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.

2
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

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
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.

10
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.