Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

EM-1 first look

10769 views
49 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
EM-1 first look
Posted by hdtvnut on Monday, December 5, 2011 1:22 AM
Received my Bachmann HO EM-1 Saturday. (B&O 2-8-8-4). I have always liked the Spectrum series for looks, not always for drive mechanisms. But this one is a winner. The drive is smooth down to creeping speed. No shimmy or extra noise. It easily pulled ten cars plus caboose up a 2.5% grade with hardly visible slowing. There seems to be no traction tire, and there are no blind drivers. The engine comes with DCC, speaker, and 21 pin connector for a Tsunami-type sound module add-on. However, I also bought a QSI Titan "articulated" decoder, so plan to install this instead. Hal
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • 270 posts
Posted by CB&Q Modeler on Monday, December 5, 2011 3:48 PM

please to post video when QSI conversion done.

 

BETTYSmile

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 5:32 PM
Hi Betty. Will do if time permits. Ran into a snag with the QSI Titan installation. With default settings, the slow speed op is marred by surging (or loping), so I'm guessing that the original Soundtraxx DCC board uses a lot of feedback to control the motor. It did a little better on DC than with the Titan (no surging), but was somewhat difficult to start, and slowed on curves and grades more than originally. I will have to download the tech reference for the Titan to work with the PID settings, etc. and see if it can do as well as the Soundtraxx; otherwise, the Titan may end up in one of my LL 2-8-8-2's. More later. Hal
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:16 PM

Turn off BEMF in the Titan decoder if it is on by default, and that should stop the lurching at low speeds.

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:45 PM

If it does stop the lurching, I would suggest you need to figure out how to restore the BEMF function for proper acceleration in CV3 and to configure the various parameters that allow you to take advantage of the capabilities afforded by active BEMF.  It works wonderfully in Tsunamis if people take the time to get into the book and to fiddle with values in CV's 209 and 210.  LokSounds seem to come wonderful...eh, Tom? Cool

Crandell

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:53 PM

Mine came today and it is indeed a smooth runner

 

Runs OK on my 22 radius but a lot of overhang

 

 

Anyway I bought it for my Articulated collection in my display case not to run on my layout

Wish Bachmann would do an Allegheny for the price of the EM1 as an alternative  to the overpriced Rivarossi

 

I would get one tomorrow

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: underhill vt
  • 104 posts
Posted by fisker76 on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 11:03 PM

Hal-

The first place I would look into are the PID settings, most likely 'I'. It is extremely rare on QSI decoders to have the BEMF cause surging. And this is after hundreds of installations and decoder tunings....

Erik

Erik Fiske

I couldn't fix your brakes, so I made your horn louder

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 6:31 AM
The engine runs smoothly enough in STC mode, but so far, I have not had much luck with the RTC. I tried to follow all steps as given in the latest reference manual to set up PID, but get lurching up to about step 25 or 30. However, Erik, I left the "I" alone so far, so probably need to try it. Hal
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 8:28 AM

Very nice. Now open the tender and let us see what is inside. I am wondering if Bachmann is using the NMRA recommended color wires/what type of connectors?

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 9:24 AM

 Found this video on U Tube. While I love the music, wish it had a sound decoder in the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pokF3gqafDk

 Good looking engine!

 Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
  • 5,199 posts
Posted by bogp40 on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 4:36 PM

cudaken

 Found this video on U Tube. While I love the music, wish it had a sound decoder in the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pokF3gqafDk

 Good looking engine!

 Cuda Ken

Thanks, Ken.  Mine should be along sometime soon.  It does look quite nice doesn't it?

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 5:27 PM
Rich, there is a Soundtraxx Silent DCC board with a 21-pin header for a sound module which I don't think is available yet; all wires to the two interface connectors, etc, are black, but there are ID symbols on the board. Crandell, I agree the Loksound has great slo-mo; I put one in a LL 0-6-0 a few weeks ago and the two together are outstanding. I have another one I'm tempted to try in the EM-1 just to see what I might hope for from the Titan when settings are right. Hal
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Thursday, December 8, 2011 1:09 PM

I guess I'll have to get me one of those pups... Nice!

