QSI Quantum Electric Q1a User manual

Electric Locomotive
Operation Manual
for QSI Quantum System™ Analog & DCC
Q1a Sound Decoder Equipped Locomotives
24 August 2006
Manual Version 4.1.2
For Firmware Version 7

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 2/24 24 August 2006
Table of Contents
BASIC ANALOG OPERATION.......................................................................................................3
ADVANCED ANALOG FEATURES ...............................................................................................4
ANALOG PROGRAMMING............................................................................................................8
DCC OPERATION ........................................................................................................................11
DCC PROGRAMMING..................................................................................................................17
QUANTUM SYSTEM SOUNDS ....................................................................................................20
SPECIAL OPERATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................22

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 3/24 24 August 2006
Basic Analog Operation
QSI recommends that you get used to operating and having fun with your new sound-equipped locomotive before
exploring its more advanced features or programming options. Read through this section and be up and running with
your new Quantum equipped locomotive in less than five minutes.
Running the Locomotive
Use an HO power pack with a standard direction switch. Set the switch to run your locomotive forward.
•Turn the throttle up slowly until you hear the Quantum System™ come on. You will hear Start Up sounds and
lights will turn on.
•Continue to turn up the throttle voltage until the locomotive starts to move in Forward. The Directional Lighting
will turn on. The locomotive will start out slowly due to special Quantum Inertial Control™ that resists rapid
increases or decreases in speed.
•To stop the locomotive, bring the throttle down (but not so low that the sounds quit) and wait until locomotive
slows to a standstill on its own.
Reversing the Locomotive
This simple operation is exactly the same as with standard locomotives.
•Bring the locomotive to a stop and turn the power all the way off.
•Flip the direction switch and reapply power to go in the opposite direction. Directional Lighting will change.
Horn
Blow the authentic Electric locomotive Horn for short or long blasts – you control the duration.
•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 locomotive will not change direction when you blow the Horn.
Note: If you use a reversing-throttle that changes continuously from forward-to-off-to-reverse or 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 (available on all U.S. and other selected models)
You can turn on the Bell (if enabled) 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.
Note: The Bell will stay on until you do another Quick flip-and-back operation of the direction switch to turn it off or if you
interrupt the track power.
Note: 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.
Note: 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: If your locomotive does not have a prototypical bell enabled, the feature will still be present. You will hear a single
feedback ding when you turn the bell feature on and a double-ding when you turn the bell feature off.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 4/24 24 August 2006
Advanced Analog Features
Starting the Locomotive
Unlike standard HO locomotives that start at very low track voltages, Quantum equipped locomotives require a minimum of about five volts
to operate the electronics. Also, the response to the throttle is realistically much slower, just like a prototype locomotive.
•Turn the throttle up slowly until you hear the Quantum System™ come on with a Long Air Let-off sound.
•Continue to turn up the throttle voltage until the locomotive just starts to move in Forward (this voltage is called V-Start1). The Electric
Motor sounds will rev up with locomotive speed and with labored sounds proportional to the locomotive’s acceleration and Load
setting.
Locomotive Inertia Effects
Your new locomotive is pre-programmed at the factory to use Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) in Analog operation. A model
locomotive under RTC operates as though it has the mass and inertia of a prototype locomotive. As a result, your locomotive
will resist starting up too quickly if at rest and will resist changes in speed once moving. It takes a little practice to learn to
move the throttle and wait until the locomotive responds. If you prefer that your locomotive respond almost immediately to
the throttle, reprogram it to use Standard Throttle Control (STC), which has no Inertial Control (see Example 1 under Analog
Programming, page 8).
•As you slow the locomotive down by reducing the throttle to a little below V-start, the Electric Motors rev and labored sounds volume
decreases, while Squealing Brake sounds occur as the electric locomotive comes to a slow stop2.
Advanced Horn Operation
Doppler Effect
This sound effect changes the pitch and volume of the Horn, Bell and other electric locomotive sounds as the locomotive passes by.
•While the locomotive is moving toward the observer, flip the direction switch to turn on the Horn.
•Wait at least one second while the Horn is blowing.
•Just before the locomotive passes in front of the observer, flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the Horn does not shut off.
You will hear the Doppler Effect 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 locomotive 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.
Note: The faster the locomotive is moving, the greater the Doppler shift. Below 15 smph (24 skph), there is no Doppler shift.
Playing the Horn
Prototype engineers would often “play” their horns by controlling the flow of compressed air. In particular, engineers often had a signature
sound associated with how they ended their horn sequences. Some Quantum System sound sets have special Horn Endings that can be
activated using the direction switch to produce a unique sound effect similar to that of a prototype engineer’s “playing” the Horn.
•Flip the direction switch to blow the Horn for at least one second.
•The normal way to end the Horn is to flip the direction switch back. To do the special Horn Ending, add an immediate Quick flip-and-
back operation.
Note: If you wait too long to do the Quick Flip-and-Back operation, the Bell might turn on instead.
Strobing Ditch Lights
For safety reasons, prototype engineers will often strobe the Ditch Lights while the Horn is blowing, particularly at grade crossings.
•While the locomotive is moving Forward, flip the direction switch to turn on the Horn.
Ditch Lights (if so equipped) will start alternating from side to side and continue for five seconds3after you turn off the Horn.
1 It is useful to mark where V-Start is on your throttle. V-Start can also be reprogrammed to different values for different power packs.
2 Squealing Brakes occur if the locomotive exceeds 40 scale-miles per hour (64 scale kilometers/hour) and then slows down to below 20 smph (32 skph).

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 5/24 24 August 2006
Automatic Features
Quantum features4are automatically controlled as a function of the directional state of the locomotive as described in the table below.
Feature Forward Neutral from Forward Reverse Neutral from Reverse
Headlight Bright Dim Dim Dim
Reverse Light Dim5Dim Bright Dim
Mars Light Strobing Steady On Steady On Steady On
Ditch Lights On Off Off Off
Number Board Lights On On On On
Marker Lights On On On On
Cab Lights Off after 15 seconds On after 10 seconds. Off after 15 seconds On after 10 seconds.
Vents & Cooling Fans On after 10 seconds Off after 10 seconds On after 10 seconds Off after 10 seconds
Note: If your locomotive has a Mars Light, the Headlight will be off instead of “Dim” in all states except Forward where it will be Bright.
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 off and wait for the locomotive to stop 6. The Headlight and optional
Ditch Lights will turn off and the optional Mars Light switches to steady-on. The Reverse Light will turn off when entering Neutral.
•You will hear a Short Air Let-off when the locomotive stops moving and enters Neutral, a Long Air Let-off about three seconds later,
followed by Air Pumps and other background sounds. After ten seconds the Electric Traction Motor Cooling Fans shut off if they were
on when you entered Neutral. Optional Cab Lights come on 10 seconds after entering Neutral.
•After the Air Pumps start, you can use the direction switch to blow the Horn or turn on or off the Bell (if enabled).
