irishthump

These decoders can be programmed to make the lights behave like this. As you say, probably more prototypical the way it is.

Try resetting the decoders to factory settings by entering a value of 8 to CV8. Decoders can sometimes behave peculiarly if they have'nt been run for a while.

Bleedin' masterpiece!

Having notching assigned to high numbered function keys is only part of the problem, you also have to aware of how notching works within the sound file. Once you activate notching up it will remain active until the function key(s) are pressed again. It can also take a second or two to activate so you need about of practice to get the feel of how it operates. Assigning the notch functions to lower keys makes it a lot easier. Again, this is a much easier process with the Lokprogammer.

I forgot to mention. The MM 071 Loksound decoders have a notch up/down feature which allows you to change the engine sound independent from the loco's speed. You can notch right down to idle without altering the speed at all.

Yes. You can play back the various sound functions but you can't really see how the loco drives without having it on the track.

Yes, they use the same files.

For what it's worth, the Lokprogrammer will set you back about €120, basically the cost of one MM 071 chip, but it's probably the best investment I've made. I can overwrite any of my Loksound decoders so I'm not stuck with sounds I don't like. Also, blank Loksound decoders can be got for €100 each plus free shipping.

You can download the Lokprogrammer software from the ESU website for free and play around with it before you even buy the programmer itself. When you download the software it includes several sound template libraries which contain various engine, horn, brake, whistle sounds which you can use to build your own soundfiles from scratch. These libraries don't contain the Irish-specific sounds but if you download the 201 and 071 sound files you can copy these sounds to the libraries on your PC. It's then a fairly simple job to download whatever US sound file that has the engine sound you need then just swap out whatever sounds you want for Irish ones.

Noel, Yes, the decoders require a small firmware update to use the new files. Obviously you need the Lokprogrammer to do this. There's a large range of updated soundfiles already available on the ESU website and they're adding to it every month. These features are aimed squarely at the US market so the engine sounds we need are well catered for. There are already several different soundfiles just for the EMD 567 so you can programme 3-4 141's each with a slightly different engine sound.

Setting the deceleration to it's maximum would simulate coasting, but there's problem with doing that with MM decoder. ESU decoders use a different setting to practically all other makes of decoder when it comes to acceleration/deceleration CV's. There is a standard NMRA formula for this which ESU for, some unknown reason, didi'nt follow. The result is the maximum acc/dec rate on their decoders is about 25% of other makes. So if a loco fitted with a Zimo decoder takes 2 laps of a track circuit to stop then an ESU decoder with the same dec value will stop in .5 laps of the track.

No, driving characteristics such as Real Drive are controlled by the actual sound file that is loaded on to the decoder. The CV's have no control over this. personally I'm not too fond of the Zimo decoders. The braking and coasting features are very good but the way the engine sounds react to throttle changes leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. However, ESU recently realeased a new set of soundfiles that have similar features under the name "Full Throttle". These include a working brake, a "Coast" function which brings the engine sound down to idle while you control the speed independently with the throttle as well as "Drive Hold" which locks the speed of the loco while you adjust the engine sound with the throttle. Sounds complicated but is simple in practice. I've programmed one of my own locos at home with one of these files and it works great. You can achieve very realistic running with it. I was planning to post a video of it when I get the chance. Here's a video from ESU's YouTube channel. It's a bit long winded but you can get the idea.... [video=youtube;3k-MfiBY7eQ]

As far as I know mine have the same gap. Probably necessary for the bogies to clear the underframe on tight radius curves.

Well you could buy one in the hotel bar, but by Jayzus you'd pay for it!

That's a curious one! Exactly what settings do you lose when you power down?

Great tip! Can you post a link to the sellers on Ebay?

Yes, and the website has a large selection of files from various countries which are free to download. No UK outline but there's plenty of US locos which is good if you model Irish! Is there anything there that would work for your DART project?

Divecontroller, DC Kits have an excellent range of soundfiles for British locos. They may be willing to write a bespoke file to your specifications if you just want to change a few horn sounds. Might be worth contacting them....

You can't import a sound file from a decoder. You need to be in possession of the original file.

Lads, they are absolutely stunning. Great job!

Excellent little tutorial there, Dave.

I order online from them a lot. They're a good local(ish) source for US detail parts and spares.

Looks dreadful..... http://http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36774059

48 if memory serves....

If you're talking about the manufacturers ID then it's 36 if I recall.....