Rapido Trains 1600 HP User manual

FRANÇAIS AU VERSO
1600 HP
FREIGHT-PASSENGER
LOCOMOTIVE
•
RAPIDO TRAINS INCORPORATED
MARKHAM, ONTARIO
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FA-2/FB-2 LOCOMOTIVE PRODUCT GUIDELINES
Thank you for purchasing the rst accurate models ever produced of ALCO and MLW’s classic FA-2
and FB-2 locomotives. This has been one of the most overlooked production locomotives from the
1950s. There have been countless models produced by numerous manufacturers but none to date
have been based off a real 3D scan of the prototype and none has been given the museum-quality
treatment typical of Rapido Trains Inc. Following the great success of the rst run of FA models, we
have now followed with a group of new paint schemes for the FA-2 locos and an all-new FB-2 to
match up with both rst- and second-run schemes. We hope you will be pleased with the results.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us should there be anything wrong with your model.
Whether you have a warranty issue (missing parts, square wheels, engineer can’t get into or out of
the cab, etc.), a question (“Why won’t my locomotive provide real steam heat for my coaches? What
a rip off!”) or a comment (“The nose is wrong!”) please give us a shout. More warranty information
is available towards the back of this manual. If you think the nose is wrong, you can go argue with
the people at Alco and MLW as we did a 3D scan of the real engine. If you invent a time machine in
order to do this, we’ll give you THREE free engines in exchange for the time machine. What a deal!
If you are unhappy at the fact that the noses of all of your other Alco cab units now look wrong
compared to your Rapido FA-2/FB-2, we have a solution for you. BUY MORE RAPIDO MODELS.
You can reach us by email: [email protected], by phone (1-855-LRC-6917 or +1-905-474-
3314) or by snail mail at the address below.
Please do not send any models back to us without rst speaking to us to get authorization. You’d be
amazed at how many models arrive at our location with no documentation whatsoever or with
nothing wrong other than having dirty wheels. And if models get sent to one of our old addresses,
they might as well have been beamed into the mouth of a wormhole as we’ll never see them.
If you’ve nally got around to opening this model after your retirement in the year 2103, we’re afraid
that Rapido has been sold a couple of times. First it was renamed Galactic Salvage and Insurance,
specializing in accident and insurance claims involving sub-light and hyperspace starships. But
Galactic has been out of business since 2096, and Rapido’s intellectual property is now owned by
the Sirius Conglomerate. All inquiries should be made to Trau Morgus on Androzani Major.
CONTACT US!
Rapido Trains Inc.
500 Alden Road, Unit 21
Markham, Ontario
L3R 5H5 Canada
Tel. [phone] - Toll Free 1-855-LRC-6917
Fax. [phone]
Email. [email protected]
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CONTENTS
FA-2/FB-2 LOCOMOTIVE PRODUCT GUIDELINES 2
CONTACT US! 2
FA-2/FB-2 DCC FUNCTION QUICK REFERENCE 4
BREAK-IN 4
PROTOTYPE INFORMATION 4
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING YOUR LOCOMOTIVE 5
MISSING OR DAMAGED PARTS 5
REMOVING THE SHELL 6
OPTIONAL PARTS 6
OPERATION – DC (SILENT) 6
INSTALLING A SILENT DCC DECODER 7
OPERATION – DC (SOUND) 7
OPERATION – DCC WITH SOUND 8
FUNCTIONS 9
FUNCTIONS: MORE INFORMATION 9
SOUND VOLUME SETTINGS 12
LIMITED “FIVE-YEAR-ISH” WARRANTY 13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 14
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FA-2/FB-2 DCC FUNCTION QUICK REFERENCE
F0 HEADLIGHTS F13 STEAM GENERATOR EXHAUST
F1 BELL F14 CURVE SQUEAL
F2 HORN F16 EMERGENCY BRAKE
F3 DRIVE HOLD/FULL THROTTLE F17 EMERGENCY LIGHT
F4 DYNAMIC BRAKES F18 SHORT AIR RELEASE
F5 DOPPLER HORN F19 NUMBER BOARDS (OFF/ON)
F6 DITCH LIGHTS F20 REAR BACKUP LIGHT
F7 DIM THE HEADLIGHTS
F8 STARTUP/MUTE/SHUTDOWN
F9 CLASS LIGHTS (WHITE/GREEN/OFF)
F10 MARS LIGHT
F11 BRAKE SET/RELEASE
F12 SWITCHING MODE
BREAK-IN
Every locomotive needs a break-in period. Your FA-2 or FB-2 has been tested at the factory... for
about 30 seconds. That is not enough time to get the gears to mesh nicely or to even out any jerky
operation in a new motor. We suggest that, after reading this manual, DO NOT try to pull a 40 car
freight extra over the Appalachians. Instead, put your FA-2 or FB-2 model on a test loop and just let
it run in each direction for an hour or two. Fast and slow.
