MTHTrains BIG BOY Operating Instructions Manual

MTH BIG BOY

ARTICULATED STEAM ENGINE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing the MTH die-cast Big Boy steam locomotive. The engine’s die-cast body and tender are built to ¼ inch scale proportions

from the original Union Pacific prototype and is designed for operation on any O-72 or larger O Gauge layout. The engine is compatible with most

standard AC transformers, (see page 34 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 the ProtoSound® 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 pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you understand the basics of the operating system.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

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 Bell Operation 6 ProtoCoupler™ Operation 7 Enhanced Neutral Steam Sounds 8 Squeaking Brake Sounds 8 Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds 9 Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 10 Activating and Triggering Freight Yard Sounds 10 Tips On Using FYS Features 15 Self-Recharging Battery Backup System 16

Replacing The ProtoSound® Battery 16 ProtoSound® Volume Adjustment 17

USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS™ 18

Entering RESET Options 18 Setting The Engine Volume 19 Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller 20

Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 20 Programming For Whistle In Neutral Operation 21 Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 22 Programming For FYS Operation 23 Activating Remote Lockout Control 23 ResettingAll ProtoSound® Options To Factory Default 24

REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION 25

Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse 25 Unlocking The Engine 25 Locking The Engine Into Neutral 25

OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 27 TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 28

LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 29 TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS 30

ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart 33 Transformer Wiring Chart 34

SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 35 HOW TO GET SERVICE 35

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 35

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION

The MTH Big Boy contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the Big Boy is easy to operate with any compatible

standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 34). All models are equipped with an operating smoke system that should 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 leading truck to the OFF position. (See Figure 1) 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 Big Boy model is controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU® electronic reverse unit. 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 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 ProtoSound 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® DCRU® 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.

Use first hole for O-72 operation.

Use 2nd hole for display and 96 inch or larger diameter curves.

Plug Tender Plug into

Boiler Socket at back of cab.

Figure 1: Plugging in the tender harness

RESET

Neutral

Reverse

Neutral

Forward

Figure 2: ProtoSound® DCRU® Cycle Phases

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION

The Big Boy 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

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

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 Big Boy engine, CD-equivalent 16-bit digital sounds,

you get the following features:

∗

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-Recharging 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.

PROTOSOUND® DCRU® REVERSE UNIT

As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU® 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 fact, the power of this microprocessor is the same as that of a 286 desktop computer! 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

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

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 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 Big Boy 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 Big Boy 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

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

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 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 Big Boy 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. H H

Put Engine In Neutral At Full Power

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Listen For The

Ca-Clunk Sound

See The Coupler Open

And Listen For The

Cha-Chusshh Sound

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

When the knuckle fires open you will hear the buzzing of the coil energizing and the sound of the air lines coming 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 Sounds” section

Lubricate

Coupler Knuckle

Figure 5: Lubricating The ProtoCouplers

Throttle Down From High Voltage To Low

Listen For The

Squeaking Brake Sounds

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

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

Because the squeaking brake feature always plays for approximately 3 seconds, it is possible that the brake sounds will play longer or shorter than what visually seems prototypical. You will find that by practicing with the brake feature, you can quickly determine how quickly to throttle down and what speeds and voltage settings give you the most prototypical braking effect.

Typical users will find the 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. As mentioned above, you will find that initially your engine may continue to play the brake sounds once your engine comes to a stop or that the sounds stop prematurely 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 annoying 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. Remember that once you stop the engine, you should turn the throttle to the off position if you

don’t want to activate the Freight Yard Sounds feature described later in this manual.

The ProtoSound squeaking brake feature also has the ability to simulate the squeal of wheel flanges when your train enters a curve at high speeds. The same brake squealing sound plays, but you don’t need to reduce the transformer throttle to activate the squealing sounds. To play the squeaking sounds as wheel flange sounds, set the transformer throttle setting at 14 volts or higher. As your engine enters a curve (or anywhere on the layout) quickly “flick" your transformer whistle button about half way. This “flicking" action causes the transformer to release a short DC signal that ProtoSounds reads as an indicator

to activate the brake sounds. The engine won’t slow down even though the sounds play. This simulates the wheel flange squeal of a train traveling through a turn too quickly.

