You're correct about most prototype steamers having mechanical bells but when it comes to MTH..they'll put them on anything because they can..
MTH is out of stock with the Big Boys & Challengers but more are on the way. Any loco in the current catalog is scheduled for production and most of the steamers are going to be upgraded..at least with steel centered drivers..that's in the item description. The only steamers that have steel centered drivers from the last production run is the Big Boy and I've heard that some Challengers have them also.
The swinging bell was demoed on the Hudson..the Triplex had the smokin whistle.
I didn't say ProtoSound 4.0..I said that DCS v.4.0 is getting ready to be released..right now it's being beta tested and was scheduled to be released around last Christmas but the beta testers weren't satisfied with it. DCS v.4.0 is the free software download for the DCS system.
Here's some of what DCS v. 4.0 will do..
DCS Version 4.0 Software Features
The latest upgrade of M.T.H.'s Digital Command System (DCS) software, version 4.0, will be released this fall as a free download from
www.protosound2.com. Like previous versions of DCS software, version 4.0 is compatible with all DCS systems and all Proto-Sound® 2.0 and 3.0 and TMCC® engines ever made. The most exciting new features in version 4.0 fall into three main categories.
1. New engine control options:
New options for existing features like brake, boost, and speed control to make Proto-Sound engines even more fun to operate.
Quickset Speed: Press the thumbwheel, enter a desired speed on the keypad, then press the thumbwheel again. Your engine will smoothly accelerate or decelerate to that speed setting. Observe speed restrictions on your railroad like a real engineer!
Engine Stop: Double-press the Brake button and your engine will smoothly brake to a stop, complete with squealing brakes. Tap the Boost button to smoothly resume your previous speed. This also works in "All" mode.
Boost/Brake Hold: The Boost/Brake button can now function in two different ways, which you can select from a menu. Select the "Stay" option and your engine will remain at the faster (Boost) or slower (Brake) speed when you release the Boost/Brake button. But select "Return" and your engine will return to its previous speed when the Boost/Brake button is released (as it does with previous software versions).
Quicker Response Time: We've increased the speed of commands sent between the engine and the DCS system, so you'll notice faster response times when you enter commands. Response times have also been improved in Super TIU mode (used on layouts controlled by multiple TIUs).
Improved Individual Engine Control in Lash-Ups: Select an individual engine in a lash-up, change its settings (lighting, sounds, or smoke, for example), and those changes will be retained when you go back to controlling the lash-up.
Improved "All" Mode: Lashups and Record/Playback can now be included in "All" mode operation.
Automatic Coupler Slack Sounds: You can now elect to have the coupler slack sounds play automatically every time an engine pulls away from a stop, or only when you press the SCS soft key.
2. Improved TMCC® control:
Virtually complete control of all current TMCC features from the DCS handheld, including lashups, full Acela and wrecking crane operation, and Engineer On Board speed control.
Relative Speed Stepping: set the handheld to "Relative" and the DCS thumbwheel emulates the big red knob on the TMCC CAB-1 - for swinging the cab on the TMCC wrecking crane, for example.
AUX 1 and AUX 2 soft keys: Use AUX-1 and Aux-2 soft keys on the DCS handheld, along with the numeric keypad, to access a full range of TMCC features - just as you would on a CAB-1. For example, the DCS handheld can now control all features on the Lionel® Acela.
Create Lash-Ups: Create a TMCC lash-up using the same procedure you use to create DCS lash-ups - a much easier process than using a CAB-1.
Engineer on Board speed control: Access the full 128 speed steps on TMCC locomotives equipped with Train America Studios_ Engineer on Board speed control.
MOM (Momentum Control): Under control screens for any TMCC engines, one of the softkeys is MOM (momentum). Press MOM and the handheld will display softkeys for low, medium and high momentum.
3. Remote backup:
Download the data from your DCS remote handheld - Proto-Sound and TMCC engines, routes, scenes, etc. - onto your PC for backup purposes or to clone the data to another handheld.
All the data you have entered into a DCS handheld, including engine setups, routes, scenes, etc., can now be downloaded to a personal computer and uploaded back into any DCS handheld any time you want. In addition to backup purposes, this provides an easy way to clone identical handhelds for multiple operators on your layout.
Additional Features
DCS version 4.0 include a variable sleep timer. Set your handheld remote to enter sleep mode after anywhere from one to 60 minutes of inactivity.