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 locomotive’s direction.
•Put the locomotive in Neutral by bringing the throttle down below V-start and waiting for the locomotive to stop.
•Flip the direction switch after you hear the Short Air Let-off but before you hear the Long Air Let-off followed by Air Pump sounds
turning 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 Air Pumps start in Neutral and now wish to change direction, you can either:
1. Reduce the throttle to off, change the direction switch and turn the throttle back up to repower the locomotive or,
2. Leave the locomotive in Neutral, 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 and then hoot one more time if the direction is Forward for a
total of two hoots. Or if the direction is Reverse, the Horn will hoot two more times for a total of three hoots7.
Note: To prevent the first Horn hoot from being too long, do not delay in turning up the throttle after you have flipped the direction switch.
3 The hold time for strobing Ditch Lights after the horn button is released can be set using CV 55.84.5. The setting of this CV applies to both Analog and DCC operation.
4 Not all features, or dim light capability, may be available in your particular locomotive model.
5 Most Quantum 1 and Q1a Reverse Lights cannot be dimmed; they only have bright and off settings. In these cases, “Dim” is equivalent to “Off”.
6 If Regulated Throttle Control is enabled it is important to wait until the locomotive stops on its own. The locomotive’s electronic Inertial Control 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 turn
off.
7 Standard US prototype railroad signaling is two hoots before starting in forward and three hoots before starting in reverse. Other countries have different signaling. Check your
Electric Model Specification sheet for horn sequences used on your model.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 6/24 24 August 2006
Train Load
You can set your electric locomotive to have any of 16 different Load levels, which represent added inertia from rolling stock (see Analog
Programming, Option 2 on page 8). The higher the Load setting, the greater the inertia effect during acceleration and deceleration. As you
increase track voltage, the motor is provided an increasing portion of that voltage which, depending on the Load setting, will gradually
accelerate the locomotive 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 locomotive to accelerate or stop as quickly as the internal flywheels will allow. Under
RTC, level 0 will add no additional Load to the Intrinsic Inertia already provided by RTC. For any Load setting from 1-15, your electric
locomotive 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 throttle8; at level 15, it will take over 3 ½ minutes to achieve full speed. In addition, at higher Load settings, your locomotive
will decelerate more slowly as you decrease your throttle.
Sound-of-Power™
Your electric locomotive will produce heavy labored Electric Traction Motor sound effects under RTC or under STC (as long as you have
selected any of the Load settings from level 1 to 15). Under acceleration, the Electric Traction Motor sounds will be more labored until the
locomotive has achieved its final speed where it will then produce standard sounds appropriate to its throttle setting. Under deceleration,
the Electric Motor sounds are less labored until it achieves its final speed where it will again produce standard Electric Motor sounds
appropriate to its throttle setting.
Helpers
Prototype Helpers are locomotives that are used to provide extra power and/or braking for a heavily loaded train. These Helper locomotives
can be part of the head-end consist or as mid-train helpers or as pushers at the end of the train. Helper locomotives behave differently than
the train’s lead locomotive. Their horns and bells are usually not operated, and their lighting options are different 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 locomotive will
behave by selecting between a Lead locomotive, Mid Helper, End Helper, or Pusher. Each type of Helper locomotive has different lights and
sounds enabled or disabled, as described in the table under Option 3, in Analog Programming, page 8.
Normal and Reversed Direction
Quantum also allows you to reverse the directional sense of your locomotive. This is normally not an issue with DC two-rail trains since all
locomotives will go in the same direction whether they are facing forwards or backwards. However, certain features like Directional Lighting
depend on the directional sense. For instance, if you program your locomotive to be an End-Helper for your consist, its Reverse Light (rear
Headlight) operates only when the locomotive is moving in Reverse and the Headlight is disabled. This arrangement is ideal for providing a
Reverse Light for the consist. However, if this electric locomotive is facing backwards at the end of a consist, the Reverse Light faces
forward and will be lit when the consist is moving Forward and there will be no Reverse Light for the consist. The “Direction” program option
feature will ensure that this End Helper’s backward facing front Headlight will come on only when the consist is backing up and the forward
facing Reverse Light (rear Headlight) will not light at all. When making up a train with different Helper types, it is recommended that you
also change the directional sense of any Helper that is intended to be operated backwards within the consist. See “Option 4 Direction”,
Analog Programming, page 8.
Additional Analog Operation Features Available with the Quantum Engineer™ Controller
Your Quantum Electric locomotive is equipped with QSI’s QARC™ (Quantum Analog Remote Control) Technology. QARC Technology uses
special remote control signals to operate various Quantum System features without the need for complicated and expensive digital
systems. With QARC technology, you can operate features that are otherwise available only in Digital Command Control (DCC), plus some
new features that are not yet available in DCC. QARC will allow you to: 1) turn on or off individual lights, 2) shut down and start up
locomotives, 3) make up consists easily, 4) simplify Analog programming, 5) set System Volume or Mute while train is operating, 6) trigger
Coupler Crash sounds, 7) operate prototype-like Air Brakes, 8) turn on Dynamic Brakes, 9) activate Status or Speed Reports and operate
many other features. The QARC System makes Analog operation more fun and more prototypical than DCC by eliminating the need to
configure function keys. Every button on the QARC controller does exactly what it is labeled to do. The only major difference between QARC
and DCC is that, with QARC Technology, you are not able to independently operate multiple trains on the same powered track section at
different speeds at the same time.
8 Some unloaded power packs produce excessive voltage at max throttle and will activate the Quantum high-voltage circuit breaker. When this happens, your locomotive will stop
and emit a series of hoots until the power is reduced to a lower voltage (see Troubleshooting, pages 22-23).

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 7/24 24 August 2006
The QARC controller, called Quantum Engineer™, can be added to your existing Analog DC power pack in less than five minutes. Wiring is
simple: two red wires go to the variable DC output from the power pack and two black wires go to the track. Place Quantum Engineer beside
your power pack or mount it directly on most popular power packs as shown below. All features on the power pack remain the same
including throttle and reverse switch control. See our web site at http://www.qsindustries.com/ for further information.
Wiring Quantum Engineer is Simple. Quantum Engineer Shown Attached to Standard DC Power Pack
Figure1 Figure2
Programming and Sound Control with Quantum Engineer:
Figure 3 shows the Star Pad key section of the Quantum
Engineer, which controls both sound and programming.
During normal operation, the Volume ▲and Volume ▼keys
control the system volume and the Mute key toggles the
sound between normal and a low volume level. In addition,
the STC and RTC keys allow you to easily select between
Standard Throttle Control and Regulated Throttle Control.
Or you can enter Programming Mode by pressing and holding
the
Prgm key while you turn on the power. The Red power light
will blink and your locomotive directional lights will blink to
indicate you have entered programming. Press the
Next key
to advance from one Programming Option to the next. The
locomotive will speak out which Option you have selected.
