Atlas Gold series User manual

Locomotive Owner’s Manual

Atlas Master™Gold Series

FM Train Master Diesel

Locomotive

QSI Quantum System™Sound and Train Control with Electronic Dual-Mode®Decoder (e-DMD)

378 Florence Avenue • Hillside, NJ 07205 • www.atlasrr.com

QX-HO Train Master Sound Manual 8/3/04 1:39 PM Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Getting Started..........................................................................................................4

Power Supplies..........................................................................................................4

Programming............................................................................................................5

ANALOG OPERATION

Starting the Locomotive ............................................................................................6

Reversing the Locomotive..........................................................................................6

Horn ........................................................................................................................6

Bell ..........................................................................................................................7

Doppler Effect ..........................................................................................................7

Neutral ....................................................................................................................7

Changing the Locomotive's Direction without Turning off the Sound............................8

Standard Throttle Control™(STC™) and Regulated Throttle Control™(RTC™) ..................9

Engine Load..............................................................................................................9

Sound of Power™....................................................................................................10

Helpers ..................................................................................................................10

Normal and Reversed Direction ..............................................................................10

ANALOG PROGRAMMING

Entering Programming ............................................................................................13

Scrolling through the Program Options ....................................................................13

Entering a Program Option and Making Changes ....................................................14

Moving on to Other Program Options or Leaving Programming................................14

Example: Setting Throttle Mode (Program Option #10) ......................................14-15

Example: Setting V-Start (Program Option #8) ........................................................16

Example: Setting V-Max (Program Option #9)..........................................................16

DCC OPERATION

Function Keys..........................................................................................................18

Directional Lighting Operation ................................................................................18

Coupler and Coupler Crash Sounds ..........................................................................18

Sound-of-Power™....................................................................................................19

Horn and Bell Buttons ............................................................................................19

Doppler Operation ..................................................................................................19

Squealing Brake and Flange Sounds ........................................................................20

Air Brakes ..............................................................................................................20

Automatic Features with "Take Control" Operation ....................................................21

Three Stages of Shut Down ................................................................................21-22

Dynamic Brakes......................................................................................................23

Start Up..................................................................................................................24

Mute ......................................................................................................................24

Status or Scale Speed ..............................................................................................24

Function Key Operation in Neutral ..........................................................................25

DCC PROGRAMMING

Changing the System Volume Electronically..............................................................26

Changing the Mute Volume Electronically ................................................................26

Enable/Disable Horn Triggered Doppler Shift ..........................................................26

Changing Individual Sound Volumes ........................................................................27

Reset all CVs to Factory Default Values ....................................................................27

Special ID Programming..........................................................................................27

Disable/Enable Verbal Announcements ....................................................................28

CV Inquiry with Verbal Feedback in Ops Mode ....................................................28-29

Common NMRA Configuration Values ......................................................................29

QUANTUM SYSTEM™SOUNDS ..........................................................................30-31

SPECIAL OPERATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING

Reed Switch Operation with Magnetic Wand ............................................................32

Manual Volume Adjustment ....................................................................................32

Resetting your Engine to Factory Default Values with Magnetic Wand..................32-33

High Voltage Circuit Breaker....................................................................................33

Program Track Operation ........................................................................................33

Reasons Why Your Locomotive is Silent or Will Not Start......................................33-34

Summary of Analog and DCC Features ....................................................................34

WARRANTIES

Atlas ......................................................................................................................35

QSI ........................................................................................................................36

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The Quantum System uses all thirteen functions available in the new NMRA 0-12 function key

standard, and the FM Train Master uses twelve of these thirteen functions. If you have a DCC

command station that supports the older NMRA 0-8 function key standard, Atlas recommends

that you consider upgrading or replacing your command station so that you have access to all

thirteen functions. As an interim measure, however, the DCC Operation section in this manu-

al gives a function key remapping that allows you to control most FM Train Master features

from an older command station that supports only DCC functions 0 to 8.

