ESU Two Stage Ditch Lights - Corrected

Recently, on the LokSound groups.io forum someone brought up the interesting topic of two stage ditch lights and whether or not it was possible to create this effect on ESU v5 decoders. The effect is demonstrated at the beginning of the video below.

 

This is an interesting effect and the author was ready to dive right in on it but, not for the first time, the IndianRailModeler had an answer for it. Apoorva always does. So lets jump into this and see how to accomplish it. We will be using the S0778 sound file so you can follow along but before we begin you must understand that the locomotive you are trying to do this with MUST have individually wired ditch lights. If not then this procedure will not work.

First, there are two brightness settings that need to be set up. This is done on the Function Outputs Sheet of the Decoder Pane. We will use both the AUX1[1] and AUX2[1] settings. Set the Output mode (effect) to Dimmable Headlight on both of these settings. Rename the AUX1[1] output to Ditch light 1 and check the dimmer checkbox. See figure 1.

Figure 1 AUX1[1] 

Do the exact same thing for AUX2[1] and rename it to Ditch Light2. You could name these to Ditch Light Left/Right but it would be necessary to open the locomotive and determine which light is wired to which output. Using the 1/2 name makes it generic, your call.

Change to the Function Settings sheet and under the General Physical Output Settings look for 'Logical function dimmer will reduce brightness to' setting. This author changed the value to 32. It seemed to give a better contrast between dim and bright from the default value of 64. Play with it until you are satisfied.  

Now to the sound slot. Switch to the Sound pane and open sound slot 2 which is not used. In the Sound Slot Properties define 2 variables named BrightTimer and DimTimer and assign the values 3 and 1 respectively. See figure 2. Make sure the unlimited checkbox is checked.

Figure 2 The variables

Now in the schedule portion create four states and assign the Conditions and Actions shown in figure 3. Be sure to check the Loop checkbox in the Repeat playback section of the Transition properties for each of the states.

Figure 3 The schedule

Once you finish creating the schedule we need to assign the proper AUX values we created earlier to the correct states. Now map the the appropriate AUX output to the matching state, Ditch Light 2 to the Ditch Light 2 state, etc. Then, and most importantly, for the 2 dim states, map the Dimmer Logical Function in the mapping section as shown in figure 4. DO NOT map the dimmer Function to the bright states!

 

Figure 4 Assigning AUX values and Dimmer Function to the states

 

Lastly, assign this sound slot to a function key on the function mapping sheet and you're done! In sound file S0778 the ditch lights are already assigned to F6 but you have to remove those and then in F6's Sounds column select the sound slot file you created. See figure 5.

Figure 5 Mapping the function

That's it! You can adjust the bright and dim timers if you want and also, if you have them available, you could assign them to SoundCVs but SoundCVs are a valuable and scarce commodity so I suggest you just use the hard coded values.

Try it and see what you think. If you like the effect be sure to save it to your templates so it can be easily added to other locomotives

 

Most of all have fun!

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it. 

Some ESU Steam Sound Files Have Reverser Sounds Backwards

 The author just noticed this when answering a readers question on the LokSound groups.io forum. His question concerned the reverser sound when a steamer was changing direction from forward tom reverse and vice versa. The sounds of the Power Reverser versusthe Johnson Bar are reversed (sounds like a joke doesn't it "the reverser is reversed").

Using sound file S0792, take a look at the definition of SoundCV14 on the Sound Slot Settings Sheet shown in Figure 1. It's at the top of the sheet.  Its title is "Reverser 1-Power Reverse 0-Johnson Bar". Try it in the simulator. The hissing sound is the Power Reverser and the clank is the Johnson Bar. It's backwards isn't it?

Figure 1 The reverser function as downloaded

There is a simple fix for this. All that is necessary is to reverse (there's that word again) the numbers in the SoundCV name. See figure 2.

 

Figure 2 Name fixed to correct numbers

Be sure to save that change to the file. 

This is unusual but it does happen. So, if you use the Reverser sound effect in your files check this it is correct first.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it. 

ESU Essential Sound Unit Speed Matching With JMRI

Speed matching an ESU Essential Sound Unit is a little different since it does not support CV6 which is the mid-point of the 3 point speed curve. See figure 1. 

                                      

Figure 1 3-Point Speed Curve

This means you are forced to use the Speed Table shown in figure 2.

Figure 2 Speed Table

Using the Speed Table requires that you have CVs 2 and 5 set to the values you require before adjusting the mid points. Why this is necessary is discussed in this post in the ESU section.

This can be a time consuming task but in this case there is a way to drastically simplify setting CV6 using JMRI. Speed step 14 is the equivalent of CV6 so, adjusting it would simulate adjusting CV6. The problem becomes setting the rest of the speed steps. Technically CV6 lies between speed step 14 and 15 so you can use the one you prefer. 

