What digital system do you use today?
If you decides to put ESU sound decoder you can have ESU lokprogrammer to adjust CV addresses with values by write down.
You can also download sound files from ESU homepage.

Hi Brian
If you are mostly with Märklin (Locos, etc) I strongly advise you to stay with Märklin decoders mSD3) because my use of an ESU LokSound 5 decoder is a real catastrophe. No user friendlyness in adjusting the parameters. This goes along with the Central Station decision (a CS3 with a mSD3 is fantastic and a disaster with an ESU decoder (you are left alone to fight with approx 600 CVs

Fitting your 3701 with a sounddecoder
- the loco must work fine and be quiet (otherwise you will have to have real loud sounds which is annoying when having many locos
- you may install a generic Steam sound decoder 60975
- you may program any sound specific to your loco using either a CS3 or a Lokprogrammer 60971 plugged on a PC. Sounds and tools available for free at Märklin's webpage

Cheers
Jean

The MSD3 is the correct part, the only question for me is if you have an AC 3-pole DCM or a modern 5-pole HE-DCM. According to the Dutch Database: https://wiki.3rail.nl/in...?title=M%C3%A4rklin_3701

You're all good! Slap an MSD3 in there on the included carrier board (which makes any other sound decoder a drop-in fit later, it's such a well designed product) and program it on a CS3. :D Completely agree with JohnJean.

I would strongly advise anyone upgrading an old Marklin loco like this (or like my British Rail Class 22) to get either an MSD3 or an MLD3 first even if it's not the decoder you want to use long term; because of the benefits of the 21MTC carrier board. For me I don't plan to replace the MLD3 because it's an electric loco so sound is less important to me than say a diesel or steam loco, and I'm entirely happy with the performance of my Class 66, Class A3 and Start-Up Cranes. But if I want to down the line, I can put a higher-end decoder in to unlock features like Railcom.

Though, it MAY be worth waiting for the MSD3.5. I got nervous that they'd stop adding the carrier boards which was a bit scaredy-cat of me, since I'm sure they'll still be included - and to be fair half my loco's are already missing Railcom, so what's one more? I can always re-use the decoder in something that's not front-or-tail-of-train if I decide I need Railcom in the Class 22 and put a LokPilot in. But for you, given the much bigger sound storage space? I would encourage you to wait.

According to the DD, no - you have a C90 Decoder as factory fitted; which is not 21MTC. But if you buy the 60975 decoder Jean suggests, you will have a 21MTC socket for the future. Pre-installed sound is irrelevant when you have a CS3 as you can upload any Marklin sound profile yourself. :)

However there is a problem - Marklin doesn't make one for the BR 53, and ESU does.

ESU 51957 and 58449, plus programmer 53451 (unless you have a shop or friend who can upload the file for you). The 51957 is a direct replacement for the special Marklin adapter board that comes with the MSD3, and the 58449 is a Marklin-type 21MTC Sound Decoder which supports MFX for your CS3.

If you have to buy a LokProgrammer it will be much more expensive; but you get accurate sound - or with the Marklin decoder you get "An Steam Loco" sound for now* but it will not be a BR53. If you do go Marklin, I now STRONGLY encourage you to wait for the 3.5, as I have no way of knowing if they will make future sound files for the older, smaller decoders.

The * is that Marklin may release a new model of the BR 53 in the future, and they release sound files for people to install if they have a decoder failure down the line (except for models with copyright issues, like the Flying Scotsman). If they release a sound file compatible with your decoder, you can install that later from your CS3.

That's not information! :D

That's "at some point, one day, they may make another one, or they may not, who knows, but if they do:". I have no insider knowledge about that! Please do not misunderstand!

EB421
LOL yeah Marklin has a way of not coming out with certain locomotives. Thank you for the heads up greatly appreciated.

bph
Good afternoon! To be honest I'm leaning towards the 60975 with the generic steam sounds. In research I noticed that there were none produced so yes no one will be able to replicate what the exact sound would be like. In the end I just want something. After a deep clean and maintenance done she is a quiet and strong runner. As mentioned, I hate overbearing sounds of some locomotives in the collection I have. I need to sit down and do some adjustments in the lineup.

Thank you all as always, the information on this forum and its members is priceless and very much appreciated!!

I would be very tempted to start with the sound file for the Gt4x4 as it is a mallet loco like the Br53. The chuff rate will probably not be too different to what a Br53 would have at low speeds. I would start with the project for the 39960

Good evening kiwiAlan,

You just made a really good point. As I was clearing snow today, I happened to remember that this locomotive is in fact a Mallet design. As mentioned before this locomotive was never completed so there is no sound examples available. However, we can certainly come close- ish. Now I will do some research as to which decoder. Oh and thank you, now the 39960 locomotive is on my to buy list. That is one really pretty locomotive!

kiwiAlan
LOL oh I know how addictive these locomotives can be! This past year I was able to finally gather all the American Mikado that Marklin makes. I certainly don't mind but boy the bank account doesn't like it.