HO Triplex Delivers Sound in Three Modes <p class="ql-block">One of the more unusual prototypes to grace North American rails is now available to HO modelers. The 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex is the second HO scale offering from MTH Electric Trains. An accurate replica of the prototype, the model operates with realistic sound in DC, Digital Command Control (DCC), and MTH's own Digital Command System (DCS).</p><p class="ql-block">曾在北美鐵路上風(fēng)光一時(shí)、別具一格的機(jī)車原型現(xiàn)在推出了HO級(jí)模型，正式上市！這款2-8-8-8-2輪式的三聯(lián)軸模型是MTH電動(dòng)火車公司推出的第二批HO級(jí)模型。該模型對(duì)原型進(jìn)行了準(zhǔn)確的復(fù)制，可以在直流、數(shù)控和MTH自己開(kāi)發(fā)的數(shù)控系統(tǒng)上帶真實(shí)的音效運(yùn)行。</p> The Prototype:<br>Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Erie RR in 1914, the 2-8-8-8-2 was attempt to put the power of three helper locomotives into the hands of one engine crew. The locomotive had three engines, two under the boiler and one under the tender, to maximize tractive effort. The locomotive was a Mallet type that had a set of high-pressure cylinders in the center that exhausted steam to low-pressure cylinders on the front and rear engines.<br>Although it produced 160,000 pounds of tractive effort, the Triplex was expensive to maintain and its boiler was notoriously hard to fire. Used primarily in helper service on Susquehanna Hill and occasionally on drag freights, the Erie P-1 class locomotives usually ran at speeds under 20 mph. 原型介紹：<br>該模型的原型于1914年由鮑德溫機(jī)車廠為伊利鐵路制造，設(shè)計(jì)成2-8-8-8-2的輪式是為了使三臺(tái)輔機(jī)的動(dòng)力掌控于一個(gè)乘務(wù)組之手。機(jī)車有三臺(tái)引擎，兩臺(tái)在鍋爐下面，一臺(tái)在煤水車下面，以最大限度地增大牽引力。機(jī)車為活節(jié)式設(shè)計(jì)，中部一組高壓氣缸把蒸汽輸送至前部和后部的低壓氣缸。<br>雖然機(jī)車能產(chǎn)生160,000磅的牽引力，但維護(hù)費(fèi)用卻很高，特別是其鍋爐，是出了名的難生火。伊利人P-1號(hào)機(jī)車最初在薩斯奎哈納山上作輔機(jī)使用，有時(shí)也拉一下貨車，其速度一般在每小時(shí)20英里以下。 <p class="ql-block">In 1916, the Erie ordered two more Triplexes and the Virginian Railway ordered a 2-8-8-8-4 Triplex. After only four years, the Virginian rebuilt its Triplex into three locomotives. All the Erie Triplexes were retired by 1927.</p><p class="ql-block">The MTH model matches the dimensions of the Erie Triplex in the 1919 Simmons-Boardman Locomotive <i>Dictionary and Cyclopedia.</i></p> 1916年，伊利鐵路公司由訂了兩臺(tái)三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車，弗吉尼亞鐵路公司也訂了一臺(tái)2-8-8-8-4輪式的三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車。而僅僅四年后，弗吉尼亞鐵路公司就把其三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車改成三個(gè)機(jī)車了。伊利鐵路的所有三連軸機(jī)車都在1927年退役。<br>MTH的這款模型符合1919年西蒙·博德曼公司出版的《機(jī)車詞典及百科全書》中收錄的“伊利人號(hào)”三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車的尺寸。 <p class="ql-block">Details and Paint:</p><p class="ql-block">The MTH Triplex is constructed primarily of die-cast metal, and the quality of the casting is excellent, with sharply defined rivet seams and other molded-in detail. Other separately applied parts, such as piping, steam and sand domes, and positionable cab roof vents, are plastic. The detailed cab includes painted fireman and engineer figures, window glazing, and an apron with safety tread.