What's a good freeware substitute for a 539T for an Alco DL-109?

[dredick]

Been looking, but having no experience with Alco sounds, it's hard for me to determine what would sound accurate since I can't seem to find any freeware 539 sounds, so was wondering what is recommended?

[conductorchris]

Well, first of all, let me put in a plug for the BLW alco sounds:

http://www.valleypass.com/Sales/ASP.htm

This is the best, and worth it. Especially for the 244 engine, there is really nothing that compares.

As for the 539 engine, the best freeware sounds are contained in nysw_rs1.zip
They are really quite good. Almost as good as BLW.
The BLW package is richer, includes nice things like brake squeal.

There's a another 539 sound package out there by Mark Toland. It's quite dated and really doesn't sound right to me. It's just not in the same league as the two previous sets.

I use *both* the NYSW RS1 sounds and the BLW sounds and let me put in a plug for that too. My experience is that locomotives, especially older ones, sound unique and begin to have their own identity. (I'm speaking here as a shortline railroader who has gotten to know certain engines well). To me, having multiple sound packs available so all my 539 (or 567 or what have you) engines don't sound alike is really nice.

Another thing is that the DL109 had *two* 539 engines in them (like an E unit that has two 567 engines). That would impact the sound and is not accounted for in the BLW set (I believe - correct me if I'm wrong). The PA, which had two 244 engines *IS* accounted for in the BLW set. But there are no DL109's out there running, so making an accurate sound for them would be a matter of guesswork and would really take a sound expert to do.

Lastly, let me just point out that the BLW sounds cost just $2 more than CD's. Would the enjoyment you get listening to a good CD be similar to the enjoyment you get listening to all your alco's sound really nice? (I plug my msts laptop directly into my stereo system when my girlfriend isn't around!)

[dcarleton]

The PA, which had two 244 engines....

The PA had just one 16 cyl. 244 rated at 2000 or 2250 H.P., making it the equal to an E unit - but only on the drawing board!

[dredick]

Well, first of all, let me put in a plug for the BLW alco sounds:

http://www.valleypass.com/Sales/ASP.htm

This is the best, and worth it. Especially for the 244 engine, there is really nothing that compares.

As for the 539 engine, the best freeware sounds are contained in nysw_rs1.zip
They are really quite good. Almost as good as BLW.

Yea, I know about the BLW set, but right now that is just not an option for me.

What I am trying to do is to get accurate sounds for all the locos I have as I have noticed a few which default to the GP38, or Dash9, and I am all about "realism".

Thanks for the info though.