Used gauge 1 models of steam locomotives can be given a better sound with new functions integrated into the ESU Loksound 5 XL decoder. Ern Hettinger describes the electronic settings and shows in detail how to get closer to the sound of a real steam engine in a class 44 locomotive.

After a few model runs on the shunting diorama, it was very disturbing that I had given the Köf II in 1:32 two brake valves and brake pedals each during its decoder tuning. Three other gauge 1 models have now also received a prototypical function assignment.

In the model railroad eras III and IVa, in which most of the Köf IIs from Steiner Modellwerke are running in gauge 1, their operation on the left track is unfortunately not possible with the correct signal at the train head. This can be set up with a little fine tuning on the installed locomotive sound decoder 5L from ESU, as well as a general reorganization of the locomotive operation towards more prototypical and better overview for the model railroader.