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

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Mon Jan 27 17:03:52 EST 2025


I recall a conversation with an N&W engineer from many years ago, I was
always interested in the older men's experiences with steam. This fellow
told me that he had once fired a K2 on the "racetrack" east of Petersburg
at 87 mph! -Ed Burnett, Lynchburg V

On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 3:29 PM NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

> Decoder choice is largely a subjective choice - all of the major
> manufactures are good. I prefer the way TCS presents sound, and they were
> the first (back in 2014) to tie BEMF load and sound volume together and
> (more important to me) provide a link between BEMF and exhaust timing so
> accurate quartering could be done without a cam. This was something I asked
> Soundtraxx for around 2010.  I bought into TCS then and have been satisfied
> since.
>
> For O Scale, TCS has the WOW501-Steam.
>
> Matt Goodman
> Columbus, Ohio
>
> Sent from my mobile
>
> On Jan 27, 2025, at 1:45 PM, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
> 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>
> 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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