3 Cylinder Southern/BR. By Paul Chetter.
Please spend a few moments to read these notes which have been produced so that you may obtain
the maximum satisfaction from your new sound scheme.
The sounds should work perfectly when the decoder is fitted correctly. Individual locos may require
some fine tuning that you can achieve with your DCC controller.
What is Multi-Drive?
This is a system I developed as described in my articles in Hornby Magazine, Issues
39 to 41. The sound recordings were taken from the preserved, un-rebuilt locomotive, Wadebridge.
The sounds have been programmed in such a way that you, the user, may change the way that the
sounds respond to your driving style or needs. This avoids the need for reprogramming and all the
additional costs that would imply.
Operating Your ZIMO Sound Decoder.
As supplied, your new decoder will work in a ‘Heavy Train/ Full Reverser’ configuration, but you will be able to switch between the available sounds using your DCC controller using the straightforward instructions below.
This project utilises Zimo’s ability to switch between the sounds of a heavy train load or sounds of a light engine.
These are all fully configured within the project, waiting for you to make your choices.
You can revert back at any time.
All the CVs have been optimised for the Hornby West Country models. You may need to make minor adjustments to perfect it for your individual model.
There are 27 Functions, most of which have an individual sound attached. Some will perform a
physical function (like turning on the lamps, if fitted), and some will do both (depending on equipment
installed). Please study the list below.
Some of the sounds have a finite length and will play from start to finish when selected. Other sounds
will ‘loop’ until switched off, whilst others will vary in length, depending on how you operate the F keys
on your DCC controller. I’ll leave you with the pleasure of finding out which is which.
In any of the driving sound sets, increasing the speed step by 2 will produce an acceleration sound for
a few seconds. If you wish continuous acceleration, ease the throttle setting upwards rather than 0-
128 in one jump!
Similarly, in each sound set, a reduction of 1 speed step will stop the exhaust beats and the loco will
‘coast’ (or drift) for a few seconds before resuming exhaust beats. Continuous drifting can be
simulated by easing the throttle settings down, one step at a time.
All sounds may be modified (including changing or removing them) individually, and the volume levels
of each one may also be varied to your own needs. For this, and much more information on your
decoder’s outstanding abilities, please download the latest Decoder Manual from:
www.zimo.at/web2010/
You can get advice in English by joining, for free: [email protected]
The Sound Sets
There are two sound sets loaded on your decoder.
Set 1 Heavy Loaded. This is the one to use if you have a heavy train on the hook. West Country locos were notoriously light footed. Too much regulator provokes Wheel Slip. This is true also of this sound project. In the ‘Heavy’ sound set at low speeds, the sound (only) of wheel slip will occur if too many speed steps are applied, driven gently, wheel slip can be avoided. Over to you!
Set 2 Light Engine. At very slow speeds, this set will simulate a very lightly stressed loco. This
becomes more aggressive with acceleration, and as speed increases.
Special Zimo Function on F5.
As supplied, it is possible to toggle between Set 1 and Set 2 (change from one to the other and back
again) and this may be done even whilst the loco is moving, with no loss of sound. This is useful to
vary the sound of the exhaust beats. But it really comes into its own when you run light loco up to a
train, couple up and chug away with the heavy sounds.
All you need to do to make this happen is to press F5 on your DCC controller, and press again to
change back.
Function Keys List
F0 – Lights (if fitted)
F1 - Sound Fade In/Out
F2 – Medium Whistle
F3 – Toot then Long Single Whistle
F4 – Long Single Whistle
F5 – Heavy /Light selection
F6 – Coal shovelling. (Plus firebox flicker if fitted on the green wire) (This sound is also a random sound)
F7 – Blower (This sound is also a random sound when standing)
F8 – Injector (This sound is also a random sound when standing)
F9 – Wheel Flange
F10 – Spare (Smoke if fitted on brown wire)
F11 – Steam Brake
F12 - Hand Brake
F13 – Guard’s Whistle
F14 – Buffering Up
F15 – Coupling sound Cylinder Drain Cocks Open
F16 –Tender Watertank Filling (Hold key to extend duration)
F17 – Coaling Up
F18 – Station Ambience
F19 – Ejector
F20 – Spare
F21 – Safety Valves Lifted
F22 – Drain Cocks Open
F23 – Clear!
F24 – Right Away!
F25 – Toot Toot
F26 – Toot Toot 2
F27 – Brake Squeal.
Paul Chetter
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