George has upgraded a couple of Rapido F40PHs with Blunami, weathering, HEP mode, and various lights. We also talk with Mike from Doc’s Caboose in Kansas City, MO about their services and the SoundTraxx products that are most popular in their area.

Norman shows his Dapol Great Western Large Prairie locomotive that he upgraded with Tsunami2 and George has a Missouri Pacific ICC offset Wide Vision Caboose with SoundCar installed. They also touch on the audio tools we have built into our decoders to help you modify the sound to give each model a unique voice.

George has been busy with layout updates. He is in the process of upgrading his oil loading platform using a Walthers kit and adding custom details to enhance his setup. He also addresses some common Blunami FAQs, including whether Blunami can run on DCC and how to disable auto-start. Meanwhile, Norman dives into the topic of short circuits—explaining what they are, what they aren’t, and how to troubleshoot any decoder-related issues.

Remember, we’re always here to help—don’t hesitate to reach out!

Contact our Support Team: https://soundtraxx.com/contact/technical-support

C.W. McCall’s Wolf Creek Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-xqfqcgNAE

Join George and Norman, from the SoundTraxx Support Team, as George shows off his layout expansion and they discuss how youth are interacting with the model railroading community in today's technical-driven world.

Remember that there are no dumb questions. No one is born knowing how to be a model railroader, and we are happy to help you learn. At the end of the day, we are modelers, just like you, and we want to help you enjoy the hobby!

In this episode, we visit with Jim Wiggin from Athearn Model Trains. He is Athearn's brand manager and a model railroader himself. Join us as we discuss Athearn, factory-equipped Tsunami2 decoders, and trains!

In this episode, our team shows off the model trains they have been working on recently. George has a highly customized GP12 in the Missouri Pacific paint scheme. He upgraded it with a Blunami sound decoder, added extra lights, and did a fabulous job weathering the paint. Norman shows off his British Railways Standard Class 2 steam locomotive. He discusses the Tsunami2, TSU-N18 decoder installation he performed. He also explains how he selected sounds for this model from the Tsunami2 steam library. Join us as we talk trains!

Welcome to our new podcast where we talk about all things trains! In this first episode, you will meet our Product Expert, George, and our Support Technician, Norman. They both show off one of their recent model railroading projects and then we will speak with George Hansen from Show Me Model Railroad Company about how Blunami has affected his hobby shop. Norman has an N-Scale LNER Y1 shunting engine to present and George has been working on an HO Scale Atlas MP15.....Let's talk trains!

In this episode, Norman shows off his Dynamometer car, discusses how to select a speaker for your decoder, and we welcome special guest Matt Dowd from ReSourced Rails. This is a fun one, don’t miss out!

This week’s podcast is a special one! George takes us on a tour of his home layout, showcasing the impressive expansions and upgrades he’s made since his last reveal. There’s a lot to explore—let’s dive in!

George showcases two Athearn GP38s equipped with BLU-PNP8s and a Proto 2000 GP38 fitted with a BLU-21PNEM8. He discusses the decoder installations, upgrading these models with LEDs, and demonstrates just how simple it is to consist these locomotives using the Blunami Android App.

George upgraded an Athearn GP38 with Blunami and added LEDs to the headlight, rear headlight, class lights, number boards, and ground lights. These lights are all labeled by their name and controlled by the press of a button in the Blunami App.

George shows off a Scale Trains Rio Grande SD40T-2 and Norman is working on a Kato steeple cab electric switcher that he will run with SurroundTraxx (get realistic train sounds that move with your train without the need for onboard speakers or decoders).

George showcases his upgraded Walthers Fuel Loading Kit and provides an overview of how easy consisting is with the Blunami App – no CVs required! Now, you can spend more time enjoying running your trains instead of calculating CVs for setup.

Check out Rapido’s new 44 Tonner and we talk to Reggie Thomas an avid user of SoundTraxx products and an amazing modeler. See his models, his layout, and talk trains with the guys from SoundTraxx!

