QSI quantum User manual

Steam 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

Steam 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

Steam 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 the
steam Dynamo revving up as the headlight turns 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.
Whistle
Blow the authentic Steam locomotive Whistle for short or long blasts – you control the duration.
•While the locomotive is moving, flip the direction switch to turn on the Whistle.
•Flip the direction switch back to shut off the Whistle.
The locomotive will not change direction when you blow the Whistle.
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 Whistle hoot instead of the Bell. If you try to do a very short
Whistle 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.

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Advanced Analog Features1
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-Start2). Steam
exhaust (Chuffing) and optional Cylinder Cocks will sound in sync with the motion of the drive wheels. Labored steam exhaust sounds
are produced in proportion 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 Steam Chuff labored sound volume decreases,
while Squealing Brake sounds occur as the Steam locomotive comes to a slow stop3.
•If you leave your Steam locomotive in Neutral for at least 25 seconds and then slowly turn up the throttle, the locomotive plays
Cylinder Cocks sounds as it starts moving. The Cylinder Cocks sounds automatically terminate after 16 repetitions or when the
locomotive reaches a speed greater than 12 smph.
Advanced Whistle Operation
Doppler Effect
This sound effect changes the pitch and volume of the Whistle, Bell and other steam sounds as the locomotive passes by.
•While the locomotive is moving toward the observer, flip the direction switch to turn on the Whistle.
•Wait at least one second while the Whistle is blowing.
•Just before the locomotive passes in front of the observer, flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the Whistle 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 Whistle, or continue with long or short Whistle operations. When you are finished
blowing the Whistle, 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 Whistle
•Prototype engineers would often “play” their whistles by controlling the flow of compressed air. In particular, engineers often had a
signature sound associated with how they ended their Whistle sequences. Some Quantum System sound sets have special Whistle
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 whistle.
•Flip the direction switch to blow the Whistle for at least one second.
•The normal way to end the Whistle is to flip the direction switch back. To do the special Whistle 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.
1 Not all features described below may be included in your locomotive model.
2 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.
3 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).

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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
Rear Tender Light Dim5Dim Bright Dim
Mars Light Strobing Steady On Steady On Steady On
Number Board Lights On On On On
Marker Lights On On On On
Cab Lights Off after 10 seconds On after 10 seconds. Off after 10 seconds On after 10 seconds.
Steam Blower Off after 10 seconds. On after 10 seconds. Off after 10 seconds. On after 10 seconds.
Cylinder Cocks 6If armed, plays for 16
times, or until speed
greater than 12 smph.
Arms after 25 seconds. If armed, plays for 16
times, or until speed
greater than 12 smph.
Arms after 25 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 7. The Headlight will dim and
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 which come on after 5 to 10 seconds. After the Air Pumps start, you can use the
direction switch to blow the Whistle 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 Whistle 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 Whistle will come on) and then turn up the throttle.
Note: When the locomotive starts to move in the opposite direction, the Whistle 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 Whistle will hoot two more times for a total of three hoots8. To prevent the
first Whistle hoot from being too long, do not delay in turning up the throttle after you have flipped the direction switch.
Train Load
You can set your Steam 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. Level 0
is the default, which is no Load.
Sound-of-Power™
During acceleration, the steam locomotive will produce labored Chuffing (based on Load setting) until the locomotive has achieved its final
speed where it will then produce standard sounds appropriate to its throttle setting. If starting up after an extended period in Neutral, you
will first hear the sounds of Cylinder Cocks venting steam and water from the steam chest. Under deceleration, the Chuffing sounds are less
labored until the locomotive achieves its final speed where it will again produce standard sounds appropriate to its throttle setting.
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 Cylinder Cocks arming after Start Up and/or after 25 seconds in Neutral can be set using CV 51.2. The settings in this CV apply to both Analog and DCC operation.
7 If Regulated Throttle Control is enabled it is important to wait until the locomotive stops on its own. The loco’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.
8 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
Steam Model Specification sheet for Whistle sequences used on your model.

Steam Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 6/24 24 August 2006
Helpers
Prototype Helpers are locomotives that are used to provide extra power and/or braking for a heavily loaded train. 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
do depend on the directional sense. 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 Steam 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, 10) arm
steam Cylinder Cocks, 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, you are not able to independently operate multiple trains on the same
powered track section at different speeds at the same time.
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
Quantum Engineer
A
dd-on Controller
Standard DC
Power Pack
DC Power Pack

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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 respond 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.
Star Pad Ke
y
s

Steam Q1a Operation Manual Rev 4.1.2 8/24 24 August 2006
Analog Programming
The Steam 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 Whistle, Bell and all lights disabled12.
End Helper has Whistle, Bell and all lights disabled except Reverse Light.
Pusher has Reverse Light on all the time as train warning light. Whistle, 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 Whistle, 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 Steam 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.

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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.

Steam 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 Whistle 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 Whistle
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.