“are you aware of the need to raise the voltage over 10V, then lower again it to exit startup/ reset mode”
thats an interesting comment, because (a) no one else has offered it (b) it contradicts the Instructions with the loco. Anyway, I tried it, without result.
Since it has been mentioned, I lifted the tender shell and it does, indeed, have a new battery. Since charge has been mentioned, the Instructions mention “giving the battery a full charge” by leaving the engine under power for 16-18 hours! I’ve also seen a mention in these of charging by leaving the engine under power for 20 minutes, so I’m trying that.
I see in the Instructions, mention of “reset 18” during which you “press the whistle button, and wait for a garbled bell sound”. Does this mean, holding down the whistle lever throughout? Because Reset 18 is easy enough to identify, but pressing the whistle lever, releasing it and waiting produces no effect; nor does holding down the whistle lever for 3-5 seconds