Programming

The Analog Programming and DCC Programming sections in this manual give programming

instructions that cover briefly programming of the specific Quantum System features includ-

ed in your FM Train Master locomotive. More complete analog programming instructions may

be found in the Quantum Analog Reference Manual (Version 2), which may be downloaded

from the QSI website at http://www.qsindustries.com/. Similarly, more complete DCC pro-

gramming instructions are found in the Quantum DCC Reference Manual (Version 2) which

may also be downloaded from the QSI website at http://www.qsindustries.com/.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Atlas Master™Gold Series FM Train Master HO loco-

motive. With this locomotive, you get museum-quality features and details, such as separate-

ly-applied detail parts, accurate painting and printing, along with the performance and relia-

bility you expect and deserve from an Atlas engine. Your Gold Series locomotive is factory

equipped with QSI’s Quantum System™that gives you state-of-the-art sound technology with

the added benefit of an electronic Dual-Mode®Decoder (e-DMD) that allows your locomotive

to run on either conventional DC or on NMRA Digital Command Control (DCC). Sound adds

realism and authenticity to your model railroad empire in a way you may have never expe-

rienced before. Let the fun of operating sessions begin.

Getting Started

Atlas recommends that you get used to operating and having fun with your locomotive before

exploring its programming options. If you intend to operate your locomotive with convention-

al DC power, go to the Analog Operation section that starts on page 6. If you intend to oper-

ate your locomotive with Digital Command Control, go to the DCC Operation section that starts

on page 17. In either case, the information provided in these sections will have you up and

running your locomotive in approximately five minutes.

Power Supplies

Most HO DC power packs with a standard reversing switch are suitable for analog operation

of your FM Train Master locomotive. Generally, modern electronic type power packs will pro-

vide better performance. All functions needed to operate your locomotive on an analog lay-

out can be easily done from a standard HO power pack that is equipped with a direction

switch.

Most currently available DCC command stations are suitable for DCC operation and program-

ming of your FM Train Master locomotive. However, the Quantum System requires more cur-

rent to operate than standard decoders and may not respond to the limited program track

power available in Service Mode from some DCC command stations. If your FM Train Master

locomotive will not respond properly on the program track, all of its Configuration Variables

(CV’s) can be programmed on the main line in Operations Mode. Also, check with the com-

mand station manufacturer; some companies will give you a free upgrade or have another

suggestion that allows use of the programming track.

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• While the locomotive is moving, flip the direction switch to turn on the horn.

• Flip the direction switch back to shut off the horn.

The engine will not change direction when you blow the horn. If you flip the direction switch

too slowly from one position to the other, you can momentarily lose track power as the switch

is being moved through its center position.

Bell

You can turn the bell on and leave it on while you operate other functions on the locomotive.

• Turn the bell on with a Quick flip-and-back operation of the direction switch.

• Turn the bell off with a second Quick flip-and-back operation of the direction switch.

The bell will stay on until you do another Quick flip-and-back operation of the direction switch

to turn it off, or you interrupt the track power. If you do a Slow flip-and-back operation, you

will get a short horn hoot instead of the bell. If you try to do a very short horn blast using a

Quick operation, you will activate the bell instead. If you have trouble doing the Quick flip-

and-back operation, try holding the power pack in place with your other hand to keep the unit

from slipping.

Note: When you toggle the bell off, it will continue ringing briefly with less volume as the pneumatic clapper

shuts down, just like the prototype.

Doppler Effect

This effect changes the horn pitch and engine sounds as the locomotive passes.

• While the engine is moving toward the observer, flip the direction switch to turn on the

horn.

• Wait at least one second while the horn is blowing.

• Flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the horn does not shut off. You will

hear the horn and other FM Train Master engine sounds shift in pitch as the locomotive

passes by.

• Either flip the direction switch back to shut off the horn, or continue with long or short

horn operations. When you are finished blowing the horn, the engine sounds will

automatically return to normal after a few seconds. If the bell was on, it will shut off just

before the sounds return to normal.

Neutral

In Neutral, the locomotive will continue to make prototypical sounds appropriate to its resting

state.

• Enter neutral by turning the throttle down below V-Start, but not so low that the sounds

ANALOG OPERATION

Starting the Locomotive

Use an HO power pack with a standard direction switch. Set the switch to run your engine for-

ward.

• Turn the throttle up slowly until you hear the Quantum System™ come on with air let-

off sounds. The front Number Board Lights will turn on. The front Headlight will turn on

at its “dim” setting1. You will hear the diesel engine in the FM Train Master start up

followed by the air pumps.

• Continue2to turn up the throttle voltage until the locomotive starts to move in Forward

(this voltage is called V-Start3). The FM Train Master diesel engine sounds will rev up with

labored sounds proportional to the engine’s acceleration and loading (see Sound of

Power™on page 10). The Headlight will switch to its bright setting.4

• As you slow the engine down by gradually reducing the throttle, the diesel motor rev

and labored sounds volume decreases, while squealing brake sounds occur as the FM

Train Master comes to a stop5.