On this week’s podcast, Graham showcases his True LineTrains Railrunner, upgraded with a Tsunami2 decoder and customized lighting. His enhancements include a directional headlight, backup light, illuminated number boards, a cab light, and ditch lights. Meanwhile, George discusses his brand-new Athearn GP15s, which come factory-equipped with Tsunami2 decoders and upgraded lighting. He also compares the differences between factory-installedand aftermarket Tsunami2 decoders.

This week, Graham has an Atlas Master GP38-2 upgraded with a Blunami BLU-21PNEM8 decoder, and George has outfitted an Athearn RTR SD40 with a host of added details and a Blunami decoder.

We'll also be at the Chicago O Scale Meet in a couple ofweeks! Blunami is a game-changer for O Scalers, offering full decoder capabilities without the need to upgrade your DC layout —it's truly amazing. If you're an O Scaler in the Chicago area, be sure to stop by our booth to see Blunami in action. We'll have demo models for you to test out at the show!

You may have already met our new Support Technician, Graham, but we're excited to officially welcome him to the podcast! This week, George and Graham share their experiences upgrading older models with Blunami, including InterMountain F7A and F7B units and a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 Light Mountain. They also dive into the topic of speed matching—if and when is it necessary? Let’s find out!

In this episode, we share the highlights from our January shows, covering the latest updates and standout moments. Plus, we sit down with Kevin from Arnie’s Trains for an exclusive interview. He shares insights on the model train industry, his passion for the hobby, and what’s new at Arnie’s Trains. Don’t miss this fun and informative episode! 🎙🚂 #ModelTrains #Podcast #ArnieTrains

George discusses the design and manufacturing of decoders in Durango, CO. He showcases his upgraded SD40-2C and SD40 models from Athearn, equipped with Blunami and LEDs. Additionally, he explains how Blunami features can simulate the real-world operations of these locomotives.

Graham has been shopping on eBay and picked up a few new models. This week, he shows off his new Atlas Master engines, which he upgraded with Blunami decoders. George also shares his GP15, which he upgraded with Blunami as well. He talks about how he enhanced the lighting on this older model, renumbered it, and added some weathering details.

This week’s model show-offs are a great example of how older models can be brought back to life with a new decoder and a bit of elbow grease. In today’s challenging economic climate—especially with tariffs affecting prices—model trains can get expensive. This is a resourceful way to get a high-quality model at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Watch now to learn more!

Blunami works seamlessly in DCC, but our app removes the confusion of CVs and decoder setup. You can configure everything in the app, then switch to DCC operation with ease. Our decoders are full of features, so chances are, if you want your train to behave a certain way—it can! And if you’re stuck, just give us a call. We’re happy to help.

Graham runs an Athearn BNSF GP38 with a factory-installed Tsunami2 decoder. George has an Athearn GP38 and a ScaleTrains GP30, upgraded with a CurrentKeeper, Decoder Buddy, and Blunami BLU-21PNEM8. Doing the install this way gave him access to all of ScaleTrains' lights.

George had trouble consisting his Blunami-equipped locos, despite how easy we say it is. The issue? A small setup misstep. He found a simple fix and wants to help others avoid the same frustration. Watch now to learn more!

George brings out his InterMountain Tier 4 GEVO to show offhis impressive Blunami upgrade. He’s installed the BLU-21PNEM8 decoder and shares a full installation and setup video to help others do the same. George has also added a ton of lights to the model and gives a full demonstration of the effects.

Special guest Christopher Brown joins the conversation toshare his lifelong passion for trains. He talks about how he got into model railroading as a kid and how the hobby has evolved over the years with changing technology.

Together, they dive into topics like trains, decoder installs, LED lighting, and more. Listen now to pick up some great modeling tips and inspiration!

Christopher Brown’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@christopherbrown5338

Tsunami2 Install into a Scale Trains ES44 GEVO: TSU-21PNEM8, Mini Cubes & Decoder Buddy: https://youtu.be/hAFjiwZD7ao

SoundTraxx Soldering Class (Webinar 8): https://youtu.be/1Qxv3iZcL6s

Sound Theory | Speakers, baffles & more! (Webinar 5): https://youtu.be/9CdJtdK8GEg

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our Support Team — Tom Austin! A lifelong model railroader and fast learner, Tom is already diving in and ready to help you get the most from your SoundTraxx products.

