Rapido Trains F40PH-2D Operator's Manual - page 8
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PROTOTYPICAL OPERATION – DCC (SOUND)
We put a lot of time and effort into our original F40PH-2D to get it to operate the HEP
(head end power) in a prototypical fashion, and we’re frankly a bit disappointed that
VIA has rebuilt the engines to make them more efficient as we can’t use our original
F40PH-2D programming. We did lobby VIA to suspend the upgrade program because
it would cause all sorts of problems with our DCC programming but surprisingly they
were not receptive to the idea.
CAT Engine
The rebuild program replaced the HEP alternator with a separate CAT diesel engine to
provide the HEP. The CAT engine is not tied in any way to the main prime mover, which
means the F40’s big diesel engine no longer needs to run at full RPMs all the time. This
brings a huge reduction in fuel consumption and noise pollution.
Any time the F40PH-2D is pulling a passenger train, the HEP would be on. In fact, the
CAT engine powers the microwave, heat and the AC in the F40 cab, so it would nor-
mally be on even when pulling a hospital train or switching in the yard on a hot day.
The HEP can be turned on/off when standing still or moving.
When two F40s are in a consist, both CAT engines are usually used. One powers each
of the two HEP circuits running through the train. If three F40s are in a consist, the HEP
would not be on in one of them as there are only two HEP circuits in a train.
Essentially, the only time you would shut down the CAT engine is when you are about
to enter Montreal’s Central Station or any other station where you would be connect-
ing “shore power,” or HEP from the station rather than from the engine. In the case of
Montreal, the engineers open the breaker a few minutes out of Central at Wellington
Tower, which shuts down the power in the passenger cars. The CAT engine continues
to run without load to allow it to cool down and continue to lubricate the turbocharger
and other components. Then they shut down the CAT just before entering the station.
Similarly, the CAT engine is only turned on a few minutes before leaving Central Station.
In Ottawa, the CAT engine is shut down before the shop crews plug in the locomotive
for the night.
The CAT engine should be running basically any time the engine is running, unless it is
parked. This seriously simplifies the operation of your model. The rebuilt F40 now runs
just like a standard freight locomotive, but you will need to remember to fire up the CAT
engine or your locomotive engineers and passengers will have a pretty miserable ride.
If you wish to consist your rebuilt F40PH-2D with an original Rapido F40PH-2D, your
original unit should be placed in RUN before you consist the engines together. As both
engines are providing HEP, it is appropriate to have the older unit screaming away the
whole time.