 

Fergie

 

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, December 8, 2011 1:29 PM

I did read in the Bachmann  forums about the 21 pin decoder. Just curious what the inside will look like.

Also I am seeing Tsunami Technology for the decoder. Some say NOT a Tsunami decoder but has Tsunami Technology on board. Not sure if the waters are being muddied. Bachmann is not forth coming with much info and the info seems to be scattered. The Bachmann rep at the forums is usually quite cryptic with his replies.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, December 8, 2011 1:34 PM

One user wanted to dim the headlight a little as he though it was too bright. That cannot be done until the sound decoder is installed according to a reply from Bachmann.

Also curiuos on how used will install their own decoder as the connection I hear is 21 pin. Have not looked at which companies sell a 21 pin sound decoder.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Friday, December 9, 2011 1:37 AM
The decoder is Soundtraxx, as etched into the bottom side. The sound module will also be Soundtraxx. It will be interesting to hear this sound if ST developed it especially for the EM-1 with a good articulated sound. Although the Tsunami Heavy Steam has settings for articulated engines, IMHO the sound is only decent at low speed; higher, it degenerates into a staccato noise. ST told me it is a limitation and explained the why. I like the Titan Articulated, and plan to replace ST Heavies in my articulateds with it. I have it tuned for the EM-1 in RTC mode now, a long, annoying job, both because I wasn't familiar with setting RTC PID parameters and because they are triple indexed. If you want them, email me. I'll save the Tsunamis for single engines. I also want to audition the Soundtraxx EM-1 module when available; if it is as good as I expect, I hope ST will make an aftermarket Tsunami version. Hal
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Friday, December 9, 2011 10:50 AM

I'll have to agree with you about the Tsunami's sounding "stacato" like at the higher chuff rates.

From what I can tell, the steam cut off (Johnson bar controlling the valve cutoff) isn't accurately modeled.  As a result the sound is cut off too early.  Their algorithm should account for the train running in "company mode" (early cut off/most efficient use of steam) at higher speeds.

So far only the QSI Revolution (with software update) /Titan accurately models the steam valve cut off modification.  But programming the QSI is such a pain in the DUCKASS.  And it does sound noticeably better to me, but only at higher chuff rates.

That said, none of the manufacturers still make a really good steam at low speeds.  If you ever watch a steam engine starting from a standing stop, you will hear very long "Whoooooses" as the cylinders dump steam.  None of the sound decoders to date duplicate this wonderful sound.  We just get a short "Short Chuf <long pause>Short Chuf<long pause>" instead of a proper "Whoooosh <very short pause> Whooosh <very short pause> Whoosh" 

I'm still waiting for a decent quilable whistle (AKA playable whistle) too.  Only Lionel/MTH seem to have done a good job at this. :-(

Too see (or rather HEAR) what I mean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZxndjtviVg

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: PA
  • 63 posts
Posted by tschwarz on Friday, December 9, 2011 11:31 AM

DigitalGriffin

That said, none of the manufacturers still make a really good steam at low speeds.  If you ever watch a steam engine starting from a standing stop, you will hear very long "Whoooooses" as the cylinders dump steam.  None of the sound decoders to date duplicate this wonderful sound.  We just get a short "Short Chuf <long pause>Short Chuf<long pause>" instead of a proper "Whoooosh <very short pause> Whooosh <very short pause> Whoosh" 

 

I am able to get the sound of the cylinder cocks being opened when my QSI equipped steam engines start out.  After putting in the upgrade chip you can configure the cylinder cocks to automatically open when starting from neutral if the loco has been sitting for 25 seconds.  Then after 16 exhausts or 12 smph they will shut and operate as normal.  I have been configuring this on all of my QSI upgraded steam engines.  