The
Prev key allows you to move backwards through Program
Options. Once you have selected an Option, use the Volume
▲or Volume ▼keys to program that option.
Figure 3
For instance, if you wanted to change the Whistle volume independently or other sounds, enter programming with the Prgm key, and press
and hold the
Next key until you hear the locomotive count up to thirteen “13” and responds with the verbal message “Whistle Volume”. Press
the Volume ▲key to increase the Whistle volume or press the Volume ▼to decrease the Whistle volume. As you press the volume up or
down keys, you will hear the Whistle hoot at each new volume setting. You can now move to other options by pressing the
Next or Prev key. For
instance, if you pressed the
Next Key, you would advance to the next option, “14” where the locomotive would announce “Bell Volume”. You
can now use the Volume ▲or Volume ▼to change the Bell volume and hear the Bell sound at each new volume setting. To leave
programming, simply shut off the track power. See the table on page 8 for additional listings of Programming Options.
Quantum Enginee
r
Add
-
on
Controller
Standard DC
Power Pack
DC Power Pack
Star Pad Ke
y
s

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 8/24 24 August 2006
Analog Programming
The Electric Locomotive can be Programmed Using a Standard Power Pack.
All advanced operations are easily programmed using your standard HO power pack. After entering programming (described below), the
various features are selected and operated by using the direction switch9.
Program
Option #’s
(POP’s10)
Option Name
(Default Value)
Message when
Entering Option
Option Description
1 System Volume11
(16, Max)
“Volume equals X” Sets System volume (17 levels) where level 16 is maximum volume and level 0 is off.
2 Load
(0, No Load)
“Load equals X” Selects the starting and stopping inertia for both Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) and
Standard Throttle Control (STC). Level 0 (no load), Level 1-15, increasing Load with
acceleration to full speed from 15 seconds to 210 seconds in RTC and from 3 seconds
to 45 seconds in STC.
3 Helper
(Normal)
“Helper equals”
“Normal”,
“Lead”,
“Mid”
“End”
“Pusher”
Selects Normal, Lead, Mid, End, or Pusher Helper in consists.
Normal Locomotive has all sounds and lights enabled.
Lead locomotive has all sounds enabled and Reverse Light disabled.
Mid Helper has Horn, Bell and all lights disabled12.
End Helper has Horn, Bell and all lights disabled except Reverse Light.
Pusher has Reverse Light on all the time as train warning light. Horn, Bell and all other
lights are disabled.
4 “Direction”
(Normal)
“Direction equals X” Selects if the features associated with the locomotive’s direction are “Normal” or
“Reversed”.
5-7 Reserved “Reserved”
8 V-Start (8.5v) “V-Start equals X” Sets track voltage at which locomotive will leave Neutral. (See Example below)
9 V-Max (12v) “V-Max equals X” Sets track voltage at which full track power is applied to motor.
10 Throttle Mode
(RTC)
“Mode equals X”” Selects between Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) and Standard Throttle Control (STC).
11 Programming Reset “Warning – about to
reset”
After next Quick or Slow Operation, Bell rings followed by “Reset” to indicate the
locomotive has returned to factory default condition.
12 About Model number Each Quick or Slow Operation provides progressive information about Quantum Model
Number, Software Version, and Software Release Date.
13-49 Additional Programming Options are used to set volumes for the different sounds such
as Horn, Bell, etc. See the Analog Reference Manual, 4.0.
Where “X” is the current value of the Program Option. Defaults are shown in parenthesis along with the option name; defaults for volume levels are listed on the Electric Model
Specification sheet included with your locomotive.
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 Bell13 with a Quick flip-and-back operation.
3. Within three seconds of the Bell turning on, turn off the bell 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 automatically and you will hear “Enter Programming”
and the Headlight and Reverse Light will flash alternately off and on.
9 Programming is even simpler using a Quantum Engineer Controller (see previous section on page 7).
10 POP is short for “Program Option”.
11 You can set volume with the Manual Volume Control or with Programming or both.
12 Some lights that are not controlled by the Quantum System may remain on.
13 If your locomotive does not have a prototype Bell enabled, a single feedback ding indicates you have entered the Bell State and a double-ding indicates you have left the Bell
State.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 9/24 24 August 2006
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.
•When you hear the Option Number you want, flip the direction switch back and leave it there. 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.
Note: If you accidentally go to a higher option number other than the one you wanted, simply turn the power off, re-enter Programming and start again14.
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 performing a Slow or Quick flip-and-back operation of the
direction switch15. 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 volume16.
Note: It is easy to distinguish between doing a Quick and Slow operation. When you flip the direction switch to do a Slow operation, wait until you hear a
low level “hiss” sound from the locomotive and then immediately flip the direction switch back. To do a Quick operation, make sure you flip the
direction switch back before you hear the “hiss” sound.
Note: Entering a Program Option does not change the settings for that option; it only provides 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 operations 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. The Quantum System will first return to and announce
the current Program Option and then automatically advance on to higher options.
•Exit Programming anytime you want by turning the power off and then back on again.
Example 1: 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 locomotive 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. You will hear the announcement “Option 1, 2, 3 … etc.” Stop when you hear “one-zero” 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
“Mode equals Regulated;” otherwise, you will hear “Mode equals Standard.”
•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 “Regulated” or “Standard”.
•Once you have selected the Throttle Mode you wish to use, turn the throttle off. When you power up again, your locomotive will be
using the Throttle Mode that you have just selected.
Example 2: Setting V-Start (Program Option # 8)
This option will determine the voltage (and throttle position) at which the locomotive will leave Neutral and start moving.
•Enter Programming after powering up your locomotive by turning the Bell on, then off and then on - as described above.
•After the “Enter Programming” announcement followed by “Option One - System Volume” announcement for the first Program Option,
flip the direction switch and leave it there. You will hear the announcement “Option 1, 2, 3 … etc.”. Stop when you hear the number
“8” by moving the direction switch back. You will hear “V-Start”.
14 If you have a Quantum Engineer, you can move both back and forth through Program Options.
15 If you have a Quantum Engineer, Quick and Slow operations are done with specific program buttons.
16 Setting any volume in Analog will also apply to DCC and vice-versa.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 10/24 24 August 2006
•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 for leaving Neutral.
•Use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to activate this option. Hear the message “Set throttle to V-Start.” After three
seconds, the voltage will be announced. If you move the throttle, the new track voltage value is announced a few seconds later.
•Once throttle is set, use a Slow or Quick operation of the direction switch to start the V-Start voltage setting procedure. The locomotive
will move at a slow speed and the Bell will ring continually for about 25 seconds, indicating the correct value is being calculated. If you
chose a very low voltage setting, be patient. If the locomotive does not move during this procedure, return to the beginning of this
option or start over17 and then chose a slightly higher throttle setting.
•At the end of the process, the locomotive will stop moving and 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.
•To leave Programming, turn the throttle off, and then power up for normal locomotive operation.
