The Hobbytrain Siemens Vectron Europa (Hobbytrain 2962) looks good, and now it sounds good.

The model

Hobbytrain 2962 - Siemens Vectron Europa (N Scale model)

Hobbytrain 2962 – Siemens Vectron Europa

The Hobbytrain N scale version is nice. Quinntopia has a great video review of the SNCB version, which seems technically identical:

Conversion with sound

Hobbytrain 2962 - Siemens Vectron Europa (N Scale model)

Hobbytrain 2962 – Siemens Vectron Europa

There was enough room for sound in this model. I went for a decoder+sound module option, instead of my usual ESU Loksound Micro v4.0 all in one decoder. Details on how to install sound were discussed recently. My choice: the Doehler & Haass DH05C decoder and a SD10A sound module. The decoder was quickly reviewed here, and I’ll talk about the SD10A sound module on this blog later.

The DCC conversion in a few points. The original board was removed. The 4 lighting units (red/white + front/back) were connected to individual outputs of the decoder. This allows to switch lights in a more realistic manner, for example white lights on both sides during shunting operations, or no lights on the train side if the locomotive is in a convoy.
Also, I decided to solder a custom 1.27mm plug to the decoder and sound module. This way, at any time, I can unplug the sound module to reprogram the sounds via the SUSI interface and the Doehler & Haass programmer.

Hobbytrain Siemens Vectron Europa 2962 (inside view)

Inside view with NEM651 interface

Hobbytrain Siemens Vectron Europa 2962 (inside view)

Inside view with cuts of the board.

Hobbytrain Siemens Vectron Europa (removing weight)

Hobbytrain Siemens Vectron Europa 2962 DCC Conversion

Remaining LED board and modifications.

ESU Loudspeaker

ESU Loudspeaker

Doehler & Haass DH05C with connected wires and custom plug for SUSI

Doehler & Haass DH05C with connected wires and custom 1.27mm plug for SUSI

Hobbytrain 2962 and Doehler & Haass DH05C decoder

Installed Doehler & Haass DH05C decoder

Hobbytrain 2962 and Doehler & Haass DH05C decoder, SD10A sound module

Final result with D&H DH05C decoder connected to SD10a SUSI sound module.

So…

Ok, the scotch tape inside doesn’t look very pro, but the Hobbytrain Siemens runs perfectly. I will need to update the loudspeaker someday. The single ESU speaker doesn’t like high volume sounds and saturates sometimes.