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each time the voltage is reduced from high to low. Some practice may be
required to synchronize the playing of the brake sounds with the movement
of the engine. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before the brake
sound is completed. Operators will find that by coordinating the movement
of the throttle setting from 8 volts to off will allow the engine to maintain its
movement while the brake sounds play. Note: The brake sounds will not
be heard if the transformer throttle is not set above 14 volts and/or not
reduced below 8 volts.
TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Because the squeaking brake feature always plays for approximately 3
seconds, it is possible that the brake sounds will play longer or shorter than
what visually seems prototypical. You will find that by practicing with the
brake feature, you can quickly determine how quickly to throttle down and
what speeds and voltage settings give you the most prototypical braking effect.
Typical users will find the feature to be a very realistic way to simulate the
sound of an engine slowing down for curves, crossings or coming to a stop at a
station, side track or switch yard. As mentioned above, you will find that
initially your engine may continue to play the brake sounds once your engine
comes to a stop or that the sounds stop prematurely before the engine comes to
a complete halt. For example, if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle
off quickly, the brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the
engine has come to a complete stop. This annoying effect can be eliminated by
simply practicing with the brake feature. In no time, you will quickly learn
how to "feather" the throttle to keep the engine moving while the brake sounds
play and then turning the throttle off just as the sounds stop. Remember that
once you stop the engine, you should turn the throttle to the off position if you
don't want to activate the Passenger Sounds feature described later in this
manual.
The ProtoSound squealing brake feature also has the ability to simulate the
squeal of wheel flanges when your train enters a curve at high speeds. The
same brake squealing sound plays, but you don't need to reduce the transformer
throttle to activate the squealing sounds. To play the squealing sounds as wheel
flange sounds, trigger the brake feature using either method 1 or 2 above. Once
triggered set the transformer throttle setting at 14 volts or higher. As your
engine enters a curve (or anywhere on the layout) quic[ky "flick" your
transformer whistle button about half way. This "flicking" action causes the
transformer to release a short DC signal that ProtoSounds reads as an indicator
to activate the brake sounds. The engine won't slow down even though the
sounds play. This simulates the wheel flange squeal of a train travelling
through a turn too quickly.
Note: Consistent activation of the wheel flange squealing is determined by the
condition of your transformer's whistle button rectifier disc. Older rectifier
discs may need to be replaced in order to play squealing sounds.
MTH Blue Comet Operating Manual
9
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