irishthump

Hi, Noel. Glad you like the MK3's! These files can be loaded to any existing V4 decoder. However the do need a firmware upgraded to allow the FT functions to work. (The update is done automatically when the new file is loaded onto the decoder). Then I simply switched out the existing engine sound on one of my 141 files for the new FT equipped one. The functions like Drive Hold, Brake, etc. are all separate sounds that need to be added to the soundfile but it's a simple process but of course you need the Lokprogrammer to do this. To be honest my layouts loop isn't really suitable to film as it's difficult to walk around the whole circuit while videoing AND using my throttle! That's why I used the main terminus on the layout, but I'll see what I can do. Approaching and stopping at the station would be easy to simulate; the Coast function would be enabled as the train came into the station then the Brake function could be used to gradually slow the train to stop. As I may or may not have said(!) when Brake is activated the train slows at whatever deceleration rate is programmed into the decoder.

Guys, Some of the other members expressed an interest in seeing the new Full Throttle features from ESU in action. I've finally got around to putting together a short video which will hopefully give you an idea of how they work. I'll just describe the main features, all of which can be assigned to any function key you want. Drive Hold - When activated this locks the speed of the loco at whatever speed the loco was moving when the function key is pressed allowing the engine sound to be increased or decreased without affecting the speed of the loco. If this is activated while the loco is stationary it will remain stationary no matter how high the throttle is increased; very useful to simulate starting a heavy train. Brake - if this is activated when the loco is moving it brings the loco to a stop as well as triggering the sound of the brakes being "set" to the on position. The engine sound will also drop when the brake is applied even if the throttle is not adjusted. When the brakes are released there is a hiss of air before the loco moves off. Coast - When activated this drops the engine sound to idle and allows the speed of the loco to be controlled with the throttle. Run 8 - When activated this sends the engine sound directly to notch 8, again to simulate starting a heavy train. To be honest I don't use Coast or Run 8 much as I find you can produce the same effects with Drive Hold and Brake. One other thing to mention is that the engine sounds respond VERY quickly to throttle changes which makes for very realistic driving. Anyway here's the short video of 182 shunting a rake of MK3's on my layout. The decoder is loaded with the prototypical EMD 645 soundfile which sounds great. Hope that's of some use to you guys. I'll try and post some more in depth videos if anybody wants them.

Juist out of interest, exactly what type of effects are you trying to reproduce with your throttle?

Lovely work! That last pic of 220 is particularly good...

Was the 'Blended Brake' a form of dynamic braking? Dynamic brakes would be standard on US locos, but they would be of little on Irish rails.....

They look sweet! And they have a body mounted NEM pocket at what seems to be the correct height!

But in the case of the cement bubbles heavy weathering is appropriate. You've seen the pics with the thick layers of cement on them!

As an example of RTR weathering, that's stunning.

Well personally speaking, preference for pristine models was based on the fact that I prefer to weather all of my own stock. It has nothing at all to do with the quality of Mercig's work. Funds permitting, I would have no probelm buying weathered versions if that was what was available.

I don't think anyone is in doubt about how good Mercig's work looks, it's top notch. But as was already pointed out, Mercig would merely be providing samples for the factory to copy so actual factory examples would need to be seen.

I'll be honest, I'm starting to come around to this idea. Even if they look too uniform, it's easy to add individual effects to a rake. Look forward to seeing a weathered sample.....

I voted for pristine models as I prefer too weather my own models. I'd also be wary about the additional cost of factory weathered models.

You can't play more than one sound slot at a time when you have the file open in the Lokprogrammer software. But bear in mind the volume levels for each sound slot are independently adjustable. "Homebrewing" your own project is very easy. I've just finished making an 201 sound filed with FT, just have to find the time to load it to the decoder. Regarding Legomanbiffo's 141 file; I emailed DCKits sometime last year when I saw he had the project advertised on the website. To be honest the reply was very vague, all they would tell me was that they hadn't recorded any new sounds for it which led me to believe he was just using the sounds from the ESU website. The cab door thing sounds like something he has created himself, he's really good at creating his own files, but it sounds a little gimmicky and as you say, impractical! If you find the Loksound too responsive then try higher values for acceleration and deceleration. Many people don't realise that Loksound use different values for CV's 3 and 4 which equate to about 25% of most other decoders. So if you programme a value of 100 in to CV3 it will be equivalent to 25 on say a Zimo decoder. I usually set my Loksounds at 200 for both CV3 and CV4.

And they're known for being way overpriced....

No offence man, but that's a little steep. List price on Hattons is 176Sterling. I know it's out of stock but still......

Could'nt have said it better! That's the beauty of having the Lokprogrammer, you can actually run the sound on your layout then change it if it doesn't suit. Nothing worse than buying a decoder, waiting for it to be shipped to you then finding the recording is not up to scratch or that you just plain don't like the sound of it!

Be careful when comparing the sounds, and make sure you have the correct engine model. The 645E sounds very different to the 645E3 because it has a roots blower rather than a turbocharger. Yes can open the soundfile in the Lokprogrammer software and listen to the sounds without the need for the programmer itself.

Yes, on the V4 decoder you can change every other sound bar the prime mover. 74439 sounds pretty close to me. I would'nt worry about the number of cylinders, it was the engine model 645, 567 or 710 which gives the distinctive sound. My 141's all use a 12 cylinder 567 but they sound bang on to me (and anyone else who has heard them!).

They might be talking about the Loksound Select which is a slightly lower spec decoder than the V4 aimed at the US market. You can overwrite these with another soundfile but you can't mix and match sounds from different files.

Not sure what they mean by that! Can you post a link to that FAQ?

As NIR has mentioned the new files are much better recordings than the original MM soundfiles. Also, there are multiple versions of each engine type. I counted 4 different EMD 567 files on the site, so can have a lot of variety within your own models. It's just a matter of switching out the prime mover sound on the MM file, basically drag-and-drop.

I had both, I got rid my Murphys ones as the Soundguys one just sounded much better. Performance wise well they both did the same thing (this was before the Realdrive came in and I have not got one of those yet). Have to disagree with you there George! The Zimo decoder probably has better quality sound files but it is nowhere near as responsive to throttle changes as the Loksound. But it's horses for courses!

At least you know the loco is ok! You can program a 4 function chip to work the directional lights and the headlights but you still won't have the cab lights so a 6 function is the best solution. Sound decoder wise, I'd go for the Murphy Models sound decoder. It's a Loksound but I find they perform better.

Then I'm pretty sure the cab lights need 2 separate functions to work properly. One for forward the other for reverse. There's nothing wrong with the loco itself, you just need a decoder with enough functions. It's Bachmann chip you're using right now?

Ok. So does the cab light come on at the radiator end when you change direction?