Fw: DCC CV's - Best Practices for N&W Steam

Mon Jan 27 13:47:19 EST 2025

Hi, Val --  long time, no see. Can you answer this inquiry?

Cheers -

Carl Barna
Emmaus, PA
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From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 1:42 PM
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Cc: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: Re: DCC CV's - Best Practices for N&W Steam

Speaking of DCC and steam locomotives, what recommendations does everyone have for a sound decoder for an K2a? I have a 2 rail O model from Sunset that needs DCC and sound.

Sincerely,
Joseph Congemi

On Jan 27, 2025, at 1:28 PM, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

David,

The Class K was capable of speeds much in excess of 35 mph.  Remember, it was the primary passenger engine until the class J came along. No one pays any attention because it was not one of the "big three" designs, but I'd say an upward limitation in excess of 80 is more likely.

Tim

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 04:25:17 PM EST, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

Hi,

More or less none of those cv settings have universal values, and most are going to be specific to the locomotive.

The speed curves depend on your preference and also decoder type. I recommend the default, non linear responses drive me nuts, but that's your call.

Speed matching is just pick your best and smoothest runner and use it as the benchmark. I would not bother trying for scale MPH limited by the decoder. The trim/matching is set by experimenting. TCS has a match feature, which you just follow they verbal instruction it gives you to set that up. Otherwise it's a very tedious process.

Your question about consisting should be more general about if and how lights and sounds were matched by locomotives that ran together?

David Baker

On Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 1:27 PM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org<mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>> wrote:
Steam Modelers;
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any messages from the NW-Modeling-List leaving me to wonder if it has fallen into disuse. So, I’ll post here on the NW-Mailing-List.

I am initiating the task of programming the CV’s of a small number of N&W Steamers in classes A, J, K, S1, Y3, & Y6b and many questions are coming to mind. So, why not tap into the best data source for guidance? As you share information, please indicate the Locomotive Class.

Beginning with some foundational matters:

My goal is to keep things reasonably realistic. For example; The Y classes were not speed-demons, and the K classes had operational speed limits due to counterbalance issues.

When dealing with acceleration and deceleration rates – I’m rather torn about actually putting hard values in CV’s because I would say they should be dependent on external conditions such as train power and weight, in addition to terrain.

Have you pursued speed limitations? Initial research suggested these top speeds for Road Power:
              Class A – 70 mph
              Class J – 110 mph
              Class K – 35 mph
              Class Y – 50 mph

What are you using for:
              CV 02 – Start Voltage
              CV 03 – Acceleration Rate
              CV 04 - Deceleration Rate
              CV 05 – High Voltage (Speed Limiting)
              CV 06 – Mid Voltage
              CV 65 – Kick Start

Speed Curves:
              Which are you using?
                           3-point curve? (Start, Mid, High of a preloaded curve)
                                         CV 25 - Speed Table Selection?   Which one?
                           14 step or 28 step configured?
                                          What do you have for CV 67 to CV 94?
                           Are you using a Throttle Control Mode?  If so, which one?

Speed Matching & Consisting:
              If it is Speed Matched, to what locomotive?
What values do you use for:
                           CV 66 – Forward Trim
                           CV 95 – Reverse Trim
What values do you use for consisting with other Locomotives:
                            CV 21 – Consist Functions Fn1 to Fn8
                            CV 22 – Consist Functions Fn0 & Fn9 to Fn12
                            CV 23 – Consist Acceleration Rate
                            CV 24 - Consist Deceleration Rate

Thank you,
Dave Willis
Blt 1962, CN 4

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