Quantum System Sounds
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Traction Motor Whine
: Although both Diesels and Electric locomotives have Traction Motors, Electric locomotives do not have loud diesel
engines drowning out the sounds of the Traction Motors. You will hear the Traction Motors when the Electric Locomotive starts out,
especially if the Cooling Fan volume is turned down to a lower value. Like the prototype, the Quantum Traction Motor whine pitch increases
and decreases with the speed of the locomotive. It is not affected by track voltage.
Traction Motor Cooling Fans:
The Electric Traction Motors get quite hot from the enormous current supplied to their circuits. All Electric
locomotives have powerful Cooling Fans that can create so much draft that the access panel doors cannot be opened when the Cooling
Fans are operating at full power. It is not surprising that these fans can easily be heard in idling and operating locomotives. You will also
hear the sounds of louvers opening before the fans start. When Cooling Fans shut down, you will hear the louvers close.
Air Pumps:
When a locomotive is sitting still, the pumps come on in a steady beat to replace the air lost from the brake air release or any
other air operated appliances. Once the pressure is up, the Air Pumps only turn on occasionally to maintain the pressure. Air Pumps are
electrically operated and are quite noticeable if the Cooling Fans are turned off. In Forward, you will hear the Air Pumps come on soon after
the Horn is operated to maintain the air pressure.
Appliance Air Release:
Compressed air is used on locomotives for operating various appliances. You will hear either a Short Air Let-off or
Long Air Let-off at various times.
Air Brakes:
When prototype train brakes are applied, air is released from the brake lines to reduce the pressure. The more the pressure is
reduced, the greater the braking. You will hear a continual air release sound from the Electric locomotive model as braking is continually
increased. The longer the air is released, the quicker the Electric locomotive model will slow down. Once all the pressure is released, the
locomotive will continue at maximum braking which can still require a long stopping distance depending on your Load settings.
DCC
and
QARC
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Only.
Brake Squeal:
You can hear the brakes squeal on prototype locomotives when the locomotive is moving slowly. This sound can become
quite loud when the wheels are just about to stop turning. Listen at slow speeds for automatic Squealing Brake sounds and the final
distinctive squealing sounds as the Quantum equipped Electric locomotive slows to a stop.
Horn:
The Quantum System uses authentic locomotive sounds whenever possible. All Quantum Horns are engineered by QSI sound
experts to give you the most authentic effects. If you blow the Horn briefly, you will produce a realistic short Horn sound or “hoot”.
Bell:
North American Electrics and Diesel locomotives, as well as larger Steam locomotives, usually have pneumatically operated
mechanical bells. Small steam locomotives often have hand-pulled bells. During turn-on in Neutral, you will hear the pneumatic clapper
gain greater throw with each stroke until it finally strikes the bell. During shut down in Neutral, you will hear the Short Air Let-off sound
followed by the Bell sound fade out.
Doppler Run-by:
The locomotive sounds get louder as the train approaches, then immediately drop to a much lower pitch and lower
volume as the train passes by. With a little practice, you can activate the Doppler Effect exactly when and where you want. Doppler pitch
change is based on the speed of the locomotive, so the sounds change more dramatically when the locomotive is running faster. After the
Doppler shift has occurred and the Horn is no longer being blown, the Bell shuts off automatically and locomotive sounds return to normal.
Coupler:
To give you the most authentic coupler sounds, QSI has identified three distinct types of coupler activity. The first is when the
coupler is Armed where you will hear the clanking sound of the coupler lift bar and coupler pin raising. The next is Firing the coupler, where
you hear the opening of the coupler with the hiss of the air-lines parting. The third sound occurs when the locomotive couples up to its load
of cars, and you hear the Coupler Crash as all of the cars bunch together from the impact.
DCC and QARC only.
Flanges:
When a train enters a curve, the flanges on the wheels ride up on the inside of the rail and squeal. Recreate this squealing effect
by pressing and releasing the Squealing Brake/Flanges DCC function key or QARC Analog button quickly and repeatedly as necessary.
DCC and QARC only.
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Not all features are included on every Electric Locomotive. Consult your
Electric Model Specification
s sheet for a list of features and sounds that apply to your locomotive model.
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QARC™ or Quantum Analog Remote Control™ uses special signals under Analog control to operate different Quantum features. With QARC, you can operate features that are
currently available only in DCC in addition to features that are not yet available in DCC.
Electric Loco Q1 w/Volume Pot Operation Manual, Version 2.8
18/21
8 March 2006
