Rail King USRA 0-6-0 User manual

Compatibility
ThissteamenginewilloperateonanytraditionalO-31Gaugetrack
system,includingM.T.H.’sRealTrax®orScaleTrax™ or traditional
tubulartrack. Itis alsocompatible withmost standardAC transformers.
(See page 24 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.)
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USRA 0-6-0 Steam Engine
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
Set Up ................................................................................................................3
Basic Operation............................................................................................4
Transformer Controls................................................................................4
Volume Control ........................................................................................4
Proto-Sound 2.0............................................................................................5
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features ......................5
Freight Yard Sounds ................................................................................5
Tips on Using FYS ....................................................................................6
Proto-Coupler®Operation ......................................................................7
Speed Control ........................................................................................7
Lock into a Direction State ......................................................................7
Reset to Factory Defaults ........................................................................8
Automatic Sounds....................................................................................8
Maintenance....................................................................................................9
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions....................................................10
Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track......................................................10
Locomotive Traction Tire Replacement..................................................10
Smoke Unit Operation & Maintenance..................................................11
Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement......................................................12
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up................................................................13
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................14
Compatibility................................................................................................16
Transformer Compatibility Chart ........................................................17
Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System..............18
Safety Precautions......................................................................................19
Service and Warranty Information......................................................20
Authorized Service Centers....................................................................21
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
There are a few simple steps you must take before operating this RailKing steamer.
1. You should prime the operating smoke unit with smoke fluid before
operating. Add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack, then gently
blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles in the fluid.
(See Fig. 4 on page 11)
2. If you choose not to prime the unit with fluid, turn the smoke unit
switch located under the tender to the OFF position. (See Fig. 5 on page 11)
Running the engine without a primed smoke unit may cause damage.
See the “ProtoSmoke Unit Operation” section of this book for more
information on smoke unit maintenance.
3. You should lubricate all side rods and linkage components and pick
up rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the
lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 2a & 2b on page 9. Do not over oil. Use only
a drop or two on each pivot point.
4. Put your engine on the track and insert the reverse plug that extends
out of the tender into the receptacle at the back of the engine. WARNING: DO
NOT CONNECT THIS ENGINE TO ATENDER FROM ANOTHER ENGINE; IT MAY CAUSE
SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR MODEL.
Look at the bottom of the engine and tender
where each will have an ID sticker. If they match you may connect those two
pieces, if not, do not connect them.
5. Connect the draw bar between the engine and the tender. If there are
two holes in the draw bar, the hold located farthest from the tender is for the
minimum track operation, such as O-31 circles of track. The second hole is for
O-72 or larger operation.
At this point, you are ready to begin running your engine.
SET UP
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
Throttle up the power to your track. Give enough power so that the engine’s
headlight shines brightly. Then put the engine in to motion by either firmly
pressing the Direction button on your transformer or remote once or dropping
and advancing to throttle to put the engine in forward.
BASIC OPERATION
Use the operation buttons on your transformer as described below.
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. the whistle has four different endings, depending
on whether you hold the button for less than three seconds, three seconds, four seconds,
five seconds or longer.
Bell - To sound the 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
your turn it on until you press the release the button again to turn it off.
Direction - Your train is programmed to start in neutral. To put the engine into
forward and then to change the direction of the train or to put it into neutral,
firmly press and release the Direction button on your transformer. Just as you must stop
your car between forward and reverse, this engine will not go directly from forward to
reverse; it goes into neutral between directions. If the train has been moving forward, the
first press of the Direction button will put the train from
forward into neutral, the second press into reverse, the third press back into
neutral, and the fourth back into forward. To prevent accidental high-speed
start-ups, this engine is programmed to restart in neutral each time the track
voltage is turned off or 10 seconds or more.
OPERATION BUTTONS
MANUAL VOLUME
CONTROL
To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this
engine, turn the master volume control knob
located under the tender clockwise to increase
the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease
the volume. (see Figure 1)
Figure 1 - Proto-Sound 2.0 Volume Adjustment Knob
THROTTLE
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Volume Adjustment Knob

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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in
conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompa
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ny the DCS Remote Control System equipment.
Because Proto-Sound 2.0 is an all-new system developed by M.T.H.’s own research
and development team, it operates differently from the original Proto-Sound. Most
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are automatically enabled, and the reset state has been
eliminated, so there is no need to program features as with original Proto-Sound.
Although the new system is easier to operate than original Proto-Sound, you should read
these instructions thoroughly before using Proto-Sound 2.0 features
in order to prevent harm to yourself or your equipment.
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features: Proto-Sound 2.0
features are activated by sequences of Bell and Whistle 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 whistle or ring the bell, you should press the but-
tons for a shorter time (1/2 second); you may need to practice your timing to make this
work smoothly.
PROTO-SOUND 2.0
OPERATION
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS): 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
in the following 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.
1. To cue the sound system to play the FYS, quickly but firmly press the Bell button
once followed by 2 quick presses of the Whistle button while the engine is moving.
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Feature to be Activated Button Code
Freight Yard Sounds 1 Bell, 2 Whistles
Fire the Rear Coupler 1 Bell, 3 Whistles
Speed Control On/Off 1 Whistle, 2 Bells (from neutral only)
Lock into a Directional State/Unlock 1 Whistle, 3 Bells
Reset to Factory Defaults 1 Whistle, 5 Bells ( from neutral only)

