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31
General Discussion / Re: WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by LVRR1856 on November 07, 2025, 07:08:03 PM »
Hey Coupe633
Thanks for the vote of confidence on RP. I did take the plunge and bought a starter kit HC3/PWR56/CB from Sound Systems, a handful of different types of speakers. Also purchased some LM3s's and 4 LMs from a private sale. So I am committed. Actually finished my first install and fired it up and tried it out - so far so good, I am happy with it.

I did a Atlas C424 loco, had 8 pin plug, had to cut some of the weight to fit speaker, but it all worked out. My first go with RP.

Also, I never took the dcc route, I am all DC on the other side. Almost did, was about to dive into Digitrax ... saw RP and made a hard 180.

Operating the RP on my first go was so easy, next is a 2nd C424 and will try a lash up. Stoked for now. Thanks again, I'm going to need about 149 more LMs .... (really need to thin the heard), I'm a loco hoarder like most 8)
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General Discussion / Re: WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by Coupe633 on November 07, 2025, 01:27:28 PM »
LVRR1856 I began the investment in Raipro about 6 and a half years ago and have been very pleased with my choice. As we head into the colder months I plan my usual conversion from DC to Railpro for up to 10 locomotives while sitting by the fireplace. At this time it does seem that everyone I look out is out of stock of even the WH-9 wiring harnesses which is what I need to get started and takes most of the time to install. I have faith that a new stock will come in before the new year so I can do my next batch. I have about 70 locomotives and this should be the second to last batch I need to convert if I can stop my nasty habit of buying more locomotives.

I generally bought everything from William at Precision Design and have been very happy, but am excited to be looking to make my purchases from Scale Sound as I have purchased many speakers from them. Not sure if the tariffs are slowing the delivery of new stock of LM3's but I am hopeful that they will be plentiful again by December. I am not at all worried about Ring Engineering going the way of Betamax or Polaroid and understand that there are sometimes supply chain issues.

What you might want to consider is leaving your DCC units be for now and going forward install Railpro in the unconverted locomotives with a yearly plan of what is reasonable for your budget and time. By the time you get 10 of those non-DCC locomotives running Railpro you will quickly make plans to remove the DCC from your existing locomotives and make the switch. You can run you Railpro trains on your DCC track so you can still have both for now. Once you complete the installation of the last of your non-DCC locomotives you will want to continue working backwards into the DCC trains by changing out your decoders to LM3's. This is a compromise without giving up your DCC (for now) trains as they will all work on the same tracks but you won't be able to MU the Railpro with the DCC locomotives unless you want to drive yourself crazy. I hope this gives you some encouragement to take a step into the nice warm Railpro water while still being in DCC water. 
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: PWR-56 limitations and possible adjustments?
« Last post by CPRail on November 07, 2025, 08:52:41 AM »
As promised, here is my set-up. The Red and White wires go to the track (I really need to remember to attach those to the upright in the photo...)
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: Leslie RS3L/S3L/SU3L Supertyfon Horn
« Last post by CPRail on November 06, 2025, 12:48:43 PM »
Hey Rob,

That sounds pretty good! Give it a whirl.
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: PWR-56 limitations and possible adjustments?
« Last post by CPRail on November 06, 2025, 11:19:11 AM »
I have a similar set-up for my HO layout (different unit than your Mean Well), but I'm pretty sure I have mine BETWEEN the PWR-56 and the layout. I'll try and get a photo tonight.
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / PWR-56 limitations and possible adjustments?
« Last post by TJMac on November 06, 2025, 10:35:21 AM »
Using RailPro to run 2 rail O scale I'm a little concerned 4amps isn't enough as I have several Atlas engines that draw just over 1.2amps each. A consist of three engines would be pushing it. I decided to try a Mean Well LRS-100-15 turned up to 16v for a total output of 112 watts (double the PWR-56). When I run this through the PWR-56 I'm still only seeing 14v at the rails. Hooking the Mean Well direct to the rails and I see the full 16v (plus/minus).

That said, does anyone know if it's possible to adjust the voltage regulator in the PWR-56? Is it even worth messing around with it?

37
Finished RailPro Installation Examples / Re: Another Scale Sound Systems speaker install
« Last post by LVRR1856 on October 31, 2025, 08:58:50 PM »
Great install ON28 - Did u keep the original board on this ? Can see the 8 pin plug - so I am assuming...?
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Finished RailPro Installation Examples / Re: Kato SD40 (SP version)
« Last post by LVRR1856 on October 31, 2025, 08:55:14 PM »
Looking good so far EspeeLark - keep us posted with pictures.
I'm working on an Atlas C424 and a P2k GP18. Almost ready.
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Finished RailPro Installation Examples / Re: Athearn SW1500 Install
« Last post by sieggs1 on October 31, 2025, 12:59:41 AM »
Espeelark,

That's fantastic. Thank you for sharing your photos.

Tonight, I finally got the shell seated properly and was able to install the couplers. If you can install the couplers, you know it's good!

I will post photos of the final install here shortly. I was able to get the Ring PBM-2 Power Backup Module in there as well.

I didn't see one in your install. Did you use a third-party keep alive or go without one entirely?

There is no way I would go without a PBM-2 now that I have installed one in four other locos. Incidentally, I have had to remove the plastic case on two PBM-2s just to re-solder the wires to the board. I also thought about discarding the case entirely but I was able to fit it in the top of the shell near the front of my SW1500.

Again, photos shortly.

Thanks for sharing your install.

Rob S. "Sieggs1"
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Finished RailPro Installation Examples / Kato SD40 (SP version)
« Last post by Espeelark on October 30, 2025, 05:01:23 PM »
Finish one install (SW1500), start another.....

Kato SD40's are noted for their smooth operation and this one is no different.
So here's an SD40 that I super-detailed and painted quite a handful of years ago:
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I wish I took a picture of the "under the hood" factory arrangement before I gutted it, but, I didn't. Here's the bare chassis, motor and driveline after everything got stripped. Note the PC board in the foreground.
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I reduced the height of the two factory motor brackets on either side of the motor and use them to mount the PCB board which will serve as my base for the LM-3S and also allow me to connect wires (like the common blue) together. Also, I'm using a Scale Sound Systems speaker & enclosure which installs at teh back end of the chassis. I also placed an LM-3S module in place to get an idea of where it might go - as can be seen in this photo.
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Watch this space for updates!
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