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DC and DCC Operation of
Atlas Gold Series HO Scale
RS-1 Diesel Locomotives
equipped with ESU LokSound
Select Sound-Decoders
21 May 2014, Version 1.1
for ESU Firmware Version 4.10.?
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Quick Start for DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series HO-Scale Alco
RS-1 Locomotives Equipped with ESU LokSound Select Sound-Decoders
Congratulations on your purchase of an Atlas Master™ Gold Series HO-scale model of an Alco RS-1
locomotive that is factory-equipped with an ESU LokSound Select sound-decoder. This sound-decoder
provides the highest quality sound plus state-of-the art motor control. Your locomotive can run on either
conventional DC (with basic features) or on NMRA Digital Command Control (with full features).
This document describes the features of the LokSound Select sound-decoder installed in the Atlas HO
Gold Series Alco RS-1 locomotive when the locomotive is operated on DC and on DCC power. Please
note that a few updates to the software used in this locomotive have been made. As a result, certain
DCC function buttons operate somewhat differently than they did in the first two Atlas HO Gold Series
locomotives (RS-3 and S-2) that were equipped with LokSound Select sound-decoders. You can
download from the Atlas website the current version of the Atlas User Manual
[1]
, which includes this
locomotive. This User Manual explains in detail the differences in DCC function key operation between
various ESU software versions, as well as giving a more complete description of both DC and DCC
operation.
DC Operation of your Atlas HO-scale Gold Series RS-1 Locomotive
Using a standard variable-voltage DC power pack, turn the DC throttle up slowly until you begin to hear
locomotive sounds (around 5 volts). You will hear the diesel engine Start-Up sound sequence, which
lasts about 25 seconds. The locomotive will NOT move before the Start-Up sequence has been
completed. The headlight facing the direction in which the locomotive will move turns on in its Dim state.
Once the start-up sequence has been completed, turn up the throttle voltage up (to about 7 volts) until the
locomotive starts to move. Note that you must turn the throttle to a higher setting than you would to make
a non-sound locomotive start to move. The locomotive starts moving slowly due to built-in inertia from the
BEMF (Back EMF) motor control. The headlight in the direction of movement will turn from Dim to Bright;
the headlight facing the opposite direction will be Off.
On a DC-powered layout, an Atlas HO-scale Gold Series Alco RS-1 locomotive will automatically produce
sounds that are appropriate for its current state of operation. For example, the Startup sound sequence
plays before the locomotive begins to move, and Brake Squeals play as the locomotive grinds to a halt.
However, it is not possible to trigger individual sounds (such as the horn or bell) manually with DC track
power. If you wish to have manual control of sounds, Atlas suggests that you invest in a Basic DCC
System which will allow you to control all available sounds and other special effects in your locomotive
and yet be essentially as simple to operate as a DC power pack. Basic DCC Systems that are currently
available include the:
- NCE DCC Twin,
- MRC Prodigy Explorer DCC,
- MRC TECH 6 Sound Controller 6.0 (usable in smaller scales, but primarily intended for O-scale
Moreover, one can change certain operational characteristics of the locomotive when operating on DC
power, using the same DCC programming that is used to change these characteristics in DCC operation.
See Reference [1] for details. However, a Standard (full-featured) DCC System, as opposed to a Basic
DCC System, may be needed to make some or all of these changes.
and larger).
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DCC Operation of your Atlas HO-scale Gold Series RS-1 Locomotive
• Start-Up Behavior
As shipped from the factory, this locomotive behaves as follows at start-up:
- Locomotive sounds will start up immediately after DCC power is applied to the track. You will
first hear the sounds of a diesel locomotive starting up from a powered-down state, followed
by normal idling sounds and (after the DCC throttle is advanced) running sounds.
