LokSound Diesel Programming Standard

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Overview

Documented below is a recommended standard for the configuration of an ESU/Loksound v5 decoder for a diesel locomotive, including the function mapping and relevant configuration steps.

This is designed to support seamlessly interchangeable operation with a standard throttle or a ProtoThrottle

Please note this standard is still undergoing testing. Please expect updates, and check the release notes for specific changes.

Function List

Note: the below is an operators reference. See the configuration sections for the actual function mapping.

#FunctionTypeActive in ConsistNotes
0HeadlightLighting
1BellSound
2HornSound
3Coupler 1Sound
4BrakesMotor ControlYes
5Dynamic BrakesMotor ControlYes
6Heavy LoadMotor ControlYes
7DimmerLighting
8Prime MoverMotor ControlYes
9Ditch LightsLighting
10Number BoardsLighting
11Marker LightsLighting
12Switching LightingLightingYesBoth headlights dim
13Extra LightingLighting
14Extra LightingLighting
15Extra LightingLighting
16Extra LightingLighting
17Random 1 (Radiator)Random
18Random 2 (Sanders)Random
19Random 3 ( Short Air Let Off)RandomYes2ProtoThrottle air test
20Random 4 (Compressor)RandomYes2ProtoThrottle air test
21Random 5 (Air Dryer)Random
22Front Dim/Ditchlights 3ProtoThrottle
23Front Bright/Ditchlights 3ProtoThrottle
24Reverser CenterProtoThrottleYes
25Random 6 (Shutters)Random
26Rear Dim/Ditchlights 3ProtoThrottle
27Rear Bright/Ditchlights 3ProtoThrottle
28Not Currently Used
29Not Currently Used
30CoastMotor ControlFor dynamic sound control
31Notch 8Motor ControlFor dynamic sound control

Configuration

Below are all the steps required to change a default LokSound file to match the diesel standard. Generally speaking, only the setting that need to be changed will be mentioned.

Address

Active functions in consist mode

The following should be active:

  • F4 Brake
  • F5 Dynamic Brake
  • F6 Heavy Load
  • F8 Prime Mover
  • F12 Switching Lighting
  • F19 Short Air Let Off2
  • F20 Compressor2
  • F24 Reverser

Analog Settings

Enable DC Analog Mode

Enable DC analog mode: disabled

Unless it is essential that the locomotive be usable on a DC layout, disable DC Analog Mode. Leaving this enabled can cause runaway locomotives during certain layout issues.

Brake Settings

Brake functions

Currently all brake functions are left at their default values:

BrakeReductionMax SpeedBrake Sound
Brake 1128 / 50.2%126Independent
Brake 2128 / 50.2%126Automatic
Brake 3240 / 94.12%126

DCC Settings

RailCom settings

Leave all RailCom fields enabled

Historically the recommendation has been to disable RailCom. However with the seeming arrival of hardware that sanely supports RailCom (TCS, etc), the recommendation is now to leave this enabled.

Speed step mode

This should be configured correctly by default on v5 DCC decoders, but ensure the following:

Deselect 'Detect speed step mode automatically'
Select 'Use 28 or 128 speed steps'

14 speed step mode is a legacy mode, which should never be encountered. Disabling it removes the chance of unexpected behavior.

Driving Characteristics

Acceleration and deceleration

Time from maximum speed to stop: 255

This standard is designed to configure locomotives to coast, requiring a brake to stop. This is needed for proper operation with a ProtoThrottle, and is preferred for more realistic operation with a regular throttle. Setting the deceleration time to its max value should be acceptable for most scenarios. If a lower value is desired, it must be set consistently across all units in a consist, and should be kept consistent across an entire fleet.

Load Adjustment

TBD: Changes may be needed here, further research is required.

Starting delay

Delay starting if drive sound is enabled: disabled

Leaving this enabled will prevent your locomotive from begininning to move while startup sounds are playing. With the addition of the ‘Persist function’ setting, this is likely less necessary, but for now the standard is still to disable it.