</p><p class="ql-block">The coal load in the tender is separately applied, but some chunks measure one HO scale foot across.</p><p class="ql-block">Paint coverage on the model is smooth. The boiler on our sample is painted in a glossy, gray-blue color to depict Russian iron. The lettering and cab numbers match prototype photos. The superheater patent plates and Baldwin builder's plates are legible under magnification.</p> 細(xì)節(jié)和漆水：<br>這臺(tái)三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車主要由壓鑄金屬制成，壓鑄件的質(zhì)量上乘，其細(xì)節(jié)客觀生動(dòng)，鉚釘縫和其它插件做工非常精細(xì)，需另外單獨(dú)安裝的零部件，如管道、汽包、沙包和駕駛室可移動(dòng)頂蓋通氣口等則為塑料件。駕駛室內(nèi)細(xì)節(jié)豐富，司爐和司機(jī)人形均已著色，窗子上安有玻璃，擋板有安全踏面。<br>煤水車上的煤碳是單獨(dú)裝的，有些煤塊按HO比例縮小算起來(lái)有一英尺見(jiàn)方。<br>機(jī)車的油漆覆蓋光滑明亮，樣品車的鍋爐被漆為光亮的灰藍(lán)色以表現(xiàn)俄羅斯鐵色，車身上的印字和號(hào)碼符合原型照片。過(guò)熱器上的專利牌和鮑德溫機(jī)車廠的銘牌在放大鏡下清晰可見(jiàn)。 <p class="ql-block">Drivetrain:</p><p class="ql-block">Housed on the boiler, the modells flywheel-equipped can motor powers the third driver set of the front and middle engines. The non-powered drivers of the rear engine under the tender roll freely.</p><p class="ql-block">Without any traction tires, our sample pulled the equivalent of 67 HO freight cars on straight and level track. Replacing the rear drivers of the middle engine with the included traction-tire-equipped set increased the drawbar pull to the equivalent of 150 cars.</p><p class="ql-block">The model can negotiate curves as tight as 22", since both engines under the locomotive boiler are articulated. On the prototype, only the front engine under the boiler was articulated. The MTH Triplex looks much better rounding broader curves.</p><p class="ql-block">When handling the model, you should support the front of the engine from underneath. The steam pipe on the front engine of our sample had slipped out of its slot under the boiler, causing the rear drivers of the front engine to lift off the rails. This has been reported by others who received the model. The problem was easily fixed by using a jeweler's screwdriver to push the pipe back into the slot.</p> 驅(qū)動(dòng)系統(tǒng)：<br>模型機(jī)車鍋爐內(nèi)置五輪罐式電機(jī)驅(qū)動(dòng)前部和中部引擎，煤水車下面的引擎沒(méi)有動(dòng)力，但可自如滑動(dòng)。模型的車輪上沒(méi)有上防滑牽引膠圈，試車時(shí)在直線水平軌道上牽引了67節(jié)HO級(jí)貨車車廂。該模型配有一套防滑膠圈，可裝在中部驅(qū)動(dòng)引擎的后輪上增加牽引力，能牽引150節(jié)車廂。<br>由于鍋爐下的兩臺(tái)引擎均是活節(jié)式的，所以模型可以通過(guò)22”的彎道；過(guò)大彎道時(shí)，模型看起來(lái)更逼真，效果更佳。<br>取拿模型時(shí)，應(yīng)用手從下面支撐住前部引擎。我們這臺(tái)樣品車前部引擎的蒸汽管曾從鍋爐下的槽溝里滑了出來(lái)，導(dǎo)致前引擎下的輪子脫軌，其他收到該模型的人也說(shuō)遇到過(guò)著種情況，不過(guò)，只要用珠寶螺絲刀輕輕一推，就可以把管子壓進(jìn)槽溝。 <p class="ql-block">DC and DCC Performance:</p><p class="ql-block">In DC the model's sounds, lights, and smoke came on at 6.5 volts. The headlight automatically dims when the locomotive is still or moving backward. As the Triplex moves the fan-driven smoke unit puffs, synchronized to the exhaust sounds.</p><p class="ql-block">At 7.5 volts the model crept along at 2.5 scale mph and at 12 volts reached 20 scale mph, which is within the prototype's speed range.