There already should be enough grease in the gearbox so you don’t need to add any. Just let the
thing run.
PROTOTYPE INFORMATION
The FA-2 and FB-2 were the evolution of the FA-1 and FB-1 developed by American Locomotive
Company (ALCO) at their Schenectady, NY facility. The FA-2 family included FA-2 and FB-2 freight
units and FPA-2 and FPB-2 passenger units. The later were equipped with steam generators and large
combination fuel/water tanks for medium-duty passenger service. (Rather than refer to this family
as the “FA-2/FB-2/FPA-2/FPB-2” we’ll just refer to it as the FA-2 or FB-2 series). The new FA-2 series
locomotives were launched at the end of 1950 in the form of two ABBA demonstrator sets. Units
featured uprated 1600hp 12-244D engines. To complicate matters, some roads chose not to name
their steam-equipped units FPs, leading to eets of FA-2s both with and without steam generators
under the same designation. We believe this naming convention was done explicitly to confuse
model railroaders 65 years later. The B-units were almost identical to their A-unit brothers with the
exception of the lack of a cab and the position of the battery compartment.
As with the original FA and switcher/roadswitcher designs, construction of the second generation
FA units also took place north of the border for the Canadian market. Montreal Locomotive Works
(MLW) was responsible for the manufacture of locomotives under license for Canadian National and
Canadian Pacic as well as a batch for Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México.
In total, over 300 FA-2s and almost 200 FB-2s were constructed by ALCO and MLW between 1950
and 1956. The New York Central was the largest supporter of the type with 80 FA-2s and 50 FB-2s,
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although it declined to purchase any units equipped with steam generators. Other big purchasers
include the Baltimore & Ohio (57), Canadian National (52), Canadian Pacic (35), Ferrocarriles
Nacionales de México (70), Louisville & Nashville (53), Missouri Pacic (102) and the Pennsylvania
RR (36 in ABA formation). All of these except the PRR acquired both freight service FA-2/FB-2s and
dual-service FPA-2/FPB-2s.
CHECKING AND ADJUSTINGYOUR LOCOMOTIVE
We try and make sure that every locomotive is perfectly up to spec before it leaves the factory, but
if the assembly workers danced the night away to the rockin’ tunes of Wowkie Zhang the night
before your model was put together, there may be a couple of bugs. Doing a quick pre-service check
will solve most operational glitches.
• Check to see that all wheelsets are correctly in gauge using an NMRA RP-2 Standards
Gauge. Should any of the wheelsets be out of gauge, then remove the affected wheelset
from the truck by prying off the bottom lid of the gearbox with a small at screwdriver. The
wheelset can be regauged by grabbing each wheel and twisting. Reverse the steps to replace
the wheelset, and ensure the gearbox cover is snapped into place before placing on the
track.
• Check that all underbody piping and appliances are rmly installed and clear of the track. Of
particular note are the air hoses on the ends of the locomotive and both coupler trip pins.
Bend up any low coupler trip pins so they don’t interfere with your switches and crossings.
We recommend using Kadee part #237 (Trip Pin Pliers) or Micro-Mark part #80600 (Trip
Pin Bending Plier).
• Make sure that the trucks swivel freely and without binding. If they catch on anything, check
to ensure that the ends of the trucks don’t bind against any underbody piping or conduit. If
they do, see that everything is rmly installed.
MISSING OR DAMAGED PARTS
If you open your FA-2 or FB-2 box and discover that something has obviously been bumped in
transit and is damaged, please contact us. If a part has broken off, the easiest way to reattach it is with
a drop of white glue. You can’t ruin the paint nish with white glue. If you don’t like to touch your
model trains, you are welcome to send the engine back for us to glue that doodad back on with
white glue. But if you do send it back to us for us to put that one part back on and other stuff falls
off when we send it back to you, then tough tooties. We’re not xing it again.
We try to make our models courier- and mail-proof, but there really is no way to protect a model
from damage when it is used in a game of football at the UPS or FedEx distribution center. Model
trains generally don’t survive well after being “spiked” because Tony scored a 2-point conversion to
give the warehouse handlers the victory over the truck drivers. Although argued, there was no ag
on the play.
