Sound in a medium vandy tender

[Jim2903]

Has anyone installed a sound decoder in the Bachmann medium Vanderbilt tender? I bought a vandy to switch out on one loco for some variety in my mini-fleet of three Spectrum 2-8-0's. In one of them, I've installed the old Soundtraxx PnP made for this engine's square tender (wish they still made these decoders), but I'm thinking ahead to how I might put sound in the vandy. I'm eager to hear some input.

Thanks,
Jim Dudlicek
Hoffman Estates, IL

[SteamGene]

The speaker will fit under the coal load.  You will need to drill a hole in the bunker wall to run wires from decoder to speaker.  Go for a small decoder.  IIRC, a 1" speaker will just fit.  Measure to be sure before ordering.
Gene

[r.cprmier]

For you peace of mind, Tony's offers an enclosure that is just great, as it saves a lot of work, and headaches.  It is worth the extra dough.

Like Gene, I removed the oil bunker, but will be raising the sides as soon as I figure out what I want, and make some resin castings.
As far as the sound holes, there are several approaches:  You can use a "coal load" stolen from another loco with sound holes, you can use screen mesh covered with a glued-on layer of coal, and you can also try using some foam rubber (black-like the stuff in the Spectrum boxes...), carve it to your liking, coat it with coal, and voy-la-a coal load that sings...

There is plenty of room for a Tsunami type decoder to hide in one of these tenders; plus if you want to modify the electricals, that option is also open to you.

Now; aren't you glad you model steam?

Rich