55020

As a BR Blue era modeller, all I would ask for is something of quality that fits my era. So far they have been pretty poor (I'm being generous with my language here!), and certainly nowhere near the quality of Accurascale, SLW and Cavalex; in fact not even in the same ballpark as Bachmann.

If the issue some are facing with the volume was associated with the hardware (speaker setup), then I would assume just about every model out there would be having the sound cut out. I have no issues with any of my three 37s, or the three 55s for that matter, being started and run on full volume. Could it be that users aren't waiting a short while between layout power being applied and then hitting F1?? The idea that reducing the volume and then increasing it again after start seems odd to me from a hardware perpective, but if it works ...... ! Permanently reducing the volume ever so slightly appears to provide an easy solution based on what people have been posting, with one post indicating that reducing CV 63 from the max value of 192 to as high as 185 worked for them. For those that say "it's now too quiet", I cannot perceive any difference in volume between these two figures. Using a sound level meter, recorded about 1cm above the model, the difference between a value of 192 and 160 was about 2dB. Not huge! Steve

Interesting. Not something I've heard of before. Please let us know how you get on. Steve

A lot of the OEM fitted decoders were indeed V4 Selects, which cannot have the sound file overwritten. You do have access to the CVs of the Select, but the sound file cannot be changed. I would think it highly likely that you do have a Select. Bachmann did fit Selects into some of their models, but not all! Steve

I wonder if it's worth starting a thread in the DCC section, where Lokprogrammer owners willing to help others can post their approximate location? Steve

Yes, as long as you can gain access to a Lokprogrammer you can update the firmware, then spend hours messing around with the bass, treble and overall volume whilst running the loco. Steve

It's been well covered in this thread. There's not an ideal solution that I know of, as it is the actual sound project that's been programmed to react like this. I do explain two possible solutions in the first post of the thread below. Steve

Thanks, that's great. I'll do some "playing" this weekend and see if we end up with similar solutions. Of course, it is all subjective and down to personal taste. I'm with you on turning down the volume, which suits my layout and surrounds too. The CV259 adjustment is interesting, as that is the volume control for the "prime mover" in Sound Slot 1, so you are effectively turning up the volume on the engine only. I'll give it a go. Word of caution to anyone else trying the CV259 adjustment, make sure CV31=16 & CV32=1 before adjusting CV259. Steve

Agreed. I've gone for one end with dominoes and the other end with the 0's. Steve

Has anyone managed to fit the very nicely modelled frost grills? If so, how did you manage to get them to stick? Steve

Great new feature. I've had hours of fun playing with some of my other projects. What values did you end up with for CV196 & 197 on your Class 37s? Steve

I don't see any reason to cross your fingers. The sound fitted AS 37s are awesome.

Why did you not try the advice and lower the volume levels slightly, instead of rushing back to your keyboard and making a series of negative comments?

The headlight is mapped to Aux 5 & 6 (11 & 12 are related to the WIPAC fit). Steve

Roger, take a look here. The attachment in the first message contains details of the CVs you are after. Steve

Ahh, the font of all knowledge that is Wikipedia. It it great until it isn't! In this case it isn't too helpful, as the 37/0s were numbered 37001 to 37308. Your model of 37305 is a 37/0. The rebogied 37/3s started at 37310. You are correct in stating that the 37300-308 locos were very much South Wales machines in the 70s. Steve

The spirax valve seems to be in Sound Slot 13 (unrefurbished 37s), but I have to say it isn't pretty! Maybe that's why AS just have it as part of the shutdown, rather than have it play for an extended period. Steve

Nice pics @rodent279. @lippy this is about the closest I can get to a side bogie shot. Not 100% crisp sadly.

Is this of any help? Steve

Out of all of the bufferbeam detailing pieces, this is the one I have struggled with each time. I've found it slightly easier to attach to the bufferbeam first; then bend, flex, swear and repeat until I get it to seat in the body. I agree, it is simply the wrong shape. Steve

Hi Rich, You've prompted me to document the changes I've made to my AS Class 37s. Feel free to ask any questions. Post here: Steve

I have spent some time being obsessed with trying to get the decoder settings optimised for my taste. I've now reached something I am really happy with and thought I'd share, so if anyone wants to tweak their settings this may help. I started by trying to work around the rather quick start with the sound equipped 37s (compared to when the sound is turned off). If you have one of these thrash machines, you'll notice that at speed step 1 the brake release sounds, but nothing else will happen until you get to speed step 8 (assuming 128 Speed Steps selected). Once you get to SS8 the revs will increase ever so slightly and the loco starts to move, but too quickly. You can then throttle back to SS1 to get it to slow down and crawl. The moving off at SS8 appears to be baked into the sound project so not easy to counter. In the attachment you'll find two options. Option one is a simple CV change that will make the loco move off at SS1, but doesn't alter the fact that the engine revs don't increase until SS8 i.e. synch between movement and engine revs at very low speed is lost. The second option has many more CV changes, but will result in a crawl at SS8 (i.e. same speed as SS1) with appropriate engine revs. If anyone has another solution please share. I also slowed the acceleration rate (giving longer thrash!), which then needed a change to the "light load" setting. Tweaks were made to the lighting settings along with a few other bits and pieces, including moving the dynamic brake from F29 to F2. All changes I made are detailed in the attachment, along with the original settings. Of course you don't have to change all the settings listed, you can also introduce your own values for a number of the changes. If it all goes horribly wrong, then writing CV8 = 8 will reset it back to the original AS values. Steve Accurascale Class 37 decoder settings.pdf

Possibly this one? https://traksy.uk/live Steve

And then the complaint will go something like "I've just paid £XXX and I then have to fit my own headcodes, that's rediculous. Every other manufacturer manages to get these fitted at the factory. I am outraged!" The real solution is to make the removal of the headcode box cover straightforward, but still have something fitted by the factory. Steve

As you've probably had the decoder in and out of the loco, possibly even soldering new speaker wires onto the decoder, and now have sound (track power in to the decoder is OK) but no movement I suspect the issue is with the wiring from the decoder to the motor. Although Albie's suggestion above is definitely the first step to check. Some V3.5s have extremely thin and fragile wiring, and I have had to completely rewire some. Take a close look at the orange and grey wires to make sure they look intact and the soldered joints at each end are still in good order. Steve