As quoted in the updated QSI manual:

Cylinder Cocks: When a steam locomotive sits idle for an extended period of time, water condenses and collects in the steam chest.  Since water is not compressible and can damage the cylinder valves, the engineer must open special cocks on the steam cylinders to allow the water to be ejected as the piston moves. As the locomotive moves out, clouds of steam and water are propelled out on either side of the locomotive in such a flurry that it sometimes obscures the wheels and valve gear of the engine. Hear the sounds of Cylinder Cocks on the model as the locomotive starts out after it has been idle in Neutral for at least 25 seconds. The Cylinder$1****$2sounds are synchronized to the Chuff and shorten in duration as the loco’s speed is increased. After the locomotive has reached 12 smph or 16 Cylinder$1****$2sounds have occurred, the Cylinder$1****$2sounds will slowly terminate as the last of the water is expelled and the engineer shuts off the cylinder cocks valves.

This all is part of the QSI "Sound of Power" and although it might not sound 100% like a real steam locomotive is does sound pretty good to me.  I was like you in that I did not like that a steam locomotive would start up without the sounds of the exhaust from the cylinder cocks.

To help out the Cylinder Cocks arming after Start Up and/or after 25 seconds in Neutral can be set using CV 51.2.

Just my observations.  I can't wait to get my hands on a Titan.

Tom

 

Modeling the Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Glenwood Yard to New Castle Yard following the old P&W Mainline.

Visit my website at: http://www.baltimoreandohiorr.com

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Friday, December 9, 2011 12:13 PM

The reasoning for the cylinder cocks is not quite correct from my understanding.  Opening them prior to opening the throttle after more than a few minutes of immobility is a precaution for the sake of the cylinders, not just  the valves.   If the sidewalls of the cylinders hold, and the piston is strong enough to cause it, driving condensate against the end-caps will cause a hydraulic ram effect, and it will rupture the cylinder walls or eject the end-caps. 

The cylinder cocks are two taps at the bottoms, and at opposite ends, of the cylinder.  When they are opened in a timely manner, the first inlet of steam to whichever end of the cylinder is open for admission by virtue of valve placement above the cylinder will cause a noisy emission of steam and condensate from the floor of the cylinder.  Because the cylinders are still cooler than the steam being admitted, the next minute or so of operation requires that the cocks remain open to carry out freshly condensed steam that will run down the sidewalls of the still-warming cylinders and piston faces.

The LokSound equipped and QSI equipped locomotives that I have after the initial upgrade in the summer of 2006 all have simulated  whooshing or hissing.  I believe the decoder is meant to count about 20 driver revolutions...I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

Crandell

 

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: PA
  • 63 posts
Posted by tschwarz on Friday, December 9, 2011 12:23 PM

selector

The reasoning for the cylinder cocks is not quite correct from my understanding.  Opening them prior to opening the throttle after more than a few minutes of immobility is a precaution for the sake of the cylinders, not just  the valves.   If the sidewalls of the cylinders hold, and the piston is strong enough to cause it, driving condensate against the end-caps will cause a hydraulic ram effect, and it will rupture the cylinder walls or eject the end-caps. 

The cylinder cocks are two taps at the bottoms, and at opposite ends, of the cylinder.  When they are opened in a timely manner, the first inlet of steam to whichever end of the cylinder is open for admission by virtue of valve placement above the cylinder will cause a noisy emission of steam and condensate from the floor of the cylinder.  Because the cylinders are still cooler than the steam being admitted, the next minute or so of operation requires that the cocks remain open to carry out freshly condensed steam that will run down the sidewalls of the still-warming cylinders and piston faces.

The LokSound equipped and QSI equipped locomotives that I have after the initial upgrade in the summer of 2006 all have simulated  whooshing or hissing.  I believe the decoder is meant to count about 20 driver revolutions...I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

Crandell

 

Crandell,

Your description of why the cylinder cocks are opened after the engine stands for a period to time is 100% correct and what you state could happen if they did not open the cylinder cocks is correct as well.  I would not want to be hit by a flying cylinder end cap.  Wink

You are also correct in where the cylinder cocks are located and how they work.  This is also the reason why the do not need to be opened EVERYTIME the engine starts because if it has only been sitting for short period of time there will be no condensate in the cylinders.

