M.T.H. Premier 4-8-8-4 User manual

Premier 4-8-8-4
Big-Boy Steam
Locomotive
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional
O-72 Gauge track system, including
M.T.H.’s RealTrax®or ScaleTrax™or
traditional tubular track. It is also compatible
with most standard AC transformers. (See
page 23 for a complete list of compatible
transformers and wiring instructions.)
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:
Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 - 16.
As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock.
WARNING:Whenusingelectricalproducts,basicsafetyprecautionsshouldbeobserved,includingthefollowing:
Readthismanual thoroughly beforeusingthis device.
M.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment
periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary
cord, plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until
properlyrepaired.
Donotoperate your layoutunattended. Obstructedaccessories or stalledtrainsmay overheat, resultingindamage to yourlayout.
Thistrain setis intendedfor indooruse. Do notuse ifwater ispresent. Serious injuryor fatalitymayresult.
l
l
l
lDonotoperate the hobbytransformerwith damaged cord,plug,switches, buttons orcase.
Table of Contents
Set Up Checklist...................................................................................................3
Lubrication.............................................................................................3
Priming The Smoke Unit.......................................................................3
Checking The Battery............................................................................4
Basic Operation....................................................................................................5
Activating Features................................................................................5
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions........................................................... 7
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features....................7
Freight Station Announcements (FSA)................................................. 8
Proto-Coupler® Operation.................................................................... 9
Speed Control........................................................................................ 10
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction.................................................. 11
Reset To Factory Default.......................................................................11
Automatic Sound Effects.......................................................................11
Maintenance.........................................................................................................12
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................12
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track..................................................13
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions.................................................14
Headlight Replacement Instructions......................................................14
Self Charging Battery Back-Up.............................................................16
ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation................................................................18
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems.......................................20
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart.......................................23
Additional Features Accessible Of DCS Remote Control System........24
Service & Warranty Information...........................................................25
Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................25

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 3
Set Up Checklist
•Lubricate the locomotive
•Prime the smoke unit
•Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects
•Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual
Lubrication
You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use
light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in
Fig. 1. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L) Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Lubricate Linkage (L)
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L) Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
Priming The Smoke Unit
When preparing to run this engine,
add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid
through the smokestack. We
recommend M.T.H. ProtoSmoke,
Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids. Do
not overfill the unit or the fluid may
leak out and coat the interior engine
components.
If you choose not to add the fluid (or have
already added the fluid but choose to run
smoke-free), turn off the smoke unit switch
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Smoke Unit
ON/OFF Switch
Figure 2: Smoke Unit Switch Location
Running the engine without a primed
smoke unit may cause damage

4Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Checking The Battery
You may find, if your locomotive was built several months before you set it up, that the
rechargeable battery has run down and needs to be charged before operating. If you
notice that the sounds are garbled, test and charge the engine as described in the
"Self-Charging Battery Back-Up" on page15.
Place the engine on the track, then insert the reverse unit plug that extends out of the
tender into the receptacle at the back of the boiler cab (Figure 3. WARNING: DO NOT
CONNECT THIS ENGINE TO A TENDER FROM ANOTHER ENGINE; IT MAY
CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. Look at the bottom of the engine and tender where each
will have a color-coded stamp. If they match you may connect those two pieces; if not,
don’t.
Connect the draw bar between the
engine and tender. The draw bar hole
located farthest from the tender is for
applications such as display. The
second hole is for normal operation on
the track.
At this point, you are ready to begin
running your engine.
Placing The Engine On The Track
Plug Tender Plug into
Boiler Socket at back of cab.
Fiugre 3

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 5
Basic Operation
The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel.
Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine and caboose lights shine bright.
Put the engine into motion by pressing the Direction button on your transformer once.
(hold it for approximately 1 second)
If the engine does not begin to move as soon as you firmly press the Direction button,
you may not have sent enough voltage to the track to make the train move. Turn the
throttle up a bit higher until the train begins to move.
Throttle To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the
throttle control knob. Turning clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning
counterclockwise will decrease voltage and speed. The engine will maintain the speed
you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage and
speed.
Bell - To sound the bell, in an engine equipped with a bell firmly press and release the
Bell button. To turn the bell off, press and release the Bell button again. The bell will
continue to ring from the time you turn it on until you press and release the button again
to turn it off.
Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The whistle
will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop when you
release the button.
Direction Your train is programmed to
start in neutral. The train will always
cycle neutral-forward-neutral-reverse with
each press and release of the direction
button. The engine is programmed to
restart in neutral each time the track
voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or
more.
Cycle Phases
Neutral
Neutral ForwardReverse
Activating Features

6Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Manual Volume Control
To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control
knob, located under the water hatch on the tender, clockwise to increase the volume and
counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Proto-Sound 2.0
Volume Adjustment Knob
Figure 4: Manually Adjusting The Volume

