Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO (2026 Run)
Information on this wiki page provides particular details about this model not found in our basic guide.
THIS PAGE APPLIES TO SECOND RUN CAB CAR DECODERS ONLY. If your decoder has a CV 252 date code of 25, please use the first run documentation found here: Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO
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Overview
Bachmann’s new DCC sound-equipped Venture Cab Car uses Siemens Mobility’s original design documentation and authentic sound files recorded from the prototype. This model includes a TCS WOWSound® decoder with factory-preset configuration, and an on-board Keep-Alive® device for uninterrupted operation over dirty track. The WOWSound® sound package includes sounds for horn, bell, HVAC, station announcements, cooling fan, coupler close/release, brake release, and many more!
Loaded with prototypical features, the Venture Cab Car in HO-scale from Bachmann Trains brings all the sights and sounds of Siemens' sleek new design to your layout.
Features include:
- Siemens-approved design
- DCC sound-equipped for sound and directional lighting control
- Dual-mode NMRA-compliant decoder operates sound and lights on DCC or DC power
- TCS high-quality 16-bit audio
- Authentic and prototypical sounds
- Directional headlights with "Rule 17" dimming operation enabled by default
- Interior passenger area lighting with DCC function control
- Forward-mounted High-beam light, with operation per prototype
- Directional marker lights
- Steady/alternate flashing ditch lights
- TCS' exclusive Function Pagination System
- Separately-applied windshield wipers, mirrors, and other detail parts
Specific Features
The Venture Cab Car decoder is at its heart a WOWDiesel decoder but has had some customization to make it similar to the SCV-42 (VIA Rail Charger) locomotive. The information below details where CV’s and operation differ from the standard Version 5 WOWDiesel decoder.
DC mode operation
When operating in DC mode, the cab Car will sit still and silent until a sufficient track voltage is present. Once the minimum voltage is met, the lights will come on. A connected SCV-42 Charger locomotive will begin to move around the same time. A horn blast and bell will activate automatically. Users may trigger a grade crossing horn quill sound by quickly adjusting the track voltage up and back down quickly. The directional horn blasts, quill, and automatic DC mode bell are enabled by default and are controlled by the Automatic Sounds CV. For users with a consist of Cab Car and Charger locomotive, the Reverse Quill should be disabled on both decoders for more realistic operation.
Additional Sound Features
The Venture Cab Car features new sounds such as “Whoosh” and “station announcements.” Listen as the train flies by at track speed when the Whoosh feature is enabled!
The Venture Cab Car supports an "automatic bell" in DCC mode. After the locomotive starts the bell will play until the DCC mode automatic bell cutout speed step is reached. Please refer to the CV Addendum (Standard CV's) section below for more information.
The Venture Cab Car includes a brand new Emergency Brake air dump sound. This sound will play if a user presses the Emergency Stop button on their throttle, if the Brake button is pressed 5 times in a row, or if the decoder goes into emergency via the "Crew Alert" feature.
The Venture Cab Car is the first decoder from TCS to feature an industry-first feature straight from the prototype - the "5mph safety switch" - This feature will be active when the locomotive has the default horn set selected, or certain other prototype horns from Amtrak, such as the ACS-64 horn, or VIA Rail SC-42 horn. When any of the "high" versions of these horns are selected, the feature will activate. When the feature is active, the locomotive will automatically switch between the low-pressure and high-pressure outputs to the horn depending on the speed. The speed at which this change from low to high pressure happens is configurable in the decoder, but by default is roughly 3mph scale speed. This behavior matches prototypical operations on most railroads, where only the low-pressure horn is available when stationary or at low speed, in order to reduce the volume of the horn while in passenger stations for example.
New Lighting Features
The SCV-42 Charger locomotive features a "high beam" headlight, positioned centrally on the front of the engine below the two primary headlights. According to the Siemens Venture Cab Car Operations Manual, the high beam function can only be turned on when the headlight is active and not dimmed. TCS has implemented automatic and manual control modes for the high beam. The factory default is set to automatic control (CV180 bit 2 is ON). In automatic mode the high beam will behave as described in the Siemens manual. When Function 5 in Light Mode is activated, the high beam will turn on only when the headlight is active and not dim. If Function 5 in Light Mode is turned off, the high beam will remain off regardless of current headlight state. In manual control mode (CV180 bit 2 is OFF), headlight status has no effect on the high beam. The high beam is controlled manually by the throttle button 5 in Light Mode.