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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
2. 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 the Direction button
to trigger the sounds, and Proto-Sound 2.0 has disabled operator control over
the Whistle and Bell buttons until the full FYS sequence is complete.
3. After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of FYS.
4. After waiting about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the
thirdFYS sequence.
5. 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 transformers bell
and whistle buttons and can ring the bell or blow the whistle as usual.
Tips on Using FYS
You can terminate FYS at anytime 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
is not equipped with FYS at all, 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 start vibrating on the track as its motors strain to move the train, since they cannot be
automatically disabled during the FYS cycle. If the second engine is an original Proto-Sound
engine equipped with FYS, you may choose to disable
it when used in double-heading operations, so you will not experience competing
FYS sounds. To disable FYS in an original Proto-Sound engine, see the operating instructions for
that engine.
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.
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
This locomotive is equipped with a coil-wound Proto-Coupler for
remote uncoupling action. Because the Proto-Coupler is controlled through the
Proto-Sound 2.0 microprocessor, it does not require an uncoupling track
section or modification to your layout to function. Use the codes listed below.
Rear Coupler: To fire the rear coupler, press the Bell button once followed immediately
by three pushes of the Whistle button. The sound of the lift bar and air line
depletion will play, and the knuckle will be released.
PROTO-COUPLER ®OPERATION
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 auto
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mobile 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 release of cars while on the run. To
maintain a constant speed when speed control is turned off, you need to adjust the track voltage
yourself. When speed control is off, the volume
will drop to allow for better low voltage operation. Full volume is restored upon
reactivation of speed control.
To turn speed control on and off: First, put the engine in neutral, then press the
transformer’s Whistle button one time then immediately press the Bell button two times. Two
whistle blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. Repeat the 1 whistle, 2 bells
code to return it to the other state. You will want to do this during the initial neutral start-up if
you ever couple this engine with 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.
SPEED CONTROL
You can lock your engine into a directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) to prevent
it from changing directions. To do this, put the engine into the direction you want or in neutral,
run it at a very low speed (<10 scale mph), and quickly but firmly press your remote’s Whistle
button once followed immediately by three presses of the Bell button. Two whistle 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 whistle, 3 bells code to return the engine to its normal
state, even if the engine has been kept without power for extended periods of time.
LOCK INTO A DIRECTIONAL STATE
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine
and reset it to its factory defaults, while in neutral press the Whistle button once,
followed immediately by five quick pushes of the Bell button. Two whistle blasts will indicate that
the engine has made the change
RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULTS
Certain Proto-Sound 2.0 sound effects automatically play in programmed conventional mode
conditions:
Squealing Brakes: This sound plays anytime the engine’s speed decreases rapidly.
Cab Chatter: This sound play when the engine idles in neutral.
Engine Start-up and Shut-down: This sound plays when the engine is initially
powered on or is powered off for five seconds or more.
AUTOMATIC SOUNDS
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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
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, which ever comes first.
To access the gear box, do the following:
1. Unscrew the Grease screw as shown in Figure 3 and use an applicator to apply grease
into these screw holes.
This engine should be oiled and greased in order to run properly. You should regularly
lubricate all side rods and linkage components and pick-up rollers to prevent them from squeak
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ing. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Figures 2a and 2b. Do
not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot.
MAINTENANCE
LUBRICATION AND GREASING
Figure 2a - Lubrication Points on the Engine
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Wheel Axles (L)
Pick up Rollers (L)
Figure 2b - Pick-up Rollers on the Tender

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USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
CLEANING THE WHEELS & TRACK
Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pick-up rollers for dirt and buildup, which can
cause poor electrical contact and traction and prematurely wear out the
neoprene traction tires. Wheels and tires can be cleaned using denatured alcohol
(not rubbing alcohol), which can be found in home improvement stores, applied with
a cotton swab.
Occasional cleaning of the track will also help to ensure good electrical contact and
prolong the life of your engine’s tires. To clean the track, use a clean rag and denatured alcohol
(not rubbing alcohol). Unplug the transformer and rub the rails of the track, turning the rag fre-
quently to ensure that you are using clean cloth on the rails.
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT
Your locomotive is equipped with four neoprene rubber traction tires on the rear pair of each
set of flanged drivers. While these tires are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at
some point.
1.Remove the side rods (the rods that connect each drive wheel to the other) from the
wheels in order to slip the new tire over the grooved drive wheel. This screw can be
loosened with a 5mm nutdriver.
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 tires are fully seated inside the groove. Use a razor blade to trim away
any excess tire that doesn’t seat itself inside the groove properly.
One set of replacement tires is included with your model.
Additional tires are available directly from M.T.H. Parts Department (Phone: [phone]).
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Figure 3 - Greasing points on the engine & location of body mount screws
Body Mount Screws
Grease Screw