Function Outputs

Configuring headlights for ProtoThrottle operation

Configure Front headlight dim:

 Output: Front light [2]
 Name:   Front Headlight (Dim)
 Output Mode: Dimmable headlight (fade in/out)
 Brightness: 5
 Special Functions: LED Mode

Configure Rear Headlight Dim:

 Output: Rear light [2]
 Name:   Rear Headlight (Dim)
 Output Mode: Dimmable headlight (fade in/out)
 Brightness: 5
 Special Functions: LED Mode

Configuring other lighting functions

See the following for instructions on configuring other lighting functions:

[Configuring Lighting for Loksound Decoder]

[Configuring Class Lights Using RGB LEDs]

Function Settings

Random functions

Random 1:

 Triggered function: F17

Under this standard, random function 1 is moved from F11 to F17. This groups it with the other random functions, and prevents it from taking up a function slot that is much more easily accessible. Make sure that this is changed both here, and under function mapping.

Function Mapping

Marks in the first column indicate the following:

  • R: Required configuration to meet the standard
  • O: Optional configuraton, model dependent
  • P: ProtoThrottle only 3
  • D: Dynamic Sound Control only

All other functions slots should match the default mapping, but it is always worth verifying.

NameConditionsPhysical OutputsLogical FunctionsSounds
Front HeadlightFwd, F0Front Light [1]
Rear HeadlightRev, F0Rear Light [1]
BellF1[4] Bell
HornF2Grade Crossing[3] Horn
CouplerF3Coupler 1
RBrakeF4Brake 3
RBrake [1]not F4Disable Brake Sound
RDynamic BrakeF5Shift 1 (Dynamics)[6] Dynamic Brakes
RHeavy LoadF6Shift 6 (Heavy Load)
RDimmerF7Dimmer[24] Short Air Let Off
Engine SoundsF8[1] Prime Mover Sound
REngine Sounds [2]F8[29] Brake Automatic Set/Release
Engine SoundsStop, F8[19] Reverser
REngine Sounds [3]Stop, F8, not F15Update ThisUpdate This[26] Starting Delay
Engine SoundsDrive, F8[25] Traction Motors
REngine Sounds [4]not F8[18] Air Dryers on Shutdown
ODitchlights*Fwd, not F7, F9, not F12Front Ditchlights
ODitchlights*Rev, not F7, F9, not F12Rear Ditchlights
ONumber Boards*F10Number Boards
OMarker Lights*F11Marker Lights
RSwitching Mode*F12Front & Rear HeadlightDimmer
OExtra Lighting*F13Extra Lighting
OExtra Lighting*F14Extra Lighting
OExtra Lighting*F15Extra Lighting
OExtra Lighting*F16Extra Lighting
RRandom Sound 1F17[8] Radiator
Random Sound 2F18[13] Sanding Valve
Random Sound 3F19[24] Short Air Let Off
Random Sound 4F20[7] Air Compressor
Random Sound 5F21[17] Air Dryer
PFront DimF22, not F23Front Light [2] (Dim)
PFront BrightF23Front Light [1]
PFront DitchF22, F23Front Ditchlights
Reverser CenterF24Shift 5 (Reverser)[20] Reverser Center
Random Sound 6F25[32] Shutters
PRear DimF26, not F27Rear Light [2] (Dim)
PRear BrightF27Rear Light [1]
PRear DitchF26, F27Rear Ditchlights
DCoastF30Shift 3 (Coast)
DRun 8F31Shift 2 (Run 8)

Identification

This is currently unused, but that should probably change.

Compatibility

Broadway Limited Steam Engine Control

[Configure LokSound for BLI Steam]

Motor Settings

[LokSound Speed Matching]

Smoke Unit

Section Coming Soon

Special Options

Memory Settings

Persist functions: enabled

Enabling this setting prevents having to re-enable functions after a locomotive temporarily loses power, due to a short, etc.

Sound Settings

Steam Chuffs

[Configure LokSound for BLI Steam]

Brake Sounds

Todo: test these settings

Dynamic Sound Control

Section Coming Soon

Sound Slot Settings

Section Coming Soon

Release Notes

  • 2026-10-08
    • Corrections
      • Removed headlight from list of Consist Functions
      • Updated ProtoThrottle headlight function
    • Additions
      • Added brake sounds to table of Brake Functions
    • General cleanup
  • 2026-09-13
    • Formatting cleanup
    • Adding and clarifying notes
  • 2026-05-08
    • Completed outline
  • 2026-05-04
    • Initial document creation

  1. Custom coupler logic should be used, information coming soon ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Used by ProtoThrottle Air Test feature ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. See ProtoThrottle notes on condensed lighting control ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