Note: Consistent activation of the wheel flange squealing is determined by the condition of your transformer’s whistle button rectifier disc. Older rectifier

discs may need to be replaced in order to play squeaking sounds.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS (FYS)

ProtoSounds® comes equipped with operator controlled Freight Yard Sounds, hereby referred to as FYS. This easy to use feature plays digitally reproduced freight yard sounds whenever your engine stops on your layout

and is parked in the Neutral position. No additional wires or modifications are needed on your layout to enjoy these amazing sound effects. The sounds themselves are randomly generated and randomly “shuffled” on the ProtoSounds® software chip. This gives the system the ability to produce

different sounds in a different order each time FYS is enabled. These different sounds are heard each time you cycle the transformer throttle from

ON to OFF to ON in the same manner that you would cycle the throttle to enter the various states of Forward, Neutral and Reverse. The entire FYS sequence is designed to simulate the arrival, loading or unloading and

departure of a freight train in a freight yard. Each sequence is described in more detail in the following sections.

ARMING & ACTIVATING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS

Your ProtoSound® equipped engine features an operator controlled freight yard sound set. Once activated, this easy-to-use feature plays the sound of

freight yard activities whenever the operator places the engine in the Neutral position.

ARMING THE FREIGHT YARD FEATURE

Before freight yard sounds can be heard, ProtoSounds® must activate the feature so that the next time the engine enters the Neutral position, the

sounds can play. The Feature can be activated one of two ways.

Option 1: If you are using a separate bell button controller to ring your bell (like the Lionel® Railsounds® number 5906 bell activation button or a transformer equipped with a bell button, like the MTH Z-4000), you can activate the Feature by holding down the bell button for three or more seconds (it doesn’t matter if you are in Forward, Neutral or Reverse). You will hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen carefully, you should

Put Engine In Neutral, Forward or Reverse

Press & Hold

The Railsounds® Bell Button

For 3 Seconds

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Listen For The

Whistle Blast Sound

After 3 Seconds

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

hear a whistle blast sound effect after three seconds have passed at which time you can release the bell button. (Note: because the whistle blast

sound may be difficult to hear, we recommend that you count out a full three seconds before releasing the bell button). The bell will continue to

chime so if you want to turn off the bell chiming, simply press and release the bell button a second time. If you were in Neutral when you triggered the Feature, interrupt the throttle to enter either Forward or Reverse to allow the engine to begin running. (Note: the Feature will only be activated for

the first direction state you enter after leaving the Neutral position. You cannot interrupt the throttle to enter another direction state and still have

the Feature remain active.) Once your engine begins running, you can

trigger the sounds to begin playing whenever you enter Neutral. Option 2: If you do not have a separate bell button on your layout (or

transformer), you can still activate the Feature with your transformer whistle button. To activate the Feature utilizing this method, turn on the transformer throttle and get your engine into the Neutral position (not RESET). Once in Neutral, set the transformer throttle at 8 volts or less and press and hold the whistle button for at least three seconds. You will hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen carefully, you should hear a whistle blast sound effect after three seconds have passed at which time you can release the whistle button. (Note : because the whistle blast sound may

be difficult to hear, we recommend that you count out a full three seconds before releasing the whistle button). The bell will continue to chime so if

you want to turn off the bell chiming, simply press and release the whistle button a second time.

Next, interrupt the throttle to enter either Forward or

Reverse to allow the engine to begin running. (Note:

the Feature will only be activated for the first

direction state you enter after leaving the Neutral position. You cannot interrupt the throttle to enter another direction state and still have the Feature remain active.) Once

your engine begins running, you can trigger the sounds to begin playing whenever you enter Neutral.

Put Engine In Neutral At Low Power

Press & Hold

The Whistle Button

For 3 Seconds

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Listen For The

Air Release Sound

After 3 Seconds

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

ACTIVATING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS

Once the Feature is activated, FYS will be played the next time the engine enters the Neutral position. In order for FYS to begin, power must remain

on once the engine enters the Neutral position. At this point, ProtoSounds® has taken over control of your engine and disabled the bell and whistle

buttons from any further operator actions. In addition, ProtoSounds® has reconfigured the way the reverse unit functions by disabling the reverse state during operation of the FYS feature. This forces the engine to leave your freight yard in the same direction it arrived in. The following operator controlled “events” control FYS’s actions and sounds.

Event 1 (Forward) While the locomotive is running in forward (or reverse) FYS is activated by the operator pushing and holding the bell

button down for three or more seconds. The locomotive bell begins chiming and can be left on or turned off without disabling FYS.

Event 2 (Neural Before Reverse) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle to stop the engine and put it into Neutral. If the throttle setting was at 14 volts or higher , ProtoSounds® will play the sound of

squeaking brake sounds as the engine comes to a halt.

