From the Editor

So far all has gone well with the changes to the website and the new e-mail delivery system. This is of course assuming no news is good news!! If anyone within division is not getting e-mail notifications (there are at least two per month), then please send a message using the contact form. Unless I hear from you, we must assume no news continues to be good news!

We need layout photos to keep the website updated and looking fresh. For safety, I do not post who they are or where there were taken. The images help keep the front page/site looking new. Email any images to the editor at blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org.

View from the Cab

In January the NMRA introduced the NMRA Interchange on Discord. Discord is a VoIP and instant messaging social platform. Users have the ability to communicate with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media and files in private chats or as part of communities called "servers". Discord works on almost any platform from Windows to Android to Apple IOS.

I encourage everyone to follow the instructions and get enrolled on the Discord NMRA Interchange Server. In only a month there is so much going on in the areas of discussion, I have no trouble finding interesting new topics every time I log in. Some topics include:

• Conventions
• Scenery
• Operations
• 3D Printing
• Weathering
• AP Questions
• Special Interest Groups
• Prototypes

Is there interest in a clinic on what Discord is and how to use it? This will be a topic for discussion at our next meeting.

Summer Outing

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were not able to cover this at the last meeting. We will make an effort to review locations and at least get to a short list this month.

Please come prepared with recommendations on potential locations/venues for our summer outing. Last year we did a layout tour of Division 6 layouts which went very well (even though it was a last-minute effort). Some things to consider for the summer outing:

• Should be train/hobby related
• Must be within a reasonable travel distance
• Should be able to accommodate up to 30 individuals (ok to split into groups if required)

April Meeting Location Change

The April 28 meeting will NOT be at our usual location. We are still working on an alternative location. This will continue to be a discussion point at the next couple meetings. When a decision is made, there will be e-mail notices sent out and it will be highlighted in the Train Order.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and seeing what you have for Show and Tell!!

Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent

Clinic Corner

The February Clinic will be "Using Servos in Model Railroading", presented by Marshall Stull. The clinic will focus on the basics of using servos and how to control them. The clinic will contain basic concepts and information for people new to using servos along with some more complex theories and circuits for advanced users. There should be something for everyone in this clinic.

I hope to see you all at the meeting!

Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent

February 24th Meeting Agenda

Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect at the meeting:

• Rip Track Table - Have items you want to sell or just give away? Put them on the table
• Business
  • Summer Outing
  • April Meeting Location Change
  • Open Items
• Show and Tell
• Break
• Clinic - Marshall Stull, Using Servos in Model Railroading
• Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points

Doors open at 6:00PM, Meeting Starts at 7:00PM
Proclaim FM Community Center
7112 Angola Road,
Holland, OH 43528.

The lighter side of the hobby

Tech Tip
by Marshall Stull

I have been doing a fair number of locomotive DCC installs recently. Modeling the early 1900's means light steam locomotives which very few manufacturers produce today with any quality DCC sound. As a result, I have been picking up used locomotives from eBay and the local train shows. Bargains can be had if you are patient and know how to tweak the locomotive to get the best performance. The prices of current sound decoders led me to try the ESO LokSound decoders which I can get for about $100 including the speaker (with enclosure). My supplier of choice programs them with whatever sound selection I need. I had not used the ESU brand until this past year but so far, I am pleasantly surprised with them, especially the new feature they have for fine tuning a locomotive for maximum low speed performance called "Auto Tune".

Specific to the new LokSound 5 decoders is the feature called "Auto Tune". Auto Tune allows for automatic calibration of the motor control parameters, such as the BEMF, without editing CVs. It can complete this task more accurately than manually attempting to set the appropriate CVs. The LokSound 5 software controlling the motor operation has been further refined. The Pulse Width Modulation frequency ranges from 10 to 50 kHz for silent operation, with a benefit particularly for coreless motors. The Load Control has 10 CVs to tune it. The Auto Tune feature allows all ten to be adjusted by the decoder software, perfectly matching the motor performance. With steam locomotives, Auto Tune should be run BEFORE adjusting any chuff rate parameters.

Before running Auto Tune on any locomotive, you need to make sure it is in good running condition and operates as smoothly as can be expected. I always make sure to fully test all locomotives on DC, making any corrections to pickups, gears, and lubrication to make sure they run as well as can be expected before installing the DCC decoder. A bad runner on DC will run just as bad on DCC.

Running Auto Tune:
For effective calibration, a length of straight track at least 1.3m long is recommended.

• Set CV 54 to the value of 0 (zero)
• Leave programming mode
• Press F1
• The locomotive should begin travelling down the track: It will launch at full speed in the last direction of travel, so ensure it will go the right direction before beginning the process. At the completion of the Auto Tune process, the locomotive will stop and ring the bell. This should be completed within 1 meter of travel.
• Press F1 to silence the bell.

Be aware that Auto Tune may not work as expected on factory installed LokSound 5 decoders. Check the ESU website for known issues before running Auto Tune. ESU has provided the following YouTube link to see how the Auto Tune feature is activated and the results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C66WR7QMo4. Although the video shows how to use ECoS ESU Command Station to make CV changes, any NMRA DCC compliant system using a programming track will work.

This process was also reviewed on TrainMasters TV (back before it was called "Auto Tune"). This video is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WF6RPaFvCWE.

If you are contemplating installing a new DCC Sound decoder with smooth operation, you may want to give the LokSound 5 with Auto Tune a try.

Division Happenings

Here is where we post news, announcements, items for sale, free stuff, or whatever message you need to get out. Just drop an email to blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org and we will get it in the next issue.

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On the Black Swamp Division Facebook Page

Jim Wolsiffer has continued work on a new SD60 project. His recent updates say he is 95% finished. Check out the Division Facebook Page for more.

Upcoming Events
(click to enlarge)

If you know about an event happening in our division, please let us know so we can make everyone aware. If a club is having an open house, setup, or other activities, we could help promote it!