If you need to turn your throttle up quite high to start your FM Train Master locomotive, V-

Start can be adjusted for operation with your particular DC power pack (see Analog

Programming on pages 12-16).

Reversing the Locomotive

This simple operation is exactly the same as with standard locomotives.

• Bring the locomotive to a stop and turn the power off.

• Flip the direction switch and reapply power to go in the opposite direction.

The FM Train Master Rear Headlight turns on and the Front Headlight comes on dim. For a

complete description of directional lighting operation in locomotives with and without Mars

lights, please see the tables on page 18.

Horn

Blow the single chime authentic FM Train Master horn for short or long blasts – you control

the duration.

1Mars lights are also included on SP 4802 and 4805 FM models. On these models the front Mars light will come on in neutral at its dim setting and the front Headlight will be off.

2It is not necessary to wait for the engine start up to finish before entering forward. If you turn up the throttle, the start up sounds terminate and the FM Train Master will

immediately go into normal forward operation.

3V-Start is set at 8.5 volts. It is important to note where V-Start is located on your throttle control to know where you will enter and leave neutral (see Neutral on Page 7).

4If your FM has a Mars light, it will come on dim and the front Headlight will be off in Neutral and Reverse. In Forward, the front Headlight will turn on, and the Mars Light will turn

on fully with its distinctive pulsing motion.

5Squealing brakes occur if the engine exceeds 40 scale miles per hour (smph) and then slows down to below 20 smph.

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Standard Throttle Control™(STC™) and Regulated Throttle Control™(RTC™)

Quantum locomotives have two types of throttle control available, standard and regulated.

Both Standard Throttle Control (STC) and Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) will apply more

power to the motor as a function of increasing track voltage beginning at the V-Start setting.

RTC differs from STC by including a motor speed control feature that prevents the locomotive

from reacting quickly to changes in voltage or minor impediments such as misaligned track

joints, tight curves, rough switches, etc. An engine under STC may come to an unrealistic halt

from a raised track joint or a drop in voltage, while the same engine under RTC will continue

at the same speed. RTC operates your engine as though it has the mass and inertia of a pro-

totype locomotive; your engine will resist changes in speed once it is moving and will resist

starting up quickly if at rest. You will be able to operate your locomotive at very slow proto-

typical speeds without having to adjust your throttle continually to maintain speed.

While small obstacles will not affect the engines speed under RTC, a continual force will slow

your train down, just like the prototype. For instance, if your FM Train Master encounters a

grade under RTC, it will eventually slow down. Providing more throttle will slowly accelerate

it back to speed. The same engine under STC would quickly slow down or stop if it encoun-

tered a grade.

The type of throttle control also affects how your engine decelerates. Under STC, your engine

will respond quickly to a reduction in track voltage. Under RTC, your locomotive will slow down

slowly as you bring the throttle down. If you bring the throttle down below V-Start, the engine

will slowly come to a stop. You can, however, force an engine to slow down rapidly under RTC

by bringing the throttle down quickly; this reduces the available power to the motor speed

control circuit and forces the speed to decrease faster than RTC would normally allow. Once

the locomotive slows down and regains normal RTC operation, it will continue to decelerate

slowly according to its built-in inertia. For instance, if your engine was running at top speed

and you quickly reduced the track voltage to just below V-Start, where the locomotive would

normally be stopped, the engine’s speed would at first slow down rapidly as you reduced the

available power to the motor, and then would start decelerating at a rate determined by the

RTC inertia and finally coast to a stop.

STC and RTC are selected under Analog Programming (see pages 12-16). The default is RTC.

Engine Load

You can set your FM Train Master to have any of 16 different loads (also called inertia or

momentum levels; see Analog Programming on pages 12-16). As you increase track voltage,

turn off, and wait for locomotive to stop6. The Front Headlight switches to a steady dim,

and the Rear Headlight will turn off entering in Neutral from Reverse (NFR).

• You will hear a short air release when the engine stops moving and enters neutral, and

a longer air release about three seconds later followed by air pumps and other back

ground sounds. In addition to the pumps, cooling fans and vents will come on at random

time intervals in neutral. After ten seconds, the cooling fans shut off if they were on

when you entered neutral.

• If the diesel locomotive is left in Neutral from Reverse, a special Low Idle state marked

by subdued throbbing motor sounds will automatically come on after 30 seconds (see

description of Low Idle in the section on Quantum System Sounds on page 30). The FM

Train Master will return to normal diesel motor sounds when the throttle is turned up.