- Even if you advance the DCC throttle, the locomotive will NOT move until AFTER the entire
If the above behavior at startup is acceptable, there is nothing more that you need to do. If, however,
you would like your locomotive to behave differently, see Example 3 in Appendix 4 of Reference [1] to
change the behavior described in the first Dash item and Example 1 in Appendix 4 of this same
reference to change the behavior described in the second Dash item
• DCC Functions Available in Atlas HO-Scale Gold Series Alco Locomotives
The ESU LokSound Select sound-decoder provides a number of different DCC functions that can be
triggered by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., press the “5” key to trigger DCC Function #5) on your
DCC controller. The following table lists the DCC functions available in the ESU LokSound Select
sound-decoder installed in Atlas Gold Series HO-scale RS-1 locomotives.
Start-Up sound sequence has played.
DCC Function Key Operation for Atlas HO-scale Gold Series RS-1 Locomotives
Works
Only with
Engine
Sounds
On
Function
Key
Locomotive Behavior when Press
Function Key
Function
Behavior
(Latching or
Non-latching)
F0 Front and Rear Headlights are directional. Latching No No
F1 Bell (1st push on/2nd push off) Latching No No
F2 Horn blows until push F2 key again Latching
Horn Horn blows only while Horn key held down Non-Latching
No No
F3 Two Coupler Clank sounds alternate Non-Latching No No
F4 Diesel Fans (1st push on/2nd push off) Latching Yes No
F5
Dynamic Brake Fan (1st push on/2nd push
off)
Latching
Yes Yes
Only active when prime mover sound on
F6
Optional Ditch Lights (1st push on/2nd push
off)
Latching
- -
F7 Switching Mode (1st push on/2nd push off) Latching No No
F8 Audio Mute and Start Up/Shut Down Latching No No
F9
F10
F11
Manual Notching Up sounds (1st push
on/2nd push off)
Manual Notching Down sounds (1st push
on/2nd push off)
AUX3 Function Output (1st push on/2nd
push off). Preset to MARS light
Latching
Latching
Latching
Yes No
Yes No
- -
Works
Only
When
Moving
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DCC Function Key Operation for Atlas HO-scale
Works
Front Headlight
Rear Headlight
Gold Series RS-1 Locomotives (continued)
Only
with
Engine
Sounds
Function
Key
Locomotive Behavior when Press
Function Key
Function
Behavior
On
F12
F13
F14 Talking Defect Detector sounds
F15 Cab Radio Communication sounds
F16
F17 Brake Set/Release sounds with each push Non-Latching Yes Yes
F18
F19 Short Air Let-off sounds Press F19 twice No No
F20
F21
Section 4.1 in Reference [1] explains the operation of DCC functions F1 to F21 in detail.
Default Headlight Operation in Atlas HO-scale Gold Series RS-1 Locomotives
Since prototype Alco C424/C425s were road locomotives, their headlights would normally be turned
on only in the direction that the locomotive was moving. Furthermore, the switch controlling the
headlight of a prototype locomotive is normally set to its dim position when the locomotive is standing
still. The following table illustrates how Atlas’s model RS-1 locomotive mimics this behavior.
Light Forward Stopped after Forward Reverse Stopped after Reverse
Dim Headlight (1st push dim/2nd push
bright)
AUX4 Func Output (1st push on/2nd push
off)
Rail-joint Clank sounds (1st push on/2nd
push off)
Only active when prime mover sound on
Sanding Valve sounds (1st push on/2nd
push off)
Air Compressor sounds (1st push on/2nd
push off)
Pop Valve sounds (1st push on/2nd push
off)
Bright Dim Off Off
Off Off Bright Dim
Latching No Yes
Latching
Detector sounds
play each time F14
is pressed
Radio communication
sounds play each
time F15 is pressed
Latching Yes Yes
Latching
Latching
Latching
- -
No No
No No
Yes No
Yes No
No No
When the locomotive is first powered up, you may need to press the F0 (or Headlight) key on your
DCC system one or two times to turn on the directional front or rear headlight.
Works
Only
When
Moving
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• DCC Programming Locations
Air Horn Name
CV48 Value
Most DCC systems allow you to program a Configuration Variable (CV), such as the DCC address of
a locomotive, in either of two places:
- On a special section of track not connected in any way to your layout and called the Program
Track. (In DCC terminology, programming locomotives on the program track is called Service
Mode Programming.)