More information about our limited lifetime warranty and parts diagrams for the FA-2 and FB-2 can
be found towards the end of this manual. Since there are so many optional parts the one small bit
that you just lost might not be on the diagram. In that case, just call in to our parts department and
tell them that you need the little thingy that attaches to the bracket on the do-hicky above the
whatchamacallit. They will ask you whether you need the right-hand or left-hand part. Be sure to
have that information handy.
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REMOVINGTHE SHELL
If you need to open up your FA-2 or FB-2 it is actually quite easy to do. Just be sure to remember
these important points:
• There is a perception lter built into the circuitry of your locomotive. Should anything pop
off while you are attempting to remove or replace the shell, the perception lter is
automatically activated. So the part is still in your layout room, but you will be unable to see
it no matter how hard you try. Don’t bother looking. It is completely hidden. We tried to
turn off the perception lter but to do so requires a sonic screwdriver, and the sonic
screwdriver at the Rapido factory was destroyed by a visiting sh-like alien ex-con with a
keenly-developed taste for ne art and a predilection for destroying things.
• To that end, please make every effort to ensure nothing ies away. Work on a clean, white
surface. In fact, paint all the walls, the oor and the ceiling white, wear white coveralls, and
remove everything else from within a three-mile radius of your workbench, especially (but
not limited to) vegetation, people and sounds.
• Turn the locomotive upside down in a foam cradle (painted white, of course) and remove
the coupler screws. Pull the coupler boxes out of the ends and turn the loco right-way up.
Now spread the shell and wiggle it off. Carefully. You may wish to slide business cards
between the sides and the chassis to assist this process. Don’t forget about the transporter
lock.
• That’s it, really.
• No, really. It’s that easy!
OPTIONAL PARTS
Over the lifetime of these units many details changed. In order to create the most accurate models
we possibly can (within practical limitations!), we have tooled multiple fuel tanks, bodies, truck
sideframes, roofs, ends, grabs and more wee bits than we care to count! We have installed most of
these parts at the factory to represent the prototype units as they appeared in the schemes offered.
However, in many cases railroads added grab irons, sunshades and other appliances during the lives
of the locos without changing the paint. We have included several additional parts in a small plastic
bag which can be installed as desired to match specic units at specic points in time.
When built the FA-2 and FB-2 locomotives were tted with Alco 244 diesel engines with a GE air-
cooled turbocharger. These turbos proved to be troublesome, so starting at the end of 1953 nearly
all units were upgraded with an Alco 510 water-cooled design. The original air-cooled turbocharger
hatch had an offset stack that ran parallel to the side of the unit. The new proprietary Alco
turbocharger featured a repositioned, centered exhaust stack that was turned 90 degrees from the
original. In cases where a paint scheme might have been used through both styles of turbocharger
we have included the original hatch style tted to the model and the updated hatch in the poly bag.
These hatches just clip into place in the roof and can be swapped out with much less effort than Alco
had to use to switch out the real thing!
OPERATION – DC (SILENT)
If your FA-2 or FB-2 locomotive is not equipped with a sound decoder, it should function like most
other HO scale locomotives. Put it on the track. Give it some juice. Watch it go.
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— WARNING —
Rapido products are designed to operate safely between 0V and 16V. Voltages in
excess of 16V - as well as irregular waveforms, voltage spikes or short circuits -
may cause severe and sometimes irreversible damage to the product. “Train set”
power packs are known to suffer from any one of these unexpected irregularities,
whereas higher-end systems have safeguards in place to prevent this. Rapido always
recommends using a power supply system that matches the quality of the models
you are running. If you’re reading this, you’ve obviously invested in top-of-the-line,
museum-quality motive power and equipment, so we hope you’ve made the same
investment with your model railroad power supply too.
While many power supply systems exist, some are known to have caused problems
with model train circuitry in the past. If you have any one of the following systems,
PLEASE DO NOT USE IT until you contact us for more information: MRC RailPower
1300/1370-series, Bachman Spectrum Magnum, Atlas 313 Universal Power Pack.
INSTALLING A SILENT DCC DECODER
The FA-2 and FB-2 contains a motherboard which is connected to the track, motor and lighting
outputs. A blind plug is attached to the motherboard using a 21-pin connector. To install a decoder,
remove the blind plug and install a 21-pin decoder (recommended) or a 21-pin adapter to attach an
8-pin or a 9-pin decoder. Your chosen decoder should have six function outputs.