• After the pumps start, you can also use the direction switch to blow the horn or turn

on or off the bell7.

If you cannot enter neutral, or have difficulties with any of the operations, you may need to

program your locomotive for optimal use with your particular power pack (see Analog

Programming on pages 12-16).

Changing the Locomotive’s Direction without Turning off the Sound

You can use the power pack’s direction switch while the locomotive is in neutral to change the

engine’s direction.

• Put the locomotive in neutral by bringing the throttle down below V-start (but not so

low that the sounds turn off) and wait for the locomotive to stop8.

• Flip the direction switch after you hear the short air release but before you hear the

longer air release and the pump sounds turn on. During this short time (3 seconds), the

horn will not blow when you flip the direction switch.

• Turn up the throttle anytime thereafter to operate the locomotive in the opposite

direction.

If you have waited until the pumps start in neutral and now wish to change direction, you can

either:

• Turn the power off, change the direction switch and turn the power back on, or,

• Flip the direction switch (the horn will come on) and then turn up the throttle. When

the locomotive starts to move in the opposite direction, the horn will stop automatically.

6If Regulated Throttle Control is enabled (see below) it is important to wait until the locomotive stops on its own. The engine’s electronic inertia will keep it moving even though you

have reduced the throttle far enough below V-Start to stop the locomotive. In your attempt to stop the locomotive, do not try to reduce the throttle so far that all sounds go off.

7In neutral, the bell has a distinctive turn on effect as the pneumatic clapper gains full motion to strike the bell.

8On some power packs that have high internal resistance, the track voltage may rise slightly as the locomotive slows down and requires less power to operate. As the engine slows,

you may need to reduce the throttle a little more to remain below V-Start.

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whether they are facing forwards or backwards. However, certain features like directional

lighting or diesel low idle do depend on the directional sense. For instance, if you program

your engine to be an End Helper for your consist, its Rear Headlight operates when the engine

is moving in reverse and the Front Headlight is disabled. This is ideal for providing a direc-

tional headlight at the rear of the consist. However, if this engine is facing backwards at the

rear end of a consist, the Rear Headlight will be facing forwards and will be lit when the con-

sist is moving forward. Moreover, there will be no directional Headlight at the rear of the con-

sist. The reversal program feature will ensure that this End Helper’s backward-facing

Headlight will come on only when the consist is backing up, and the forward-facing Headlight

will not light at all. When making up a train with different helper types, it is recommended

that you also change its directional sense if the helper is intended to be operated backwards

within the consist. See “Option 4 Direction”, Analog Programming, next section.

the motor is provided an increasing portion of that power which, depending on the load set-

ting, will gradually accelerate the locomotive more realistically until it reaches full speed.

Level 0 is the default, which is no load.

Under STC, the level 0 load setting will allow your engine to accelerate or stop as quickly as

the internal flywheels will allow. Under RTC, level 0 will add no additional load to the built-in

inertia already provided by RTC. For any load setting from 1-15, your FM Train Master loco-

motive will take longer to change speed under either STC or RTC. At level 1, it will take

approximately 15 seconds more to achieve full speed at max throttle9; at level 15, it will take

over 3.5 minutes to achieve full speed. In addition, at higher load settings, your engine will

decelerate more slowly as you decrease your throttle.

Sound-of-Power™

The FM Train Master locomotive will produce Sound-of-Power labored diesel motor sound

effects if you have selected any of the load settings from level 1 to 15. Under acceleration,

the motor sounds will be more labored until the FM Train Master has achieved its final speed

where it will then produce standard sounds appropriate to the throttle setting. Under deceler-

ation, the engine sounds are less labored until it achieves its final speed where it will again

produce standard diesel sounds appropriate to its throttle setting.

Helpers

Helpers are locomotives that are used to provide extra power and/or braking for a heavily

loaded train. These engines can be part of the head end consist or as mid-train helpers or as

pushers at the end of the train. Helper engines behave differently from the train’s lead loco-

motive. Their horns and bells are usually not operated, and their lighting options are differ-

ent or not used at all.

When you make up your train using more than one locomotive, the Quantum System allows

you to easily program how each engine will behave by selecting between a Lead engine, Mid

Helper, End Helper, or Pusher. Each type of helper engine has different lighting and sound

characteristics as described in the table in the next section on Analog Programming.