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 7
This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in conventional
mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS
Remote Control System equipment.
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Horn button pushes
described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it. To use
these buttons to activate features rather than to blow the horn or ring the bell, you should
tap the buttons very quickly with a ½-second pause between button presses. You may
need to practice your timing to make this work smoothly.
Proto-Sound 2.0
Operating Instructions
Timing Chart
Total Time Lapse:1 Seconds½
Press
Horn
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause ½ Sec. Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Feature to Be Activated:
Freight Yard Sounds
Fire the Rear Coupler
Fire the Front Coupler
Speed Control On/Off
Lock into a Direction/Unlock
Reset to Factory Defaults
ButtonCode:
1 Bell, 2 Whistles
1 Bell, 3 Whistles
1 Bell, 4 Whistles
1 Whistle, 2 Bells
1 Whistle, 3 Bells
1 Whistle, 5 Bells (From Neutral Only)
(From Neutral Only)
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional
Mode Features

8Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of freight yard sounds that you can play
when you pull into a yard. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is left
on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between
the button pushes described below to allow the FYS sufficient time to run through each
sequence.
•To cue the sound system to play the FYS, quickly but firmly tap the Bell button
once followed by 2 quick taps of the Horn button while the engine is moving.
Tap the buttons quickly but allow approximately ½ second between each press.
•Press the Direction button once to stop the engine. This will trigger the first
sequence of FYS. The reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will
not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds, and Proto-Sound
2.0 has disabled operator control over the Horn and Bell buttons until the full
FYS sequence is complete.
•After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of FYS.
•After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third FYS
sequence.
•Again, after allowing about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the
Direction button one more time to trigger the fourth and final FYS sequence.
The FYS will continue, and within a few seconds, the engine will start and move
out on its own at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it was traveling
when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator regains
control of the transformer's Bell and Horn buttons and can ring the bell or blow
the horn as usual.
+
Sound System Cued
to Play Passenger
Station Announcements (FYS)
Horn Horn
Bell Direction
1st
Sequence
FYS
+
Direction
2nd
Sequence
FYS
+
Direction
3rd
Sequence
FYS
+
Direction
4th
Sequence
FYS
=Operator
Controls
When Bell
Turns Off
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 9
Tips on Using FYS
•You can terminate FYS at any time by turning off power to the track for 15
seconds.
•You do not have to be in Forward to use FYS. At the conclusion of the full
sequence, the train will pull away from the station in whatever direction you
were going when you activated the feature.
•You can use FYS even if you are double-heading with another engine. If the
second engine is not equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0, you must remember
not to leave the throttle at a high voltage level once you have stopped the
engine to run the FYS. Otherwise, the engine without FYS will begin
vibrating on the track as its motors strain to move the train, since they
cannot be automatically disabled during the FYS cycle (or if an original
Proto-Sound engine, FYS are triggered differently and that engine's
motor-disable feature will not be active when you run FYS in Proto-Sound
2.0).
•FYS can be triggered from Neutral. It will operate the same as if triggered
while in motion except that, at the conclusion of the FYS, the engine will
depart in the next direction of travel, as opposed to the direction it was
traveling before entering Neutral.
This locomotive is equipped with one or more coil-wound Proto-Couplers for remote
uncoupling action. Because Proto-Couplers are controlled through the Proto-Sound 2.0
microprocessor, they do not require an uncoupling track section or modification to your
layout to function. You can fire a coupler from neutral or while in motion. Use the code
shown below (and in the chart on p. 7) to fire the coupler(s).
Rear Coupler:
To fire the rear coupler, quickly tap the Bell button once followed by three quick taps of
the Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button
press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion will play, and the knuckle will be
released.
Horn Horn
Fire
Rear
Coupler
= Horn
Bell
Proto-Coupler® Operation

10 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Front Coupler:
To fire the front coupler (if your engine has one), quickly tap the Bell button once
followed by four quick taps of the Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to
lapse between each quick button press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion
will play, and the knuckle will be released.
Horn Horn
Fire
Front
Coupler
= Horn HornBell
M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 have speed control capabilities that allow
the engine to maintain a constant speed up and down grades and around curves, much
like an automobile cruise control. You can add or drop cars on the run, and the engine
will maintain the speed you set.
While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control feature activated, you can
opt to turn it off. This means the engine's speed will fall as it labors up a hill and increase
as it travels downward. It is also affected by the addition or releasing of cars while on the
run. Because the engine will run more slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed
control is on than when it is off, you should adjust the throttle to a lower power level for
operation with speed control off to avoid high-speed derailments. When speed control is
off, the volume will drop to allow for better low voltage operation.
To turn speed control on and off, put the engine in neutral, then quickly tap the
transformer's Horn button one time then quickly tap the Bell button two times, allowing
approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. Two horn blasts will
indicate that the engine has made the change. Repeat the 1 horn, 2 bells code to return it
to the other condition. You will want to do this during the initial neutral upon start-up if
you ever couple this engine to another engine that is not equipped with speed control to
avoid damaging the motors in either engine. Each time you shut down the engine
completely, it will automatically turn speed control on.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Neutral
Bell Bell =Speed Control
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Speed Control