</p><p class="ql-block">The model is designed to operate on up to 24 volts, which is above the 16-volt maximum for HO DC power packs as specified National Model Railroad Association Recommended Practice RP-9. Using an LGB power pack I tested the model from 16 to 24 volts, where it reached its top speed of 70 scale mph.</p> DC和DCC運(yùn)行情況：<br>在直流條件下，模型在6.5伏的時(shí)候就可發(fā)出聲、亮燈并產(chǎn)生煙霧。當(dāng)機(jī)車處于靜止?fàn)顟B(tài)或向后開(kāi)時(shí)，前頭燈自動(dòng)變暗。機(jī)車運(yùn)行時(shí)，由風(fēng)扇帶動(dòng)的發(fā)煙裝置有節(jié)奏噗噗地發(fā)出煙來(lái)，與排汽的聲音同步。<br>當(dāng)電壓增到7.5伏時(shí)，模型以每小時(shí)2.5英里的比例速度慢慢移動(dòng)；12伏時(shí)，達(dá)到每小時(shí)20英里的比例速度，這正好在原型的速度范圍之內(nèi)。<br>模型設(shè)計(jì)工作電壓可達(dá)24伏，這高于國(guó)家火車模型協(xié)會(huì)（NMRA）推薦規(guī)范RP-9關(guān)于HO級(jí)DC電源最高16伏的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。我用LGB電源進(jìn)行了測(cè)試，把電壓從16伏增加到24伏時(shí)，模型達(dá)到了每小時(shí)70英里的最高比例速度。 <p class="ql-block">For DCC operation, the Triplex supports 128 speed steps. I tested the model with a Model Rectifier Corp. Prodigy Advanced system that supplies 16.4 volts to the track.</p><p class="ql-block">Slow speed performance was impressive in DCC, as the Triplex started moving in speed step 1 at 1 scale mph. Again the model reached a top speed of 70 mph, but speed control is noticeably more precise at slower speeds.</p><p class="ql-block">The model's 28-function DCC decoder lets you control effects such as the bell and whistle and turn the lights and smoke on or off. The instruction sheet lists only 10 programmable configuration variables, limiting the user's ability to fine-tune the model with DCC.</p> 在DCC條件下運(yùn)行時(shí)，該模型支持128級(jí)速度，我用模型整流器公司的“神童高級(jí)系統(tǒng)”進(jìn)行了測(cè)試，向軌道供了16.4伏的電，當(dāng)模型開(kāi)始以每小時(shí)1英里的比例速度在第一檔上運(yùn)行時(shí)，機(jī)車低速運(yùn)行的表現(xiàn)非常突出。最后，模型再一次達(dá)到了每小時(shí)70英里的最高比例速度，不過(guò)，在低速檔時(shí)速度控制明顯地更為精準(zhǔn)。<br>模型配有28種功能的DCC解碼器，讓玩家能控制各種效果，如鈴鐺、汽笛聲音，頭燈、煙霧開(kāi)關(guān)。說(shuō)明書只列出了10種可編程CV，限制了玩家用DCC對(duì)模型進(jìn)行微調(diào)的能力。 <p class="ql-block">DCS Mode:</p><p class="ql-block">I also tested the model using an MTH DCS Commander. The unit is easy to install and provides access to all the model's functions. The Commander allows you to toggle instantly between multiple DCS locomotives. You can also adjust the volume levels of individual sound effects.</p><p class="ql-block">The Triplex ran well using DCS. The thumbwheel throttle increased or decreased the speed in accurate 1 scale mph increments displayed on the LCD screen.</p><p class="ql-block">The DCS Commander can be connected to a DC power pack or DCC system but will only control DCS-equipped locomotives. To use the Commander to run DCS-equipped models and conventional or DCC-equipped models in the same block, you have to toggle between DCS mode and conventional or DCC (called Pass-through) mode. You can't run a DCS-equipped locomotive in DCS mode simultaneously with a locomotive in the same electrical block.</p> DCS模式：<br>我還用 MTH公司自己的數(shù)碼控制系統(tǒng)控制器對(duì)模型進(jìn)行了測(cè)試，該系統(tǒng)可以調(diào)節(jié)模型單個(gè)音量的大小。