As long as you have a good linear motor in your locomotive there is a shortcut here. First check the Use Table radio button at the top of the table , if necessary, click the Force Straight button to straighten out the curve. Than mark the checkboxes just above the buttons for Speed Steps 1, 14 (or 15), and 28. See figure 3.

Figure 3 Speed steps checked

Now let's say we need to decrease CV6 on this locomotive to match the speed of another locomotive. Remember, you always match to the slowest locomotive. Click and hold the slider for CV14 and pull it down to the value you want which is displayed at the top of the slider. See figure 4.

Figure 4 Adjusted speed steps

<Note>

The change made in figure 4 is quite the drastic change and it is only shown to demonstrate what you can do. It is quite doubtful you will have to change things this much.

Notice how the other sliders, both above and below the one you changed, follow in a linear manner. That's the shortcut! Now, write the entire sheet to your locomotive and test it. It now becomes a repeat operation until you get matched speeds. This can be done on a test track or "On The Main". Again, your call. If you compare this procedure to figure 1 you can see it's the same result.

Hopefully, you find this to be much easier and also quicker to implement.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it. 

Does this sound like you??

The author just HAS to repost this. It's from the Model Train Forum and makes him feel a lot better about his attitude. Thanks a heap to MopacPat!

I’m not exactly sure when I started being a senior citizen, but I believe it was age 55, I believe that’s when AARP starts hounding you to join. The entry age varies between businesses and places, my favorite coffee house called me a senior citizen at age 55 also but others went on up into the 60s sometimes.

But I digress from the concern. I’m 77 now and one of my operations associates is in his early 80s. We’ve talked on occasions about some point in our lives where we quit worrying about a lot of details . For example, we both used to have a coronary if we found a brake wheel had come off of a box car, but now we pretty much just don’t care and we’ll fix it when we get around to it but it’s not a national emergency to get something like that done.

I used to really be into super detailing everything. I added knickknack details to locomotives, I would upgrade a brake system on a car to be congruent with its era, which they aren’t always when you get them. I thought a lot about lighting buildings and putting street light poles around my little settlements, just a pole or two like you see around outside in the country when you drive past them at night. I bought operating switch stands with movable targets, I bought derails to add on sidings where they join a main track. I bought a static grass machine to do static grass all over my layout.

Not all of these ideas coalesced at the same time, but basically I began my present layout when I was around 60, still employed, and with a relatively high level of energy compared to now. I’m not sure when the pressure lowering began but it might’ve been within the last five or seven years. I’m 77 now and I found that I’ve basically stopped all the detail work and I’m happy with the broad stroke impressionist appearance that a 95% scenery complete layout can provide. Almost all of the layout has some kind of ground cover, but it’s not highly detailed, no static grass or super trees or anything like that and I’m pretty satisfied with it. It’s a nice background for the trains when I’m operating. And truthfully, aren’t we railroaders first and diorama builders second?

I know that Model Railroader magazine will never want to publish my layout, but I really don’t care, it gives me plenty of pleasure the way it is.

Hope you enjoyed this read.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.  

Atlas Track Planning Software - Version 1.9.8 Released

The Atlas Track Planning Software has been Updated to Version 1.9.8

Create magnificent layouts in HO, N & O scales using Atlas track with the Atlas Track Planning Software! This software allows you to create and customize your very own layout, view it as a 3D model and then generate a shopping list to make your dream layout a reality.

New features and fixes have been listed below.

Added and improved features:

- Small bugfixes and updated language translations
- ATPS is fully tested and certified for Windows 11

Click Here to Download Atlas Track Planning Software Demo

Click Here to Purchase the Software License

In addition, for those who might be looking for a place to start in the creation of their layout, we have also made select layout files available for purchase. Once downloaded, simply open up ATPS and load the file and start creating!

Purchase Layout Files Here

The Atlas Track Planning Software has been Updated to Version 1.9.8

Create magnificent layouts in HO, N & O scales using Atlas track with the Atlas Track Planning Software! This software allows you to create and customize your very own layout, view it as a 3D model and then generate a shopping list to make your dream layout a reality.

New features and fixes have been listed below.

Added and improved features:

- Small bugfixes and updated language translations
- ATPS is fully tested and certified for Windows 11

Click Here to Download Atlas Track Planning Software Demo

Click Here to Purchase the Software License

In addition, for those who might be looking for a place to start in the creation of their layout, we have also made select layout files available for purchase. Once downloaded, simply open up ATPS and load the file and start creating!

Purchase Layout Files Here

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.