We feel the 21-pin connectors are superior because there are enough pins to ensure that all your
lighting functions are connected. The necessary resistors are included on our motherboard so you
don’t have to tinker around with resistors. Just plug in the recommended decoder and you have
DCC.
OPERATION – DC (SOUND)
To operate your sound-equipped FA-2 or FB-2 locomotive on a DC layout, just give the throttle
some juice. The engine will start up once sufcient voltage has been reached (around seven volts).
See the note above (in Operation – DC (Silent)) about using train-set or large-scale throttles. With
DC layouts, you have very little control over the sounds of your model. Do not use “pulse” control
as it will fry your engine.
As in silent locomotives, the only lights that work in DC are the headlights (when going forward).
The light on the rear of the locomotive is only used when switching and cannot be turned on using
a DC controller. The number boards and step lights are always lit.
Some throttle manufacturers produce special thingamajig which are meant to trigger the sounds in
locomotives on DC layouts. As we have no involvement in the development of those thing-a-majig,
we have absolutely no idea how they will affect your FA-2 or FB-2, for good or for ill. As always, we’ll
try to help you x your units if one of these thing-a-majig scrambles your locomotive’s circuitry, but
we can’t guarantee we’ll be able to, and we will need to charge you for the repair.
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If you like running sound-equipped locomotives and advanced lighting features, you might want to
think about upgrading to DCC. DC model railroad control dates from the 1930s. We like stuff from
the 1930s. Early Hitchcock lms – awesome. Rotary telephones – awesome. Beautifully-restored
Packard Ninth Series – awesome. But ancient model train controller? Not so awesome. You wouldn’t
expect your rotary phone to be able to surf the internet. Similarly, you can’t expect your DC system
to be able to take advantage of the last 20 years of model train technological developments.
If you insist on sticking with DC and you want a taste of what you are missing, please read on…
OPERATION – DCC WITH SOUND
We go to extreme lengths for accuracy, in sounds as well as in looks. Our sound decoders are
LokSound Select decoders by ESU, programmed with sounds we recorded from an ALCO 244
prime mover we found in excellent working condition … in Australia! The sounds are 100% correct
for the FA-2, because as much as we know our Alco 251 recordings used in the FPA-4 are the best
of the best, they would be totally inaccurate in your FA-2 or FB-2.
As we do for all of our sound decoders, we recorded the prime mover under load, in this case
hauling another engine up a hill. Locomotives sound a lot different when they are actually working,
rather than doing a stationary load test. If you have decoders from other manufacturers in your
locomotives you might want to check out the available line of Rapido decoders on our web site. All
of our decoder sounds were recorded under load and we simply can’t stand decoders that don’t
have this feature. You can order our decoders from your hobby shop or directly from us.
More detailed decoder instructions, including all sorts of weird CV settings we still don’t understand
after all these years, can be found in the ESU Loksound Select decoder manual. This is available for
download on the FA-2/FB-2 page in the Support section of our web site.
LOCOMOTIVE ADDRESS
Your Rapido FA-2 and FB-2 comes from the factory with a decoder address of 3. We suggest if you
are using DCC control that you rst test that the locomotive responds on address 3. Once you have
veried that the locomotive is responding you should assign it a unique address (we suggest the road
number of the locomotive) before going any further. This can be done either on your programming
track (recommended) or on the main if your system supports programming on the main. Be aware
however that if you do program the locomotive on the main and you have any other locomotives on
your layout assigned to address 3 (the normal default address for new locomotives) that ALL of
them will likely also be changed to your new address! Also be aware that if you give your locomotive
a four-digit address it will not work at all if you try to run it on a friend’s DC layout.
Also please keep in mind that some DCC systems do not have sufcient power to program sound-
equipped locomotives on the mainline. If your sounds do not operate correctly on a Digitrax DCC
system, this likely means that you need to clear the memory on your system, achieved by “clearing
slot #36.” A basic summary of how to do this can be found on the FA-2/FB-2 page in the Support
section of our web site. More detailed information can be found on the Digitrax web site.
If you have a really old DCC system, you may nd that this locomotive won’t work at all – nor will
many other new models. Go update your DCC system to a newer version. Your computer is updated
regularly – or at least we hope it is. Your DCC system should be updated as well.
