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Dale's Depot

Daley Train Log
Page 6

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Saturday January 5, 2008 3:30 PM Lethbridge, Alberta

As I mentioned in my last session, I programmed the decoder on my diesel CN 6700 5-axle passenger c-liner to recognize loco number 6700 instead of loco number 3. This worked but one of the results appeared to be that all of the pre-set values for the locomotive were lost.

Thus my main task is to learn more about programming the decoder in CN 6700.

My first idea is to try reprogramming the loco to recognize 3 and see if that still works.

1. Place the locomotive on the Programming Track.
2. Turn on the power to the Command Station.
3. Check battery power in the Cab
   1. Turn power on the Cab (right hand side of Cab)
   2. Press Bat Voltage button (bottom right of Cab)
   3. Display should be above 4.0 volts. My reading is 4.9. Good.
4. Press Prog. The screen should display "Prog Prog Track". Press Enter.
5. "Adr" will flash.
6. press 3, followed by Enter.
7. Place loco on the Main Track.
8. Select loco by pressing loco button, then press 3 and Enter. Now I should be able to control the loco.

4:10 PM

The programming of the loco to unit 3 worked perfectly and all of the pre-programmed vaulues now worked. Good. But there appears to be some problem with the first turnout that the loco runs over. It seems to short out for part of the distance over the frog and but if I push the loco over that stretch it seems to then run fine over the next few turnouts. I will try replacing the turnout with one from another part of the layout and see if that makes a difference.

4:45 PM

Yes. I replaced the turnout with one from Black Diamond and the loco ran over it without any problem. I really enjoy running the loco in the Coaldale yard with the bell ringing. I am able to reverse the loco and bring it to a stop and go through the 3 stages of a total shut down.

I have two options for my next activity. One would be to continue cleaning the mainline track and verifying that this locomotive can traverse the entire mainline without any difficulties. Once that is done, then I want to try it with a consist of about 4 cars. The second option would be to focus on learning how to program the locomotive decoder. I will go for option 1 as it is more fun. Once I know that I have the mainline genuinely operational, I can focus on a combination of switching manouvers and DCC programming.

Summarizing today's one-hour session:

• I was able to reprogram the loco to unit 3 and learned that all of the pre-programmed functions were still operational.
• I was able to isolate a problem with a turnout in the Coaldale yard and replace it. The loco then ran smoothly over the length of the Coaldale yard.
• I still get a thrill listening to the sounds of CN 6700 as it moves through the yard.