Steam Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2
4/24
24 August 2006
Advanced Analog Features
1
Starting the Locomotive
Unlike standard HO locomotives that start at very low track voltages, Quantum equipped locomotives require a minimum of about five volts
to operate the electronics. Also, the response to the throttle is realistically much slower, just like a prototype locomotive.
•
Turn the throttle up slowly until you hear the Quantum System™ come on with a Long Air Let-off sound.
•
Continue to turn up the throttle voltage until the locomotive just starts to move in Forward (this voltage is called V-Start
2
). Steam
exhaust (Chuffing) and optional Cylinder Cocks will sound in sync with the motion of the drive wheels. Labored steam exhaust sounds
are produced in proportion to the locomotive’s acceleration and Load setting.
Locomotive Inertia Effects
Your new locomotive is pre-programmed at the factory to use Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) in Analog operation. A model
locomotive under RTC operates as though it has the mass and inertia of a prototype locomotive. As a result, your locomotive
will resist starting up too quickly if at rest and will resist changes in speed once moving. It takes a little practice to learn to
move the throttle and wait until the locomotive responds. If you prefer that your locomotive respond almost immediately to
the throttle, reprogram it to use Standard Throttle Control (STC), which has no Inertial Control (see Example 1 under Analog
Programming, page 8).
•
As you slow the locomotive down by reducing the throttle to a little below V-start, the Steam Chuff labored sound volume decreases,
while Squealing Brake sounds occur as the Steam locomotive comes to a slow stop
3
.
•
If you leave your Steam locomotive in Neutral for at least 25 seconds and then slowly turn up the throttle, the locomotive plays
Cylinder Cocks sounds as it starts moving. The Cylinder Cocks sounds automatically terminate after 16 repetitions or when the
locomotive reaches a speed greater than 12 smph.
Advanced Whistle Operation
Doppler Effect
This sound effect changes the pitch and volume of the Whistle, Bell and other steam sounds as the locomotive passes by.
•
While the locomotive is moving toward the observer, flip the direction switch to turn on the Whistle.
•
Wait at least one second while the Whistle is blowing.
•
Just before the locomotive passes in front of the observer, flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the Whistle does not shut
off. You will hear the Doppler Effect as the locomotive passes by.
•
Either flip the direction switch back to shut off the Whistle, or continue with long or short Whistle operations. When you are finished
blowing the Whistle, the locomotive sounds will automatically return to normal after a few seconds. If the Bell was on, it will shut off
just before the sounds return to normal.
Note: The faster the locomotive is moving, the greater the Doppler shift. Below 15 smph (24 skph), there is no Doppler shift.
Playing the Whistle
•
Prototype engineers would often “play” their whistles by controlling the flow of compressed air. In particular, engineers often had a
signature sound associated with how they ended their Whistle sequences. Some Quantum System sound sets have special Whistle
Endings that can be activated using the direction switch to produce a unique sound effect similar to that of a prototype engineer’s
“playing” the whistle.
•
Flip the direction switch to blow the Whistle for at least one second.
•
The normal way to end the Whistle is to flip the direction switch back. To do the special Whistle Ending, add an immediate Quick flip-
and- back operation.
Note: If you wait too long to do the Quick Flip-and-Back operation, the Bell might turn on instead.
1 Not all features described below may be included in your locomotive model.
2 It is useful to mark where V-Start is on your throttle. V-Start can also be reprogrammed to different values for different power packs.
3 Squealing Brakes occur if the locomotive exceeds 40 scale-miles per hour (64 scale kilometers/hour) and then slows down to below 20 smph (32 skph).