TURN ONTHE SOUND
Press F8 and you will hear the FA-2/FB-2 startup sequence followed by the sound of it idling. You can
adjust CVs to prevent the locomotive from moving until the startup sequence has played out. Jason
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is really impatient so he turned this feature off. Refer to a full ESU LokSound Select decoder manual
for more information. You can download it from the FA-2/FB-2 page in the Support section of our
web site. The feature is called the “Prime Mover Startup Delay” and at the time of writing it was on
page 35 of the ESU manual.
If you press F8 when the locomotive is already moving, it will skip the startup and the sound will just
turn on. Press F8 again to turn the sound off.
Note that if you are listening to your FA-2 or FB-2 idling nicely and then you select another engine
with your throttle, your locomotive still thinks F8 is pressed so it will keep idling along. However, if
someone else selects your locomotive’s number and F8 isn’t pressed on his or her controller, the
FA-2 or FB-2 will promptly shut down. He or she will need to press F8 again.
FUNCTIONS
F0 Headlights F13 Steam generator exhaust
F1 Bell F14 Curve squeal
F2 Horn F16 Emergency brake
F3 Drive Hold/Full Throttle F17 Emergency light
F4 Dynamic Brakes F18 Short air release
F5 Doppler Horn F19 Number boards (off/on)
F6 Ditch Lights F20 Rear backup light
F7 Dim the Headlights
F8 Startup/Mute/Shutdown
F9 Class Lights (White/Green/Off)
F10 Mars Light
F11 Brake set/release
F12 Switching Mode
FUNCTIONS: MORE INFORMATION
F1 BELL
Rings the bell, obviously enough. There are three optional bell sounds loaded on your decoder. See
the “Bells” section for details on how to select other styles.
F2 HORN
We have improved the horn le to make it easier to do a short “toot” without having a long tail off.
To get a short “toot” just tap F2 or your “HORN” button. If you hear a long tail-off you are tapping
for too long. If, no matter what you do, you just can’t get the darn thing to make a short “toot,”
switch to NCE. The default horn is a Wabco E-2 single chime, which may be wrong for your road. If
you’d like to customize the base honker to a more accurate one, check out the “Horns” sections
further in this manual.
F3 DRIVE HOLD/FULLTHROTTLE
ESU’s “Full Throttle” feature allows you to play the prime mover of your FA-2/FB-2 like a musical
instrument. When you press F4, you turn on “drive hold.” This keeps the speed of the engine constant
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at whatever speed step your throttle happens to be on. Then as you increase the throttle, you hear
the prime mover revving up. This allows you to simulate hauling a heavy load. On the prototype the
prime mover would be up at 7 or 8 while the engine is moving slowly.
“Full Throttle” is even neater when you throttle down, as it allows you to simulate “coasting” which
is such an important part of running a real train. When you press F4 again you turn off “Full Throttle”
and the engine will accelerate or decelerate to whatever speed step your throttle happens to be on.
For realism it’s a good idea to take note of what speed step your throttle was on when you turned
on “Full Throttle” and be back at that speed step when you turn “Full Throttle” off. Otherwise your
FA-2 or FB-2 may take off like a race car.
F4 DYNAMIC BRAKES
Pressing F4 activates the dynamic brake sound, which helps reduce the wear on your HO scale brake
shoes when going downgrade. Just remember to turn it off before going upgrade!
F5 DOPPLER HORN
A great sound effect for photo runbys! The horn sound will build, then fade away. The Doppler sound
le now changes automatically when the horn type is changed, so no more Wabco horn with an M3H
doppler! For a full list of horns, check the next section appropriately named “horns.”
F7 DIMTHE HEADLIGHTS
If you are approaching a station or an oncoming train you can dim the headlights automatically by
pressing F7. You don’t want to blind the oncoming crew or your potential passengers.
F9 WHITE CLASS LIGHTS
It was common practice for railroads to run freight and passenger trains to a schedule. But in the
event your railroad needed to move some unscheduled cargo, you will want to turn on the white
class lights. These would be used when pulling a freight train or any other non-scheduled train, such
as a track inspection train or a Christmas special. On regular, scheduled passenger or freight runs,
the class lights are off.
Green class lights were used only when there was a second section of a scheduled train following.
That was rare, but could often happen during busy tourist seasons or at times of heavy freight trafc.
If you model a second section of your passenger or freight train during one of your op sessions,
make sure the rst train has the green lamps lit.
Pressing F9 multiple times toggles between white, green and off.
F10 MARS LIGHT
Some roads had Mars warning lights installed on their locos. This is evident by the extra headlight
housing on the nose door. If your units has a Mars light installed then pressing F10 will activate the
ashing light. If it does not have a Mars light installed this button will do nothing. You can use your
programmer to assign it to another function if you want.
