Roads And Rails

DCC sound for OO, N and O gauge model railways

Roads And Rails is a British business specialising in DCC sound decoders, speakers and sound fitting services for model railways. The company presents itself as a specialist in decoders and sound fitting for brands such as Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol, Heljan and Accurascale, and sells and fits ESU LokSound 5, Hornby HM7000 and other leading decoders in the sector.

The business is run by Richard and Zena and, according to its own presentation, has more than ten years of experience in DCC sound. The company states it has fitted sound to models owned by some well-known names in the sector, such as Legomanbiffo.

Sound decoder catalogue

The decoder catalogue is organised by gauge and sound type. It includes decoders for OO gauge diesel and electric locomotives, OO steam sounds, sounds for O, N, TT and OO9 gauges, as well as continental and Irish sounds. It also offers blank decoders, Hornby HM7000 decoders, Soundtraxx and non-sound DCC decoders.

Among the sound brands and suppliers the shop states it offers are Legomanbiffo, Jamie Goodman, Wheeltappers, SWD and ESU. The company identifies itself as an authorised ESU dealer.

The catalogue includes LokSound 5 decoders configured for specific models, such as Classes 08, 20, 33, 37/0, 37/4, 47/0, 47/4 ETH, 50, 56, 59, 66 and 68 from manufacturers such as Bachmann, Hornby, Heljan, Dapol, Vitrains, Cavalex, Hattons and Accurascale. It also offers a LokSound 5 decoder with SWD diesel sounds.

Speakers and accessories

The shop has a range of upgrade speakers, intended for customers to install themselves or to send in the model for installation by an expert. The speaker catalogue is organised by impedance (4 ohm and 8 ohm), by multipacks, by ESU speakers with passive radiator, by O gauge speakers and by speakers with HM7000 plug.

Specific products include Megabass speakers in various sizes, ESU 'Sugarcube' speakers, thin tablet-style bass-enhanced speakers and speakers with HM7000 plug, including a model designed for HST. The company also sells stay alives or power packs, such as the AE Models for HM7000 and Zimo-compatible, the Train-O-Matic SPP Smart Power Pack and the SPP Nano Power Pack Kit, compatible with LokSound, Zimo and HM7000, as well as the Hornby HM7000 Power Bank Maxi.

The catalogue is completed with tools and accessories: soldering stations, two-pin micro plugs and sockets, heat shrink tubing, magnetic tip screwdrivers for Bachmann body screws, extraction tools for decoders and blanking plugs, needle files, precision oiling tools, DCC decoder wire and Black Tack. It also offers Oxford Diecast and EFE diecast vehicles, scenic items, Hornby accessories and magnetic and Kadee couplings.

Sound fitting service

In addition to selling components, Roads And Rails provides a sound fitting service. The catalogue includes DCC sound fitting for diesel or electric locomotives with LokSound 5 decoder included. The company also offers the option to pre-load a sound file onto a Hornby HM7000 decoder.

The website publishes sound fitting guides, function lists, an explanation of DCC and an FAQ section, as well as a blog with technical posts on adjusting bass and treble on LokSound decoders, fitting a Next18 HM7000 decoder to a Bachmann Class 47 Plux22 and sound fitting and stay alive on a Heljan Class 11.

In-house development and service approach

The company states that it strives to be innovative and continuously seeks new speakers and products. As an example of in-house development it mentions the twin iPhone speaker, which it developed itself. It also states that customer satisfaction is a priority and that it takes special care to carry out every job to the highest standards.

The site includes a special orders form, the option to sign up for a birthday discount, a page to buy or sell models and a trade enquiries section.