Normal and Reversed Direction

The Quantum System also allows you to reverse the directional sense of your locomotive. This

is normally not an issue with DC two-rail trains since all engines will go in the same direction

9Some unloaded power packs produce excessive voltage at max throttle and will activate the Quantum high voltage circuit breaker. When this happens, your engine will stop and

emit a series of hoots until the power is reduced to a lower voltage (see High Voltage Circuit Breaker, page 33).

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ANALOG PROGRAMMING

The FM Train Master Loco can be Programmed Using a Standard Power Pack.

All advanced operations are easily programmed via your standard HO power pack. As

described below, after entering programming, features are selected and operated by using the

direction switch.

Program Option #’s Message11

(POP’s10) Option Name when Entering Option Option Description

1 System Volume12 “Volume equals X” Sets System volume (17 levels) where level 16 is

(16, Max) maximum volume and level 0 is off.

2 Load “Load equals X” Selects the starting and stopping momentum for both

(0, No Load) Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) and Standard Throttle

Control (STC). Level 0 (no load), Level 1-15, increasing

load with acceleration to full speed from 5 seconds to

200 seconds.

3 Helper “Helper equals” Selects Normal, Pusher, End, Mid, End, or Lead Helper

(Normal) “Normal” in consists. Normal Engine has all sounds and lights

“Pusher” enabled. Pusher has rear Headlight on all the time as

“End” train warning light; horn, bell, and all other lights except

“Mid” rear Number Boards are disabled. End Helper has rear

“Lead” headlight and rear Number Boards on only when loco is

moving backwards; horn, bell and all other lights are

disabled. Mid Helper has horn, bell and all lights

disabled. Lead engine has all sounds, front Headlight, &

front Number Boards enabled: rear Headlight is disabled.

4 “Direction” “Direction equals X” Selects if the features associated with the locomotive’s

(Normal) direction are “normal” or “reversed”.

5-7 Reserved “Reserved”

8 V-Start (8.5v) “V-Start equals X” Sets track voltage where engine will leave neutral. (See

Example below)

9 V-Max (12v) “V-Max equals X” Sets track voltage where full power is applied to motor.

10 Throttle Mode “Throttle Mode equals X”” Selects between Standard Throttle Control (STC) and

(RTC) Regulated Throttle Control (RTC).

11 Programming “Warning – After next Quick or Slow Operation, bell rings followed

Reset about to reset” by a hoot to indicate locomotive returned to factory

default.

12 About Model number Each Quick or Slow Operation provides progressive

information about Quantum model number, software

version, and software release date.

13 Horn Volume (11) “Volume equals X” Customizes Horn Volume (16 levels). Max is 15.

14 Bell Volume (10) “Volume equals X” Customizes Bell Volume (16 levels). Max is 15.

15 Motor Volume (8) “Volume equals X” Customizes Diesel Motor Volume. (16 levels). Max is 15.

16 Vents and Cooling “Volume equals X” Customizes Vents and Cooling Fans

Fan Volume (8) Volume (16 levels). Max is 15.

17 Reserved “Reserved”

18-19 Reserved “Reserved”

20 Air Brakes Volume (11) “Volume equals X” Customizes Air Brake Air Release Volume (16 levels).

Max is 15.

21-25 Reserved “Reserved”

26 Pump Volume (9) “Volume equals X” Customizes Air Pump Volume (16 levels). Max is 15.

27 Air Let-off Volume (11) “Volume equals X” Customizes Long Air Release Volume (16 levels).

Max is 15.

28 Short Air Let-off “Volume equals X” Customizes Short Air Let-off Volume (16 levels).

Volume (11) Max is 15.

Program Option #’s Message

(POP’s ) Option Name when Entering Option Option Description

29 Reserved “Reserved”

30 Flange Volume (11) “Volume equals X” Customizes Flange/Squealing Brake Volume (16 levels).

Max is 15.

31 Dynamic Brakes “Volume equals X” Customizes Dynamic Brake Cooling Fan Volume

Volume (8) (16 levels). Max is 15.

32 Coupler Volume (11) “Volume equals X” Customizes All Coupler Sound Volumes (16 levels).

Max is 15.

33 Reserved “Reserved”

Where “X” is the current value of the Program Option. Defaults are shown in parenthesis next to the option name.

10 POP is short for “Program Option”.

11 The verbal programming responses (such as “Enter Programming” etc.) have a minimum volume setting to provide programming information even when the system volume is

turned all the way off.

12 You can set volume with the manual volume control or with programming or both. The manual volume control will determine the range of volume control under programming;

that is, if you turn the manual volume control down to say, 50%, you will not be able to increase the volume above the 50% value using programming.