F11 BRAKE SET/RELEASE
This function turns off the brake release and brake set sounds when you start or stop moving,
respectively. It has no effect on the function of the engine — it just affects the sounds.
F12 SWITCHING MODE
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If you press F12, the headlight and rear light will both be on dim. This is appropriate for switching
operations, which would be common in yards and terminals.
F13 STEAM GENERATOR EXHAUST
Of course we had to add the steam generator sounds to the FA/FB locos. Yes we know, the freight-
service FA-2s never had steam generators, but the passenger FPA/B versions did! If you have a freight
units, just kindly ignore this.
F14 CURVE SQUEAL
Drive your cats nuts. Drive the neighbor’s cats nuts. Just press F14 to activate the high-pitched sound
of shrieking metal-on-metal as your trains go around a curve. Please note that Rapido is not
responsible for shredded curtains or cats stuck up trees. Effects on dogs will vary.
F16 BRAKE
In the 15 years (and counting) of making model trains, we have met one person who uses the brake
feature on our locomotives. So we’ve shoved this to a higher function button. If you are that one
person, you can remap this feature onto a lower function button by following the instructions in the
full ESU Select Decoder manual, which can be downloaded from the FA-2/FB-2 page of the Support
section of the Rapido web site.
F17 EMERGENCY LIGHT
Not content with just a ashing Mars light, the C&NW installed red emergency warning lights on
their nose doors. If you have a C&NW unit this button will activate that light. If you don’t have a
C&NW unit, don’t spend too long trying to gure out what this function does!
F18 AIR LET OFF
These functions turn on or off the Sarco Valve. On the real FA-2 and FB-2, it’s always going. But you
often can’t hear it from a distance. In contrast, if you are close to the engine you can hear the Sarco
valve pretty prominently. We feel that on many sound-equipped engines, the Sarco Valve is way too
loud. So we’ve included two versions of it, controlled by functions. You can choose whether or not
you hear the Sarco Valve, and you can choose how fast you want it to spit.
F19TURN OFF NUMBER BOARDS
The number boards on your models are on by default. If you want to turn them off just press F19.
F20 REAR BACK-UP LIGHT
Turns on the light on the rear of the unit.
HORNS
There are optional horn recordings included with your FA-2/FB-2, and you can change them around
by changing the value of CV 163. The default is the Wabco E2 single chime. The following optional
horns are also included:
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Horn #1 (Nathan E2) – CV163 = 0 (Default)
Horn #2 (Nathan M3H) – CV163 = 1
Horn #3 (Nathan P3) – CV163 = 2
Horn #4 (Nathan M5) – CV163 = 3
Note that you can only change the horn on a programming track or using a LokProgrammer. When
you change the default horn recording, the doppler horns (see functions F5 and F6) will automatically
change to the proper tone.
BELLS
There are three optional bell sounds loaded on your decoder. You can choose between them by
changing CV164.
Bell #1 (Standard) – CV164 = 0 (Default)
Bell #2 (Fast) – CV164 = 1
Bell #3 (Slow) – CV164 = 2
SOUNDVOLUME SETTINGS
The sound volume settings have been designed to be layout friendly. That means that they will not
sound particularly loud if you are accustomed to other manufacturers’ locomotives BLASTING at
full volume out of the box. They will also not sound particularly loud if you are going deaf like Jason.
(He’s modeling Spadina Yard with its engine terminal and 40 idling locomotives. You should be able
to hear his layout from Cincinnati.) You can easily make the sounds louder if you regularly operate
your locomotives at shopping malls, train shows, or on airport runways. If you want the sounds to
be even louder, we suggest you give up scale modeling and go buy a real FA-2 or FB-2.
You can also adjust the relative volume levels of the different elements of the sound recordings. If
you are the type of guy who wants his FA-2/FB-2 bell heard in the next province or state, you have
lots of room to increase its volume. Ours is set at level 62 of a possible 128.
To set the volume levels go into the program mode on your DCC system (refer to your system’s
manual for instructions on how to do this as each system is slightly different); enter the desired CV
number; then enter the desired levels. Note that this can be done either on a programming track or
on the main (ops mode) if your DCC system supports programming on the main.
We strongly recommend that you keep notes on which settings you have changed and which values
were used. If you ever need to do a reset on the decoder (see “Factory Reset” below) then having
good notes will allow you to easily re-enter any changes that you might want to keep.
