DCC CV's - Best Practices for N&W Steam

Tue Jan 14 19:56:25 EST 2025

Dave, the modeling list is working. Jim Cochran has been posting here on a pretty regular basis. 

Regarding the K3, while they might have been disliked after they actually hit the road, the railroad was very proud of these home builds back in 1927. Attached is an image from the December 1927 N&W magazine. Counting this photo, the locomotive was highlighted in no less than five issues that year. A fun bit of trivia; the K3’s were the first N&W locomotives - and one of the first in the US to be cross-counterbalanced. They did this to mitigate the challenges caused by that long main rod (which was selected to keep the rod angularity to a minimum in order to reduce load (and associated heat) on the crosshead guide.

Closer to on-topic, as far as K2/K1 speeds, I’d guess they’d start huffing and shaking over 80. These were both older designs, but ooking at photos, they were both fitted with lighter weight machinery (and I believe cast frames) and larger stacks at some point, both of which I imagine allowed them to run a little faster. The larger stack suggests they were re-drafted at some point, and lighter machinery would reduce  

Closer yet to on-topic, the advice Mr Baker provided regarding decoder settings, while not satisfying, is spot on. I have standardized on TCS decoders for the sound (and the first ones to implement load based exhaust keyed to BEMF). I also prefer linear response, and given I model steam, I don’t have an intention to speed match my locomotives. However, the same class with the same gearbox and decoder should be close out of the box. 

Be careful, given the questions you asked, I may be coming back to you for advice if I run into an issue!

Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US

> On Jan 14, 2025, at 2:08 PM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Dave,
> You are very much mistaken about the speed limits of the K class locos! The classes K1 and K2/K2a were "high rollers"!
> Only the class K3 had balance problems and were speed limited!
> 
> Jimmy Lisle
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Date: 1/14/25 1:33 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Fwd: DCC CV's - Best Practices for N&W Steam
> 
>> 
>> Steam Modelers;
>> It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any messages from the NW-Modeling-List leaving me to wonder if it has fallen into disuse. So, I’ll post here on the NW-Mailing-List.
>>  
>> I am initiating the task of programming the CV’s of a small number of N&W Steamers in classes A, J, K, S1, Y3, & Y6b and many questions are coming to mind. So, why not tap into the best data source for guidance? As you share information, please indicate the Locomotive Class.
>>  
>> Beginning with some foundational matters:
>>  
>> My goal is to keep things reasonably realistic. For example; The Y classes were not speed-demons, and the K classes had operational speed limits due to counterbalance issues.
>>  
>> When dealing with acceleration and deceleration rates – I’m rather torn about actually putting hard values in CV’s because I would say they should be dependent on external conditions such as train power and weight, in addition to terrain.
>>  
>> Have you pursued speed limitations? Initial research suggested these top speeds for Road Power: 
>>               Class A – 70 mph
>>               Class J – 110 mph
>>               Class K – 35 mph
>>               Class Y – 50 mph
>>  
>> What are you using for:
>>               CV 02 – Start Voltage
>>               CV 03 – Acceleration Rate
>>               CV 04 - Deceleration Rate
>>               CV 05 – High Voltage (Speed Limiting)
>>               CV 06 – Mid Voltage
>>               CV 65 – Kick Start
>>  
>> Speed Curves:
>>               Which are you using?
>>                            3-point curve? (Start, Mid, High of a preloaded curve)
>>                                          CV 25 - Speed Table Selection?   Which one?
>>                            14 step or 28 step configured?
>>                                           What do you have for CV 67 to CV 94?
>>                            Are you using a Throttle Control Mode?  If so, which one?
>>  
>> Speed Matching & Consisting:
>>               If it is Speed Matched, to what locomotive?
>> What values do you use for:
>>                            CV 66 – Forward Trim
>>                            CV 95 – Reverse Trim
>> What values do you use for consisting with other Locomotives:
>>                             CV 21 – Consist Functions Fn1 to Fn8
>>                             CV 22 – Consist Functions Fn0 & Fn9 to Fn12
>>                             CV 23 – Consist Acceleration Rate
>>                             CV 24 - Consist Deceleration Rate
>>  
>> Thank you,
>> Dave Willis
>> Blt 1962, CN 4
>> 
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