- Anywhere on the Main Line (regular track) of your layout. [In DCC terminology, programming a
locomotive on the main line of your layout is called either Programming on the Main (POM) or
Operations Mode (Ops Mode) programming.]
• In almost all cases, the ESU LokSound Select decoder installed in your Alco RS-1 locomotive can
be programmed on your program tack WITHOUT a Program Track Booster connected between
the program track output of your DCC system and your physical program track. However, if you
do need a Program Track Booster, Atlas recommends the PTB-100 from SoundTraxx.
• Programming a New DCC Address for Your Locomotive
The decoder in every Atlas Gold Series locomotive comes from the factory set to use the short
address “3.” However, in order to control (independently) several locomotives on the same track at
the same time, it is necessary that each locomotive have a unique DCC address. A convenient
choice for the DCC address is the road number printed on the side of the locomotive’s cab.
Frequently, the number on the side of the cab is a 3- or 4-digit number, which is treated in DCC as a
Long (or 4-digit) Address.
If your DCC system allows you to program 4-digit addresses on the main line (many DCC systems
do), Atlas recommends that you take advantage of this capability by programming the address of your
Gold Series locomotive on the main line using Operations Mode (Ops Mode) programming.
• Air Horn Selection
For the Alco RS-1, the default horn is a Dual Leslie A200/A125 (i.e., CV48 = 64). If you wish to use a
different air horn, you may choose from the 16 air horns that are listed in the following table. To
select a horn, write into CV48 the value listed to the right of the name of that horn in this table.
Dual Leslie A200/A125
64
Leslie A125 65
Nathan M5 66
Nathan P3 67
Nathan P5A 68
Nathan Single Chime 69
Leslie A200 70
Leslie S3L 71
Leslie S5T 72
Nathan M3 73
Hancock Air Whistle 74
Wabco E2 75
Leslie Supertyfon 76
Nathan M3H 77
Dual Single Chime 78
Nathan K3 79
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• Resetting your Lok-Sound Select Equipped Loco to Factory Default Values
Resetting the firmware in the LokSound Select sound-decoder to its factory-built configuration can
resolve many problems that sometimes occur with firmware-controlled electronics. In fact, we have
found that at least 20 to 25 percent of the problems with Gold Series locomotives that we receive for
repair at Atlas can be resolved simply by resetting the sound-decoder. Hence, the very first step you
take to resolve a problem should be to reset the LokSound Select sound-decoder in your locomotive
using the following procedure:
- Place the locomotive on your program track and write the value 8 into CV8.
- Cycle power to the decoder first off and then on again by:
o Tipping the locomotive to one side so that all the wheels on the opposite side are off
the rail,
o Holding the locomotive in this tipped position for 5 to 10 seconds,
o Slowly lowering the locomotive back down until all wheels are once again on the
The second dashed item listed above (power cycling) is extremely important; do not omit it.
program track rails.
REFERENCES
[1]. User Manual: DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives equipped with
ESU LokSound Select Sound-Decoders, Version 1.21, 15 May 2014 (or later). Download from
Atlas model website:
http://www.atlasrr.com/
Choose Support, DCC Support, and then double click on the listing for this document.
[2]. LokSound Select User Manual for Diesel and Steam Decoders, Third Edition (or later), May 2012.
You can download the ESU LokSound Select User Manual document from the ESU website:
http://www.esu.eu/en/start/
by first selecting DOWNLOADS. Then click on Instruction Manuals. Next, click on Digital
Decoders. Finally, single-click on the Download icon in the box labeled LokSound Select Users
Manual.
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Appendix: Body-Removal Instructions for Atlas HO-Scale RS-1 Locomotives
When reading these instructions, please refer to the exploded diagram and parts list that was packed with
your Atlas HO RS-1 locomotive.
1. If you can, remove the side handrails from the cab on both sides. Do not remove the handrails
from the sill casting. Removing the handrails from the cab reduces the chance of breaking them
in Steps 3 through 6 below. However, if you are unable to remove the handrails from the cab
relatively easily, do not force them.