VERY IMPORTANT: Before you change any of the volume control CVs, please make
sure that CV 32 is set to 1. CV 32 is used as an index selection register and if you don’t
set it rst then we are not responsible for your resulting rage and the fact that you will
probably throw the locomotive against the wall in frustration.
For example, to set the horn volume, rst set CV32=01, then CV275=0-128.
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FA-2/FB-2 SOUNDVOLUME SETTINGS
FUNCTION CV DEFAULT RANGE YOUR VALUE
MASTER VOLUME 63 185 0-255 __________
PRIME MOVER 259 64 0-255 __________
HORN 275 95 0-255 __________
BELL 283 62 0-255 __________
DYNAMIC BRAKE 299 20 0-255 __________
STEAM 315 25 0-255 __________
DOPPLER HORN 339 125 0-255 __________
SHORT AIR LET OFF 363 64 0-255 __________
CURVE SQUEAL 459 64 0-255 __________
FACTORY RESET
On your FA-2 or FB-2, you perform a factory reset by entering a value of “8” into CV 8. Note that
this will cause all of your new volume and motor settings to be lost, so you will need to reprogram
any settings that you want to keep. You did keep notes, right?
You can NOT lose all of the pre-recorded sounds on your FA-2 or FB-2 decoder by doing a factory
reset. If you manage to lose all of the sounds on your locomotive then you have probably set re to
your decoder with a voltage spike. Open up your locomotive and pour out the ashes.
AWESOME SLOW SPEEDTHINGY (NOT RECOMMENDED)
On previous Rapido locomotives we have recommended using the “Awesome Slow Speed Thingy”
(our term) to adjust the motor settings. With the current ESU V5 decoders such as the ones tted
to these models we have found that this is not necessary. We have calibrated the low speed settings
on the decoder at the factory to work best with our motor and drivetrain.
MORE INFORMATION
While addressing the features that most modelers will need for normal operation, these instructions
have covered just a small number of the many customizable features of your ESU LokSound decoder.
For advanced users who want to more fully explore the capabilities of the decoder we suggest
downloading the ESU LokSound V-5 decoder manual. This is available on the FA-2/FB-2 page in the
Support section of our web site.
LIMITED “FIVE-YEAR-ISH” WARRANTY
We will do our best to solve any problems or issues that you may have with your FA-2/FB-2 locomotives.
If your locomotive has any defects that originate from the factory, we will repair your locomotive using
new components or replace it outright should a repair not be possible. However, we can only replace
your locomotive while we have additional ones in stock. We normally keep spares for up to six months
after a model is released. And while we would love to have an unlimited supply of spare parts, note that
eventually these will run out too. If you are like most of us and – after purchasing this locomotive – you
dismissed it to the shelf full of model boxes under the darkest corner of your layout and are now just
discovering it 30 years later after your friend ran theirs at the club, then you are on your own if there
are any issues. We’ve all probably retired at this point and after realizing we retired too early, we all
started our own model train companies in our own basements in the hopes that one day we will
achieve greatness. Except Mohan. He’s still working at Rapido. He’s 93.
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There are a number of things that this warranty cannot cover. If your FA-2/FB-2 arrives with a couple
of loose grab irons or underbody bits, there is a very good chance that you can do a repair in less
time and effort than it would take to contact us. Don’t be afraid to do some model railroading!
White glue works wonders for securing all sorts of parts and will not mar or damage your paint.
Gorilla Glue... not so much. However, if parts are missing that is another story – call us or send us
an email and we’ll send you some replacements.
Of course, damage caused by running your locomotive at full speed around a 15”-radius curve along
the edge of your layout, running your locomotive model under a real coal chute, modifying your
locomotive to work off coal, pouring fuel on it and lighting it on re to make it smoke like an old
ALCO, or any other damage caused by you that we haven’t been able to cover here is not covered
by the warranty. However, if catastrophe does strike and your locomotive gets damaged, please give
us a shout and we’ll do our best to help you out. Yes, even if it was your fault we will try our best to
x your locomotive for you. Don’t be shy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Anthracite Railroads HS, Daniel Biernacki, Duane Buck, Jack Consoli, Dan Dell’Unto,
Larry DeYoung, Erie Lackawanna HS, Elden Gatwood, Ken Goslett, Great Northern RRHS, Scott
Hartley, Ed Hawkins, Matt Herman (ESU), Kevin J. Holland, Hoosier Hobbies, Richard Jahn, Stephen
D. Johnson, Ed Kapriske, Schuyler Larrabee, Al Lill, Lousiville & Nashville RRHS, Dave Love, Greg
Martin, Bill McCoy, Jim Mischke, Missouri Pacic HS, Jakob Mueller, Nate Obermeyer, New York
Central System HS, David Orr, Bob Pennisi, Pennsylvania RRT&HS, Mark Perry, Jeff Pinchbeck, Michael
Sal, Brian P. Schuff, Ray Stern, Raymond at Pro Custom Hobbies, John Sutherland, Jay Thompson, and
Paul R. Tupaczewski.