A. Upon stopping of the engine, the operator must immediately turn the throttle back on to keep the engine in the Neutral position. If the

bell was not turned off after activating FYS, it now turns off automatically.

Note: Failure to turn the throttle back on within 3 seconds of

leaving the Forward phase will disable FYS and shutdown ProtoSounds®. The next time you turn power back on your engine will be in the RESET position. See page 6 for more information on RESET.

Put Engine In Neutral

At Low Power

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

B. After entering Neutral, ProtoSounds® will immediately play a whistle blast sound followed approximately 2 seconds later by a man whistling and a freight car door sliding open. Immediately following the man’s whistle, the sound of freight car doors can be heard opening, followed by the sounds of freight loading and unloading. At this point various freight yard sounds can be

heard including the loading/unloading operation, engine sounds, yardman

“slang”, and additional freight car door sounds.

Event 3: (Reverse) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle again to enter the next reverse unit phase; reverse. In an effort to enhance realism, FYS has disabled the reverse phase so that it doesn’t power the motors causing the engine to move backward. Upon entering reverse, FYS confirms to the operator that it has entered the reverse phase by immediately playing a highlight sound best described as a rumbling sound. You may have to go through the entire FYS sequence several times before you can clearly identify this sound. After the rumbling highlight is played, the freight yard sounds heard

in Event 2 continue to play randomly.

Event 4: (Neutral Before Forward) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle again to enter the next

reverse unit phase, neutral before forward. FYS confirms to the operator that it has entered the neutral before forward phase by emitting two quick whistle blast sounds. This is followed approximately two seconds later by a man whistling and continued freight yard loading and unloading sounds.

Listen For Air Release Sound

And Yard Man Whistling

Listen For Rumbling Box Car Door Sound

Interrupt Throttle To Enter The Next Phase

Listen For 2

Air Release Sounds

Interrupt Throttle To Enter The Next Phase

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

Event 5: (Forward) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle again to enter the next reverse unit phase; Forward. FYS confirms to the operator that it has entered the Forward phase by playing the sound of the freight car door closing. Within 2 seconds of the door closing, the locomotive will sound two short whistle blasts, followed by the bell beginning to chime. After approximately 8 chimes of the bell, the engine begins moving

in the forward phase with the bell continuing to ring another 8 chimes before automatically turning off. Once the bell turns off, the operator regains control of the transformer

whistle and bell buttons and can ring the bell or blow the whistle as usual.

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.

Listen For The Sound

Of Box Door Closing

Interrupt Throttle To Enter The Next Phase

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

TIPS ON USING FYS FEATURES

FYS is a unique feature of ProtoSounds™ 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 whistles in Event 2 (neutral before reverse).

Tip #2: You can terminate FYS at anytime by turning the transformer throttle Off for 15 seconds.

Tip #3: You do not have to be in the Forward phase to utilize FYS. For example, if you activate the FYS feature while in Reverse and interrupt the

throttle to enter Neutral, you will be entering Neutral Before Forward rather than Neutral Before Reverse as defined in Event 2 above. Consequently, the Forward phase will be rendered inactive by ProtoSounds™ instead of the Reverse phase as explained in Event 3. This will allow your train to leave the

yard in the same reverse direction that it arrived in. Tip #4: You can utilize FYS even if you are double-heading with another

engine regardless of whether the second engine is equipped with an FYS programmed ProtoSound™ module. If the second engine isn’t equipped with

FYS, the only thing to remember is that you not turn up the transformer throttle very high when entering the Reverse phase found in Event 3. If the throttle is

set too high, then the second locomotive will begin vibrating on the track as its motors will be turning in the reverse state since they cannot be disabled automatically like FYS equipped engines. If your second engine is equipped

with FYS, you may want to disable it when used in double-headed operations. To disable FYS, see the section on programming for squeaking brakes and FYS operation on page 15 of this manual.

Tip #5: It is not necessary for the squeaking brake sounds to be heard to play the FYS sounds. For example, the brake sounds won’t be heard if the high

voltage setting is below 13 volts when the power is interrupted to enter the Neutral state.

Tip #6: You can leave any of the event states at any time after entering the state by simply interrupting the transformer throttle. Any sound effects

programmed to play in that event will simply not occur. The only exception is Event 2 and Event 5. In Event 2, interrupting the throttle has no effect on FYS until after the man whistles and the freight car doors have opened. In Event 5, you cannot interrupt FYS until after the engine begins to move. Interrupting the throttle before the engine begins to move has no affect on the locomotive’s operation.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

SELF-RECHARGING BATTERY BACKUP

ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design includes a self-recharging battery backup system for improved performance at any speed. The battery ensures that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes,

setting RESET options or when traveling over dirty track and switches. The self-recharging battery backup system is automatically turned on or off whenever track power is turned on or are off. There no switches needed to enjoy the benefits of the automatic battery backup system.