2. The plastic hood casting is held onto the metal frame by four tabs that project downward from the
bottom of the hood casting: two near the rear (one tab on each side) and two near the front.
Each of these tabs has a rectangular slot that engages a rectangular dimple that projects inwards
from an opening in the frame. To release a body tab, it must be pressed inward away from its
mating frame dimple. You can see these body tabs and frame dimples on the Atlas HO RS-1
parts diagram that was included with your locomotive.
3. To release the two rear tabs, grab the fuel tank part of the frame casting with one hand and with
the other hand grab rear part of the hood. Push inwards with your fingers so that both body tabs
clear their frame dimples. Be careful where you place your hands and fingers so you don’t break
the handrails and detail parts. After the two frame tabs at the rear of the locomotive have been
released, pull the rear part of the hood up just enough so that these rear tabs will not become reengaged with the dimples on the frame.
4. To release the two front tabs, again grab the fuel tank part of the frame casting with one hand and
grab the front part of the hood with your other hand. Repeat the procedure described in Step 3,
but this time you will squeeze the front part of the shell.
5. Usually the technique described in Steps 3 and 4 will work. If it does not work, hold the rear
portion of the body upside down between the thumb and forefinger of one hand so that you can
see the bottom of the trucks. Using your other hand, insert a long thin flat headed screw driver
between the side frame and the gearbox on one side of the rear truck so that you are pushing the
rear body tab on that side inwards until it clears the dimple on the frame. Don’t let the
screwdriver go too far up, or you will damage the shell. While doing this inward pushing,
squeeze, wiggle, and pull on that same side of the body so that the first body tab is released from
its dimple on the frame. Do not be surprised if a number of small details fall off the roof during
this process. You will be able to re-install them after reassembling the locomotive.
6. Perform the operations described in Step 5 on all four tabs so they are clear of the frame dimples.
Be careful where you place your hands and fingers so you don’t break the handrails and detail
parts.
7. Once all four body tabs are released hold the locomotive frame in one hand by the fuel tank.
With the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, carefully wiggle and pull the entire body away
from the frame. Make sure that you are NOT holding onto the handrails when you grasp the
body. This process should allow you to remove the body from the frame.
8. To replace the RS-1 body on its frame, place the body back onto the frame, after first making
sure that the front of the body is on the front of the frame. Then push down firmly on the roof
sections of the front hood, the cab, and the rear hood near the locations of the tabs until the body
is seated firmly on the frame.
9. Re-install the handrails and any small detail parts that fell off.
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_____________________________________________
ESU License Agreement
Software License Agreement
1. ESU LokSound, GmbH & Co. grants you, the owner, and the right to use the software that is included with your LokSound
Select system only with the locomotive that you purchased.
2. Copyright: The software is owned by Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co. and is protected by German copyright laws
Proprietary Rights and Obligations
The structure and organization of the Software/Firmware are the valuable properties of Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co. You
will not make or have made, or permit to be made, any copies of the Hardware, Software/Firmware code, or any portions thereof.
You are not to modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, de-compile, disassemble or create derivative works based on the
Hardware or Software/Firmware. Trademarks shall be used in accordance with accepted trademark practice, including identification
of trademark owner’s name. The LokSound Select Hardware, Software, and Firmware are covered by various US and foreign
patents and patents pending.
No Other Rights
Electronic Solutions Ulm, GmbH & Co. retains ownership of the LokSound Select Hardware design and operating
Software/Firmware code. Except as stated above, this agreement does not grant you any rights to intellectual property rights to the
LokSound Select Software, Firmware or Hardware. The use of any trademarks as herein authorized does not give you any rights of
ownership in that trademark.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2014 All rights reserved. Information in this publication supersedes that in all previous published material. The contents and the product it describes
are subject to change without notice. LokSound is a registered trademark of Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU) GmbH & Co. MRC is a trademark of
Model Rectifier Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. makes no representations
or warranties with respect to this publication. In no event shall ESU be liable for any damages, direct or incidental, arising out of or related to the use of
this publication. Issued: 05/2014
and international treaty provisions. Therefore, neither you nor anyone else may copy the software.
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