•Or continue to V-Max by moving the direction switch and waiting for the next Programming Option to be announced.
Example 3: 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
throttle position where you want the full track voltage to be applied to the motor (usually about 80% of full throttle)18. Then do a Quick or
Slow operation to start the V-Max setting procedure. Like V-Start, the bell will ring continually until the voltage is set followed by a Horn
hoot to indicate the procedure is finished. Setting V-Max is much quicker than V-Start.
Note: During the V-Max setting, the locomotive will not move as it does under V-Start.
For more information, download the Quantum Analog Reference Manual (Ver 4) from http://www.qsindustries.com.
17 See section above: Moving on to Other Program Options or Leaving Programming.
18 V-Max should not be set too low when using RTC. For most MRC™ power packs, the best choice for V-Max is about 1.5 volts below the highest throttle setting as determined by
the Quantum built-in Voltmeter.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 11/24 24 August 2006
DCC Operation
These steps will allow you to start operating your Quantum equipped electric locomotive immediately using any DCC system that is
compatible with the applicable NMRA DCC specifications.
1. Select locomotive number 3.
2. Set your DCC controller to 128 (preferable) or 28 (acceptable) speed step range.
3. Start your locomotive immediately by pressing the F6 DCC function key19 to hear the locomotive Start Up sounds. The Directional
Lighting System ((Front Headlight, Reverse Light (Rear Headlight), optional Mars Light and optional Ditch Lights20)) will be on. The Cab
Lights and Number Board Lights will turn on. The Cab Lights will shut off automatically after ten seconds.
4. Increase the throttle to leave Neutral and start the locomotive moving. The locomotive will start out slowly due to special Quantum
Inertial Control™ that resists rapid increases or decreases in speed. When you reduce the throttle to zero, you will hear a Short Air Let-
off when the locomotive stops moving indicating that it has entered Neutral; a Long Air Let-off will occur about one second later,
followed by Air Pumps and other background sounds21.
The direction of your locomotive will change when you press the direction key on your DCC throttle.
Locomotive Inertia Effects
Your new locomotive is pre-programmed at the factory to use Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) in DCC operation. A model
locomotive under RTC operates as though it has the mass and inertia of a prototype locomotive. As a result, your locomotive
will resist starting up too quickly if at rest and will resist changes in speed once moving. It takes a little practice to learn to
move the throttle slowly and wait until the locomotive responds. If you prefer that your locomotive respond almost
immediately to the throttle, it may be reprogrammed to use Standard Throttle Control (STC) in CV 56.4.
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
locomotive, simply press any of the function keys listed below to produce the described effects.
Function Key* Forward and Reverse Neutral
F0 or FL or Headlight Directional Head, Reverse, Mars and Ditch Lights on/off Directional Head, Reverse, Mars and Ditch Lights on/off
F1 Bell on/off (if assigned22) Bell on/off (if assigned)
F2 Horn or horn with Doppler Effect (see below) Horn
F3 Coupler Crash/Coupler Fire Coupler Arm or Coupler Fire
F4 Automatic Cooling Fans on/off Automatic Cooling Fans on/off
F5 Dynamic or Regenerative Brake feature on/off Dynamic Brake function on/off (in “Disconnect” only)23
F6 Initiate Doppler Effect Start Up
F7 Squealing Brake/Flanges and Air Brakes Brake Set - Long Air Let-off
F8 Audio Mute on/off Audio Mute on/off
F9 Heavy Load on/off Disconnect/Standby/Shut Down
F10 Locomotive’s Speed Report. Status Report
F11 Number Board or Marker Lights on/off Number Board or Marker Lights on/off
F12 Automatic Cab Lights on/off Automatic Cab Lights on/off
* Quantum supports the new NMRA 0-12 function key standard; the old 0-8 standard is not supported.
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 function key mappings. There is an interim solution to this problem; Swap the features assigned
to the F7 and F9 outputs in Neutral by doing the following:
1. Set CV49 to 9, set CV50 to 1, and set CV53 to 145. Now F7 in Neutral controls Shut Down.
2. Set CV49 to 11, set CV50 to 1, and set CV53 to 9. Now F9 in Neutral controls Long Air Let-off.
19 It does not need to be F6; any function or speed command will activate the locomotive. It is only when a locomotive is in Shut Down that an F6 command is necessary.
20 The lighting features available depend on the locomotive model.
21 Neutral sounds also include steam Pop-off, Water Injector, and Blow Down that turn on and off randomly.
22 If the prototype did not have a bell, the bell feature is disabled. Instead a simple feedback ding is assigned to F1.
23 Dynamic or Regenerative Brakes have no sound effect in Neutral or Disconnect. They are included here for consistency with other Quantum equipped locomotives.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 12/24 24 August 2006
Automatic Features
Automatic Quantum Features depend on the directional state of the locomotive. Automatic Control can be enabled or disabled by their
indicated function keys. The state of each Automatic feature in each direction is shown in the table below.
Feature Function Key Forward Neutral from Forward Reverse Neutral from Reverse
Headlight F0 or FL Bright Dim24 Dim Dim
Reverse Light F0 or FL Dim25 Dim Bright Dim
Mars Light F0 or FL Strobing Steady On Steady On Steady On
Ditch Lights F0 or FL On Off Off Off
Number Board
Lights F11 On On On On
Marker Lights F11 On On On On
Cab Lights F12 Off after 15 seconds On after 10 seconds. Off after 15
seconds On after 10 seconds.
Vents & Cooling
Fans F4 On after 20 seconds. Off after 10 seconds. On After 20 seconds. Off after 10 seconds.
When an indicated function key enables an “automatic” light feature, the associated lights operate according to the states shown in the
table. For instance, enabling the Automatic Ditch Lights in Neutral will not cause the Ditch Lights to turn on since their automatic behavior
would have them off in that directional state; however, it you then entered Forward, the Ditch Lights would turn on. When an indicated
function key disables an “automatic” feature, all lights will be off. For instance, disabling “Automatic Ditch Lights” will immediately shut off
any operating Ditch Lights and they will not turn on again until the automatic feature is enabled.
Note: Use CV 55 to change the behavior of lights from what is described in the above table.
Note: Not all features may be available in your locomotive model. In particular, Number Board Lights and Marker Lights have not been offered for the same
model. F11 is assigned to the feature that is available.
Note: Lights and other features can be assigned to function keys and configured to different kinds of operation and initial conditions in CV 53 (Output
Feature Assignment) and CV 55 (QSI Feature Configuration). See the Quantum DCC Reference Manual, version 4.
Coupler and Coupler Crash Sounds (F3)
There are two ways to use the F3 key.
•As your locomotive is about to couple up to a string of cars, press the F3 key to trigger the crashing sound of locomotive coupling. Use
the F3 key again as the locomotive 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 uncoupler magnets. Press the F3 key once to
produce the sound of the lift bar and coupling pin being raised. This first press 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.