Entering Programming

Use this simple sequence to enter programming using the direction switch.

1. Apply power and turn up the throttle to hear the sound system come on.

2. Within five seconds of powering up, turn on the bell with a Quick flip-and-back

operation.

3. Within three seconds of the bell turning on, turn the bell off with a second Quick

flip-and back operation.

4. Within three seconds, turn the bell back on again with a third Quick flip-and-back

operation.

If you delay too long after power has been first applied, the opportunity to

enter programming will time out and you will need to start again by shutting

off and reapplying track power.

Once you perform the three bell operations after applying power, the bell will shut off auto-

matically and you will hear “Enter Programming;” also, the front Headlight and Rear

Headlight will flash alternately off and on.

Scrolling through the Program Options

• After entering programming, you will hear an announcement of the first Program

Option, “Option 1 - System Volume”.

• To access other Program Options, simply flip the direction switch to the opposite

position and leave it there. Listen as each option number is announced in order.

• Flip the switch back and leave it there when you wish to stop at a particular option.

After you stop at an option you will hear the option number and name announced.

When you are scrolling through and stopping at Program Options, you are not making

any changes. To make changes you must actually enter the Program Option.

QX-HO Train Master Sound Manual 8/3/04 1:39 PM Page 12

• Use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to change the throttle mode.

Repeated Slow or Quick operations will cause the throttle mode to alternate between its

two possible values (RTC, STC, RTC, STC … etc.)

• Once you have selected the throttle mode you wish to use, turn the throttle off.

When you then power up again, your locomotive will be using the throttle mode you

have just selected.

Example: Setting V-Start (Program Option # 8)

This will determine the voltage (and throttle position) where your engine will leave neutral

and move out. Lowering V-Start will increase the range of your throttle that is

usable for controlling locomotive speed. However, if V-Start is set too low, your

locomotive cannot enter neutral, and you will lose all features available in the

neutral state.

• Enter Programming after powering up your engine by turning the bell on, then off

and then on as described above.

• After the “Enter Programming” followed by “Option One - System Volume”

announcement of the first Program Option, flip the direction switch and leave it there.

After you hear the announcement “Option 1, 2, 3 … etc.” stop when you hear

“eight” by moving the direction switch back. You will hear “V-Start”.

• Use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to enter this option. You will

hear “V-Start equals “X” where “X” is the track voltage value currently set to leave

neutral”.

• Use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to activate this option. Hear

the message “Set throttle to V-Start” and after three seconds the voltage will be

announced14. If you move the throttle, the new track voltage value is announced a few

seconds later.

• Once the throttle is set, use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to

start the procedure. The bell will ring continually, indicating the correct value is being

calculated. If you chose a very low setting, be patient. If you do not get a setting with-

in a minute, return to the beginning of this option or start over15 and then chose a

slightly higher throttle value.

• At the end of the process, the engine will move slightly and stop. The horn will hoot,

signifying the end of the operation and you will hear the message “V-Start = X” where

“X” is the new setting.

Note: The final value of V-Start will decrease from the original voltage reading because resistance in

the power pack or pickups will drop the voltage slightly during this calibration procedure.

Note: If you accidentally go to a higher option number than the one you wanted, simply turn

the power off, re-enter programming, and start again. Once you reach the last Program

Option, it will continue to announce the last Option number.

Entering a Program Option and Making Changes

After the verbal announcement of a Program Option, you can enter that option by perform-

ing a Slow or Quick flip-and-back operation of the direction switch. Upon entering a Program

Option, you will hear the current setting for that option. For unused Program Options, you will

hear “Reserved”. For any volume option, you will hear “Volume equals X” (where “X” is its

current volume level setting). After a moment, you will hear the sound playing at its current

volume13.

Note: Entering a Program Option does not change the settings for that option; it only pro-

vides information about its current value. After entering the Program Option, additional Slow

or Quick flip-and-back operations will program new settings as described in the above table.

For all level adjustments, a Quick operation will decrease one level while a Slow operation will

increase one level.

Note: Since “System Volume” is the first Program Option, you can use Quick or Slow oper-

ations immediately after entering programming to change the system volume.

Moving on to Other Program Options or Leaving Programming

• Flip the direction switch at anytime to the opposite position, and leave it there.

Quantum will first return to and announce the current program option number and

then automatically advance on to higher options.

• Exit Programming anytime you want by turning the power off and back on again.

