DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives
Contents
1. QUICK START GUIDE DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives equipped with an ESU LokSound Select Sound Decoder MODEL RAILROAD CO INC 20 November 2013 Quick Start Guide Version 1 7 for ESU Firmware Version 4 7 9148 or later Quick Start Guide DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesels with ESU LokSound Select Sound Decoders Congratulations on purchasing an Atlas N scale HO scale or 2 rail O scale Gold Series locomotive equipped with an ESU LokSound Select sound decoder The information in this section is designed to help you get your new Atlas locomotive with an ESU LokSound decoder running on your layout as quickly as possible Atlas recommends that you get used to operating your Atlas sound equipped diesel locomotive before exploring its more advanced features and programming options The documentation for Atlas Gold Series diesel locomotives that are equipped with ESU LokSound Select sound decoders is divided into three parts with an increasing level of detail included in each successive layer of the documentation e Basic Level Information This document the Atlas Quick Start Guide tells you how to run the locomotive on your layout and operate some basic functions such as Blowing the horn DCC only Ringing the bell DCC only Turning on and off the headlights DCC only Turning on and off the sound DCC only Since it is essential that each DCC equipped l2. of Auxiliary Lighting on DCC Although not all Atlas Gold Series locomotives have Ditch Lights or Mars Lights if yours does this lighting behaves as follows If your Atlas sound equipped locomotive has Ditch Lights these lights will o Turn Onin the steady non flashing state when the locomotive starts to move Forward o Flash Alternately when you blow the Horn and the locomotive is moving Forward o Turn Off when the locomotive is not moving Alternatively if your Atlas sound equipped locomotive has a Mars Light this light will o Start pulsing when the locomotive begins to move Forward o Stop pulsing and go Dim when the locomotive stops 8 Ringing the Bell on DCC F1 or Bell Key You can turn the Bell on and leave it on while you operate other functions on the locomotive Turn the Bell on by pressing the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle The Bell will stay on until you do another press of the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle or if you interrupt the track power Turn the Bell Off with a second press of the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle Note When you turn the Bell Off it will continue ringing briefly with less and less volume as the pneumatic clapper slows down just like the prototype Blowing the Horn on DCC F2 or Horn Key Blow the diesel locomotive Horn for short or long blasts you control the duration The operation of the Horn depends on how your DCC system was designed and configured If y
3. side of the locomotive s cab Frequently the number on the side of the cab is a 3 or 4 digit number which is treated in DCC as a Long or 4 digit Address Most DCC systems allow you to change the DCC address of a locomotive in either of two ways e Onaspecial section of track that is not connected in any way to your layout and is called the Program Track In DCC terminology programming locomotives on the program track is called Service Mode Programming e Anywhere on the Main Line regular track of your layout In DCC terminology programming a locomotive on the main line of your layout is called either Programming on the Main POM or Operations Mode Ops Mode Programming 12 If your DCC system allows you to program 4 digit addresses on the main line many DCC systems do Atlas recommends that you take advantage of this capability by using Operations Mode Ops Mode programming to program the address of your Gold Series locomotive on the main line Although the various DCC systems differ in how or if they support programming of 4 digit addresses on the main line the following technique can be used with a number of DCC systems commonly sold in North America NCE all NCE DCC systems Digitrax all Digitrax DCC systems except for Zephyr and Zephyr xtra MRC Prodigy Series Advance Advance i e Advance Squared Wireless or Express Follow These Steps to Program a New 4 digit Address on the Main Line Operat
4. and increase the volume of the closest locomotive The Mute feature changes the sound gradually over a few seconds This feature allows the sound to increase or decrease realistically as the locomotive approaches or recedes from the observer Even when the Prime Mover and other engine sounds are muted it is still possible to operate a LokSound Select locomotive As you increase the DCC speed control from its zero speed setting your Gold Series locomotive will pick up speed albeit silently Since there are no Prime Mover sounds there is no Prime mover Start Up Delay the locomotive will begin to move just as soon as you increase the DCC speed control setting Moreover the DCC function buttons still work in the mute state for example pressing F2 blows the Horn Note The Mute state is not maintained if power is turned off and back on the locomotive will return to full volume setting Controlling Other DCC Features Available on Atlas Gold Series Locomotives In addition to the four DCC functions just discussed FO F1 F2 and F8 there are twenty five other DCC functions currently defined by the NMRA Depending on which ESU firmware version is installed in your Gold Series locomotive there are a number of other DCC features that can be triggered by pressing the appropriate key button on your DCC throttle e g press the 5 key to trigger the feature controlled by DCC Function 5 The table on the next page lists the available fun
