Athearn DCC-sound-equipped N scale F45
Price: $199.98
Manufacturer
Athearn Trains
1550 Glenn Curtiss St.
Carson, CA 90746
www.athearn.com
Era: 1966 to 1990s
Comments: I reviewed the DC-only Athearn N scale F45 and FP45 in the February 2009 issue. This DCC version includes a dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control decoder. The decoder and a single downward-facing speaker are on top of the split die-cast metal frame.
Manufacturer
Athearn Trains
1550 Glenn Curtiss St.
Carson, CA 90746
www.athearn.com
Era: 1966 to 1990s
Comments: I reviewed the DC-only Athearn N scale F45 and FP45 in the February 2009 issue. This DCC version includes a dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control decoder. The decoder and a single downward-facing speaker are on top of the split die-cast metal frame.
The F45 had the same speed performance and drawbar pull of the DC version. However, in DC mode the F45 required 8 volts to start moving.
The 10 functions in DCC mode include a long and short whistle. You can
program functions 9 and 10 for manual notching.
In DC mode, the bell rings as the model starts moving. A quick increase in track voltage triggers a grade-crossing signal, while a sharp decrease activates a squealing brake sound.
User manuals can be downloaded at www.soundtraxx.com.
With its many programmable features, this N scale F45 sounds as good as it looks
