DCC CV's - Best Practices for N&W Steam

[NW Mailing List]

Steam Modelers;
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any messages from the NW-Modeling-List leaving me to wonder if it has fallen into disuse. So, I’ll post here on the NW-Mailing-List.

I am initiating the task of programming the CV’s of a small number of N&W Steamers in classes A, J, K, S1, Y3, & Y6b and many questions are coming to mind. So, why not tap into the best data source for guidance? As you share information, please indicate the Locomotive Class.

Beginning with some foundational matters:

My goal is to keep things reasonably realistic. For example; The Y classes were not speed-demons, and the K classes had operational speed limits due to counterbalance issues.

When dealing with acceleration and deceleration rates – I’m rather torn about actually putting hard values in CV’s because I would say they should be dependent on external conditions such as train power and weight, in addition to terrain.

Have you pursued speed limitations? Initial research suggested these top speeds for Road Power:
              Class A – 70 mph
              Class J – 110 mph
              Class K – 35 mph
              Class Y – 50 mph

What are you using for:
              CV 02 – Start Voltage
              CV 03 – Acceleration Rate
              CV 04 - Deceleration Rate
              CV 05 – High Voltage (Speed Limiting)
              CV 06 – Mid Voltage
              CV 65 – Kick Start

Speed Curves:
              Which are you using?
                           3-point curve? (Start, Mid, High of a preloaded curve)
                                         CV 25 - Speed Table Selection?   Which one?
                           14 step or 28 step configured?
                                          What do you have for CV 67 to CV 94?
                           Are you using a Throttle Control Mode?  If so, which one?

Speed Matching & Consisting:
              If it is Speed Matched, to what locomotive?
What values do you use for:
                           CV 66 – Forward Trim
                           CV 95 – Reverse Trim
What values do you use for consisting with other Locomotives:
                            CV 21 – Consist Functions Fn1 to Fn8
                            CV 22 – Consist Functions Fn0 & Fn9 to Fn12
                            CV 23 – Consist Acceleration Rate
                            CV 24 - Consist Deceleration Rate

Thank you,
Dave Willis
Blt 1962, CN 4

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