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 11
You can lock your engine into a direction (forward, neutral, or reverse) so that it will not
change directions. To do this, put the engine into the direction you want (or into neutral
to lock it into neutral), run it at a very slow crawl (as slowly as it will move without
halting), and quickly but firmly tap the Horn button once followed by three quick taps of
the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button
press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. The engine will
not change direction (including going into neutral) until you repeat the 1 horn, 3 bells
code to return the engine to its normal condition, even if the engine is kept without power
for extended periods of time.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Desired
Direction
Horn Bell Bell Bell
=Direction Lock
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its
factory defaults, while in Neutral tap the Horn button quickly once, followed by five
quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each
quick button press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change.
Reset
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Horn
Place
Engine in
Neutral =
BellBellBellBellBell
Certain Proto-Sound 2.0 sound effects automatically play in programmed conventional
mode conditions:
•Squealing Brakes play any time the engine's speed decreases rapidly.
•Cab Chatter plays at random intervals when the engine idles in neutral.
•Engine Start-up and Shut-down sounds play when the engine is initially powered
on or is powered off for five seconds or more.
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction
Reset To Factory Default
Automatic Sound Effects

12 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Maintenance
The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly.
You should regularly lubricate all side rods, linkage components and
pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil
and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 2. Do not
over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L) LubricateWheelAxles (L)
Lubricate Linkage (L)
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L) Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Figure 5: Removing The Body
The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first.
To access the gear box and axles, do the following:
1. Turn the engine upside down.
2. Remove the Phillips screws (marked “GREASE”) located at each set of wheels and
under pick up rollers (Fig. 6).
3. Use a grease tube dispenser to put a small amount (approx. 1-2 ml.) of lithium-based
grease into the screw holes.
4. Replace the screws.
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 13
You should also grease the leading and trailing locomotive truck tongues to enhance their
ability to slide on the chassis. Follow the grease points shown on Fig. 6.
Periodically check the locomotive
wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup,
which can cause poor electrical contact
and traction as well as prematurely
wear out the neoprene traction tires.
Wheels and tires can be cleaned using
denatured (not rubbing) alcohol applied
with a cotton swab.
Grease (G)
Grease (G)
Figure 6: Removing The Body And Lubricating The Grease Points
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track
Body Mount Screws
Body Mount Screws

14 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires on the rear set of
flanged drivers. While these tires are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at
some point.
1. Remove the side rods from the wheels in order to slip the new tire over the grooved
drive wheel. Make sure to note the position of all rods before removing.
2. Make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive
wheel, using a razor blade or small flathead screwdriver to pry away any remains.
3. Slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it useful to use two small flathead
screwdrivers to stretch the tire over the wheel.
4. If you twist the tire while stretching it over the wheel, you will need to remove and
reinstall the tire. Otherwise your engine will wobble while operating.
5. Make sure the tire is fully seated inside the groove. Use a razor blade to trim away any
excess tire that doesn’t seat itself inside the groove properly.
6. Reinstall the side rods in the same positions as noted. Failure to align rods may cause
binding or damage to the drive system.
One set of replacement tires is packaged with your model. Additional sets are available
directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department (phone: [phone]; e-mail:
[email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD
21046-1532).
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions
The locomotive’s lights are controlled by a
constant voltage circuit in the engine. They are
easy to remove and replace when they burn out.
See the diagrams and directions below for
instructions on accessing and replacing the light
bulbs in this locomotive.
You can obtain replacement bulbs directly from
the M.T.H. Parts Department (order online:
www.mth-railking.com, e-mail:
[email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia
Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532,
FAX: [phone]).
Remove the screws in order
to remove pilot platform
Headlight Replacement Instructions
Figure 7

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 15
To Replace Headlight:
1) Remove the screw in order to remove platform on pilot (Fig. 7).
2) Remove platform on pilot to gain access to the headlight bulb (Fig. 8).
3) Remove wires from front power truck (Fig. 9).
Figure 8
Remove wires from
front power truck
Figure 9

