCC sound is great fun when just playing trains.

[@chrisvaughan159]

Although DCC sound diesels are good, steam still sounds like clucking chickens to me! Your real world sound editing brings the whole scene to life. This has been done before. but what about hefty loudspeakers under the layout. Several channels would allow tracking the moving models. Clearly a faff compared to DCC sound, but probably the only way to really "be there". I will continue to think your clips with real sound are the "business".

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Thanks for the kind words Chris, yeah I’ve seen that done in the US with impressive sounding results, but I’d love to experience it in person. Even with that system though - wouldn’t it be impossible to replicate the Doppler effect? I feel that is another very important ingredient of the sound of the real world railway.

[@chrisvaughan159]

@@NEVILLEGROVE so true! Clearly a long way to go in model realism. Perhaps we have to rely upon videos like yours that give us a taste of reality. Have to admit with your sound, weathering, operation and camera work there's nothing on KZbin to touch your presentations! I luv 'em. Chris.

[@mikeuk4130]

I've often wondered whether a loco could have a static duplicate chip, with the same unique DCC address, perhaps located on a spare track with a DCC feed. The sound output could be fed to the hifi or PA amp.

[@chrisvaughan159]

@@mikeuk4130 That's a good idea!

[@edwardvincentbriones5062]

@NEVILLEGROVE Have you heard of the BR Class 43 Midland Pullman train?

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Yes I have, it’s an HST which has been painted up into the retro colours of the classic 1960’s Midland Pullman. Hornby are bringing out a model 👍

[@alantraish3368]

Hi Neville Grove I have 2 Hornby super detail 31s . I want them sounding like this. What speakers and decoders do I need and is there any altering inside to fit? Thank you

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Hi Alan, only the Green 31 is DCC fitted but it sounds very good. Details are in the description below. A full step by step guide was in Hornby Magazine issue 168 and I think can be found online. Some minor alteration is required to fit the upgraded speaker, but it was straightforward with the guide. Good luck 👍

[@1tonyboat]

Great video , but i hate it when you have a great loco but no drivers in the cab..