In this video, Tom shows off his GP15-1 and chats with George about the installation process, lighting upgrades, and how to rename functions using the Blunami App for Apple devices.

George also shares his brand-new Atlas B23-7 and walks through how easy it is to set up with Blunami. By copying settings from his GP38, he quickly gets the B23-7 running — only needing to swap in the correct bell, prime mover, and airhorn. Thanks to CV copying, momentum, braking, and other performance features are already dialed in. He also demonstrates how simple it is to add and remove models from consists.

To wrap things up, George and Tom review some awesome customer installs: a Walthers GP15 with a BLU-PNP8 decoder and a large-scale USA Trains SD40-2 equipped with a BLU-4408 decoder.

George shares how to find SoundTraxx Authorized Retailersall over the globe—perfect for discovering amazing hobby shops during your summer travels! He’s also been busy handling customer support as we wish Grahamwell on his new adventure and welcome Tom, our new support technician.

In this video, George shows off his older Atlas GP38,featuring upgraded lighting and smooth momentum, and braking settings.

Decoder Tip of the Week: Always insulate your solder joints! Bare wire can lead to electrical issues and frustratingtroubleshooting. Take your time and keep your installs neat and reliable.

George has been fielding our support calls and emails over the past couple of weeks, and he’s noticed a few common themes. First, he strongly recommends checking out our User’s Guides—these are packed with helpful information and can answer many of your questions right away.

He then takes a deeper dive into some of the most frequently asked topics, especially around speaker installation. George explains how to properly wire speakers to your decoder and how to incorporate multiple speakers into a single installation for optimal sound performance.

Tsunami2 TSU-21PNEM8 Decoder Set Up for an InterMountain Tier 4:  https://youtu.be/RkD_JlMU0hc

George's June 2025 Layout Update: https://youtu.be/ru7cZGKAs2U?si=WCKeqe3GwuO7Wz9R

In this episode, George shares an inside look at his latest YouTube series, which takes a deep dive into the world of locomotive upgrades.

From disassembling engines to installing detail parts, lighting, and modern decoders, he walks you through every step of the process.

Later, George visits with the Colorado Model Railroad Museum director Michelle Kempema and social media manager Jennifer Howell.

They discuss the museum’s exciting lineup of events for the year, including the Colorado RPM Meet.

Let’s jump in!

Colorado Model Railroad Museum: https://www.cmrm.org/

Colorado RPM: https://corpm.org/

Tom shares his modeling plans for a GP15, inspired by George’s Rehab My Loco series. With the paint stripped and the model prepped, he's ready to dive into upgrades—including a new Blunami decoder.

Meanwhile, George shows off the nearly completed SD40 from his “Rehab My Loco” series, highlighting the custom lighting and some of the Blunami features he’s using.

George recaps his whirlwind month of July with a behind-the-scenes look at life on the tradeshow circuit. From setup to teardown, hear what it’s really like for presenters on the road and he drops a small teaser about what’s next for Blunami.

Lastly, the duo tackles the common confusion around DCC and programming terms. They explain why understanding these terms matters when troubleshooting or setting up your decoder—and where to find helpful resources like our User Guides and the DCC glossary on the SoundTraxx website.

Tom is hard at work on a 2010 Athearn Genesis GP15-1. He has given it a fresh paint job, cleaned the mechanism, added new wheels, installed a Blunami decoder, upgraded the speakers, added several detail parts, and is now focusing on upgrading the lighting.

George doesn’t have a model to show off this week—but he does have a scary story about a night scene on his layout.

Decoder Tip of the Month: Is your model acting like it has a mind of its own? It might not be a decoder issue. Before you panic, try resetting your DCC system—it could be the trick to bring things back under control!

