Steam Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2
5/24
24 August 2006
Automatic Features
Quantum features
4
are automatically controlled as a function of the directional state of the locomotive as described in the table below.
Feature Forward
Neutral
from
Forward Reverse Neutral
from
Reverse
Headlight
Bright Dim Dim Dim
Rear Tender Light
Dim
5
Dim Bright Dim
Mars Light
Strobing
Steady On
Steady On
Steady On
Number Board Lights
On On On On
Marker Lights
On On On On
Cab Lights
Off after 10 seconds
On after 10 seconds.
Off after 10 seconds
On after 10 seconds.
Steam Blower
Off after 10 seconds.
On after 10 seconds.
Off after 10 seconds.
On after 10 seconds.
Cylinder Cocks
6
If armed, plays for 16
times, or until speed
greater than 12 smph.
Arms after 25 seconds.
If armed, plays for 16
times, or until speed
greater than 12 smph.
Arms after 25 seconds.
Note: If your locomotive has a Mars Light, the Headlight will be off instead of “Dim” in all states except Forward where it will be Bright.
Neutral
In Neutral, the locomotive will continue to make prototypical sounds appropriate to its resting state.
•
Enter Neutral by turning the throttle down below V-Start but not off and wait for the locomotive to stop
7
. The Headlight will dim and
optional Mars Light switches to steady-on. The Reverse Light will turn off when entering Neutral.
•
You will hear a Short Air Let-off when the locomotive stops moving and enters Neutral, a Long Air Let-off about three seconds later,
followed by Air Pumps and other background sounds which come on after 5 to 10 seconds. After the Air Pumps start, you can use the
direction switch to blow the Whistle or turn on or off the Bell (if enabled).
Changing the Locomotive’s Direction without Turning off the Sound
You can use the power pack’s direction switch while the locomotive is in Neutral to change the locomotive’s direction.
•
Put the locomotive in Neutral by bringing the throttle down below V-start and waiting for the locomotive to stop.
•
Flip the direction switch after you hear the Short Air Let-off but before you hear the Long Air Let-off followed by Air Pump sounds
turning on. During this short time (3 seconds) the Whistle will not blow when you flip the direction switch.
•
Turn up the throttle anytime thereafter to operate the locomotive in the opposite direction.
If you have waited until the Air Pumps start in Neutral and now wish to change direction, you can either:
1.
Reduce the throttle to off, change the direction switch and turn the throttle back up to repower the locomotive or,
2.
Leave the locomotive in Neutral, flip the direction switch (the Whistle will come on) and then turn up the throttle.
Note: When the locomotive starts to move in the opposite direction, the Whistle will stop automatically and then hoot one more time if the direction is
Forward for a total of two hoots. Or if the direction is Reverse, the Whistle will hoot two more times for a total of three hoots
8
. To prevent the
first Whistle hoot from being too long, do not delay in turning up the throttle after you have flipped the direction switch.
Train Load
You can set your Steam locomotive to have any of 16 different Load levels, which represent added inertia from rolling stock (see Analog
Programming, Option 2 on page 8). The higher the Load setting, the greater the inertia effect during acceleration and deceleration. Level 0
is the default, which is no Load.
Sound-of-Power™
During acceleration, the steam locomotive will produce labored Chuffing (based on Load setting) until the locomotive has achieved its final
speed where it will then produce standard sounds appropriate to its throttle setting. If starting up after an extended period in Neutral, you
will first hear the sounds of Cylinder Cocks venting steam and water from the steam chest. Under deceleration, the Chuffing sounds are less
labored until the locomotive achieves its final speed where it will again produce standard sounds appropriate to its throttle setting.
4 Not all features, or dim light capability, may be available in your particular locomotive model.
5 Most Quantum 1 and Q1a Reverse Lights cannot be dimmed; they only have bright and off settings. In these cases, “Dim” is equivalent to “Off”.
6 Cylinder Cocks arming after Start Up and/or after 25 seconds in Neutral can be set using CV 51.2. The settings in this CV apply to both Analog and DCC operation.
7 If Regulated Throttle Control is enabled it is important to wait until the locomotive stops on its own. The loco’s electronic Inertial Control will keep it moving even though you have
reduced the throttle far enough below V-Start to stop the locomotive. In your attempt to stop the locomotive, do not try to reduce the throttle so far that all sounds turn off.
8 Standard US prototype railroad signaling is two hoots before starting in forward and three hoots before starting in reverse. Other countries have different signaling. Check your
Steam Model Specification sheet for Whistle sequences used on your model.
