Just my opinions:

1) Definitely NOT a correct "hooter" whistle for a B&O EM-1!

2) The exhaust sounds do not appear to be correct for a simple articulated steam locomotive.

@Hot Water posted:

Just my opinions:

1) Definitely NOT a correct "hooter" whistle for a B&O EM-1!

2) The exhaust sounds do not appear to be correct for a simple articulated steam locomotive.

That's what I thought. I always thought it should be a more raspy sounding whistle, something more similar to the old 2000s EM1

@Sid's Trains posted:

That's what I thought. I always thought it should be a more raspy sounding whistle, something more similar to the old 2000s EM1

From memory, those early B&O EM-1s had a pretty deep sounding whistle, which was/is NOT correct for B&O. Pretty sure the B&O EM-1s had a "hooter" whistle very similar to N&W and C&O, i.e. sort of higher single tone "factory whistle" sounding. Best this for Lionel to do would be to put the N&W "hooter" whistle sound in that model, in my opinion.

@Hot Water posted:

From memory, those early B&O EM-1s had a pretty deep sounding whistle, which was/is NOT correct for B&O. Pretty sure the B&O EM-1s had a "hooter" whistle very similar to N&W and C&O, i.e. sort of higher single tone "factory whistle" sounding. Best this for Lionel to do would be to put the N&W "hooter" whistle sound in that model, in my opinion.

I am no expert as you can see. I just always loved the old 2000s sounds from Lionel, even when they were wrong. An N&W style whistle would sound really good.

totally wrong for an em1. I sent Lionel a video with live em1 sounds during the pre-order period and they responded very positively, so I pre-ordered this engine. This is not cool!

@Sid's Trains posted:

I am no expert as you can see. I just always loved the old 2000s sounds from Lionel, even when they were wrong. An N&W style whistle would sound really good.

If they use their N&W hooter whistle and drop the pitch a little bit they would be spot on for a b&o EM1. 

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

If they use their N&W hooter whistle and drop the pitch a little bit they would be spot on for a b&o EM1. 

I understand your frustration. I am almost certain this is the new ones because the gentleman running the train is using Bluetooth, the are other samples in the background, and the locomotive running also looks like a prototype. Definitely the factory production line. Sad to see Lionel not listening to customers.

@Sid's Trains posted:

I understand your frustration. I am almost certain this is the new ones because the gentleman running the train is using Bluetooth, the are other samples in the background, and the locomotive running also looks like a prototype. Definitely the factory production line. Sad to see Lionel not listening to customers.

I emailed Dave Olson directly. Hoping he can come through and fix this. The EM1’s are still overseas so hopefully there is time. I’m happy to know now. If I got it home, unboxed it and heard that whistle on my track.... that would be worse. 

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

I emailed Dave Olson directly. Hoping he can come through and fix this. The EM1’s are still overseas so hopefully there is time. I’m happy to know now. If I got it home, unboxed it and heard that whistle on my track.... that would be worse. 

Something to note, this is only the B&O model. The other versions could have a different whistle. It is still wrong, just something to keep in mind.

I was looking forward to this engine, but won't be buying if the whistle is this wrong.

@Sid's Trains posted:

Something to note, this is only the B&O model. The other versions could have a different whistle. It is still wrong, just something to keep in mind.

From what I understand the other models will have different whistles. And they are all fantasy anyway. The B&O model is not a fantasy & should have the correct sounds. 

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

From what I understand the other models will have different whistles. And they are all fantasy anyway. The B&O model is not a fantasy & should have the correct sounds. 

Well I hope they can fix it

I once had the early Lionel TMCC EM-1 and it had a nice sounding, though apparently incorrect, whistle. My only complaint was a poor smoke unit and the drive train shaft needed some servicing which I did myself.

https://youtu.be/rI99Dvpxo2w

first 35 seconds of this clip is a live em1 

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

https://youtu.be/rI99Dvpxo2w

first 35 seconds of this clip is a live em1 

Well,,,,,,,,there you have it folks!  Sounds just like a typical N&W "hooter" on a Y Class or an A Class articulated freight locomotive.

Well, let's hope that isn't going to be what comes out. I believe either Ryan or Dave has said(forget where) that they have some sort of base sounds that they have tested before loading up what would be the real ones, but I think that is when the engine is still in the works without any shells on. This was a couple of years ago maybe a TW video I watched, thinking 2016. I'm sure things probably have changed quite a bit since then. Regardless, these EM1's better have the right whistle otherwise it is the Pennsylvania J1's all over again 

That's an awful sounding whistle, since they have the Vision Line Big Boy sounds, why not use those?  They sound WAY better than that awful sound!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's an awful sounding whistle, since they have the Vision Line Big Boy sounds, why not use those?  They sound WAY better than that awful sound!

Put  "Vision Line Big Boy sounds" in a B&O EM-1??????

@Hot Water posted:

Put  "Vision Line Big Boy sounds" in a B&O EM-1??????

How about just the correct whistle. If they got the Y6b right and the Allegheny right. They can get the em1 right