The N-Scale BR232 “Ludmilla” from Brawa (61004) dates back from 2008. Time for an update…
Old lady, old model
This diesel engine, nicknamed “Ludmilla” is pretty popular in Germany. Nearly all N-scale model train manufacturers have had a go at it. Arnold has just releasedΒ a model with a Next18 interface, and “room for sound” (I am waiting for the first reviews).
MyΒ Brawa Ludmilla (Railion livery) dates back from 2008. It doesn’t even have a NEM651 socket, but “soldering points”.Β My model had been converted to DCC with a simple Zimo decoder.
I opted for a sound upgrade:
- AddedΒ Next18 socket for future decoder changes (one never knows…), withΒ Next18 sound decoder
- Replace the original (white only) LED by changing white/red LEDs.
- Add capacitors to improve rollingΒ on dirty tracks or points.
Sound project
I recently mentioned the Doehler & Haass SD18A decoder as beingΒ good value,Β I don’t know of anyΒ otherΒ all-in-one sound decoder in N scale under β¬60.
Unfortunately, Doehler and Haass doesn’t have a large sound library yet (list of sound in links below). But, the Ludmilla sound project was recently released, so I fired up my Doehler & Haass Programmer (reviewed here) and could upload the correct sound for this engine in a few minutes.
HereΒ isΒ a look at the video from the company that actually provided the sounds to Doehler and Haass.
Conversion
There have been many conversions for this model. See for example this one, with a separate decoder and sound module: MTKB Umbau. It’s in German, but they have excellent pictures (also be sure to check their other DCC and sound conversions here).
Here are a few pictures of my conversion, and be sure to check the videos above!
External links
- Current Doehler & Haass Sound projects (in German): http://doehler-haass.de/cms/pages/produkte/soundsystem/soundprojekte.php
Related posts
- Doehler & Haass Programmer review
- Hobbytrain Rottenkraftwagen KLV 53 converted (sound, Next18)Β (another use of the SD18A decoder)
- Model train sound for beginners