I still use 28 step control but have CV 5 and CV6 set so that top speed is limited and I set momentum to around 40. My "top speed" on the layout is 10 SMPH at speed step 10, making each step 1 SMPH (adjusted for each engine as needed). Top speed would be around 28-30. With these parameters, my engines are slow and smooth from one step to another. I use MRC Prodigy Express so the control knob is pretty much useless and I would hate to push "the blue button" repeatedly since my layout has purely switching moves. I have tinkered with 128 steps but keep returning to 28.
Only time I don't use 128 is when using my CVP hand-held radio unit. It has settings for 14, 32, or 128 steps. With 128, you have to turn the knob around about 3 times to get to step 128. With 32 it's just one turn. My engines are all set to a top speed of about 40 mph and use a fair amount of momentum so it's not a big difference.
The old QSI locos worked well on 28 speed steps, IIRC.
Now using Tsunami2 and Loksound, I prefer 128 speed steps.
I set acceration momentum, CV 3 to about 50, and keep the deceleration momentum CV4 to about 10 to maintain better control when slowing down.
The higher momentum setting works well on my NCE system when I press the "Increase Fast" button. I usually start off manually to speed step 3 then hit the button and the throttle takes the train up to speed step 13 with a nice speed arc, and so on...
- Douglas
gregc John-NYBW Sometimes, especially in staging yards, I need the loco to stop right now. we're working on a layout with multiple (3) staging loops. each staging loop has 3-5 tracks and each track has 2 staging sections: one long followed by a 3' stopping section. there are panel switches controlling power to each section a train enters staging with the long section powered and the stopping section un-powered. the train automatically stops in the stopping section. 3' is long enough for a loco with momentum and keep-alive traveling slowly to come to a stop
John-NYBW Sometimes, especially in staging yards, I need the loco to stop right now.
we're working on a layout with multiple (3) staging loops. each staging loop has 3-5 tracks and each track has 2 staging sections: one long followed by a 3' stopping section.
there are panel switches controlling power to each section
a train enters staging with the long section powered and the stopping section un-powered. the train automatically stops in the stopping section. 3' is long enough for a loco with momentum and keep-alive traveling slowly to come to a stop
Interesting solution but not practical in my situation. I have two loops of three tracks each and each track in the loop holds two long or three short trains. I'm thinking of a complete rebuild of my staging loops to increase capacity but still won't have the room to do what you have described.
Trainman440 Remember the days when 14 speed step DCC existed?
Remember the days when 14 speed step DCC existed?
In DCC, that is.
Rich
Alton Junction
Lastspikemike DCC offers a genuine brake function.
DCC offers a genuine brake function.
I installed a WOW-Sound decoder that was programmed to require the brake to be applied separately from throttling down. If the brake wasn't applied, the loco would coast for 20 feet or more. Maybe some people think that's a cool function but I thought it was a pain in the you know what. It allowed that function to be disabled but it seems to keep returning to the factory default for reasons I haven't figured out yet. I think the decoder makers sometimes try to get too cute with these functions. A lot of us would rather just use our touch on the throttle to gradually accelerate and decelerate our locos. Why would I want to have to apply the brake to bring my loco to a stop?
Even on the largest layouts, there isn't a lot of distance between stops and there just isn't room to stop a loco in the same scale distance a real train requires. We need to be able to get our trains up to speed and then stop them in much shorter distances. Decoders which try to simulate prototype starting and stopping just don't seem practical to me.
Good times :,)
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
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I feel that the beauty of DCC is that you can set a top speed for any locomotive on the throttle and watch the locomotive accelerate the consist up to terminal velocity. If it's a Pennsy K4, a commuter with three or four coaches, it can get up to 79 mph inside of 30 seconds on my layout (quite a bit time compressed over the prototype, but I only have two scale miles to play with between stops). On the other hand, I can dial up 30 mph on my Y6b and watch it take up to two minutes to get up to that speed while trying to lift heavy tonnage. I don't need to keep fiddling with the voltage knob. I can hold a coffee or other beverage, or take up a freight car whose trucks need their cones reamed.
richhotrainI have adopted the better late than never attitude about this.
may be the best advice i heard in some time
thanks
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
richhotrain gregc seems old that you haven't played with this sooner. Old or odd? LOL Either way, I have adopted the better late than never attitude about this. Since my NCE system defaults to 28 speed steps, I have never really explored the 128 speed step option...until recently. It is probably a throwback to my old American Flyer days as a kid when I could never resist turning that throttle up to top speed on the transformer as fast as I could. Rich
gregc seems old that you haven't played with this sooner.
seems old that you haven't played with this sooner.
Old or odd? LOL
Either way, I have adopted the better late than never attitude about this. Since my NCE system defaults to 28 speed steps, I have never really explored the 128 speed step option...until recently.
It is probably a throwback to my old American Flyer days as a kid when I could never resist turning that throttle up to top speed on the transformer as fast as I could.
richhotrain It is probably a throwback to my old American Flyer days as a kid when I could never resist turning that throttle up to top speed on the transformer as fast as I could. Rich
Ah! That reminds mwe when my (then) three year old granddaughter took her first turn on the controls (DC control). 0 to Flat Out in a swish of the control.
She is now five year old and more genteel with the controls.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
richhotrainI can almost see the loco lurch forward
maybe you'd be interested in micro-operation?
John-NYBWSometimes, especially in staging yards, I need the loco to stop right now.
John-NYBW Some of the new decoders that have factory defaults with extended starting and stopping are a royal pain. I eliminated those from my decoders so I can control how gradually my locos will start and stop. Sometimes, especially in staging yards, I need the loco to stop right now. I don't want it coasting to a stop.
doctorwayne For us Luddites still using DC, the slow-hand on the throttle button does the trick quite nicely, too. Wayne
For us Luddites still using DC, the slow-hand on the throttle button does the trick quite nicely, too.
Wayne
I made the switch to DCC when I started my new layout but I'm with you. I'd rather make gradual starts and stops with the throttle, rather than built-in momentum. 128 steps does make that a bit easier to do. Some of the new decoders that have factory defaults with extended starting and stopping are a royal pain. I eliminated those from my decoders so I can control how gradually my locos will start and stop. Sometimes, especially in staging yards, I need the loco to stop right now. I don't want it coasting to a stop. It's also a nuisance when doubleheading if the momentum doesn't match.
I am just amazed at the speed control using 128 speed steps. When I use 28 speed steps I can almost see the loco lurch forward with each increment whereas with 128 speed step control, the movement of the loco is very smooth.
I know there are those on here that operate in 28 speed steps and enjoy it that way. I think the only way I would like using 28 speed steps is if I incorporated it with a lot of momentum. 128 speed steps is just fine with me and - like Wayne using DC - I can mimic momentum quite well using either the thumbwheel or the fine-step buttons of my Power Cab.
That said, I do like and add a little momentum to my locomotives. It helps with the delayed starts - especially with my steamers.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
For all my time in HO scale modeling, 17+ years, I have used 28 speed step control to run my trains. But, recently, I have been trying 128 speed step control, and I am really starting to like it. Acceleration and deceleration look a lot more realistic.
How about you?