<br>模型用DCS控制時(shí)運(yùn)行非常順利，速度控釋柄完全按每小時(shí)1英里的比例速度提速或減速，同時(shí)顯示在LCD屏上。<br>DCS可以與DC電源或DCC系統(tǒng)連接，但只能控制配有DCS的機(jī)車。（略） Great Sound:<br>In all three modes the sounds of the MTH Triplex are impressive. The whistle is one of the most realistic that I've heard in HO scale, and you can vary its pitch and duration with the DCS Commander's thumbwheel. I especially enjoyed the ability to easily shift between labored and light chuffs in DCC and DCS modes.<br>The sound effects include multi-part dialogue between the engineer and fireman and a fun train wreck scenario. A master volume control knob and smoke unit on/off switch are under the tender's coal load.<br>Standout sounds and details make the MTH Triplex a fine depiction of a unique prototype. 美妙的音效：<br>在所有三種模式下，模型的聲音都給人以深刻的印象。汽笛聲是我聽(tīng)過(guò)的HO級(jí)模型中最真實(shí)的聲音，而且其音調(diào)高低和持續(xù)時(shí)間還可通過(guò)DCS的控制手柄調(diào)整。我特別欣賞在DCC和DCS模式下對(duì)機(jī)車負(fù)重前行和輕裝運(yùn)行之間的切換，操作非常方便。<br>音效包括司機(jī)和司爐之間的多部分對(duì)話及火車出事故時(shí)一個(gè)有趣的情景。主音量控制鈕和發(fā)煙器開(kāi)關(guān)設(shè)在煤水車下。<br>MTH機(jī)車杰出的聲音和細(xì)節(jié)使這臺(tái)獨(dú)特的三聯(lián)軸機(jī)車原型精致再現(xiàn)。 HO Triplex Features:<br>- Automatically switched between DC, Digital Command Control (DCC), or MTH Digital Control System (DCS);<br>- Constant-voltage headlight;<br>- Die-cast metal construction<br>- Drawbar pull: 4.8 ounces;<br>- Engine and tender weight: 2 pounds 2 ounces;<br>- Front and rear scale-size magnetic knuckle couplers (mounted at correct height);<br>- Five-pole skew-wound motor with flywheel;<br>- Illuminated marker lights and cab interior;<br>- Minimum radius: 22";<br>- MTH Proto-Sound 3.0 operates in DC, DCC, or DCS;<br>- NMRA RP-25 contour metal wheels (in gauge)<br>- Operating fan-driven smoke unit;<br>- Sprung drive wheels;<br>- 24-wheel electrical pickup;<br>- User-installed traction-tire-equipment (or plain) drivers. <p class="ql-block">HO級(jí)三聯(lián)軸模型的特色配置：</p><p class="ql-block">模型可在DC、DCC和DCS系統(tǒng)間自動(dòng)切換</p><p class="ql-block">恒電壓頭燈</p><p class="ql-block">壓鑄金屬結(jié)構(gòu)</p><p class="ql-block">牽引桿牽引力：4.8盎司 （譯注：1盎司=1/16磅）</p><p class="ql-block">引擎及煤水車重量：2磅2盎司</p><p class="ql-block">前后比例磁力轉(zhuǎn)向車鉤：安裝于準(zhǔn)確高度</p><p class="ql-block">五極斜交繞線電機(jī)，帶飛輪</p><p class="ql-block">標(biāo)志記燈亮及駕駛室內(nèi)照明</p><p class="ql-block">最小彎道半徑：22英寸</p><p class="ql-block">MTH原型音效3.0版本，可在DC, DCC或DCS模式下運(yùn)行</p><p class="ql-block">NMRA RP-25號(hào)輪廓金屬車輪（按比例）</p><p class="ql-block">可工作風(fēng)機(jī)帶動(dòng)的煙霧發(fā)生器</p><p class="ql-block">彈簧張力驅(qū)動(dòng)輪</p><p class="ql-block">24個(gè)車輪均拾電</p><p class="ql-block">動(dòng)輪的防滑膠圈可由用戶自己安裝，還配有無(wú)膠圈的光輪對(duì)</p> <p class="ql-block">Written by: Dana Kawada, Deputy Editor of Model Railroader</p><p class="ql-block">Translated by: Chen Yong</p><p class="ql-block">Photographs: by courtesy of Trainman</p><p class="ql-block">作者：《火車模型家》雜志副主編 達(dá)納·卡瓦拉 </p><p class="ql-block">翻譯：陳 勇</p><p class="ql-block">圖片特許：乘務(wù)員</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">原載海子鐵路網(wǎng)，曾發(fā)表于2008年第4期《火車模型》雜志</p>