Operations 101: Dynamic Brakes (Episode 6): https://youtu.be/t4Gyx7g9bsg

Consisting with SoundTraxx Decoders (Webinar 14): https://youtu.be/wE_-Swn4WX4

Introduction to DCC Operation & CV Programming (Webinar9):  https://youtu.be/-w5ttfthhNk

Explore the Basics of DCC with SoundTraxx (Webinar 4): https://youtu.be/t4xYHXkJXUk

It’s fall in Durango, CO, and Tom has a new undecorated Walthers NW2 that he plans to paint to resemble a Zeigler Coal NW2. He’s also preparing to install a new BLU-1100 in it. Meanwhile, George shows off his Precision Scale On3 C-19 RGS 41, which he’s upgraded with Blunami. This model is battery-equipped, eliminating the need for track power. George explains how he upgraded the lighting on the locomotive and shares how class lights were used on real locomotives. He and Tom also discuss battery power and how you can run Blunami in deadrail. Watch now to join the discussion!

Related videos

Directional Lighting with Blunami: https://youtu.be/VuzeuecC3no

George shows off our 35th Anniversary gear, available now on our website. He highlights some of our industry firsts, including our very first product, the Hyperlight, and our role in helping establish the DCC standard. Then, he gives a sneak peek at the new Blunami App for Apple devices, featuring powerful updates like CV Copy, CV Utility, Function Mapping Management and Naming, Consist Functions and Consisting, and Locomotive Sorting.

Explore the Basics of DCC with SoundTraxx (Webinar4): https://youtu.be/t4xYHXkJXUk?si=WNm3g7ntKHarQ8Ic

Consisting Blunami Decoders https://youtu.be/uiJFCPT9VN4?si=sGLbWXUd6rFaL-cM

George and Tom chat about their passion for customer service and connecting with fellow modelers. Tom shows off his upgraded Athearn Genesis GP38-2 featuring a Blunami BLU-21PNEM8 decoder, while George shares a fewmodeling tips and gives an update on his recently rebuilt Bachmann engine that still needs a little TLC after a nose-dive. They also cover upcoming tradeshows SoundTraxx will be attending and share news about the soon-to-be-releasedBlunami Apple App.

Tom kicks things off with an undecorated Bluford Shops Missouri Pacific caboose, sharing plans to paint it, add lighting, and install either a SoundCar decoder or a BLU-1100. George then brings in his “Rehab My Loco” Athearn SD40 to show how far a model can be elevated with some hands-on work and a new decoder. The conversation wraps up with a visit from Wes at Just Trains in California, where they talk about the hobby, running a local hobby shop, and how Blunami makes it easier than ever for beginners to get started.

Tom kicks things off with an undecorated SW1200, walkingthrough his prep work before paint, lighting, and decoder installation. Meanwhile, George pulls his popular General off the shelf for a BLU-1100 upgrade. He covers what he customized on the model, how he dialed in thedecoder settings to accurately replicate the real locomotive, and why the BLU-1100 is such a solid choice.

They also dive into an important topic: decoder safety. AllSoundTraxx decoders are designed with built-in safeguards—so you cannot damage a decoder by changing CVs. While you might get an unexpected result, a reset will always bring you back. With Blunami, you can even save your preferred CV setup, experiment with new features, and easily restore yourchosen settings without reverting to factory defaults.

Tune in to see the upgrades, learn helpful tips, and get theconfidence to experiment with your own decoder settings!

Related Videos:

Tsunami2 TSU-1100 install in a Walthers P2K SW1200: https://youtu.be/c6oht73h_64

Isolated Tsunami2 Steam Sounds: https://youtu.be/mGdqRMe6YZU

George and Tom are joined by Arron from A&S Trains to talk about the A&S website and their unique approach to traveling to tradeshows—bringing the full hobby shop experience right to attendees. From there, the conversation shifts into a deep dive on Blunami, where George, Tom, and Arron share why it’s one of their favorite ways to run and enjoy their trains.

Tom shows off his newly upgraded Athearn GP15-1 C&EI, now equipped with Blunami and renumbered. George brings his ScaleTrains D&RGW Rio Grande GP30—also upgraded with Blunami—and demonstrates full lighting control.

Together, they dive into how SoundTraxx decoders can enhance your layout. By using realistic features like momentum, braking, and other prototypical behaviors, you can make your layout feel larger, extend your operating sessions, and boost overall enjoyment of the hobby.