5. ctions 10 Default DCC Function Key Assignments for Atlas Gold Series Locomotives with ESU LokSound Select Decoders Function Locomotive Behavior when fete Haran Key Press Function Key latching Fo Front Headlight Rear Headlight directional lighting Latching 1 push on 2 push off Fi Bell 1 push on 2 push off Latching F2 Horn blows until push F2 key again Latching Horn Horn blows only while Horn key held down 1 Non Latching F3 Two Coupler Clank sounds alternate Non Latching F4 Diesel Fans 1 push on 2 push off Latching F5 Dynamic Brake 1 push on 2 push off Latching Only active when prime mover sound on F6 Optional Ditch Lights 1 push on 2 push off Latching F7 Switching Mode 1 push on 2 push off Latching F8 Audio Mute and Start Up Shut Down Latching 1 push on 2 push off F9 a Notching Up sounds 1st push on 2nd push Latching F10 S Notching Down sounds 1st push on 2nd push Latching 0 F11 AUX3 Function Output 1 push on 2 push off Latching Preset to MARS light F12 Dim Headlight 1 push dim 2 push bright Latching F13 AUX4 Function Output Latching 1 push on 2 push off F14 Talking Defect Detector sounds Latching always press F14 twice F15 Cab Radio Communication sounds on off Latching always press F15 twice F16 Rail joint Clank sounds 1 push on 2 push off Latching Only active when prime mo
6. d Select manual box ESU License Agreement Software License Agreement 1 ESU LokSound GmbH amp Co grants you the owner and the right to use the software that is included with your LokSound Select system only with the locomotive that you purchased 2 Copyright The software is owned by Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH amp Co and is protected by German copyright laws and international treaty provisions Therefore neither you nor anyone else may copy the software Proprietary Rights and Obligations The structure and organization of the Software Firmware are the valuable properties of Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH amp Co You will not make or have made or permit to be made any copies of the Hardware Software Firmware code or any portions thereof You are not to modify adapt translate reverse engineer de compile disassemble or create derivative works based on the Hardware or Software Firmware Trademarks shall be used in accordance with accepted trademark practice including identification of trademark owner s name The LokSound Select Hardware Software and Firmware are covered by various US and foreign patents and patents pending No Other Rights Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH amp Co retains ownership of the LokSound Select Hardware design and operating Software Firmware code Except as stated above this agreement does not grant you any rights to intellectual property rights to the LokSound Select Software Firmware or Hard
7. e the locomotive on the main line using its current DCC address If you cannot determine the current DCC address of the locomotive transfer the locomotive to a DCC powered Track and reset the LokSound Select decoder by following the reset procedures given at the end of this Quick Start Guide After completing the reset make sure that you can operate the locomotive using the default DCC address 3 Follow the procedure in your DCC system manual for programming a new Long Address using Operations Mode programming on the main line After you have completed setting the Long Address make sure that your DCC system has activated this Long Address i e it has set CV29 to a value that supports 4 digit addresses e g 34 or 38 In particular if you have a Digitrax DCC system that has a DT402 or DT400 walk around throttle be certain to press the Y key IMMEDIATELY after you see Ad4on y displayed on the throttle screen Change your DCC system from its configuration for Operations Mode programming to its configuration for running a locomotive on the main line if your DCC system doesn t perform this reconfiguration automatically Verify that the locomotive can operate on the main line using its new 4 digit address If the locomotive doesn t operate on the address that you just programmed it may be worthwhile to verify that CV29 was programmed correctly To verify the value of CV29 do these steps Set your DCC system to r