Tom

 

Modeling the Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Glenwood Yard to New Castle Yard following the old P&W Mainline.

Visit my website at: http://www.baltimoreandohiorr.com

 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Friday, December 9, 2011 4:17 PM
I can verify that the Titan Articulated does model the cylinder release sound. So do my MTH steamers. If I remember correctly, the Tsunamis don't. The Titan steam also gives a choice of over 30 whistles. The bad news according to George at ST is that the sound module for the EM-1, sold only thru Bachmann and available very soon, simply has the same articulated sound as the Tsunami Heavy. No refinement of the double chuff at higher speeds. He said they have this problem on a list and could develop a new file later. I say sooner would be better because QSI has them beat in this respect as well as with the cylinder release. Hal
  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Friday, December 9, 2011 4:36 PM

I have decided to get the Bachman EM-1.

But heck, thinking about it. Bachman has the tsunami sound module for $119. I'm thinking no way on that, why not get the QSI Titan for $109. ???

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Friday, December 9, 2011 9:39 PM

Michael, I have finally acquired my first Mountain, and it is the Spectrum Heavy version with Vandy tender for the C&O.  I have five or six Tsunamis now, but I am finding their sounds to be as generic as those of the QSI's up to the Revolution with its newer sounds...some, anyway.  So, I have ordered a Titan U from Tony.  Tony is shipping a second min-oval to his customers who have to wait until his next shipment...apparently there is quite a list.  The idea is that the mini is to go in the smoke box to get the chuffs 'up there'.

Worth a thought or two.

Crandell

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Monday, December 12, 2011 11:30 AM

selector

Michael, I have finally acquired my first Mountain, and it is the Spectrum Heavy version with Vandy tender for the C&O.  I have five or six Tsunamis now, but I am finding their sounds to be as generic as those of the QSI's up to the Revolution with its newer sounds...some, anyway.  So, I have ordered a Titan U from Tony.  Tony is shipping a second min-oval to his customers who have to wait until his next shipment...apparently there is quite a list.  The idea is that the mini is to go in the smoke box to get the chuffs 'up there'.

Worth a thought or two.

Crandell

Crandell,

I called Tony's regarding the Titan. They come with 2 speakers, and they said the speakers should be seperated to get the stereo sound. But I think one speaker in the front side of the tender, and one in the rear end tender should be fine.

Having the speaker in the locomotive will require the speaker wiring to be used outside and into the tender.

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, December 12, 2011 11:52 AM

This is for those who may miss the thread with the Bachmann forum link where the user has opened his.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,18857.0.html

This is a lot better than a few words about what is in the tender. Bachmann will be selling the 21 pin decoderr. A QSI will fit.

Wait until we hear from some trying to run this on 18 inch curves.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • 270 posts
Posted by CB&Q Modeler on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 1:16 PM

Speaking of the brightness of the headlight I bought the model with the small sander covers and it has the dual headlight installed and it seems to be a more normal brightness.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 1:46 PM

Meaning the brightness is normal? Or not normal?

Is the lighting LEDs?

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • 270 posts
Posted by CB&Q Modeler on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 6:56 PM

Yes'i mean normal as in not blinding as the video showed.

And yes Bachmann is now using LEDs

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, December 15, 2011 3:38 PM

This will be interesting. The motor filter, two inductors and caps are in the loco and taking the boiler off is not for the faint of heart. This may not be an issue anymore. We shall see.

Rich

 

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, December 15, 2011 4:45 PM

WTHeck does bachmann put a capacitor across the motor terminals for?  SERIOUSLY.  It messes up BEMF readings because the decoder can't get a good reading on the motors true labor effort through current.

They aren't needed for Europe anymore because of the DCC decoder.  *sigh*

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!