12
There were 10
gas turbines
in total. Originally, four in each driving car were used for traction
power and a fifth for auxiliary power (making ten in total in the train). The fifth turbine in each driv-
ing car was converted to provide additional traction power and the aforementioned Dale diesel
was added in its place to provide auxiliary power.
There was no fixed sequence for starting the turbines. Each was started manually by the train sup-
port crew on the driver’s signal. The end result was a pseudo-random sequence depending upon
a number of factors. The sound project allows this to be accurately recreated, but also allows a
simple “start-up and drive off” method using F1 as with other DCC sound projects.
To start prototypically,
press F1 to start the first turbine, then press F10 and F11 to simulate
the starting of two more turbines, either in sequence, or overlapping one another. Once the short
F10 and/or F11 sequences have played out, each key may be turned off and on again to simulate
two further start-ups.
Alternatively, to keep things simple,
just press F1, wait for the turbine to start up and then
drive off as normal.
To bypass the start sequence altogether, start the train moving first and
then
turn on F1. F1 can
also be turned
off
when moving to cut the sound immediately.
As per the prototype, the
hydro-kinetic (HK) braking fan
sounds have been set up to run
automatically whenever the train brakes. To enable this feature, turn on F5. Nothing will be heard
initially, but once the train is moving and the throttle is subsequently reduced, the fan will start up
and continue to run until a short time after the speed stabilises. F5 can be left on all the time, or
turned only when required, so that the throttle can be coasted without braking sounds. The same
type of hydro-kinetic braking fan was used on the APT-P train.
Playable
high and low horn tones
are on F3 and F4 respectively (press-on, press-off in each
case). There is also a two-tone horn on F2. Press F2 and hold it down for as long as you want the
low tone. When you let go you will hear the high tone. These are the sounds of the original horns,
recorded at an industrial unit with the aid of a compressed air line!
Driver’s door slam
sounds are on F6. To add variety there are three different slam sounds, one
of which is played at random each time F6 is pressed. The doors on the APT-E had standard Mk1
coach mechanisms, and sounded very similar to a coach door.
The sounds of the
manually-operated metal steps
for crew access can be lowered and
retracted using F12. Press F12 to lower, and F12 again to retract them. These are from recordings
of the preserved train at Shildon. Again there are three different sounds to add variety.
The
air purge sound
is on F8 and can be manually operated as required. Kit seems to remem-
ber that this operated periodically in normal service.
Detonator sounds
are on F15. The three bangs signify an emergency stop. On the model, the
faster the train goes, the closer together the bangs occur.
This is what Kit said about
flange squeal:
“Because the wheelsets were designed from the outset to self steer, and they did that with
commendable accuracy, the flanges hardly ever squealed. Maybe only over badly laid or
maintained track in a yard we’d get the odd squeal, but normally that part of the train ran
very smoothly.”
As such, and at Kit’s insistence, there is no flange squeal in the sound project!
Summary of Contents for british rail APT-E
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