8. ely different meanings of diesel engine the device that powers the generator or alternator will be called the Prime Mover in this document Controlling Sound Lighting and Other Features of Gold Series Locomotives on DCC Atlas Gold Series locomotives have many sound lighting and other features that the user can control These features can be triggered by pushing one or sometimes several of the function keys on your DCC controller Controlling the Basic Functions This section explains how to control some of the most commonly used functions on Atlas Gold Series locomotives headlights bell horn and mute Operation of Locomotive Headlights on DCC FO Key When the locomotive is first powered up the directional front headlight and rear headlight may not be turned on If this is the case press the FO or Headlight key on your DCC system one or two times to turn on the directional lighting Once turned on the directional Headlights behave as follows o When the locomotive is moving forward the Front Headlight will be Bright when the locomotive is stopped or moving backwards the Front headlight will be Dim Hence if the locomotive was moving forward and then stops the Front Headlight will switch from Bright to Dim after the locomotive stops o When the locomotive is moving backwards the Rear Headlight will be Bright when the locomotive is Stopped or moving forward the rear headlight will be Dim Operation
9. em should be to reset the LokSound Select sound decoder in your locomotive Reset all CVs in the LokSound Select sound decoder installed in your Atlas Gold Series locomotive to their factory default values as follows e Place the locomotive on your program track e Program the value 8 into CV8 e Cycle power to the decoder first off and then on again by doing the following steps Tip the locomotive to one side so that all the wheels on the opposite side are off the rail Hold the locomotive in this tipped position for 5 or 10 seconds Slowly lower the locomotive back down until all wheels are once again on the rails It may take up to eight seconds for all CVs to return to their default values For more details see Section 5 1 7 of Reference 2 15 REFERENCES 1 User Manual DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives equipped with an ESU LokSound Select Sound Decoder Version 1 14 20 November 2013 or later User Manual is downloadable from Atlas model website http www atlasrr com by choosing Support DCC Support and then double clicking on the document that you want 2 LokSound Select User Manual for Diesel and Steam Decoders Third Edition or later May 2012 Available for download from the ESU website http www esu eu en start First select DOWNLOADS Then click on Instruction manuals Next click on Digital decoders Finally single click on the Download icon in the LokSoun
10. he Locomotive on a DC Layout This simple operation is done in exactly the same manner as with standard DC locomotives Bring the locomotive to a stop and turn the power all the way off Flip the direction switch and reapply power to go in the opposite direction As you increase the track voltage the Rear Headlight will switch from Dim to Bright and the Front Headlight will become Dim if the locomotive was originally moving forward Blowing the Horn and Ringing the Bell on a DC Layout You cannot blow the horn ring the bell or control any other function other than speed and direction of a loco that is equipped with a LokSound Select decoder from a standard DC power pack To control any additional functions you must use either a basic or a standard DCC system instead of a DC power pack A Basic DCC System typically allows you to do a few essential operations such as o Operating controlling the speed and direction one sometimes more than one locomotive o Sending DCC function button commands to control lighting sound e g horn and bell and certain other functions in the loco To control all the functions available in the LokSound Select decoder the DCC system must support the following 29 DCC functions FO F1 F28 o Programming some or all CVs on the main line Ops Mode programming Unlike a Basic DCC System a Standard DCC System allows you to control all the functionality built into the LokSou
11. he value of CV124 as shown below eliminates the delay that prevents the locomotive from moving while the Start Up sounds are playing Although the locomotive will now move as soon as the DC or DCC throttle is advanced such motion is not prototypical since a real locomotive cannot move until it has been started up To remove the start up delay set CV124 0 Conversely if you wish to restore the Start Up delay set CV124 4 Eliminating Sound when Power Up on DCC In order to reduce the level of noise in your layout room from locomotives that are not being used you may wish to configure a locomotive so that there is no Prime Mover Diesel Engine sound until the operator presses the F8 key To make this change program the following three CVs in the order shown below e CV32 2 e CV403 16 e CV13 128 Conversely if you wish to restore locomotive sounds upon DCC power up program the three CVs as shown below 14 e CV32 2 e CV403 32 e CV13 0 Reset all CVs to their Factory Default Values Resetting the firmware in the LokSound Select sound decoder in your locomotive to its factory built configuration can resolve many problems that sometimes occur with firmware controlled electronics In fact we have found at Atlas that at least 20 to 25 percent of the problems with the Gold Series locomotives that we receive for repair can be resolved simply by resetting the sound decoder Hence the very first step you take to resolve a probl
