Recently, I was finally able to snag a couple of CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN NW2s (30-2295-1) on the Bay. This was a remarkable find for which the kind folks at eBay have been helping me search for years. The units (1 pwrd, 1 non-pwd) were sold "as is" and that was fine, I'm just glad I got 'em.
When I track tested the powered unit, No. 26, the sound was all messed up. I used a Lionel transformer, not a TIU, to do the test. I let it charge for quite a while; tried again; it flunked; then replaced the battery pack with a B-thing (can't remember the ^&$#$$&* acronym) and achieved the same result - no change.
After a major cleaning, service and Kadeeing, no change. Brought it in from the shop, tried it on the TIU, and everything (whistle, horn and coupler sounds) functioned beautifully - except the engine sounds. The sound is there - sort of - but its very, very low. I've checked all the sound settings on the hand-held and on the locomotive; all function perfectly - except the engine sounds.
I've searched the Forum database and have found a few threads dealing with absent and corrupted sound files but the postings might as well have been in Chinese as far as this PDDS (Post DOS Distress Syndrome) victim is concerned. Anything beyond giving the engine a couple of good whacks is probably beyond me. If more is required, to whom I should send it to for repair?
P.S. No. 59, the dummy (locomotive, not the operator), is being merged with a "new in original box" NW2 and will grace the rails, too. Perhaps there will be a blessed event, a little calf or a caboose, one day to brighten their lives... *sigh* I saw a poll, lately, asking for nominations for "Most Forgotten Railroad" and the CGW came in 1st or 2nd. LONG LIVE THE GREAT WESTERN!!!
