Jackson Railcar VMR1001 - Environmental Sound Module Pro - Multi Scale

Bring Your Layout to Life with Realistic Environmental Sound

The Jackson Railcar Environmental Sound Module Pro (ESMPro) adds the sounds around the trains — the details that turn a layout from something you look at into something you experience.

From crackling campfires and rushing water to welding sparks, construction sites, and passing trains, the ESMPro delivers immersive ambient audio that runs seamlessly in the background or reacts to your layout in real time.

Mount it on your fascia, select a sound, trigger it — and your scenes instantly feel alive.

Because details matter.

What It Does (In Plain English)

The ESMPro is an environmental sound module designed for model railroads.
It plays one of 16 selectable sound files (or your own custom MP3s) through a speaker or audio system whenever it’s triggered — by a button, switch, relay, or compatible sensor.

Sounds continue to play for as long as the trigger is active, making it perfect for:

• Storm scenes

• Construction zones

• Industrial areas

• Campsites and rural scenes

• Shops, yards, and background atmosphere

This is not locomotive sound — it’s the world around the railroad.

Key Features

• Sixteen selectable sound files built in

• Stock sounds included (ready to use out of the box)

• Upload your own MP3 files via USB

• 4MB onboard memory

• Trigger-based playback (plays while trigger is active)

• Onboard trigger button for testing and demos

• External contact closure input (switch, relay, etc.)

• Sensor input support (compatible sensors sold separately)

• External control support (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and more)

• Audio Sync output for lighting effects (Sync Board sold separately)

Audio & Power Options

• Speaker output:

  • Up to 5W into a 4–8Ω speaker

  • Mono output (stereo files automatically combined)

• Stereo line output:

  • Standard 1/8” audio jack

  • Drive an external amplifier, sound system, or headphones

• Power:

  • 9–24VDC (supply not included)

  • Connect via screw terminal or power jack

  • Ideal for layout power, accessories bus, or wall adapter

Advanced Possibilities

Want more realism? The ESMPro grows with your layout.

• Synchronize lighting to sound

  • Lightning flashes with thunder

  • Flickering firelight with campfires

  • Arc flashes with welding sounds
    (Requires Audio Sync board, sold separately)

• External control & automation

  • Control sound selection and triggering with microcontrollers

  • Integrate into custom control panels or automation systems

Included Sounds

1. Calming Mountain Stream

2. Nature Ambience

3. Waterfall

4. Branding Audio

5. Farm Animals

6. Farm Ambience

7. Campfire

8. Thunderstorm

9. Construction Ambience

10. Construction Effects

11. Construction Work

12. Construction Site

13. Welding

14. Train Pass-By 1

15. Train Pass-By 2

16. Train Tracks

(Sounds may be replaced with your own custom files.)

Perfect For Modelers Who…

• Want immersion, not gimmicks

• Care about scene realism

• Enjoy expandable, modular systems

• Believe the best layouts are built from the details up

The instructions here will instruct you on how to set up the board, get sounds playing, and how to do more advanced installs.