Example: Setting Throttle Mode (Program Option # 10)

This will determine whether your locomotive uses Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) or Standard

Throttle Control (STC).

• Enter Programming after powering up your engine by turning the bell on, then off

and then on as described above.

• After the “Enter Programming” followed by “Option One - System Volume”

announcement of the first Program Option, flip the direction switch and leave it there.

After you hear the announcement “Option 1, 2, 3 … etc.” stop when you hear “ten”

by moving the direction switch back. You will hear “Throttle Mode”.

• Use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to enter this option. If the

throttle mode is at its default value (RTC), you will hear “Throttle Mode equals RTC;”

otherwise, you will hear “Throttle Mode equals STC.”

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DCC OPERATION

These steps will allow you to start operating your FM Train Master immediately using any qual-

ified NMRA command station.

1. Select engine number 3.

2. Set your controller to 128 (preferable) or 28 (acceptable) speed step range.

3. Start your locomotive immediately by pressing the F6 function key to hear the engine

start up sounds. The directional Front Headlight, Rear Headlight, and Mars18 Light will be

off. Use the FL or F0 key to turn on the directional lighting.

When you reduce the throttle to zero, the engine will automatically enter neutral when the

engine stops. You will hear a short air release when the engine stops moving and a longer air

release about one second later followed by air pumps and other background sounds19. The

directional Front Headlight will go dim or, if your model FM Train Master has a Mars Light, the

Mars light will stop pulsing and go dim.

The direction of your locomotive will change when you press the direction key.

Function Keys

The following table lists features that have been pre-assigned to your DCC function keys.

Operation of these keys can be different in the neutral state (locomotive stopped) and the

motive states (locomotive moving in forward or reverse). After you have selected your loco-

motive, simply press any of the function keys listed below to produce the described effects.

Note: Sometimes it is difficult to see the engine move unless you are watching carefully.

• To leave programming, turn the throttle off, and then power up for normal engine

operation.

• Or continue to V-Max by moving the direction switch and waiting for the next

programming option to be announced.

Example: Setting V-Max (Program Option # 9)

V-Max is set in the same manner as V-Start except after entering this Program Option, you

will hear “Set throttle to V-Max” which is the position where you want the full track voltage

to be applied to the motor (usually about 80% of full throttle)16 . Then do a Quick or Slow

operation to set V-Max.

Note: When double heading your Quantum equipped locomotives17, make sure that both

locomotives have similar speed/throttle characteristics by adjusting V-Start and V-Max to pre-

vent them from fighting each other.

For more information, download the Quantum Analog Reference Manual

(Version 2) from http://www.qsindustries.com/

13 Setting any volume in Analog will also apply to DCC and vice-versa.

14 Quantum systems have a built-in voltmeter that measures the track voltage and announces its value verbally. Depending on the power pack, this voltage may be slightly

different from the value measured by an external meter. However, since the Quantum voltmeter uses its own values for throttle levels, it is the correct value for the system.

15 See section above: Moving on to Other Program Options or Leaving Programming.

16 V-Max should not be set too low when using RTC. For most power packs, the best choice for V-Max is about 1.5 volts below the highest throttle setting as determined by the

Quantum internal voltmeter.

17 Do not double-head Quantum engines with standard engines and then operate the horn or bell while engines are moving. The standard engine will reverse direction and fight with

the Quantum engine.

Function Key* Forward and Reverse Neutral

F0 or FL or Headlight Directional Lighting on or off Directional Lighting on or off

F1 Bell on or offBell on or off

F2 Horn or horn with Doppler Effect (see below) Horn on or off

F3 Coupler Crash/Coupler Fire Coupler Arm or Coupler Fire

F4 Diesel Motor Cooling Fans on or off Diesel Motor Cooling Fans on or off

F5 Dynamic Brake function on or off Dynamic Brake function on or off

F6 Doppler Start Up

F7 Brake Squeal/Flanges and Air Brakes Brake Set - Long Air Let-off

F8 Audio Mute on or off Audio Mute on or off

F9 Short Air Let-off20 Shut Down

F10 Locomotive’s Verbal Speed Readout in SMPH Locomotive’s Verbal Status Readout

F11 Front Number Board Lights on or off Front Number Board Lights on or off

F12 Short Air Let-off Short Air Let-off

* Quantum supports the new NMRA 0-12 function key standard as proposed; the older 0-8 standard is not supported.

18 Only SP 4802 and 4805 FM Train Master models have Mars Lights. The Mars light is operational at the front (short hood) end only.