12. nd Select sound decoder If you do not already have a DCC system Atlas suggests that you carefully investigate both Basic and Standard DCC systems before deciding which type of DCC system to purchase Quick Start Guide for DCC Operation If you have a layout powered by any DCC system compatible with the NMRA DCC specifications read through this section and be up and running with your new Gold Series locomotive in fewer than five minutes RECOMMENDATION If you are new to DCC before delving further into this DCC Quick Start Guide Atlas strongly recommends that you read the DCC manufacturer s instruction manual that came with your DCC system especially the sections that deal with e Running a decoder equipped locomotive using that DCC system e Sending DCC function commands to the locomotive to operate the horn bell headlights and other functions e Programming the CVs in your decoder on the main line usually referred to as Ops Mode or Operations Mode programming Controlling Speed and Direction of Gold Series Locomotives on DCC e Running the Locomotive on DCC Basic Operation Select locomotive address number 3 on your DCC system unless your locomotive has been programmed to a different address Set your DCC system to use either 28 OK or 128 better speed steps Make sure that all DCC track power is turned off Then put your locomotive on the track and turn the DCC power back on When the locomotive is first
13. ocomotive have a unique address programming a new DCC address is also covered in the DCC section of this Quick Start Guide e Intermediate Level Information The Atlas User Manual for this locomotive User Manual DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives equipped with an ESU LokSound Select Sound Decoder may be downloaded from the Atlas website http www atlasrr com by clicking first on the Support and then on the DCC Support buttons on the Atlas homepage The Atlas User Manual explains how to Operate your Atlas Gold Series diesel locomotive on a DC powered layout Use all the non programming related functionality available in your Atlas Gold Series diesel locomotive on a DCC powered layout Program a number of commonly used DCC Configuration Variables CVs Since the User Manual is written at a somewhat higher level than this Quick Start Guide we recommend that you practice doing the operations described in this Quick Start Guide before reading the Atlas User Manual e Advanced Level Information Advanced level information explains in detail how to use all the operational and programming functionality built into your Gold Series locomotive Advanced level information for LokSound Select sound decoders is contained in the following document LokSound Select User Manual for Diesel and Steam Decoders Third Edition May 2012 or later However not all the information in the above document a
14. our DCC system has separate Horn and F2 keys o Pressing the Horn key will blow the Horn only for as long as you are holding the button down This behavior is called momentary operation o Pressing the F2 key and releasing it will cause the Horn to come on and stay on until you press F2 again This behavior is called latching operation If your DCC system has only an F2 key this key may be set at the factory for either latching or momentary operation depending on the DCC system Some DCC systems allow the user to configure a function key such as F2 for either latching or momentary operation If the Ditch Lights are On the locomotive is moving forward and the Horn is blowing Horn or F2 key pressed the Ditch Lights will flash alternately for as long as F2 is pressed and will continue this alternate flashing for a short time after you release the F2 or Horn key Muting all Sounds on DCC F8 Key LokSound Select sound decoders allow you to reduce the System Volume to a lower Mute Volume level or increase it back to its original setting using the F8 function key To gradually decrease or increase the locomotive s sound volume press the F8 key in the Forward Reverse or Stopped states This capability is useful when you need to reduce the sound to engage in a conversation or to answer the phone If you have many trains operating at once you can reduce the volume on all those that 9 are running in the background of the layout