Button Mappings
The values outlined below in the button mapping, sound list, and CV values are the defaults assigned to this particular decoder from the factory.
For information on how to program your locomotive using the values provided in the charts below, please see our List of Diesel Version 5 Standard CV's, and/or List of Diesel Version 5 Indexed CV's.
TCS Function Pagination System
The Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO (2026 Run) locomotive supports TCS' new "function pagination" system. This makes it easy to access all 28 functions and all lighting effects on throttles with limited function access by adding an offset to the pressed function button (offset of +10 for function page 2; offset of +20 for function page 3). For example, to access function 15:
- Press function 8 twice to rotate through the function pages until the decoder announces "function page [two]"
- Press button 5 on your throttle/controller
- The decoder will activate function 5 + 10 (page 2 offset) = 15
Note: the decoder supports accessing functions above 9 at any time by pressing the corresponding button(s) on your throttle regardless of the currently selected function page.
If you have a command station which supports all 28 function buttons and would like to disable function pagination, this may be done by re-configuring CV 177.
To disable Function Pagination, set CV 177 to a value of 0.
| Button Mappings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function Button | Sound Action | Light Action | Dual Enabled | Page and Button |
| 0 | None | Headlights | Yes | Page 1 Button 0 |
| 1 | Bell | None | Yes | Page 1 Button 1 |
| 2 | Horn - Long Blast | None | Yes | Page 1 Button 2 |
| 3 | Horn - Short Blast | Ditch Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 3 |
| 4 | Whoosh | Number Board Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 4 |
| 5 | Train Brake | High Beam (enable/disable) | No | Page 1 Button 5 |
| 6 | Startup/Shutdown | Marker Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 6 |
| 7 | None | Dim Headlights | Yes | Page 1 Button 7 |
| 8 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page |
None | Yes | Page 1 Button 8 |
| 9 | None | Interior Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 9 |
| 10 | None | None | No | Page 2 Button 0 |
| 11 | None | None | No | Page 2 Button 1 |
| 12 | Coupler Close | None | No | Page 2 Button 2 |
| 13 | Coupler Release | None | No | Page 2 Button 3 |
| 14 | Brake Release | None | No | Page 2 Button 4 |
| 15 | None | None | No | Page 2 Button 5 |
| 16 | None | None | No | Page 2 Button 6 |
| 17 | None | None | No | Page 2 Button 7 |
| 18 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page |
None | No | Page 2 Button 8 |
| 19 | Random Whoosh (on/off)* | None | No | Page 2 Button 9 |
| 20 | Grade Crossing Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 0 |
| 21 | Forward Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 1 |
| 22 | Reverse Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 2 |
| 23 | Stop Horn | None | No | Page 3 Button 3 |
| 24 | Rotate Bell/Horn | None | No | Page 3 Button 4 |
| 25 | Windshield Wipers | None | No | Page 3 Button 5 |
| 26 | Station Announcements Departing | None | No | Page 3 Button 6 |
| 27 | Station Announcements Arriving | None | No | Page 3 Button 7 |
| 28 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page |
None | No | Page 3 Button 8 |
| Random Sound Mapping | |
|---|---|
| Random Sound Generator |
Sound Played |
| 1 | None |
| 2 | None |
| 3 | None |
| 4 | Whoosh (When enabled with F19) |
Horn
| CV 120 Value | Active Horn |
|---|---|
| 0 | Leslie RS5T |
| 1 | Nathan K5H |
| 2 | Nathan K5HL |
| 3* (default) | VIA SCV-42 High Horn |
| 4 | VIA SCV-42 Low Horn |
| 5* | Amtrak SC-44 Charger High Horn |
| 6 | Amtrak SC-44 Charger Low Horn |
| 7 | Amtrak ACS-64 High Horn #1 |
| 8* | Amtrak ACS-64 High Horn #2 |
| 9 | Amtrak ACS-64 Doppler Horn |
| 10 | Amtrak ACS-64 Low Horn |
| 11 | Nathan K5LA #1 |
| 12 | Nathan K5LA #2 |
| 13 | Nathan K5LLA |
*Horn set supports the "5mph safety switch" feature.