Sound-of-Power™
If CV 3, or CV 23 and CV 4, or CV 24 has been set to non-zero positive values, your electric locomotive will produce additional labored
Electric Motor sounds under acceleration and lighter Electric Motor sounds under deceleration. The level of labored sounds is proportional
to the values for these four CV’s, and how much the throttle is increased or decreased.
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 bell is usually
assigned to F1 and the horn is usually assigned to F2. The F2 key behaves differently than using the horn button.
•Pressing the F2 key and releasing it will cause the horn command to come on and stay on, until you press F2 again.
•Pressing the horn button will send the horn command only as long as you hold the button 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.
Note: If your locomotive is equipped with Ditch Lights, they will automatically strobe from one light to the other when the Horn is being blown and will
continue for five seconds after the horn signal has stopped26.
Note: Since the prototype horn uses compressed air, you will hear the Air Pump sounds turn on after the Horn is operated.
24 If your locomotive has a Mars Light, the Headlight will be off (instead of “Dim”) in all states except Forward where it will be Bright.
25 Most Quantum 1 and Q1a Reverse Lights cannot be dimmed; they only have bright and off settings. In these cases, “Dim” is equivalent to “Off”.
26 The hold time for strobing Ditch Lights after the horn button is released can be set in CV 55.84.5.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 13/24 24 August 2006
Doppler Operation (F6)
With DCC, you can trigger the Doppler Effect by quickly interrupting the horn signal in the same way as described under Analog Operation.
Or, you can use the function key (F6) assigned to the Doppler Effect.
•Start the Horn and/or Bell by pressing and releasing their function keys27.
•Press F6 to hear the Doppler shift. A few seconds after the horn button is turned off with the F2 key the Electric locomotive sounds
return to normal28.
Squealing Brake and Flange Sounds (F7)
Quantum provides automatic Squealing Brakes as a locomotive 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.
•To enable Automatic Squealing Brakes operate the locomotive over 40 smph (64 skph). Squealing brakes sounds will then sound
automatically when the speed is reduced to less than 20 smph (32 skph).
•Pressing the F7 key when the locomotive is moving at any speed will manually activate Squealing Brake sounds, and repeated
pressings while the Squealing Brake sounds are occurring will continue the sounds uninterrupted.
Note: If you slow the locomotive too quickly, the brake sounds will terminate abruptly when the locomotive stops and enters Neutral.
Note: If you lower your throttle to speed step 0 on a moving locomotive, the F7 key will apply Air Brakes to slow the locomotive. See next section.
Air Brakes (F7)
If you have selected any non-zero deceleration inertia or momentum value in CV 4 and/or CV 24, the F7 key can be used to apply Air Brakes
to stop the locomotive more quickly than it would normally stop from the inertia settings 29. To use Air Brakes:
•Turn the throttle down to speed step 0 on a moving locomotive; this enables the F7 key to act as a brake.
•Press the F7 key. Hear a brief brake squeal sound and air being released from the brake lines continually. The longer the air is
released the greater the braking action.
Note: F7 will apply brakes when set to1 and stop the air release when set to 0. Depending on the initial setting for F7 when you turn your throttle
down to speed step zero, you may need to press the F7 key twice to first apply brakes.
•Press the F7 key again to stop the air release. The train will continue to slow at the last braking value.
•If you want to apply more braking, press the F7 key again to release more air. When you reach the desired amount of braking, press F7
again to stop the air release.
Note: If you continue to release air (for over 24 seconds total), all the pressure will be released and brakes will be on full; you will hear no further air release
sounds.
•Turn up the throttle to any value above 0 to release the brakes; this action resets the locomotive’s deceleration to a value determined
by the sum of CV 4 and CV 24.
•If the locomotive is in Neutral when the F7 key is pressed, the Long Air Let-off sound simulates setting the brakes. However, no braking
effect is activated30.
Note: If the throttle is set to any speed step except 0, Air Brakes are not enabled; instead the F7 key will now manually activate Squealing Brake/Flange
sounds but will not affect the locomotive’s deceleration.
Note: If the direction state is changed while moving, F7 is enabled to act as a brake without the need to reduce the throttle to speed step 0. After stopping
and automatically changing direction, the loco will accelerate back to its original speed.
27 If you do not turn on either Horn or Bell, the Doppler Shift will still occur, but will be less dramatic.
28 If the Bell was on, it will shut off prior to sounds returning to normal. If you do not have the Bell feature, but the Bell State is on, it will turn off prior to locomotive sounds returning
to normal.
29 CV 4 and CV 24 determine the deceleration rate. Applying the brakes increases the deceleration rate temporarily.
30 If the brakes are set in Neutral, turning up the throttle automatically releases the brakes.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 14/24 24 August 2006
Three Stages of Electric Locomotive Shut Down: 1. Disconnect, 2. Standby, 3. Total Shut Down (F9)
Locomotive Shut Down has three distinct stages that you can control. Each stage is entered by double pressing the F9 key31.
Stage One: Disconnect
•Double press the F9 key in Neutral to enter Disconnect. You will hear a Long Air Let-off.
•To leave Disconnect, either double press the F6 Start Up key, as described in the Start Up section or double press the F9 key again to
reach Standby, the next stage of Shut Down.
If you double press the F9 key in Neutral, the motor drive will be disconnected. Once you hear the Long Air Let-off, the DCC throttle can be
moved up and down without the electric locomotive moving. All Function Keys are active in Disconnect.
Stage Two: Standby
•Double press the F9 key while in Disconnect to enter Standby. You will hear a Long Air Let-off. The Directional Lighting and optional
Ditch Lights or Mars Light will shut down. The motor will remain disconnected, while the Air Pumps, automatic Cooling Fan operation,
Number Board Lights and Cab Lights will continue to operate. In Standby, the locomotive will not respond to throttle or function
keys32. The three exceptions are the F6 Start Up Key, the F8 Mute Key (described below) and the F10 Status Key (described below).
•To leave Standby, either double press the F6 Start Up Key, as described in the Start Up section, or double press the F9 key again to
reach the final stage of Shut Down: Total Shut Down.
Note: Standby is ideal for leaving your locomotive running on a siding. Although certain lights and sounds are active, the locomotive will not respond to
accidentally changing the throttle setting or pressing the function keys.
Stage Three: Total Shut Down
•Double press the F9 in Standby to enter Total Shut Down. You will hear a Long Air Let-off.
•To leave Total Shut Down, double press the F6 key.
The Air Pumps will turn off, followed by the Number Boards (if so equipped), Marker Lights and the sounds of the Cooling Fans shutting off,
the louvers closing, and finally, the Cab Lights (if so equipped) turning off. A few seconds later you will hear the engineer’s door open and
then shut. In Total Shut Down, the locomotive will not respond to throttle or function keys. The two exceptions are the F6 Start Up Function
Key (described below) and the F10 Status Key (described below).
