Hi everyone:
Loksound has just released some very interesting new throttle controls that make locomotive operation much more realistic. Basically the 'Full Throttle' system allows you to control the locomotive engine speed and throttle notching (RPM) independantly of the locomotive's travelling speed (MPH). Now you can coast downhill with the engine at notch 1 or use full throttle uphill for a heavy train and still have the train speed stay the same. There are some neat braking features too.
The video is a bit long, but it is very interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k-MfiBY7eQ&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Flyer+5-25-16&utm_campaign=Backshop+Flyer%2C+160525&utm_medium=archive&utm_source=Extra+6-6-16+LokProgrammer+Sale&utm_campaign=Backshop+Flyer%2C+160606&utm_medium=email
This is going to add a whole new dimension to running sound locomotives. Best of all, you can update your existing V4.0 and Select decoders. You will need access to a Lokprogrammer to do it.
Way to go Loksound!
Thanks to Streamlined Backshop for sending me the Loksound bulletin. Just so you know, they have the Lokprogrammer on sale for $50.00 off until August 31.
http://store.sbs4dcc.com/
I don't have any connection with them other than as a very satisfied customer.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Here's a great video of the new Loksound Full Throttle on Mike Confalone's layout ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkrMT__hw5Y
I've been using the new Full Throttle decoder for a few months now (beta tester) and it is truly a game changer. I don't like running my regular Loksounds any more ! Going to be doing a bunch of updating .... which is a great feature of Loksound - something new comes out, just upload it to your old decoder !
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Mark:
Thank you for that excellent video!
This is an amazing development in locomotive sound. It almost makes me want to put in steeper grades, but in fact you don't need the physical slope to make it sound like the locomotives are on one.
This is going to cost me. All my non Loksound decoders will soon be headed for eBay.
Thanks for highlighting that feature, Dave!
I've been watching this development as well through the videos of one of the other sites devoted to model railroading.
Matt Herman has been instrumental in keeping the Loksound products top notch in every respect. I try to keep current and buy a few samples from the other sound decoder manufacturers but none of them—to date—offer the same versatility and constant improvement that ESU/Loksound has demonstrated.
I'll never forget the first time I ran my pair of Amtrak AMD103s from Kato with Loksound installed. It brought back such fond memories of riding behind these fairly modern beasts. And when the motor-driven air compressor "whooped" as they distinctively do on those engines, it brought a to my face!
Now the one thing I would really like to see are some tutorials on using the Lokprogrammer software. The downloadable user manual has not been updated since January 2009.
http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/instruction-manuals/lokprogrammer/
I'm looking forward to upgrading several of my Loksound decoders to the latest firmware.
Let's link those videos:
And from ESU:
Regards, Ed
Hi Ed:
Loksound has released a video showing how to use the Lokprogrammer with the new 'Full Throttle' options:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6baiRmnKrA&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Flyer+5-25-16&utm_campaign=Backshop+Flyer%2C+160525&utm_medium=archive&utm_source=Extra+6-6-16+LokProgrammer+Sale&utm_campaign=Backshop+Flyer%2C+160606&utm_medium=email
Like the decoder manuals, getting things just the way you want will take some thinking and some time, but the results certainly look to be worth the effort.
hon30critterYou will need access to a Lokprogrammer to do it.
Apparently I was wrong on that. Towards the end of this video there is an explanation of how to install the changes without the Lokprogrammer. I'm not quite sure how it works.
Matt Herman did a 40 minute demo on Trainmasters TV several weeks ago.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Both the firmware and sounds are updatable with the Lokprogrammer. Previous firmware updates were more or less automatic, you just install the latest Lokprogrammer software and when you open a decoder that has an older firmware it prompts you to update.
Yet another reason to stick with Loksound. As long as the feature they design doesn't require a hardware change, you can upgrade all your older Selects with these new features. Other brands, you are replacing otherwise good decoders if you want the newest features.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
hon30critter It almost makes me want to put in steeper grades, but in fact you don't need the physical slope to make it sound like the locomotives are on one. This is going to cost me. All my non Loksound decoders will soon be headed for eBay. Dave
It almost makes me want to put in steeper grades, but in fact you don't need the physical slope to make it sound like the locomotives are on one.
I am a D&RGW modeler and my small layout has 2.9% gradees out of staging up to the yard and back down again. It sounds like this feature would be well utilized in my operating environment. I am going to have to try to fit one of these into my budget this year; perhaps finally get one in an SD40T-2!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Sorta a general prototype query given these newest sound features from ESU:
What era would all these be appropriate for? 60s on? 70s on? Later?
I imagine few would be applicable to early 40s diesels.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Does or will this also apply to the steam sound files (once updated)?
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
tstageI imagine few would be applicable to early 40s diesels.
Hi, Tom
Any of the early Diesels could be run at full throttle. The main difference in modern locomotives is the length of time they can be run this way.
The engineer has to monitor the load meter (ammeter). In early F's there was a scale that showed how long the engines could run in the "red" zone. Continuous at 750 amps; 1 hour at 800 amps; 30 minutes at 850 amps.
Transitioning helped mitigate this by switching the traction motors from series to series-parallel to parallel as the train speed increased (if indeed it did) and the load was reduced. Automatic transitioning was available on later run F-3s and E-8s.
It wasn't until newer generators and motor windings were developed and automatic transitioning developed that locomotives could run for longer periods in run-8. A-C locomotives use no transitioning at all.
I have several Amtrak locomotives that have Loksound decoders, notably the Rapido F-40PHs that allow the prime mover to run wide open to keep the HEP alternator spinning at the proper RPM irregardless of speed.
I'm sure this recent development is probably a "spin-off" of that feature.
Happy Modeling, Ed
peahrens Does or will this also apply to the steam sound files (once updated)?
Yes, steam files are going to be updated to have the Full Throttle features as well.
There is a 5mb pdf manual for the Lokprogrammer available through the Loksound Yahoo Group submitted through approval by Matt Herman ....
Lokprogrammer Manual
If you are not a member and cannot access that link, message me and I'll e-mail you the file.
Thanks for the link, Mark.
I am a member of the Yahoo group but I must have missed this "unofficial" 9/2014 update. It's definitely an improvement. I'll have to do a side-by-side later tonight. Right away I saw the "tips" that are very helpful!
[edit:]
As soon as I had the time tonight, I downloaded the EMD 567 FT file from ESU to load into an Intermountain F7 I have handy. Right away I got an error message from the Lokprogrammer "This Decoder Is Not Supported. Check for recent firmware". I did this and it came back that V. 4.14.9217 was the latest firmware in the decoder.
So I thought maybe OEM Select boards were not able to be flashed to the new FT sound files?
I clicked the "check for new version" in the Lokprogrammer > Help menu and it came back, "latest version is installed".
Then manually checking the ESU site I saw that software version 4.4.23 was available. My current version was 4.4.20.
Once I installed 4.4.23 of the Lokprogrammer software everything went well!
If anyone else has trouble like this be sure you have the latest Lokprogrammer software. I had automatic "check for update on startup" box checked but for some reason it didn't do this...
Since it is nearly 2 AM I'll have to wait until tomorrow to run the F7 with the "new" soundfile. I did play around with it on the 18" of track I have the Lokprogrammer wired to and, not surprised, everything sounded GREAT!
Thanks again, Ed