CV Addendum (Standard CV's)
This decoder follows the motor and lighting CV's as described in TCS's List of Diesel Version 5 Standard CV's. Listed below are the Default CV Values that have been modified for the Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO (2026 Run).
| CV Number | CV Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CV3 | 6 | Acceleration |
| CV4 | 6 | Deceleration |
| CV13 | 255 | DC Mode Lights F1-F8
Default: All Lights F1 through F8 ON on DC Power |
| CV14 | 3 | DC Mode Lights F0F & F0R
Default: All Lights F0F and F0R ON on DC Power |
| CV21 | 248 | Consist Functions F1-F8
Default: On Base Address Only: F1, F2, F3 ||On consist address: F4, F5, F6, F7, F8 |
| CV22 | 31 | Consist Functions F0 & F9-F12
Default: On Base Address Only: F12 ||On consist address: F0, F9, F10, F11 |
| CV29 | 14 | Configuration Data #1 |
| CV34 | 6 | Light output F0R (Red Markers) mapped to F6 |
| CV35 | 3 | Light output 1 mapped to F3 |
| CV36 | 3 | Light output 2 mapped to F3 |
| CV37 | 4 | Light output 3 (Number Board Lights) mapped to Button 4 |
| CV38 | 5 | Light output 4 (VIA Rail High Beam) mapped to Button 5 |
| CV39 | 9 | Light output 5 (Interior Lights) mapped to Button 9 |
| CV40 | 255 | Light output 6 unmapped |
| CV41 | 255 | Light output 7 unmapped |
| CV42 | 255 | Light output 8 unmapped |
| CV43 | 255 | Light output 9 unmapped |
| CV44 | 255 | Light output 10 unmapped |
| CV49 | 8 | Front headlight uses Rule 17 lighting effect in Forward only |
| CV50 | 16 | Rear headlight uses Constant Bright lighting effect in Reverse only |
| CV51 | 10 | Light output 1 uses Ditch Light lighting effect in Forward only |
| CV52 | 11 | Light output 2 uses Ditch Light lighting effect in Forward only |
| CV53 | 32 | Light output 3 (Number Board Lights) uses Constant Bright lighting effect in Both Directions |
| CV54 | 0 | Light output 4 (VIA Rail High Beam) is constant bright light (forward only) - High Beam |
| CV55 | 32 | Light output 5 (Interior Light) uses Constant Bright lighting effect in Both Directions |
| CV61 | 1 | Configuration Data #2 |
| CV63 | 14 | Ditch light blink holdover time |
| CV116 | 0 | Sound delay time |
| CV120 | 3 | Horn Set Selection |
| CV122 | 0 | Bell Selection - Only 1 bell available (E-bell) |
| CV123 | 0 | Prime Mover Selection |
| CV124 | 255 | Ditch light blink button remapping
Default: Ditch Light Blink Unmapped |
| CV126 | 7 | Enables Rule17 dimming on Button 7 |
| CV128 | 80 | Master Volume |
| CV133 | 6 | Switching Momentum Acceleration Rate |
| CV134 | 6 | Switching Momentum Deceleration Rate |
| CV139 | 3 | Random Sound Overall Timer |
| CV144 | 16 | Random Sound 4 Frequency |
| CV158 | 7 | Horn Safety Switch Threshold
*NEW FEATURE* Speed step at which the decoder will begin playing the High-Pressure Horn. When the speed is set to below this value, the decoder will use the low-pressure horn. A value of 0 disables this feature, and the high horn will always play. A value of 1 will only play the low horn when stationary. (Valid Values = 0-126) NOTE: This feature only applies to specific horns, and does not apply to all horn sets available on this decoder. |
| CV176 | 253 | Sound Options #1
Default: Enabled Mute On Startup |
| CV177 | 32 | Sound Options #2
Default: Enabled Function Pagination, Disable Momentary F2 Throttle |
| CV179 | 0 | Automatic Sounds Options #2
Default: Disable all random sounds. |
| CV180 | 4 | User Options #3
(0) Bypass Interior Light Timer (1) Horn Sounds (Including Quills) Blink Ditch Lights (2) Activate Automatic Control of the High Beam |
| CV181 | 255 | Enable all DC mode automatic sounds |
| CV193 | 15 | Automatic Bell Cutout Speed
Speed step in DCC mode that the automatic bell will stop playing at |
| CV197 | 45 | Bell Volume |
| CV198 | 30 | Brake Release Volume |
| CV199 | 13 | Brake Squeal Volume |
| CV200 | 20 | HVAC Volume |
| CV201 | 15 | Coupler Clank Volume |
| CV202 | 15 | Crew Alert Volume |
| CV206 | 90 | Forward Horn Volume |
| CV207 | 90 | Long Horn Volume |
| CV208 | 90 | Horn Quill Volume |
| CV209 | 90 | Short Horn Volume |
| CV216 | 90 | Reverse Horn Volume |
| CV219 | 80 | Station Announcements Arriving Volume |
| CV220 | 80 | Station Announcements Departing Volume |
| CV221 | 90 | Stop Horn Volume |
| CV225 | 100 | Whoosh Volume |
| CV226 | 15 | Windshield Wiper Volume |
| CV238 | 135 | Dual Enabled Functions Part 1
Default: F0, 1, 2, and 7 dual mode enabled (active in light and sound mode) |
| CV248 | 2 | Sound Set Revision Identifier. First Run = 1, Second Run = 2 |
| CV249 | 185 | Hardware Model Identifier |
CV Addendum (Indexed CV's)
The Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO (2026 Run) follows the motor and lighting CV's as described in TCS' List of Indexed CV's for WOWSound Version 5. Listed below are the CV's that have been modified for the Bachmann Venture Cab Car (VIA Rail) - HO (2026 Run) decoder.