Thanks to Richard Longpre for the excellent Canadian French translation. All you FA-2 customers in
Louisiana no doubt appreciate it. Don’t speak French? You can use this manual to teach yourself
conversational French, provided you only ever converse with other model railroaders. Tab**nac….
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GARANTIE LIMITÉE DE 5 ANS
Nous ferons de notre mieux pour résoudre tout problème ou situation qui pourrait surgir avec
votre locomotive FA-2 or FB-2. Si votre locomotive comporte des avaries d’origine, nous la
réparerons en utilisant des composantes neuves ou bien nous la remplacerons tout simplement sur
le champ advenant une impasse. Cependant, seule la disponibilité de l’inventaire nous permettra
d’effectuer ou non un échange. De façon générale, nous gardons des modèles en réserve pour une
période de six mois.
Si vous avez acheté votre locomotive à l’âge de 25 ans et que vous décidez de la sortir de son
emballage a votre retraite, nous serons alors tous retirés. Essayez de nous retrouver si toutefois
nous sommes toujours de ce monde. On verra ce que l’on peut faire pour vous aider. Il se peut aussi
que l’Amérique du nord soit recouverte d’un glacier et tous disparus.Vous perdez votre temps à
essayer de nous joindre.
Certaines choses ne sont pas incluses dans cette garantie. Si votre FA-2 or FB-2 nous parvient avec
quelques pièces décollées ou mal xées, il se peut qu’il ait été plus simple d’effectuer ces réparations
vous-mêmes plutôt que de communiquer avec nous. N’ayez pas peur de faire du modélisme
ferroviaire ! Une colle blanche fonctionne à merveille pour remettre en place une multitude de
pièces et elle n’endommagera pas la peinture de votre modèle. Cependant si des pièces étaient
manquantes, c’est une autre chose.
De toute évidence, les dommages résultants d’une chute sur le plancher du sous-sol, opérer votre
locomotive à des vitesses folles sur des courbes de 18”, faire une passe à votre copain se trouvant
de l’autre côté de la pièce, la manipuler alors que vos mains sont imprégnées de peinture fraiche, ou
tous autres dommages résultant d’un usage abusif ne sera pas couvert par cette garantie. Par
conséquent, si vous êtes victime d’une catastrophe qui endommage votre locomotive, veuillez
communiquer avec nous et nous ferons tout notre possible pour vous aider. Et oui, même si c’est
de votre faute, nous ferons de notre mieux pour réparer votre locomotive. Ne soyez pas timide!
REMERCIEMENTS
Des remerciements spéciaux vont au Chemin de Fer Anthracite HS, Daniel Biernacki, Duane Buck,
Jack Consoli, Dan Dell’Unto, Larry DeYoung, Erie Lackawanna HS, Elden Gatwood, Ken Goslett,
Great Northern RRHS, Scott Hartley, Ed Hawkins, Matt Herman (ESU), Kevin J. Holland, Hoosier
Hobbies, Richard Jahn, Stephen D. Johnson, Ed Kapriske, Schuyler Larrabee, Al Lill, Lousiville &
Nashville RRHS, Dave Love, Greg Martin, Bill McCoy, Jim Mischke, Missouri Pacic HS, Jakob Mueller,
Nate Obermeyer, NewYork Central System HS, David Orr, Bob Pennisi, Pennsylvania RRT&HS, Mark
Perry, Jeff Pinchbeck, Michael Sal, Brian P. Schuff, Ray Stern, Raymond chez Pro Custom Hobbies,
John Sutherland, Jay Thompson, et Paul R.Tupaczewski.
Merci à Richard Longpré pour son excellente traduction Canadienne Française. De toute évidence,
tous nos clients de la Louisiane possédant une FA-2 l’apprécieront.Vous ne parlez pas Français ?
Servez-vous de ce manuel an d’apprendre le Français, qui de toute évidence, ne vous servira qu’à
communiquer avec un autre modéliste.Ta****ac…
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