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F4 Full Throttle
ESU’s “Full Throttle” feature allows you to play the prime mover of your SW1200RS like
a musical instrument, even if you’ve never played a musical instrument before. When
you press F4, you turn on “drive hold.” This keeps the speed of the engine constant at
whatever speed step your throttle happens to be on. Then as you increase the throttle,
you hear the prime mover revving up. This allows you to simulate hauling a heavy load.
On the prototype the prime mover would be up at 7 or 8 while the engine is moving
slowly. If you want to shove the throttle into notch 8 and hear it slipping and struggling
as it revs up, just crank up the throttle really quickly.
“Full Throttle” is even neater when you throttle down, as it allows you to simulate
“coasting” which is such an important part of running a real train. When you press
F4 again you turn off “Full Throttle” and the engine will accelerate or decelerate to
whatever speed step your throttle happens to be on. For realism it’s a good idea to take
note of what speed step your throttle was on when you turned on “Full Throttle” and be
back at that speed step when you turn “Full Throttle” off. Otherwise your SW1200RS
may take off. Eh.
F5 Doppler Horn
We’ve sourced a gorgeous K3L recorded on a moving locomotive doing about 30MPH.
Beauty goal, eh? And on top of that, if you change your horn to an M3H (see Horns
below), your Doppler horn automatically switches to an M3H Doppler recording.
F6 Ditch Lights (if equipped)
If your locomotive comes equipped with ditch lights, this function will allow you to
activate them. Pressing F6 turns them on. Pressing F6 again will turn them off. This
process can be repeated infinitely. If you are approaching a station or an oncoming
train you can turn off the ditch lights and dim the headlights automatically by pressing
F7. You don’t want to blind anyone, now do you?
F7 Dim the Headlights
If you are approaching a station or an oncoming train you can turn off the ditch lights
and dim the headlights automatically by pressing F7. You don’t want to blind anyone,
now do you? I’m getting a sense of déjà vu. I’m getting a sense of déjà vu. Josh, you’re
fired. Josh, you’re fired.
F9 Class Lights
They do exactly what they say – these function buttons turn on the class lights. SW1200RS
locomotives only use white class lights. The SW1200RS is not often called upon to lead
two sections of The Canadian, so the greens aren’t needed. And the SW1200RS isn’t
normally pushing commuter trains, so the red lights aren’t needed. If you want to press
your SW1200RS into AMT service pushing commuter trains, just shmear the class lights
with a red crayon.