Note: Total Shut Down allows the operator to take the locomotive “off line” (turn off sounds, lights, ignore throttle settings and function commands)
independent of the operating session; that is, the locomotive will still be “off line” when power is reapplied for the next operating session,
irrespective of whether this next session is Analog (conventional DC) or DCC.
Note: If power is turned off at any stage of Shut Down (Disconnect, Standby or Total Shut Down) or during a Shut Down procedure, the locomotive will remember
the last Shut Down stage it was at during power down, and the locomotive will power up in the same stage. If Start Up is initiated during any of the above
Shut Down procedures, Shut Down is aborted and the locomotive returns to normal operation.
Dynamic or Regenerative Brakes (F5)
Prototype electric locomotives can have dynamic or regenerative brakes or neither. In all cases, the Dynamic Brake function has been
included to make the Quantum electric locomotive consistent with other Quantum equipped locomotives.
•Pressing the F5 key in Forward or Reverse will set the Traction Motor Sound-of-Power to the lowest setting. If the model has Dynamic
Brakes, the resistor grid Cooling Fan will come on. If the model has Regenerative Brakes, Traction Motor Cooling Fans will come on (if
so equipped). If neither type of brake is included, there will be no additional sounds.
•Pressing the F5 key in Neutral will have no Dynamic or Regenerative Brake effect.
Dynamic or Regenerative Brake feature automatically turns off when entering or leaving Neutral, when locomotive speed drops below 7
smph (11 skph)33, or when the throttle is turned up. Dynamic or Regenerative Brake feature cannot be turned on in Forward or Reverse
unless the locomotive speed is over 8 smph (13 skph).
See Dynamic and Regenerative Brake Sound Description under
Quantum System Sounds on pages 19-20.
Note: In contrast to Air Brakes (F7), Dynamic Brakes do not increase the deceleration rate specified by CV 4 and CV 24.
31 Double pressing is defined as two F9 commands sent within two seconds. Note that the F9 key may have to be pressed three times, due to the DCC command station and
locomotive having different initial states for F9. Double pressing ensures that Shut Down stages are not entered or exited accidentally.
32 Pressing a function key will only produce a Short Air Let-off.
33 Dynamic Brakes on prototype locomotives are less effective and are seldom used at low speeds.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 15/24 24 August 2006
Start Up (F6)
If your Quantum equipped electric locomotive is in any stage of Shut Down, you can return your locomotive to normal operation by double
pressing34 the F6 key. Start Up will be different for each stage of Shut Down, but all will start up with a Long Air Let-off and will enter normal
operation.
Start Up from Disconnect: If you double press the F6 key in Disconnect, the electric locomotive will produce a Long Air Let-off and the
locomotive will enter normal operation.
Start Up from Standby: If you double press the F6 key in Standby, the electric locomotive will produce a Long Air Let-off, Directional
Lighting will turn on (if previously on) and the locomotive will enter normal operation.
Start Up from Total Shut Down: If you double press the F6 key in Total Shut Down, the Electric locomotive will produce a Long Air Let-off,
you will hear the engineer’s door opening and closing, and see Cab Lights come on (if so equipped), Number Boards and Colored Marker
Lights (if so equipped) come on, and Directional Lighting turn on (if previously on). These actions are followed by the sounds of vents
opening, the Air Pumps starting up, and the locomotive entering normal operation.
Note: During the Start Up procedure, none of the DCC function keys are active. However, if the throttle is turned up from zero during any of the above Start
Up procedures, the Start Up procedure will abort and the locomotive will enter normal operation.
Mute (F8)
The Quantum System allows you to reduce the System Volume to a lower level or increase it back to its original setting using the F8 function
key. This capability is useful when you need to reduce the sound to engage in a conversation or to answer the phone. If you have many
trains operating at once, you can reduce the volume on all those that are running in the background of the layout and increase the volume
of the closest locomotive. The Mute feature changes the sound gradually over a second or two, which allows the sound to increase or
decrease realistically as the locomotive approaches or recedes from the observer.
•Press the F8 key in Neutral or Forward/Reverse to gradually decrease or increase the locomotive’s volume.
Note: Mute state is not maintained if power is turned off and then turned back on; the locomotive will return to full system volume setting.
Note: Mute is shut off if Status F10 key is pressed to allow clear audio reporting (see Status below).
Note: Mute Volume can be programmed in CV 51.1.
Heavy Load (F9)
Heavy Load is applied while the train is moving; it maintains the train at a steady speed while allowing you to have control over the sound
effects of a working locomotive. Under Heavy Load, changing the throttle will have little affect on the locomotive’s speed. Instead you use
the throttle to control an electric locomotive’s laboring Sound-of-Power effects. When you approach a grade under Heavy Load, increase
the throttle and hear the locomotive’s traction motors work hard with heavy laboring sounds. When the locomotive goes down a grade,
reduce the throttle to diminish the locomotive’s laboring sounds. You control how hard the locomotive works by how much the throttle is
increased or decreased from its initial position (where Heavy Load was turned on).
•Press F9 and hear one short hoot when Heavy Load is turned on
•Press F9 and hear two short hoots when Heavy Load is turned off.
You can apply Heavy Load as soon as you start moving or wait until you are up to speed.
Note: Return the throttle to its initial setting (where Heavy Load was turned on) to avoid acceleration or deceleration when Heavy Load is turned off.
Note: Heavy Load can only be turned on or off in Forward or Reverse. If turned on, it will remain on in Neutral. If you want it off when you start out from
Neutral, immediately do so when the throttle is turned up.
Note: Heavy Load is automatically turned off when track power is turned off.
Note: Heavy Load represents a train that would take over ten minutes to accelerate to full speed or to bring to a complete stop. It is independent of any
inertia (or momentum) values set in CV3, 4, 23, or 24. .
Note: Under RTC and Heavy Load, grades, voltage changes, tight curves or other real loading effects, will have little effect on the speed of the train. Under
STC and Heavy Load, grades, loading, etc. will affect the train speed as it moves around the layout.
Status (F10)
The Quantum System provides verbal information about the locomotive’s current operating state when the locomotive is in Neutral or the
locomotive’s current speed in scale miles per hour when the locomotive is moving.
•Press the F10 key in Neutral; the locomotive will verbally report its currently enabled long or short DCC address followed by its consist
ID (if it has one), followed by its Shut Down state, (Disconnect, Standby or Shut Down).
•Press the F10 key in Forward or Reverse; the locomotive will verbally report the locomotive’s speed in scale miles per hour (smph) or in
scale kilometers per hour (skph)35.
34 Double pressing is defined as two F6 commands sent within two seconds. Note that the F6 key may have to be pressed three times, due to the DCC command station and
locomotive having different initial states for F6. Double pressing ensures that Start Up is not entered accidentally.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 16/24 24 August 2006
Note: When Status Report (or Verbal Speedometer Readout) is activated, the locomotive’s sounds will reduce to one half their current volume settings
during the verbal report. Locomotive sounds return to normal volume when the report has ended.
Note: In a consist, all locomotives will simultaneously report their status when the F10 key is pressed unless disabled in CV 22.