19 Neutral sounds also include cooling fans with vents opening and closing that turn on and off randomly.

20 A “Short Air Let Off” is the sound we use to indicate a “no-op” (no operation of a feature).

QX-HO Train Master Sound Manual 8/3/04 1:39 PM Page 16

Sound-of-Power

Your FM Train Master locomotive will produce labored diesel motor sounds under acceleration

and lighter diesel motor sounds under deceleration but only if CV 3 or CV 23 and CV 4 or CV

24 are set to non-zero positive values. The level of labored sounds is proportional to the val-

ues for these four CV’s, and how much the throttle is increased or decreased.

Diesel Motor RPM: Quantum has all eight diesel motor throttle “notches” found on most pro-

totype locomotives. As you increase the throttle, you will hear the RPMs increase for every

increase in ten speed steps (at 128 speed step setting). Idle is considered Notch 1 and occurs

for speed step 0. Notch 2 ranges from 1 to 10, Notch 3 from 11 to 20, Notch 4 from 21 to

30, etc. If your controller has an option to increment or decrement your throttle setting by ten

speed steps, it is very easy and predicable to set your notch value.

Horn and Bell Buttons (F2, F1)

Some DCC controllers have separate horn and bell buttons along with Function Keys assigned

to Horn and Bell operation. The horn is usually assigned to F2. The F2 key and the horn but-

ton behave differently.

• Pressing the F2 key and releasing it will cause the horn to come on and stay on, until

you press F2 again23.

• Pressing the horn button will blow the horn only as long as you are holding it down.

Pressing the F1 key and releasing it will cause the bell to come on and stay on, until you press

F1 again. There is no difference in operation between the bell button and its corresponding

Function Key.

Doppler Operation (F6)

With DCC, you can trigger the Doppler effect by quickly interrupting the horn signal in the

same way it is described under Analog control. Or you can use the Function Key dedicated to

the Doppler effect.

• Start the horn and/or bell by pressing and releasing their function keys24.

• Press F6 to hear the Doppler shift. A few seconds after the horn button is turned off

with the F2 key the engine sounds return to normal25.

Squealing Brake and Flange Sounds (F7)

Quantum provides automatic brake squeal as an engine slows to a stop. The operator can also

control squealing sounds for continuous and variable brake sounds for protracted stops or to

simulate the sounds of squealing wheel flanges on curved track.

If you have a DCC command station that supports only the older 0 to 8 function key standard,

you will have no way to initiate Shut Down in Neutral with these pre-assigned feature to func-

tion key mappings. There is an interim solution to this problem; by changing CV38 from its

default value of 4 to decimal 128, you can control Shut Down in Neutral from function F4

(instead of function F9) on your DCC command station. However, by doing this remapping,

you will lose the ability to “Take Control” of the vents and cooling fans with a DCC function.

(See Automatic Features with “Take Control” Operation on page 21.)

Directional Lighting Operation (F0 or FL or Headlight)

The FL (or F0, or Headlight) key toggles the directional Front Headlight/Rear Headlight/Mars

Light system21 on or off.

The defaults for the Front Headlight, Rear Headlight, and Mars directional lights are off. When

toggled on, the Directional Lights22 come on according to the tables below.

Directional Lighting Operation in DCC and Analog without Mars Light Option (Long hood forward)

Directional Lighting Operation in DCC and Analog with Mars Light Option (Short hood forward)

Coupler and Coupler Crash Sounds (F3)

There are two ways to use the F3 key.

• As your engine is about to couple up to a string of cars, press the F3 key to trigger the

crashing sound of engine coupling. Use the F3 key again as the engine moves out to

trigger the same sound as the slack is taken up in the cars.

• Use the F3 key in neutral to produce uncoupling sounds as you disconnect cars over

uncoupling magnets. Press the F3 key once to produce the sound of the lift bar and

coupling pin being raised. This also arms the uncoupling sound effect. Press the F3 key

again while moving or in neutral to trigger the sound of the coupler knuckle opening and

air-lines parting.

Forward Neutral from Forward Reverse Neutral from Reverse

Front Headlight On Dim Dim Dim

Rear Headlight Off Off On Off

Forward Neutral from Forward Reverse Neutral from Reverse

Front Headlight On Off Off Off

Rear Headlight OffOff On Off

Mars Light Pulsing Dim Dim Dim

21 Explicit lighting control features for headlight, reverse light and Mars Light can be assigned to DCC function outputs. (See Quantum DCC Reference Manual, Version 2)