| CV31 | CV32 | CV | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 0 | 260 | 84 | DC Mode Bell Cutout Voltage - Regulated |
| 16 | 0 | 262 | 5 | DC Quill Voltage - Regulated |
| 16 | 0 | 264 | 80 | DC Mode Motor Start Voltage - Regulated |
| 16 | 0 | 266 | 25 | DC Mode Motor Hysteresis - Regulated |
| 16 | 0 | 268 | 116 | DC Mode Max ADC Value - Regulated |
| 16 | 0 | 274 | 110 | DC Mode Bell Cutout Voltage - Unregulated |
| 16 | 0 | 276 | 10 | DC Quill Voltage - Unregulated |
| 16 | 0 | 278 | 100 | DC Mode Motor Start Voltage - Unregulated |
| 16 | 0 | 280 | 29 | DC Mode Motor Hysteresis - Unregulated |
| 16 | 0 | 282 | 180 | DC Mode Max ADC Value - Unregulated |
| 16 | 4 | 258 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F0 |
| 16 | 4 | 260 | 0 | Sound Mapping - F1 |
| 16 | 4 | 262 | 50 | Sound Mapping - F2 |
| 16 | 4 | 264 | 78 | Sound Mapping - F3 |
| 16 | 4 | 266 | 226 | Sound Mapping - F4 |
| 16 | 4 | 268 | 2 | Sound Mapping - F5 |
| 16 | 4 | 270 | 32 | Sound Mapping - F6 |
| 16 | 4 | 272 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F7 |
| 16 | 4 | 274 | 92 | Sound Mapping - F8 |
| 16 | 4 | 276 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F9 |
| 16 | 4 | 278 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F10 |
| 16 | 4 | 280 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F11 |
| 16 | 4 | 282 | 33 | Sound Mapping - F12 |
| 16 | 4 | 284 | 34 | Sound Mapping - F13 |
| 16 | 4 | 286 | 1 | Sound Mapping - F14 |
| 16 | 4 | 288 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F15 |
| 16 | 4 | 290 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F16 |
| 16 | 4 | 292 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - F17 |
| 16 | 4 | 294 | 93 | Sound Mapping - F18 |
| 16 | 4 | 296 | 253 | Sound Mapping - F19 |
| 16 | 4 | 298 | 64 | Sound Mapping - F20 |
| 16 | 4 | 300 | 36 | Sound Mapping - F21 |
| 16 | 4 | 302 | 212 | Sound Mapping - F22 |
| 16 | 4 | 304 | 185 | Sound Mapping - F23 |
| 16 | 4 | 306 | 236 | Sound Mapping - F24 |
| 16 | 4 | 308 | 206 | Sound Mapping - F25 |
| 16 | 4 | 310 | 200 | Sound Mapping - F26 |
| 16 | 4 | 314 | 94 | Sound Mapping - F28 |
| 16 | 4 | 316 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - R1 |
| 16 | 4 | 318 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - R2 |
| 16 | 4 | 320 | 65535 | Sound Mapping - R3 |
| 16 | 4 | 322 | 226 | Sound Mapping - R4 |
Decoder Service and Repair
For service/repair, contact the Bachmann Service Department by visiting www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php, calling 1-800-356-3910 (toll-free within the U.S. and Canada), or emailing service@bachmanntrains.com. Bachmann’s Service Department is available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET.
You can also send your locomotive to: Bachmann Trains Service Department 1400 East Erie Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124
Please include a detailed description of your concern and complete contact information. For some service issues regarding DCC sound decoders, the Bachmann Service Department may forward your locomotive to TCS for resolution.