15. powered up the directional front headlight and rear headlight may not be turned on If this is the case press the FO or Headlight key on your DCC system one or two times to turn on the directional lighting Both the front and rear headlights will come on in their dim states unless the locomotive is moving You will hear the diesel engine Start Up sequence which lasts about 25 seconds Even if you advance the throttle the locomotive will NOT move before the Start Up sequence has been completed If you don t like this delay setting CV124 0 will eliminate the delay See the section Changing Start Up Behavior on page 14 After the Start Up sequence has been completed turn up the DCC throttle until the locomotive starts to move forward or backward The directional front or rear headlight will turn from dim to bright and locomotive sounds will continue 6 When Back EMF BEMF is turned On the default setting and DCC acceleration and deceleration are set as to their default values o CV3 40 o CV4 56 there will be noticeable momentum in both acceleration and deceleration As you slow the locomotive down by gradually reducing the throttle you will hear Squealing Brake sounds Reversing the Locomotive on DCC This simple operation is done in exactly the same manner as it is with standard locomotives The direction of motion of your locomotive will change each time that you press the direction button on your DCC
16. pplies to Atlas Gold Series locomotives ESU allows model railroad manufacturers to specify manufacturer unique default values for a number of parameters such as specific sound volumes and DCC function mappings The values for all Atlas unique parameters are given in the Atlas User Manual which was described in the preceding bullet item these values take precedence over the corresponding generic values that appear in the LokSound Select User Manual for Diesel and Steam Decoders The LokSound Select User Manual may be downloaded from the instruction manual page of the ESU LLC North American website http www esu eu en downloads instruction manuals digital decoders Although intended primarily for advanced users some of the information in this document will also be useful for beginners or intermediate users who want to modify the behavior of their locomotive in ways beyond the scope of the Atlas User Manual The remainder of this document contains two Quick Start Guides one for DC operation and the other for DCC operation Read the Quick Start Guide for the type of track power DC or DCC used on your layout Quick Start Guide for DC Operation If you have a DC powered layout read through this section and be up and running with your new Gold Series locomotive in fewer than five minutes Controlling Speed and Direction of Gold Series Locomotives on DC Sound equipped locomotives such as Atlas Gold Series locos behave differen
17. throttle In order to avoid damage to the mechanism in your locomotive do not press the direction button when the locomotive is moving Behavior of Locomotive when Stopped in DCC When you reduce the DCC throttle setting to zero the locomotive will automatically enter the Stopped State after the locomotive is no longer moving You will hear a Short Air Release when the locomotive stops moving followed by Air Compressor and other background sounds Neutral sounds also include Cooling Fans with vents opening and closing that turn on and off randomly and an Air Compressor that turns on and off randomly in response to air consumed The Prime Mover of a Diesel Locomotive Two major parts of the operating mechanism of a prototype diesel electric locomotive are 1 the diesel engine and 2 the DC generator or an AC alternator in some modern locomotives The generator or alternator is powered mechanically by the diesel engine and supplies electric power to the truck mounted traction motors that drive the locomotive The diesel engine and generator or alternator are mounted inside the locomotive s body which is often called the carbody Although the terminology diesel engine is perfectly correct technically for the major component of a diesel electric locomotive that drives the generator or alternator some people are in the habit of calling a diesel locomotive a diesel engine Hence to avoid confusion between these two entir
18. tly on a DC powered layout than do non sound equipped locomotives If you haven t run sound equipped locomotives on DC before the following material explains what to expect e Running the Locomotive on a DC Layout Use a variable voltage DC power pack with a standard direction switch Set the direction switch to run your locomotive Forward Turn the throttle up slowly until you begin to hear locomotive sounds around 5 volts You will hear the diesel engine Start Up sequence which lasts about 25 seconds The locomotive will NOT move before this Start Up sequence has been completed no matter how far you turn up the track voltage If you don t like this delay setting CV124 0 will eliminate the delay See the section Changing Start Up Behavior on page 14 In addition the front and rear headlights will turn on in their Dim states After the start up sequence has completed resume turning up the track voltage to about 7 volts or more until the locomotive begins to move forward o The directional Front Headlight if the locomotive is moving forward will turn from Dim to Bright and locomotive sounds will continue o The locomotive will start out slowly due to Back Electromotive Force BEMF inertia effects that resist rapid increases or decreases in speed If you slow the locomotive down by gradually reducing the throttle squealing brake sounds will occur shortly before the locomotive comes to a stop Reversing t
