Setting DCC engine for picture

[hamltnblue]

Hello All
I want to do a pic of a couple of my Atlas Gold engines.
My problem is that they move on speed step 1 and I have a large F stop setting for better field of view.
Is there a way to get the headlight to shine bright while standing still so that the pic will look like the train is moving?
Thanks

 

[Selector]

Yes, at least with my BLI steamers and others. Run the engine back to about four inches behind your desired position, place in forward, and turn the throttle up to about speed step 10. As the engine gets underway, trip your shutter timer previously set on two seconds, and reduce the throttle to 0 immediately. It takes practice, but eventually you have the engine coming to a stop and the shutter tripping very close together, but the engine first. The decoder will still be attempting to move the engine if it is on a slight grade, and you'll hear the buzzing, but only for a second or two.

Note that on level ground, this will be much more difficult as the train motor won't be straining to maintain forward momentum for those last three seconds of buzzing time, during which the point is to keep the headlight on bright. As soon as the engine enters neutral, the light dims, as you know.

It is what I do.

-Crandell

 

[GrampysTrains]

I have a couple of locos like that. I stick a push pin on the back side to keep the loco from moving. Just remember to remove after taking the pic. DJ.

 

[hamltnblue]

Hmmm. Great idea.

 

[UP2CSX]

HB, most DCC engines will sit still on the track with the headlight on bright. Sometimes you have to press the F0 key to get them to come on or change a CV setting but I've never had to get the train moving to get the headlights on with any of my engines.

 

[dave1905]

I agree with UP2CSX, you should be able to just turn on the headlight and not have the throttle on at all. You have to select the direction the engine is moving. But is should be able to be set up where the engine can sit there all day, not move a mm and have the headlight on.

 

[hamltnblue]

With Atlas Gold the headlight is on but dim when at power setting zero. When the throttle is set higher they brighten.
Reading the 255 page QSI program manual now.
Edit : Might be able to do it through the index that QSI uses

 

[bnsf971]

With Atlas Gold the headlight is on but dim when at power setting zero. When the throttle is set higher they brighten.
Reading the 255 page QSI program manual now.
Edit : Might be able to do it through the index that QSI uses

Yes, I think you can change that so it will be bright/dim by using F4 or F7 (I forget which one) without the engine having to move.
If not, you could probably change the maximum voltage setting to "1", which means it will barely move when the throttle is wide-open. There's more than one way to skin a cat (or GP40).

 

[hamltnblue]

After Playing with the indexes for a bit I got it to work.
Not exactly the operation I wanted but with some tweaking it should work like I want.
On the left an Atlas Gold GP40-2 default idle, and on Left a Gold SD35 with the change.

 

[UP2CSX]

There you go, HB. A lot of locomotives come preset with the headlights to comply with Rule 17, which says the headlight should be off or dimmed when standing on a siding. That can be changed by using the approprate CV value, which is slightly different for each decoder, although most seem to use CV29. I have my locomotives set so the front headlight is always bright in the direction of travel and off when the reverse headlight is on. I just use F0 on my DCS 50 to turn off the lights if the train is in a siding. This seems to be more in keeping with actual prototype operations.

 

[DakotaLove39]

I was going to say, I thought there was a DCC function for specifically turning on the headlights as I've seen a powered up but non-moving loco with its lights on.

Your picture reminds me that my GP38 still waits for sunvisors. D'oh! Nicely shot!