It’s possible that at some point someone adjusted CV3 and 4 to allow for some momentum effects.
It’s possible the whine you’re hearing could be the sound of the generator for the headlight - real steam engines used steam power to run a generator for electricity. In most models, the whine sound turns on when the headlight is turned on.
The CV3/4 theory was brought up earlier on in the thread. However, the previous (and original) owner never ran the train DCC. He had a simple Bachmann DC power pack. I recall that, in the video he posted, there was a delay between stopping the train and moving in the opposite direction. It has to sit for a few seconds with the throttle off before attempting to change direction. Another commenter mentioned that this sort of thing ca be an issue with dual mode equipped trains and removing the decoder, etc will allow it to run smoothly as a straight DC powered train. I’m leaning in that direction as all my other trains are DC and I don’t intend to go DCC. I also don’t care for the “realistic” sound it makes - too loud and not very realistic. The headlight comes on as soon as the train receives power. The whine is not present at low speeds and the light is on. The whine comes on once the train is at a “traveling” speed. If it is supposed to be the generator it is disproportionate to the volume of the chuff and really irritating. I’m assuming that it is not actually coming from the motor itself as the would change in pitch/volume with speed I should think. Another reason to ditch the decoder. I bought the train for its configuration and prototypical appearance, so removing the decoder is no great loss.
I think that is my plan at this point.
I would not get rid of the decoder - keep it aside in case you want to sell the loco. It will enhance it’s value. And who knows, you might go to the DCC “Dark Side” some day🙂.
Simon
Yes, I was planning on keeping the decoder.