19. un a loco with address 3 or whatever 2 digit address you last used 13 If your locomotive runs on address 3 program CV29 38 and see if the loco now runs on the 4 digit address that you have programed If your DCC system is NOT one of the DCC systems listed above refer to Table 5 in the Atlas User Manual for the proper 4 digit address programming procedure to use instead of the procedure described above Each of the alternate address programming procedures listed in Table 5 is described in more detail in this Atlas User Manual Changing Start Up Behavior As shipped from the factory this locomotive behaves as follows at start up e In DCC locomotive sounds will start up immediately after power is applied to the track you will first hear the sounds of a diesel locomotive starting up from a powered down state followed by normal idling sounds and after the throttle is advanced running sounds With DC power you will not hear the locomotive sounds until the track voltage is increased to about 5 volts e Even if you advance the DCC throttle the locomotive will NOT move until AFTER all of the start up sounds have played If the above behavior at startup is acceptable there is nothing you need to do If however you would like your locomotive to behave differently either or both of the above characteristics can be changed by programming one or more CVs Configuration Variables Eliminating Start Up Delay Changing t
20. ver sound on F17 Brake Set Release sounds with each push Non Latching F18 Sanding Valve sounds Latching 1 push on 2 push off F19 Short Air Let off sounds Latching always press F19 twice F20 Air Compressor sounds 1 push on 2 push off Latching F21 Pop Valve sounds 1 push on 2 push off Latching 1 Please note that the function mappings shown in the above table are NOT the standard mappings used in non Atlas LokSound decoders The state of FO and the direction the train is moving will activate and deactivate the automatic behavior of the Front Headlight and Rear Headlight 3 If F2 is configured for non latching operation it will operate in the same way as the Horn key Both the F9 and F10 function keys MUST be in their Off states before F9 can be used to trigger Notch Up sound effects 5 Both the F9 and F10 function keys MUST be in their Off states before F10 can be used to trigger Notch Down sound effects 11 Except for F2 the function keys on most DCC systems operate in a latching manner first push on second push off However there are a few DCC systems that allow you to switch the behavior of a function key between latching and non latching If you have such a DCC system Atlas suggests that you consider setting function keys F14 F15 and F19 to Non Latching operation If you do not have such a DCC system Atlas strongly recommends that you always press function keys F14 F15 or F19 twice whene
21. ver you are using any of these keys The reason for making the press twice recommendation is that the requested sound Talking Defect Detector Cab Radio Communication or Short Air Let off will be played ONLY if the corresponding DCC function is Off at the time you press the function key if you press the function twice the function is guaranteed to be Off during one of your two presses Another reason always to press keys F14 F15 or F19 twice is that the LokSound Select decoder remembers the current state of the DCC functions when powered down Hence if for example you leave Function F15 turned On when you shut down the locomotive when the locomotive starts up the next time you will hear not just the normal locomotive startup sounds but also Cab Radio Communication sounds mixed together with the startup sounds For more detailed explanations of all of these DCC functions see Section 4 1 of the Atlas User Manual If you wish to change the function mappings used in your LokSound Select decoder please see the ESU LokSound Select User Manual Programming a New DCC Address for Your Locomotive The decoder in an Atlas Gold Series locomotive comes from the factory set to use the short address 3 However in order to control independently several locomotives on the same track at the same time it is necessary that each locomotive have a unique DCC address A convenient choice for the DCC address is the road number printed on the
22. ware The use of any trademarks as herein authorized does not give you any rights of ownership in that trademark 2013 All rights reserved Information in this publication supersedes that in all previous published material The contents and the product it describes are subject to change without notice LokSound is a registered trademark of Electronic Solutions Ulm ESU GmbH amp Co MRC is a trademark of Model Rectifier Corporation All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc makes no representations or warranties with respect to this publication In no event shall ESU be liable for any damages direct or incidental arising out of or related to the use of this publication Issued 11 2013 16
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