Note: Status in Forward and Reverse can be configured to also report the Back EMF value and/or motor Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) value. See CV 55,
QSI Feature Configuration in the Quantum DCC Reference Manual, version 4.
Function Key Operation in Neutral
Some function keys used in Forward and Reverse will have different effects when used in Neutral:
•The F7 key produces Squealing Brake Sounds or applies brakes for a moving locomotive but produces a Long Air Let-off in Neutral.
•Pressing F6 results in Doppler shift for a moving locomotive but activates Start Up in Neutral.
•Pressing F9 turns on/off the Heavy Load feature in a moving locomotive but activates Shut Down in Neutral.
Note: The Horn, Bell, Doppler Shift, Squealing Brake and Neutral sounds are described in detail on pages 19-20, in the Quantum System Sounds section
of this manual.
35 Scale speed report can be programmed to announce in smph or skph under DCC in CV 56.0, which will apply to both DC Analog and DCC operation.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 17/24 24 August 2006
DCC Programming
Most DCC command stations currently available will program Quantum equipped locomotives in Service Mode36 on a programming track
or Operations (Ops) Mode on the main track. In Service Mode, your locomotive (if queried) will report back CV values to your command
station. In Ops Mode, reports are verbal using the locomotive sound system.
Changing the System Volume Electronically in CV 51.0
You can change the volume either manually (as described in the Special Operation and Troubleshooting section) or electronically using QSI
CV 51.0 in DCC37. To change volume in Service or Ops Mode, do the following:
•Set CV 49 to 0.38
•Enter the System Volume in CV 51.The System Volume can be set to any value between 0 (no sound) and 127 (100%). The default
System Volume is 127.
Note: When you change the System Volume in Ops Mode, you will immediately notice the change in volume.
Note: System Volume changes in DCC also apply to Analog and vice-versa.
Changing the Mute Volume Electronically in CV 51.1
To change the Mute Volume in Service or Ops Mode, do the following:
•Set CV 49 to 1.
•Enter the Mute Volume in CV 51.The Mute Volume can be set to any value between 0 (no sound) and 63 (50%). The default Mute
Volume is 0.
Note: When you change the Mute Volume in Ops Mode, and the locomotive is muted, you will immediately notice the change in Volume.
Note: The Mute Volume level will be the smaller of the Mute Volume setting or one-half the current System Volume. In other words, the Mute Volume will
never be more than one half of the System Volume.
Enable/Disable Horn Triggered Doppler Shift (CV 51.2)
•Set CV 49 to 2.
•Set CV 51, bit 0 to 0 to disable Horn Triggered Doppler; set to 1 to enable Horn Triggered Doppler.
Changing Individual Sound Volumes (CV 52.X 39)
To change the volume of individual sounds listed in the table below do the following40:
•Set CV 49 to the Primary Index for the individual sound from the table below.
•Enter Volume level in CV 52 as follows: “0” = No sound, “1 – 15” sets volume from the lowest level at “1” to the highest at “15”, with
volume levels at 2db increments.Defaults are typically set to 11.
Primary Index entered into CV 49 Individual Sound
0 Horn
8 Bell
10 Electric Motor
16 Air Pump
19 Vents and Cooling Fans
21 Long Air Let-off
22 Short Air Let-off
24 Squealing Brakes/Flanges
34 Coupler Sounds
37 Air Brake Sounds
See your Electric Model Specifications sheet for Individual Sound Volume default settings.
36 If your DCC command station will not program in Service Mode, check with the command station manufacturer; some companies will give you a free upgrade. Also, see Special
Operation and Troubleshooting on page 22-23.
37 System Volume changes in DCC also apply to Analog and vice versa.
38 In Ops Mode, you will hear the value spoken out when changing the value of a CV.
39 ‘X’ refers to the value in column 1 of the table, the Primary Index number that will be entered into CV 49.
40 Setting any Individual Sound Volumes in DCC will also apply to Analog and vice-versa.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 18/24 24 August 2006
Bell Type Selection (CV 55.3.1)
Your Quantum System may have more than one type of Bell sound. To select different Bell sounds,
•Set CV 49 to 3.
•Set CV 50 to 1
•Set CV 55 to a number from 0 to n to select Bell type. The default is 1; “Feedback Bell41” selection is 0 (used for locos where the
prototypes did not have bells).
Note: To determine the number of Bell types, n, set CV 49 to 3, set CV 50 to 0, and set CV 64 to 55 to hear verbal response in Ops Mode.
Note: If you set “n” at a higher value than the number of available Bells, Quantum will select the “Feedback Bell”, type “0”.
Standard Throttle Control and Regulated Throttle Control Options (CV 56.4)
•Set CV 49 to 4.
•Set CV 56 to 0 for Standard Throttle Control; 1 for Regulated Throttle Control. The default is 1.
Note: CV 2, CV3, CV4, CV 5 and speed tables apply to both Standard and Regulated Throttle Control.
Reset all42 CV’s to Factory Default Values (CV 56.128.255)
Note: This does not affect Analog settings, except for volumes.
•Set CV 49 to 128.
•Set CV 50 to 255.
•Set CV 56 to 113 43. In Ops mode, you will hear “Reset” when reset is completed.
Special Procedure for Short or Extended Address Programming (CV 56.129)
If you cannot program your Short or Extended ID number in Service Mode and your DCC command station prevents you from setting either
of these addresses in Ops Mode (using CV 1, or CV 17 and CV 18) use the following alternative procedures to program your locomotive’s
ID’s.
Alternate Procedure for Entering Short (Primary) Address in CV 56.129.1 in Ops Mode
•Set CV 49 to 129.
•Set CV 50 to 1.
•Set CV 56 to your Short Address (1 or 2 digits). Hear the address spoken back (“CV 1 = X”).
•If necessary, set CV 29, bit 5 to ‘0’ (or set CV 29 to 6 which is factory default) to enable your new Primary Address.
Procedure for Entering Long (Extended) Address in CV 56.129.17 in Ops Mode
•Determine the value of CV 17 and CV 18 for your Extended Address from the ID Table in your
Electric Model Specification Sheet or
follow instructions in CV 17 and CV 18 in the
Quantum DCC Reference Manual (Version 4) to calculate a different ID number.
•Set CV 49 to 129.
•Set CV 50 to 17.
•Set CV 56 to the value of CV 17 from the table. Hear the value of CV 17 spoken out (“CV 56.129.17 = X”).
•Set CV 50 to 18.
•Set CV 56 to the value of CV 18 from the table. Hear the value of CV 18 spoken out (“CV 56.129.18 = X”).44
•Set CV 29, bit 5 to ‘1’ (or set CV 29 to 38 45)to allow operation with your new Extended Address.
Disable/Enable Verbal Announcements (CV 62)
In Ops Mode, the Quantum System will automatically speak out the value of the CV that you enter.
•To disable, set CV 62 to 0; to enable, set CV 62 to 1. Default is “Enabled”.
