Does the PA system have this? I see there is no “momentum” button on the controller.
Or is this something you have to program in?
I have to agree with Randy about the diesels. I use a setting of “7” or greater for my momentum and my Proto 2000 S1 moves right out slow and sure. I’ve tried momentum with my BLI Mike but it doesn’t work nearly as well. I’ll have to keep playing around with it.
Tom
Wow, great thread guys. I came home today and was surprised too see how hot it got.
Ia m not worried about my trains getting thumped around. I will graudully trade the money for the laughs. Among my group, I am the “new guy”, both in age (31) and in expeirence. It gives me a great happiness to see " the experts" or “veterans” , have trouoble with something that is supposed to be “prototypical”. I just stay on my side of the layout and bite my tounge while I crack up as I here them swear under their breath. Then when it is all over, I can razz them about trying to run the yard “like Mario Andrette at Daytona”
I amdit, I kinda cheat with the momentum turned on. When working in the yard, I will set the speed, and leave it. Only buttons I push are the direction buttons. Once you figure out the speed and the timing, I think it is faster, and defiantly a lot smoother. Some make the arument, that is not very “prototypical” handling with no speed adjustment, but it looks good if you are just watching the engines and easier on the equipment
The only time its get scary is with the SD70 I have. It is my main line work horse, just about the only time it gets used, is when its hauling 20+25 or more. That one is set pretty high. If it is set at 40% power, which is haulin bootie, it will take 10-12 feet to stop.
After the last fellow who came over, I now encourage folks to bring their own power if they like. Everyone has the favorite way to do something, sometimes it just makes it easer and more enjoyable for them.
But over all, nice to see others [:D]out there. Always kinda wondered about it.
My MRC Tech4 260 power-pack has momentem. I like it but with Athearn engines it it isn’t going fast enough when all the slack is taken out of the train; it stalls until 50% throttle and then takes off fast. It takes about 1 1/2 times around my 4’x12’ layout to get to 1/2 speed. It takes about 2 times to stop from full speed. If I press the “brake” button it goes from 100 MPH to 0 MPH in about 8’. So, I use momentem EXCEPT when switching because it takes 15 seconds after opening the throttle on my pack before the train starts to move. And my RR would never make money by wasting that much time[swg]
It’s programmed in the decoder. Each loco can have completely different settings to suit its purpose. Acceleration is controlled by CV03, and deceleration is CV04. The really ambitious use Ops Mode programming to adjust it on the fly - cut back when the engines run lite, crank it up when coupled on to a long train.
–Randy
One problem I had with DCC momentum was getting the uncoupling to work properly with the few magnets I have in the far reaching yard tracks. It is a bother sometimes havine to go back and forth or getting proper slack to happen for uncoupling to suceed.
Cletus
I only have DC on my power packs. I have trained (no pun intended) my grandsons (actually trained more or less) to operate without it but striving for realistic operation. When coupling a passenger car I say, “Now don’t knock granny on her fanny.” I have also put little men on the top of box cars. The trick is for them to couple the car without knocking the man off. The youngest of the two really likes to use the momentum and then the brake. I will use the momentum on the main line, but not on the sidings.
All my locos have momentum set to about half the range for the decoder. That way, when I dial in 30 scale mph, it takes them about 20 seconds to get there. As stated earlier, it requires attention on the part of the operator so that passenger trains don’t whiz past the depot and have to back up (tsk, tsk!).
I think it is much more realistic, and once you get used to the effects, they become an artifact of running, just like in real life.
I am on DC and like using momentum as it gives that realistic running, stopping and starting.
Cheers,
Cliff
http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html
I don’t use momentum often, but usually because of the kids. Tony (the 8 year old) is pretty good about taking things slow, but Carrie (the 4 year old NASCAR driver) doesn’t like slow. and having to stop quickly is a common occurance for her.
I’m currently using a MRC Tech 4 220 powerpack. it has momentum and when i’m alone at the wheel, i really like using it. it also has a brake button that is pretty good about controlling runaways. it slows the engine down without having to change the throttle. carrie doesn’t care for me touching “her” throttle, so just reaching over and pushing the brake button is much less confrontational
Dean
Mo from startup to cruising speed, manual control from then on.
Hi John.
For a really prototypical experience try a decoder with non-linear momentum. [8D]
Regards,
Art
Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/
If it were just me, I would use momentum all of the time, but I have 2 kids (and a 3rd coming up) as well as some less experienced operators running trains often and I cannot afford to replace the locomotives and rolling stock they smash, so I usually leave it turned off.
Ron
I use the momentum feature with all of my locos. Part of the fun is adjusting the CV value until you get the effect that you’re looking for. The ability to use momentum, sound, and lighting effects are the big advantages of DCC.
Another CV adjuster here! I worked for days to get my P2K SW900 Switcher just right with all the CV’s. Back off on the Top speed, lowered the Mid Point and got this little guy creeping like it should. I don’t know what setting for momentum that I used but I have just enough dialed in so that it just kisses the couplers before I switch direction.
I really enjoy twiddling with the CV’s!
Chris