ProtoSounds® 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 this

has occurred. Should this happen, unplug the battery from the ProtoSound module (to prevent the battery from being run down) and contact MTH for

instructions on returning the tender for repair.

REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND® BATTERY

The ProtoSound® 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 6-cell NiCad is NOT recommended for use with ProtoSound® applications. The battery is continually charged from the track when power is applied and 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.

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 going bad. 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. (Make sure the smoke unit switch is in the

OFF position to prevent harm to the smoke unit wicking).

If you need to replace the battery, replacement ProtoSound® batteries are available from MTH ProtoSound Electronics at 7020 Columbia Gateway

Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. A standard 9v alkaline battery can be

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

substituted as a temporary fix, but since alkaline batteries can’t take a charge, it will eventually wear down. Regardless, it should give you a week to a couple of months use while you wait for your replacement ProtoSound® battery to arrive.

PROTOSOUND® VOLUME ADJUSTMENT

Your ProtoSound® 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

sounds remotely from the transformer. Turning the volume adjustment knob clockwise will increase the volume and counterclockwise will lower

the volume of all sounds; bell, whistle, steam chugging sounds, enhanced neutral sounds, etc. For information on operating the RESET volume adjustment option, see the section entitled “Programming ProtoSound RESET Options” on the following pages.

ProtoSound

Volume Adjustment Knob

Figure 6: Adjusting The ProtoSound® Volume

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS®

As mentioned earlier, there are several programmable options in each ProtoSound-equipped engine that can be remotely set from any compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 34. This hands-off approach

gives you unprecedented control of your railroad empire’s motive power never before seen in model railroading. Each programmable feature can be accessed whenever your engine is in the RESET state as described earlier

on page 5. By following the instructions below you will find the programming easy and straight forward.

ENTERING RESET OPTIONS

ProtoSound® is equipped with a few programmable features that are accessed in the RESET state by moving the transformer throttle up and

down between full voltage and low voltage (6 to 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. In addition, there are special sounds to tell you what RESET position you are in.

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

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

2 Times

Advance The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

4 More Times

Listen For The

2 Clink Sounds

Listen For 1 Clank

And 1 Clink Sounds

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

times the throttle is advanced by playing back the number of “Clinks" and “Clanks" to confirm the feature you’ve selected.

SETTING THE ENGINE VOLUME

Of all the sounds that come with each ProtoSound® equipped locomotive, the one most often turned down is that of the engine volume because it is the one sound normally heard whenever the engine is running and is what usually can become tiresome to the ear over prolonged running sessions. The volume adjustment is controlled through RESET Feature 6.

To access the feature, advance the transformer throttle to put the engine in RESET. Move the throttle up and down, as described on page 5, 6 times. After you hear the “clank" and “clink" indicating that you are in Feature 6, press the whistle button to select the engine volume level you desire.

Pushing the whistle button once will give you full volume, which is the factory setting. Pushing the whistle button a second time will give you 50%

volume, pushing it a third time will give you 25% volume and pushing it a fourth time will give you no sound. The microprocessor will immediately play the sound level each time the whistle button is pushed so that you can

decide if it is acceptable. You can recycle through the four choices by simply continuing to

press the whistle button.

Once you have decided on the appropriate volume level, turn the transformer throttle off and on again or press the transformer direction switch to lock in your selection. The volume adjustment will remain set at the level you have chosen until you change it

again. Regardless of the engine volume setting, the horn, bell, compressor and neutral sounds will function normally. In fact because only the engine

volume is affected by selections in Feature 6, when you select 0 volume, you can still hear the horn, bell and neutral sounds when the engine is

running or in neutral.