41 Feedback Bells produce a single light “ding” when turning the bell on and a double “ding” when shutting the bell off. This bell type is suitable for locos that are not intended to
have bells but need a bell sound to indicated that the bell state is on or off.
42 Consult the Quantum DCC Reference Manual (Version 4) to learn how to reset different groups of CV’s.
43 “113” is QSI’s Manufacturer’s ID Number assigned by the NMRA.
44 If you want to verify your extended address, set CV 64 to 17 (or 18) to hear the full address spoken out.
45 Entering “38” leaves the other configuration settings in CV 29 at factory default, but changes the ID to Extended Address type.

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 19/24 24 August 2006
CV Inquiry with Verbal Feedback in Ops Mode (CV 64)46
To inquire about the current value of any CV through Verbal Feedback in Ops Mode:
•Set CV 64 to the CV you wish to query. Hear the verbal message “CV ‘X’ equals ‘Y’”, where ‘X’ is the CV number and ‘Y’ is the value.
Note: If the CV has a Primary Index such as QSI CV nn.pp (where nn is the CV number and pp is the Primary Index), set CV 49 to pp before you set CV 64 to
nn. For example, if you want to inquire about the Bell Volume, which is CV 52.8, set CV 49 to 8 and set CV 64 to 52. You will hear, “CV five two point
eight equals ‘Y’ (where ‘Y’ is the current volume setting). If the CV has both a Primary and Secondary Index, such as CV nn.pp.ss where ss is the
Secondary Index, set CV 50 to ss in addition to setting CV 49 to pp before you set CV 64 to nn. .
Note: If you enter either ‘17’ or ‘18’ in CV 64, you will hear the full one to four digit Extended Address ID number spoken out.
Note: Disabling Verbal Announcements (CV 62) will not disable CV Inquiry (CV 64).
46 This option is not affected by CV 62 (Disable/Enable Verbal Announcements).

Electric Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 20/24 24 August 2006
Quantum System Sounds47
Traction Motor Whine: Although both Diesels and Electric locomotives have Traction Motors, Electric locomotives do not have loud diesel
motors drowning out the sounds of the Traction Motors. You will hear the Traction Motors when the Electric Locomotive starts out,
especially if the Cooling Fan volume is turned down to a lower value. Like the prototype, the Quantum Traction Motor Whine pitch increases
and decreases with the speed of the locomotive. It is not affected by track voltage.
Traction Motor Cooling Fans: The Electric Traction Motors get quite hot from the enormous current supplied to their circuits. All Electric
locomotives have powerful Cooling Fans that can create so much draft that the access panel doors cannot be opened when the Cooling
Fans are operating at full power. It is not surprising that these fans can easily be heard in idling and operating locomotives. You will also
hear the sounds of louvers opening before the fans start. When Cooling Fans shut down, you will hear the louvers close.
Extended Start Up and Shut Down: It takes time to startup or shutdown a prototype locomotive. To model this, the Quantum system uses
additional sound records of the engineer entering and leaving the cab, vents opening and closing, lights turning on or off at different times
along with the sounds of the Electric Air Pumps starting up or shutting down.
DCC and QARC only.
Air Pumps: When a locomotive is sitting still, the pumps come on in a steady beat to replace the air lost from brake air releases and from
air-operated appliances. Once the pressure is up, the pumps only turn on occasionally to maintain the pressure. Air Pumps are electrically
operated and are quite noticeable if Cooling Fans are turned off. In Forward, you will hear the Air Pumps come on soon after the Horn is
operated to maintain the air pressure.
Appliance Air Release: Compressed air is used on locomotives for operating various appliances. You will hear either a Short Air Let-off or
Long Air Let-off at various times.
Air Brakes: When prototype train brakes are applied, air is released from the brake lines to reduce the pressure. The more the pressure is
reduced, the greater the braking. You will hear a continual air release sound from the Electric locomotive model as braking is continually
increased. The longer the air is released, the quicker the Electric locomotive model will slow down. Once all the pressure is released, the
locomotive will continue at maximum braking, which can still require a long stopping distance depending on your Load settings.
DCC and
QARC only.
Brake Squeal: You can hear the brakes squeal on prototype locomotives when the locomotive is moving slowly. This sound can become
quite loud when the wheels are just about to stop turning. Listen at slow speeds for automatic Squealing Brake sounds and the final
distinctive squealing sounds as the Quantum equipped Electric locomotive slows to a stop.
Regenerative or Dynamic Brakes: Prototype electric traction motors can act as motors or generators depending on whether they are using
power or generating power. When they are generating power, they are hard to turn and can act as brakes. Under dynamic brakes, the power
generated from the traction motors is dissipated as heat in large resistor grids, usually located on the top of the locomotive. High volume
fans are used to keep the resistor grids from overheating. In regenerative braking, the power from the traction motors is sent back into the
electrical distribution system through the overhead wires. In this case, resistor grids and their cooling fans are not required and less power
is dissipated in the locomotive. In fact, the power generated from a moving train under regenerative braking is used by other locomotives
on the distribution system that are requiring power. If no such locomotives are present, the power is feedback through the substations into
the commercial power grid, which allows the railroad to deduct the power generated from their electrical bill. If the commercial power
company does not allow power to be supplied to its power grid from the railroad, then dynamic brakes might be employed instead.
When Dynamic or Regenerative Brakes are turned on in a Quantum equipped electric locomotive, the Electric Motor Sound-of-Power drops
to its lowest setting and Traction Motor Cooling Fans turn on and Fans for the resistor grid also come on (if dynamic brakes are used).
Since dynamic or regenerative brakes are relatively ineffective at low speeds, the Dynamic or Regenerative Brake sounds on the model will
shut off automatically below 8 smph (13 skph).
DCC and QARC only.
Horn: The Quantum System uses authentic locomotive sounds, whenever possible. All Quantum Horns are engineered by QSI sound experts
to give you the most authentic effects. If you blow the Horn briefly, you will produce a realistic short Horn sound or “hoot”. Some Quantum
Sound sets have special Horn Endings, which can be “played” by tapping the horn button immediately after finishing horn operation.
Alternate Horn: Some electric locomotives had two horns, such as a country horn and city horn. If both horns are available for your model,
Standard/Alternate Horn Selection can be assigned to a function key (see CV 53) or selected and operated directly from Quantum
Engineer.
DCC and QARC only.
Bell: North American Electric locomotives and Diesel locomotives, as well as larger Steam locomotives usually have pneumatically
operated mechanical bells. Small Steam locomotives often have hand-pulled bells. During turn-on in Neutral, you will hear the pneumatic
clapper gain greater throw with each stroke until it finally strikes the Bell. During shutdown in Neutral, you will hear a Short Air Let-off
followed by the Bell sound fade out.
47 Not all features are included on every Electric. Consult your Electric Model Specifications sheet for a list of features and sounds that apply to your particular locomotive model.