If you have a layout powered by any DCC system that is compatible with the NMRA DCC specifications,read through this section and be up and running with your new Gold Series locomotive in fewer than five minutes.
RECOMMENDATION: If you are new to DCC, before delving further into this DCC Quick Start Guide, Atlas strongly recommends that you read the (DCC manufacturer’s) instruction manual that came with your DCC system, especially the sections that deal with:
• Running a (decoder-equipped) locomotive using that DCC system,
• Sending DCC function commands to the locomotive to operate the horn, bell, headlights, and
other functions,
• Programming the CVs in your decoder on the main line (usually referred to as Ops Mode or
Operations Mode programming.
Controlling Speed and Direction of Gold Series Locomotives on DCC
• Running the Locomotive on DCC – Basic Operation
− Select locomotive address #3 on your DCC system.
− Set your DCC system to use either 28 (OK) or 128 (better) speed steps.
− Make sure that all DCC track power is turned off. Then put your locomotive on the trackand turn the DCC power back on. When the locomotive is first powered up, the directional front headlight and rear headlight may not be turned on. If this is the case,press the F0 (or Headlight) key on your DCC system one or two times to turn on the directional lighting. Both the front and rear headlights will come on in their dim states unless the locomotive is moving
− You will hear the diesel engine Start-Up sequence, which lasts about 25 seconds. Even if you advance the throttle, the locomotive will NOT move before the Start-Up sequence has been completed. (If you don’t like this delay, setting CV124 = 0 will eliminate the delay. See Example 1 in Appendix 4.)
− After the Start-Up sequence has been completed, turn up the DCC throttle until the locomotive starts to move forward (or backward). The directional front (or rear) headlight will turn from dim to bright, and locomotive sounds will continue.
− If your Atlas sound-equipped locomotive has Ditch Lights2, these lights will be turned on, in a steady (non-flashing) state, whenever the F6 key is On. If you blow the horn (with F6 On and the locomotive moving forward), the Ditch Lights will flash alternately. If your Atlas sound-equipped locomotive has a Mars Light2, this light will start pulsing when the F11 key is On.
− When Back EMF (BEMF) is turned On (the default setting) and DCC acceleration and
deceleration are set to their default values o CV3 = 40, o CV4 = 56,
there will be noticeable momentum in both acceleration and deceleration.
− As you slow the locomotive down by gradually reducing the throttle, squealing brake sounds will occur shortly before the locomotive comes to a halt.
− When you reduce the DCC throttle to zero, the locomotive will automatically enter the Stopped-State after the locomotive stops moving.
o Whichever headlight (front or rear) was on bright when the locomotive was moving will turn dim when the locomotive stops.
o If your Atlas sound-equipped locomotive has Ditch Lights and they are turned On (using F6), the Ditch Lights will turn Off in the Stopped-State.
If your Atlas locomotive has a Mars light and it is turned on (using F13), the Mars light will stop pulsing and go dim when the locomotive stops.
• Reversing the Locomotive on DCC
Reversing with DCC is done in exactly the same manner as it is with non-sound locomotives.
− The direction of your locomotive will change when you press the direction button on your DCC throttle.
− The directional headlights behave as follows:
o When the locomotive is moving forward, the front headlight will be bright; when the locomotive is stopped or moving backwards, the front headlight will be dim.
o When the locomotive is moving backwards, the rear headlight will be bright;when the locomotive is stopped or moving forward, the rear headlight will be dim.
Controlling Sounds of Gold Series Locomotives on DCC
• Blowing the Horn on DCC
Blow the diesel locomotive horn for short or long blasts – you control the duration. The operation of the horn depends on how your DCC system was designed and configured.
− If your DCC system has separate Horn and F2 keys,
o Pressing the Horn key will blow the horn only for as long as you are holding the button down. This behavior is called momentary operation.
o Pressing the F2 key and releasing it will cause the horn to come on and stay on until you press F2 again. This behavior is called latching operation.
− If your DCC system has only an F2 key, this key may be set at the factory for either latching or momentary operation, depending on the DCC system. Some DCC systems
allow the user to configure a function key (such as F2) for either latching or momentary operation.
− As discussed above, if your locomotive has Ditch Lights, they may be turned on and off with the F6 function key. If the Ditch Lights are turned on (using F6), the locomotive is moving forward, and the horn is blowing (Horn or F2 key pressed), the Ditch Lights will flash alternately for as long as F2 is pressed and will continue this alternate flashing for a short time after you release the F2 or Horn key.
• Ringing the Bell on DCC
− You can turn the bell on and leave it on while you operate other functions on the locomotive.
− Turn the bell on by pressing the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle
− The bell will stay on until you do another press of the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle (or if you interrupt DCC track power).
− Turn the bell off with a second press of the Bell or F1 key on your DCC throttle.
Note: When you turn the bell off, it will continue ringing briefly with less and less volume as the pneumatic clapper slows down, just like the prototype
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