16 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
The two special AA size 1.5v NiCad self-charging batteries recharges continuously
during train operation and should last for up to five years. The batteries are dry battery
that should not leak or cause any damage to your engine. Depending upon when your
engine was built, they may need to be charged right out of the box. If engine sounds
seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or become silent when power from the
transformer is turned off, test the batteries to determine whether they should be
recharged or replaced.
Test: Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 10-12 volts (high enough
for the lights to shine brightly and the engine to move steadily) for 15 minutes.
Recharge: If the sounds are improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, the
batteries charge has run down and can be recharged. There are a number of ways you can
dothis:
•Leave the engine in neutral with track voltage at 10-12 volts for 6-7 hours so the
batteries can fully recharge (if your engine has a smoke unit, be sure it is turned
off).
•Use M.T.H.'s battery recharger (sold separately) that plugs into a wall outlet and
a special port under thewater hatch in the tender to recharge the batteries
overnight without leaving it on the track.
Replace: If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, it is
time to replace the batteries. Available through M.T.H. Parts.
DO NOT substitute alkaline batteries for these NiCad batteries. Using alkaline batteries
in this system can result in damamge to the PS 2.0 circuit board and/or the batteries.
**Do not use alkaline batteries for testing or checking purposes for the 3-Volt PS2
boards. Using alkaline batteries will damage the 3-Volt battery charging circuit.**
Self Charging Battery Back-Up

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 17
AC Battery Recharging Jack
Figure 11
Tender shell screws
Figure 10

18 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation
This Premier steam locomotive contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs smoke
through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small
heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits
a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced
out of the stack by a small electric fan.
Smoke volume is controlled by the
Proto-Sound 2.0 system.
With a few easy maintenance steps, you
should enjoy trouble-free smoke unit
operation for years.
When preparing to run this engine, add 15-20
drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack
(see Fig. 12). We recommend M.T.H.
ProtoSmoke, Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids.
Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak
out and coat the interior engine components.
If you choose not to add the fluid (or have
already added the fluid but choose to run
smoke-free), turn off the smoke unit switch
located under the water hatch on the tender
(see Fig. 13). Failure either to add fluid to
the unit or to turn it off may damage the
smoke unit heating element and/or wick
material.
When the smoke output while running the
engine begins to diminish, add another 10-15
drops of smoke fluid or turn the smoke unit
off.
When storing the unit for long periods of time, you may want to add about 15 drops of
fluid to prevent the wick from drying out.
After removing the engine from storage, add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick
soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to operation.
If you experience poor or no smoke output when the smoke unit is on and has fluid,
check the wick to see if it has become hard, blackened, and unabsorbent around the
heating element. To remove the smoke unit you will first have to remove the boiler shell
AddSmokeFluid
Figure 12
Smoke Unit
ON/OFF Switch
Figure 13

Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive 19
(by removing the body mounting screws shown in Fig. 5 on pg. 12), board and bracket
that block the smoke unit assembly from being accessed. To do this, follow these
instructions:
1. Unplug the two wiring
harnesses from the board
mounted to the inside of
the boiler and behind the
smoke unit.
2. Remove the two
screws securing the
smoke unit inside the
shell as seen in Fig. 14.
3. With the board free of
the mounting screws,
slide the assembly out of
the boiler as seen in
Fig. 14.
4. Once the unit is freed,
remove the inspection
cover (Fig. 15). Inspect
the wick; if it is darkly
discolored and hard, it
should be replaced.
Replacement parts and
wick replacement
instructions are available
directly from the M.T.H.
Parts Department phone:
410-381-2580; e-mail:
[email protected]
ail: 7020 Columbia
Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532
Remove screws to free smoke
unit. Then turn smoke unit over
toinspect.
Figure 14
Inspection Cover
Screws
Figure 15

20 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may
have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most
questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for
assistance (telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; [email protected],
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Starting Up
Whistle/Horn
Bell
Coupler
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
When I first turn the power on, the
engine will not begin to run. I have to
turn the throttle off and then on again
to get the engine to operate.
When I press the whistle/horn button,
the bell comes on instead.
I can’t get the horn to blow when I
press the whistle button.
I can’t get the bell to ring when I press
the bell button.
The bell won’t work on a separate bell
button.
When I try to fire the coupler, FYS
starts.
The Proto-Coupler won’t let the engine
uncouple on the fly.
The coupler does not fire or stay
coupled.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell sounds.
Reverse the transformer leads.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the whistle/horn
button more slowly, taking approximately
one full second to fully depress the
button.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the bell button
more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
Reverse the transformer leads.
Check the wiring of the separate
button.
You are waiting too long between
whistle button presses.
Try lubricating the coupler knuckle
with a dry graphite lubricant. Do NOT
use oil.
The coupler needs to be cleaned.
Wipe with denatured alcohol (not
rubbing alcohol) and let dry.
This is normal behavior. To prevent
accidental high-speed start-ups,
Proto-Sound 2.0 is programmed to
start up in neutral anytime track power
has been turned off for several
seconds. See the "Basic Operation"
section for more details.
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems