Rail King USRA 2-8-8-2 User manual

RAILKING USRA 2-8-8-2
STEAM ENGINE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the RailKing die-cast USRA 2-8-8-2 steam
locomotive. The engine’s die-cast body and tender are traditionally sized
for operation on any O-31 or larger layout. The engine is compatible with
most standard AC transformers, (see page 31 for a complete list of
compatible transformers and wiring instructions) and is completely
compatible with most other 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and
accessories.
The locomotive and tender are equipped with either a electronic whistle or
the Proto-Sound® digital sound and train control system which contains
several deluxe features that are simple and fun to operate. Each feature is
described among the following pages which should be read before the
engine is operated. For those of you who can’t wait to get started, the
Quick Start Basic Operating Instructions found on page 3 should be read
so that you understand the basics of the operating system. Please note that
some features are only found in the Proto-Sound® equipped engines and are
marked as such. Features not marked as Proto-Sound® features are
available in both versions.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Table Of Contents
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models) 3
PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION 4
PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 5
ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation (All 3-Rail Models) 5
Whistle Operation 6
BellOperation 6
ProtoCoupler™ Operation 7
Enhanced Neutral Steam Sounds 8
Squeaking Brake Sounds 8
Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds 9
FreightYardSounds(FYS) 10
Activating and Triggering Freight Yard Sounds 12
Tips On Using FYS Features 15
MANUAL LOCK-OUT OPERATION 16
Self-Charging Battery Backup System 17
Replacing The Proto-Sound® Battery 17
Manual Volume Adjustment of Proto-Sound® 18
USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTO-SOUND®19
Entering RESET Options 19
Setting The Engine Volume 20
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 20
Programming For Whistle In Neutral Operation 21
Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 21
Adjusting Chuff Rate 22
Programming For FYS Operation 23
Activating Remote Lockout Control 23
ResettingAll Proto-Sound® Options To Factory Default 24
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 24
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 26
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 26
TROUBLE SHOOTINGPROTO-SOUND® PROBLEMS 27
Proto-Sound® RESET Feature Chart 30
Transformer Wiring Chart 31
O-31 OPERATION 32
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 36
HOW TO GET SERVICE 36
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 36

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION
The RailKing USRA 2-8-8-2 contains state-of-the art electronics with
several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite
these advanced features, the USRA 2-8-8-2 is easy to operate with any
compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page
31). All models are equipped with an operating smoke system thatshould
be primed with smoke fluid before operating. Adding 15 - 20 drops of
fluid through the smoke stack should be sufficient. If you choose to not
prime the units with fluid, turn the smoke unit switch located under the
trailing truck to the OFF position. (See Figure 3) This will prevent any
damage from occurring to the smoke unit when running the engine without
a primed smoke unit. For more information see the section on page 4 on
Smoke Unit operation.
The USRA 2-8-8-2 model is controlled by
an electronic reverse unit (in mechanical
whistle equipped engines) or by the
Proto-Sound® Digital Sound and Train
Control System (in Proto-Sound® equipped
engines). In either model, the reverse unit
operates in the same manner that all reverse
units function by using forward, neutral and
reverse states that are entered each time the
throttle is turned on and off or by using the transformer direction switch (if
so equipped).
The Proto-Sound® reverse unit is
designed to ignore dirty track, dead
spots on switches or minor short
circuits without disrupting the
engine operation, even at slow,
prototypical speeds. Before the engine can be operated however, the reverse
unit plug that extends out of the tender must be inserted into the receptacle
at the back of the boiler cab as seen in Figure 1. Once the plug is inserted,
the throttle on the transformer can be advanced. You will see that only the
engine’s lights come on and that on Proto-Sound® equipped engines, two
dings from the sound system will chime followed by the steam compressor
pump sounds. The engine does not run. This is known as the RESET state
and is explained in more detail beginning on Page 6. The ProtoSound®
electronics will not power the motor until the throttle is turned OFF and
then ON again. At this point, the engine will now function just like any
other electronic or mechanical E-unit.
Figure 1: Plugging in the tender harness
Figure 2: ProtoSound® DCRU® Cycle Phases

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION
The USRA 2-8-8-2 contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs a steady stream of smoke
through the smoke stack on the roof of the engine. The ON/OFF switch located next to the
trailing truck must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit to function. See Fig.
3 below.
The smoke unit is essentially a small heating
element and wick which soaks up and then “cooks" a
mineral oil-based fluid that omits a harmless smoke.
The smoke is then forced out of the stack via a small
electric fan which runs at a constant speed. However,
the smoke intensity can be varied by increasing the
transformer voltage setting. The higher the setting,
the more intense the smoke output.
For best results, we recommend that you add 15 -
20 drops of ProtoSmoke™, Seuthe, LGB or LVTS
fluid before you run the engine. If you don’t choose
to add the fluid, then the smoke unit switch should
be turned off. Failure to either add the fluid or turn the switch off could lead to damage to the
smoke unit heating element and or wicking. Add the fluid through the smoke stack hole. After
adding the fluid, gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles. Do not overfill the
unit as overfilling can cause the fluid to leak out and coat the interior engine components.
When the smoke output begins to diminish while running the engine, an additional 10-15
drops of smoke fluid should be added or the smoke unit switch should be turned off. When
storing the engine for long periods of time, you may want to add at least 15 drops of fluid to
keep the wick soaked with fluid and prevent it from drying out. After removing the engine
from storage, it is advisable to add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick soak up the fluid
for 15 minutes prior to operation.
MAINTENANCE
CAUTION: Operating the engine without smoke fluid
and with the smoke unit switch in the ON position can
damage your smoke unit wick, causing the wick to
become hard, blackened and unabsorbant around the
heating element. When this occurs, it may be difficult
for the wick to soak up the smoke fluid resulting in poor
or no smoke output. If that occurs, we recommend that
you inspect and/or replace the wick taking care to not
run the engine without fluid in the future. You can
inspect the wick to see if it needs replacement by
removing the smoke unit inspection cover from the body
as seen in Fig.4. After removing the chassis and
inspection cover screws lift the inspection plate away
and inspect the wick. If the wick is darkly discolored
and hard, it should be replaced.
Figure 3: Smoke Unit Switch
Figure 4: Inspecting The Smoke Unit

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
PROTOSOUNDS® INSTRUCTIONS
The MTH ProtoSound® digital sound and train control system provides
the operator with unprecedented realistic operation on your model railroad.
In addition to actual USRA 2-8-8-2 engine, CD-equivalent 16-bit digital
sounds, you get the following features:
1. ∗Built-In ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit * Authentic Steam Whistle Sound*
Authentic Steam Bell Sound* Squeaking Brake Sound* Freight Yard Sounds*
Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™* Self-Charging Battery Back-Up
System With Automatic Battery Shut-Off* Remotely Controlled Reverse Unit
Lock-Out* Remotely Adjustable Steam Engine Chuffing Volume* Authentic
Steam Engine Neutral Sounds*
Each feature is described among the following pages. Though the system
is easy to use, we encourage you to read the instructions thoroughly.
PROTO-SOUND® REVERSE UNIT
As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a
ProtoSound® reverse unit that contains the standard
forward-neutral-reverse states found on most reverse units. However, as
described earlier, when power is first applied to the track, the reverse unit
begins in RESET or what seems like a neutral state. Power must be
interrupted again to get the locomotive to enter the forward state. It is this
first RESET state that gives ProtoSound® its unique, remote controlled
functions. The system will enter RESET whenever power to the track is off
for three or more seconds. NEUTRAL will be referred to as the state
between Forward and Reverse.
ProtoSounds® is equipped with a microprocessor, that, depending on the
amount of memory it is allotted, allows the user to utilize several remotely
activated functions. In the simplest terms, ProtoSounds® has its own
“Computer" controlling these functions. In order to access many of these
remotely controlled functions, the user must be in the RESET state to do so.
RESET is entered anytime power to the locomotive has been off for more
than 3 to 5 seconds. When the engine first enters RESET, the
microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the system,
transformer and engine are operating correctly. This takes approximately
2.2 seconds during which you will hear the engine’s compressor sounds
begin. In order for ProtoSounds® to properly initiate the system check, do
not advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first enter
RESET, wait for the compressor sounds to begin and then slowly turn the

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
transformer throttle to the off position and then back on again to enter the
forward phase. Interrupting the power too quickly may cause the system to
re-enter RESET (signaled by two dings of the bell). Should this happen,
wait longer before interrupting the power to enter the Forward phase.
ProtoSounds® comes with several programmable functions, including
remote Steam Chuffing Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button
Operation (pre-programmed at the factory), Whistle In Neutral Operation,
ProtoCoupler™ On/Off Control, Squeaking Brakes and Passenger Station
or Freight Yard Proto-Effects. Each of these features are described in more
detail later. You will notice that when in RESET, your engine will not
respond to the whistle button with a horn blast or continuous bell ringing.
In fact, when in RESET and the whistle button is depressed, only one single
bell chime will be heard each time the whistle button is pressed. If you
don’t want to configure or change your locomotive using any of these
programmable features, simply leave RESET and wait 2.2 seconds before
interrupting the power to put the engine in forward. After you leave
RESET, your engine will operate normally in all the direction states of
forward, neutral and reverse. Remember though, once power is turned off
for more than 3 seconds, the next time power is applied to the track, your
engine will be back in RESET.
WHISTLE OPERATION
Your USRA 2-8-8-2 ProtoSound® equipped engine is equipped with a
digital recording of a steam whistle. The whistle sound can be activated
anytime the engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button
on your transformer. The whistle will continue to blow as long as the
whistle button is depressed. The whistle will not function in RESET and
must be configured through a RESET option to allow the whistle to work
when the engine is in neutral. See page 21 for information on whistle
programming in the Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® section of
this manual.
BELL OPERATION
Your USRA 2-8-8-2 ProtoSound® equipped engine is equipped with a
digital recording of an actual steam engine bell. The bell can be turned on
or off with any separate bell button, like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906
Bell Button, by simply pushing the button. If you don’t have a separate
bell button, the bell can be controlled through your transformer’s whistle
button whenever the engine is in NEUTRAL. The bell will never ring

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
continuously in RESET (Remember NEUTRAL is the state between
Forward and Reverse). Once the bell is turned on, it will continue to ring
when the engine is cycled into forward or reverse until you press the bell
button or re-enter NEUTRAL and turn the bell off with the whistle button.
In fact, because of ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design, the
microprocessor remembers its last command. Therefore, unless you turn
the bell off before you quit running your train, the next time you run the
engine, the bell will come on. No matter whether you come back an hour
later or a year later, the bell will begin chiming once the engine enters one
of the three directional states.
To turn the bell on using the transformer’s whistle button, turn on power to
the track and cycle the engine into NEUTRAL. Turn the throttle to 8 volts
or less (any higher voltage will arm the ProtoCoupler™) and press the
whistle button. The bell should begin chiming. To turn the bell off, press
the whistle button again. If you want to keep the bell on while running the
engine, simply interrupt the power with the transformer throttle or the
transformer directional switch and enter forward or reverse.
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION
Your USRA 2-8-8-2 ProtoSound® equipped locomotive tender is
equipped with a coil-wound ProtoCoupler™ for remote uncoupling action.
Because the ProtoCoupler™ is controlled through ProtoSounds®
microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section or
modification to your layout to function. The three simple steps below are
required to operate the coupler.
1. Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the way up.
2. Press the transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler. (You
will hear a “Clank").
3. After arming the coupler, press the whistle button again to open
the coupler.
When the knuckle fires
open you will hear the
buzzing of the coil
energizing and the sound
of the air lines coming

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
apart. It can best be described as a CHA-CHUSHHH sound. The coupler
doesn’t have to be fired in NEUTRAL. Once the coupler is armed it can be
fired in Forward, Neutral or Reverse. However, you may find that the
coupler doesn’t open when
firing the coupler at high
speeds. Reduce the voltage
setting on your transformer if
this occurs and run your engine
at a slower speed before firing
the coupler. If the coupler
continues to open erratically, try
lubricating the knuckle with
light oil as indicated in Fig. 5.
ENHANCED
NEUTRAL STEAM
SOUNDS
The enhanced Neutral Sounds can be automatically heard whenever the
engine is in neutral. The sounds, which include Steam Pop-Off, Steam
Blow-Down, and Steam Injector sounds occur every 2 to 30 seconds. Each
of the three sequences will play at random intervals to eliminate repetitive
and boring sequences. While the sounds are selected to play randomly by
the microprocessor, there is no guarantee that you won’t hear the same
message repeated twice or more times.
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
ProtoSound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your engine slows in speed. There are two
settings for activating the squeaking brake sounds. The default setting
allows the brake sounds to play while the engine is in forward or reverse
and the transformer throttle is lowered from a high setting to a low setting
(14 volts to 8 volts or less). The second setting requires that a bell button be
used to “arm” the brake feature and is explained in more detail in the
“Activating Freight Yard
Figure 5: Lubricating The Coupler

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Sounds” section found later in this manual. The sound itself is a stored
record on the ProtoSounds® software chip and will always play the same
brake sound for the same three second length each time the voltage is
reduced from high to low. Some practice may be required to synchronize
the playing of the brake sounds with the movement of the engine. It is not
uncommon for the engine to stop before the brake sound is completed.
Operators will find that by coordinating the movement of the throttle setting
from 8 volts to off will allow the engine to maintain its movement while the
brake sounds play. Note: The brake sounds will not be heard if the
transformer throttle is not set above 14 volts and/or not reduced below 8
volts.
TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Users will find the squeaking brake feature to be a very
realistic way to simulate the sound of an engine slowing down
for curves, crossings or coming to a stop at a station, side track
or switch yard. However, you may find that your engine
continues to play the brake sounds once your engine comes to a
stop, or that the sounds stop before the engine comes to a
complete halt. For example, if you simply run the engine and
turn the throttle off quickly, the brake sounds will likely
continue playing even though the engine has come to a
complete stop.
This effect can be eliminated by simply practicing with the
brake feature. In no time, you will quickly learn how to
“feather" the throttle to keep the engine moving while the brake
sounds play and then turning the throttle off just as the sounds
stop.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Operating Proto-Sound Freight Yard
Sound Effects Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)
Proto-Sound® is equipped with operator controlled Freight Yard Sounds,
referred to as FYS. The FYS sequence is designed to simulate the arrival,
unloading, loading and departure of a freight train in a freight yard. This
easy-to-use feature allows you to play digitally recorded sounds of
freight yard operations while your engine is parked in the Neutral State.
No additional wires or modifications are needed to enjoy these amazing
sound effects. The sounds themselves are randomly “shuffled” by the
Proto-Sound® computer. This gives the system the ability to play the
various sounds in a different order each time FYS is enabled.
Quick Overview- FYS Sounds
The following is a quick over view on how you can operate FYS.
Your train is now ready for you to play the FYS.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
For more detailed FYS instructions, read the following.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Activating Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)-Detailed Instructions
Arming The Freight Yard Sounds Feature
Before the Freight Yard Sounds can be heard, the feature must be activated.
The feature can be activated in one of two ways:
Option 1: If you are using the Z-4000™ transformer, or any transformer
with a separate bell button controller, you can activate the feature by simply
pressing and holding the bell button for at least three seconds (it does not
matter if you are in
forward, neutral or
reverse). You will hear
the bell turn on and,
after three seconds, you
should hear a short horn
blast or air release.
Once the horn blast or
air release is heard, the bell button can be released. The bell will continue
to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and release
the bell button. If you were in neutral, interrupt the transformer throttle to
enter the next directional state (either forward or reverse). (Note: the FYS
will only play in the first Neutral after it is armed. You cannot interrupt
the power twice to enter another direction and still have the FYS active.)
You can now trigger the sounds to begin playing when you next enter
Neutral
Option 2: If you do not have a Z-4000™ (separate bell button available),
you can activate the FYS using your transformer’s whistle button control.
To arm the FYS, turn on the transformer throttle and cycle your engine into
Neutral (not RESET). Once
in neutral, set the
transformer throttle to 8
volts or less and press and
hold the whistle button for
at least three seconds. You
will hear the bell turn on
and, after three seconds,
you should hear a short horn blast. Once the horn blast or air release is
heard, the whistle button can be released. The bell will continue to chime,
so it you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and release the

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
whistle button. Interrupt the transformer throttle to enter the next directional
state (either forward or reverse). (Note: the FYS will only play in the first
Neutral after it is armed. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter
another direction and still have the FYS active.) You can now trigger the
sounds to begin playing when you next enter Neutral.
TRIGGERING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS
Once the FYS feature has been activated, it will be played the next time
the engine enters neutral. At this point, Proto-Sound® will take over
control of your engine, disabling the bell and whistle button. In addition,
Proto-Sound® reconfigures the way the reverse unit functions during the
operation of the FYS feature. This forces the engine to leave your freight
yard in the same direction as it arrived. The following operator controlled
“Events” control the FYS’s actions and sounds. (Note: The direction states
shown assume the FYS is entered from forward. If entering the freight yard
in reverse, the direction states shown will be reversed.)
Event 1: Interrupt the transformer throttle
to cycle the engine from forward into
neutral. If the throttle was at 14 volts or
higher, the squeaking brakes sound will
play. Once the engine is stopped, the
throttle must be turned on to keep it in the
neutral state. Note: Failure to turn the
throttle back on within 3 seconds of
leaving forward will disable FYS and shutdown Proto-Sound®. The next
time power is turned on, the engine will be in the RESET position. See
page 19 for additional information on RESET. If the bell was not turned
off after arming FYS, it is now turned off automatically. After entering
neutral, Proto-Sound will immediately play a horn blast or an air release
sound, followed approximately 2 seconds later by a man whistling and a
freight car door sliding open. At this point, various freight yard sounds can
be heard, including loading and unloading operations, engine sounds,
yardman “slang,” and additional freight car door sounds.
Event 2: Interrupt the transformer throttle again to cycle the engine from
neutral into reverse. In order to have the engine leave the yard in the same
direction it entered Proto-Sound® disables the motors in this reverse state to
prevent the engine from running backwards. FYS confirms reverse is
entered by playing a sound highlight best described as a rumbling sound.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
You may have to go through the entire
FYS sequence several times before you
clearly identify this sound. After the
rumbling highlight is played, the freight
yard sounds heard in Event 1 will continue
to play.
Event 3: Interrupt the transformer
throttle again to cycle the engine
from reverse back to neutral. FYS
confirms that the engine is now in
neutral by sounding two quick air
releases. This is followed
approximately two seconds later by
a man whistling and continued
freight yard loading and unloading
sounds.
Event 4: Interrupt the transformer throttle again to complete the FYS
feature and cycle the engine into forward. FYS confirms it has entered
forward by playing the sound of the freight car door closing. Within two
seconds, the whistle will sound two short blasts (three if entering reverse),
and the bell will begin to chime. After a few chimes of the bell, the engine
will begin moving in forward with the bell continuing to ring. A few
seconds later, the bell will turn off,
and the engine will resume normal
operation.
Note: When entering the Forward
phase of FYS, it is important to set the
transformer throttle at a high enough
setting that will allow the engine to
begin moving once FYS automatically
activates the motors. Otherwise the
engine will just sit still until you increase the transformer throttle setting on the
transformer. However, don’t set the throttle setting too high or the engine will go
racing away faster than you might expect

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
TIPS ON USING FYS FEATURES
FYS is a unique feature of Proto-Sound® that is completely controlled by the
operator. You decide how, when or if you want to utilize the feature. By
reviewing the following tips, you should find solutions or suggestions to the
various operating scenarios you might encounter when using FYS.
Tip #1: You can escape the FYS sequence by interrupting the transformer
throttle before the man’s whistle plays in Stage 1 (neutral).
Tip #2: You can exit FYS at anytime by turning the transformer throttle Off
for 15 seconds.
Tip #3: You do not have to be in Forward to utilize FYS. For example, if
you activate the FYS feature while in Reverse your train to leave the
station/yard in the same reverse direction that it arrived in.
Tip #4: You can use FYS even if you are double-heading with another
engine regardless of whether the second engine is equipped with an FYS
programmed Proto-Sound® module. If the second engine isn’t equipped
with FYS, the only thing to remember is not to turn up the transformer
throttle very high when entering Reverse in Stage 2. If the throttle is set too
high, then the second locomotive will begin vibrating on the track as its
motors will be turning in reverse. If your second engine is equipped with
FYS, you may want to disable the FYS when used in double-headed
operations. To disable FYS, see the section on programming RESET
functions on page 23 of this manual.
Tip #5: You can leave any of the event stages at any time by simply
interrupting the transformer throttle. Any sound effects programmed to play
in that event will simply not occur. The only exceptions are Event 1 and
Event 4. In Event 1, interrupting the throttle has no effect on FYS until after
the man’s whistle has completed and the freight car doors have opened. In
Event 4, you cannot interrupt FYS until after the engine begins to move.
Interrupting the throttle before the engine begins to move has no effect on
the locomotive’s operation.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Special Reverse Unit Options
Reverse Unit Lockout Operation
For operators who wish to lock their engine into a single direction,
Proto-Sound’s® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on
the locomotive. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped
with block signals or stop stations that would normally cycle the engine
back into neutral.Note: The feature must be first turned on by accessing
RESET Feature 40 (See page 23).
Locking the Engine into Single Direction Operation
Cycle the transformer throttle so that your engine is operating in the
direction you wish to lock it in (forward, neutral or reverse). With the
throttle set to approximately 8 volts, press and hold the horn/whistle button.
While holding the horn/whistle button, turn the throttle OFF, then release
the horn/whistle button. After 2 seconds, you will hear a short whistle blast.
IMMEDIATELY turn the throttle back on. The engine is now locked, and
will continue in the previous direction whenever power is applied to the
track.
Unlocking the Engine
With the throttle set to approximately 8 volts, press and hold the
horn/whistle button. While holding the horn/whistle button, turn the throttle
OFF, then release the whistle button. After three seconds, a single bell will
be heard indicating that the engine is unlocked. When power is again
applied, the engine will enter RESET and perform as normal.
NOTE: When locking the engine in the Forward or Reverse positions,
the horn/whistle button will blow the horn/whistle. But when locking the
engine into the NEUTRAL position, the horn/whistle button may turn on
or off sounds of the bell. Remember, the horn/whistle doesn’t blow in
NEUTRAL (unless you programmed it to do so using Reset Feature 25 -
see page 21 for details), only the bell rings.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
SELF-CHARGING BATTERY BACKUP
Proto-Sound® includes a self-charging battery backup system for improved
performance at any speed. The battery ensures that power to the sound
system will remain on during directional changes, while setting RESET
options or when traveling over spots of dirty track and switches. The
self-recharging battery backup system is automatically turned on or off.
There no switches needed to enjoy the benefits of the automatic battery
backup system.
Proto-Sound® contains a warning alarm if the battery backup system fails
to automatically disengage when track power is turned off. Should the
backup system fail, you will hear a repeating whistle blast indicating that
this has occurred. Should this happen, unplug the battery from the
Proto-Sound® module (to prevent the battery from being run down) and
contact MTH for instructions on returning the train for repair.
REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND® BATTERY
The Proto-Sound® battery (located in the tender body), is a special NiCad
7-cell, 8.4v battery -NOT the 6-cell, 7.2v battery found in most convenience
stores. The battery is continually charged from the track when power is
applied above 10 volts should last for up to five years. In addition, the
NiCad battery is a dry battery and should not leak or cause any damage to
your locomotive during its lifetime. The 6-cell NiCad is NOT
recommended for use with Proto-Sound® applications.
If you notice that the sounds seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or
become silent when power from the transformer is shut off, the battery may
be failing. Before replacing the battery, you should put the engine in
NEUTRAL and leave the transformer throttle set at about 12 volts for 15
minutes. This should temporarily recharge the battery. If the garbled or
distorted sounds are reduced, then your battery charge has worn down. You
can give your battery a full charge by leaving the engine ON in the
NEUTRAL position for 6 hours.
Note: When charging the battery in neutral, if your trains contains a
Smoke Unit should be turned OFF to prevent damage to the wick and the
heating elements
.

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
If you need to replace the battery, they are available from MTH
Proto-Sound® Electronics at 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia,
MD 21046-1532. A standard 9v alkaline battery can be substituted as a
temporary fix, but, since alkaline batteries can’t take a charge, it will
eventually wear down.
MANUALLY ADJUSTING THE PROTOSOUND® VOLUME
Your Proto-Sound® system has two types of volume adjustment. A
manual turn knob on the bottom of the chassis (See Fig. 6 below) allows
you to control all the sounds in the system and a remote control “RESET"
option (Option # 6) allows you to control the volume level of the engine
chuff sounds remotely from the transformer. Turning the volume
adjustment knob one direction will increase the volume. Turning it the
opposite direction will lower the volume of all sounds: bell, whistle, and
enhanced neutral sounds. For information on operating the RESET volume
adjustment option, see the section entitled “Programming Proto-Sound®
RESET Options” on the following pages.
Figure 6: Adjusting The Proto-Sound® Volume

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USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTO-SOUND®
Proto-Sound® is equipped with several programmable features which are
accessed in the RESET state by moving the transformer throttle up and
down between full voltage and low voltage (8 volts) without shutting the
transformer off completely. Each time this is done you advance, one
feature at a time, through
the available options. An
air-release sound is heard
each time the throttle is
advanced and returned. In
addition, there are special
sounds to tell you what
RESET position you are
in.
ENTERING RESET OPTIONS
For example, if you want to select Feature 2, you put the engine in
RESET, and move the throttle up and down from full throttle to low two
times. After the second advance, you will hear two “clinks" indicating that
the computer is now in Feature 2. Advance the throttle again and you will
hear three “clinks" for Feature 3. Advance it two more times and you will
hear a “clank" indicating that you are now in Feature 5. Advance the
throttle two more times and you will hear a “clank" and two “clinks"
indicating Feature 7. ((5 throttle advancements = 1 clank) + (2 throttle
advancements = 2 clinks)). “Clank + “Clink" + “Clink" = Feature 7. You
can advance the throttle as quickly as you like (though you may not hear the
air-release sounds) and the computer will still remember the number of
times the throttle is advanced by playing back the number of “Clinks" and
“Clanks" to confirm the feature you’ve selected.

20
USRA 2-8-8-2 Steam Engine Operating Instructions
Remotely Adjusting The Engine Volume - Reset Feature 6 – (1
Clank, 1 Clink)
Reset Feature 6 allows you to change the volume setting of the chuff sounds
without affecting the volume of other sounds, such as whistle, bell,
enhanced neutral sounds, etc. To use, cycle to Reset 6 and press the
Whistle button. A single bell will play, and the chuff will begin at the
current volume. Each time the Whistle button is pressed, a bell will sound
and the volume setting will cycle down to the next level. The levels
available are 100%,
50%, 25%, and 0%.
After 0%, pressing the
whistle button again will
return the chuff to 100%.
When the desired level is
reached, lock the
changes by interrupting
the throttle and cycling
the engine into forward
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation- Reset Feature
45 –(9 Clanks, 0 Clinks)
Reset Feature 45 allows you to determine if and how the Squeaking Brakes
recording will be activated. To use, cycle to Reset 45 and press the Whistle
button. The engine will play a series of bells. This indicates the current
setting. Each time the Whistle is pressed, Proto-Sound® will cycle to the
next available setting and provide the appropriate bell indicator. The
settings for Reset 45 are 1
Bell = On Demand
(Enabled when FYS is
activated), 2 Bells =
Always On, 3 Bells = Off.
When the desired setting
is reached, lock the
changes by interrupting
the throttle and cycling
the engine into forward.