MTH 20-3714 Big Boy PS3 issues

ES44AC,

I was finally able to get me engine running properly after sending the whole engine back to MTH. They did not want the circuit boards, but the whole engine (warranty work). They installed a new board and since then I replaced the sound file with the one I wanted. I was told that there was bad memory blocks and when data is written to this bad blocks, the sound board gets messed up. In my case, I tried to install new sound file many times and failed, tried with different laptop, different USB cables (I work in IT and have access to many PC's, cables etc.) and got the same result, it would bomb at about 35%-40% complete. Though my engine ran fine and smoked. The sound was garbled. Now with new board, it's perfect. I wish there was some kind of software tool to reformat all the memory blocks. When your re-loading a sound file, your simply over-writing the existing file and filling in the memory blocks. This would help when installing a new sound file. I wish I could provide more help, other than send in your engine or buy a new board. I hate for you to spend money on a new board. 

Here she is running at my clubs layout. I did not like the sound file that came with the engine. I like the sound file that came with a newer #4014 with crew restoration dialog. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHN7bQlakFQ

Regards,

You have some issue with the smoke unit fan, it should be blowing the smoke way up, not just bubbling out of the stack.

I have the same model of the Big Boy, and I was thinking of downloading the 2020 version's sound file as I'm not all that happy with the 2017 model's whistle, it certainly doesn't sound right to me.

Yea, the smoke wick is probably blocking the airway. On a couple other engines I have, I opened up the smoke unit, twisted the wick, and moved to the side as far as I could away from the airway between the impeller and smoke heater (resisters) then again away from the hole to let out the air (smoke exhaust) and that did the trick. I just haven't gotten around to taking apart my new Big Boy. The sound file that comes with this engine is okay, the whistle could be louder, but the Freight Yard sounds were too generic. I liked the older 20-3575 with crew dialog of restoring the Big Boy, plus the whistle is a bit louder. My engine is newer from 2017, 20-3715 and didn't care too much for the Proto Freight Sound sequence. 

By some miracle I was able to get my engine working! 

The sound file I was having the problems with was a custom made file that I created in ADCPM, with a custom whistle, bell, among other things. I have made multiple custom sounds using the ADPCM program without any issue and had already put some in the GS. I tested my new file in a Railking diesel first (as a "just in case") and then tried it in the Daylight. After getting the issues I decided I'd try and put in a default MTH sound file in it, which loaded and operated perfectly. I decided to try the custom file again and it loaded and now works perfectly. I don't know what happened but I'm happy with the results and now it doesn't have to go anywhere. 

@TRAIN COLLECTOR 2 posted:

My engine is newer from 2017, 20-3715 and didn't care too much for the Proto Freight Sound sequence. 

What sound file did you end up using?

The older one, 20-3575. I own the newer one from 2017, 20-3715. In my original post, I indicated loading a "newer" file, but my mistake, it's actually an older version. I'm very happy with the engine. It's a great runner (need to adjust the smoke wick, for better smoke) and has the sound file I want that has 4014 crew talking about the restoration and how great is was for UP "Uncle Pete" to bring her back to life...

I would have thought the latest sound file would be the one that had them talking about the restoration, but who knows.

I downloaded all the sound files, when I get a chance, I'll try one or two.