7
RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
Proto-Sound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your engine slows in speed. There are two
settings for activating the squeaking brake sounds. The default setting
allows the brake sounds to play while the engine is in forward or reverse
and the transformer throttle is lowered from a high setting to a low setting
(14 volts to 8 volts
or less). The second
setting requires that
a bell button be used
to “arm” the brake
feature and is
explained in more
detail in the
“Activating Passenger Station Announcements” section found later in this
manual. The sound itself is a stored record on the Proto-Sound® software
chip and will always play the same brake sound for the same three second
length each time the voltage is reduced from high to low. Some practice
may be required to synchronize the playing of the brake sounds with the
movement of the engine. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before
the brake sound is completed. Operators will find that by coordinating the
movement of the throttle setting from 8 volts to off will allow the engine to
maintain its movement while the brake sounds play.
Note: The brake
sounds will not be heard if the transformer throttle is not set above 14
volts and/or not reduced below 8 volts.
TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Users will find the squeaking brake feature to be a very realistic way to
simulate the sound of an engine slowing down for curves, crossings or coming
to a stop at a station, side track or switch yard. However, you may find that
your engine continues to play the brake sounds once your engine comes to a
stop, or that the sounds stop before the engine comes to a complete halt. For
example, if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle off quickly, the
brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the engine has come to
a complete stop.
This effect can be eliminated by simply practicing with the brake feature. In
no time, you will quickly learn how to “feather" the throttle to keep the engine
moving while the brake sounds play and then turning the throttle off just as the
sounds stop.
Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low
Listen For The
Squeaking Brake Sounds