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

6 Times

Listen For 1 Clank

And 1 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Reach The

Setting You Desire

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Volume Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

PROGRAMMING FOR A SEPARATE BELL BUTTON CONTROLLER

To operate ProtoSounds® with a separate bell button controller,

like the Lionel® No. 5906 bell button, you will need to wire up the controller to your transformer and track as shown

in Fig. 7. Once the button is wired, ProtoSounds® comes

preprogrammed to allow you to operate the bell by simply pushing the bell button once. To turn the bell off, push the

button again. If the bell doesn’t function when you press the button, you may need to re-program ProtoSounds® to operate with a separate bell

button controller. To do this enter RESET and go to Feature 20. (See the section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds®on page 18.) Once in

Feature 20, press the whistle button and wait for the module to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pushing the whistle

button until the module plays back two dings

(signifying that the module has been programmed for a bell button). Simply turn the

throttle off and then on again to “Lock-In" the new setting. To reset the computer to its original factory (default) setting (separate bell button operation), repeat the above procedure but keep pushing the whistle button

until the computer only responds with one bell ding.

PROGRAMMING FOR SQUEAKING BRAKE OPERATION

ProtoSounds® can be programmed for squeaking brake operation in three different manners; (1)Squeaking brakes can be activated by bell button

control, (2)they can be programmed for continuous operation subject to throttle changes or (3)they can be programmed to be turned off. The default

setting is (2) Squeaking brakes are in continuous operation as described on page 8. To change the default setting, enter RESET and go to Feature 45.

Common

RED Wire

BLACK Wire

UAUBUCU

Figure 7: Wiring Up A Bell Button

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

20 Times

Listen For 5 Clank

And 0 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear 2 Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Bell Button Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

(See the section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds on page 18). Once in Feature 45, press the whistle button and wait for the module to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until the module plays back three dings for option 3 - Squeaking brakes OFF.. Press the whistle button again until the module plays back one ding for option 1 Squeaking brakes activated by bell button. Once you have decided on the desired setting, simply turn the throttle off and

then on again to “Lock-In” the new

setting. To reset the computer to its original

factory default setting (option 2 - squeaking

brakes on all the time, repeat the above procedure but keep pushing the whistle button until the module only responds with two bell dings.

PROGRAMMING FOR WHISTLE IN NEUTRAL OPERATION

If you are operating your engine with a separate bell button and want to blow your whistle when your engine is in neutral, you will need to program

ProtoSounds® to do so as the factory setting only allows the whistle to blow in forward or reverse. To do this, enter RESET and go to Feature 25. (See the section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 18.) Once in Feature 25, press the transformer whistle button and wait for

ProtoSounds® to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until ProtoSounds® sounds two bell dings (signifying that ProtoSounds®

has been programmed to sound the whistle in neutral). Turn the throttle off and then on again to “Lock-In" your

selection. Now, whenever you are in neutral, you can

blow the whistle with the transformer whistle button.

To reset ProtoSounds® to its original factory setting of no

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

25 Times

Listen For 5 Clank

And 0 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear

2 Bell Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Whistle Setting

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

45 Times

Listen For 9 Clank

And 0 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear The

Appropriate # Of Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Brake Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

horn in neutral, repeat the above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 25 until ProtoSounds® only dings once instead of twice.

Note: When “Whistle In Neutral" is set, the bell will only operate with a separate bell button and the whistle will not sound in neutral if the transformer throttle setting is over 11 volts. At 11 volts or higher, ProtoSounds® may arm the coil coupler for operation whenever the whistle button is pressed and the engine is in neutral.

PROGRAMMING FOR PROTOCOUPLER OPERATION

ProtoSounds® comes with a RESET feature that allows the operator to remotely turn off the ProtoCoupler™ functions. This is especially useful when double or triple-heading ProtoSound® equipped engines since every engine equipped with a ProtoCoupler™ will fire when prompted to by the operator. By turning off the ProtoCoupler™ operation on

certain engines, you can fire the couplers open on the

other engines without uncoupling the engines from each other. To turn the

ProtoCoupler™ function off, enter RESET and go to

Feature 10. (See the section on Using RESET To

Program ProtoSounds® on page 18.) Once in Feature 10, press the transformer whistle button and wait for ProtoSound® to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until ProtoSounds® sounds two bell dings (signifying that the ProtoCoupler™ option has been turned off). Simply turn the transformer throttle off and then on again to lock in the new setting.

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

10 Times

Listen For 2 Clank

And 0 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear

2 Bell Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Coupler Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

PROGRAMMING FOR SQUEAKING BRAKES AND FYS OPERATION

ProtoSounds® is equipped with a RESET setting to turn off the Freight Yard Proto-Effects (FYS) features. This is especially useful if you are

double-heading engines that are both equipped with FYS. You may not want to stop at a freight yard and have both engines playing their FYS sound effects. To turn off FYS, enter RESET and go

to Feature 28. (See the section on Using RESET

To Program ProtoSounds®

on page 18). Once in Feature 28, press the

transformer whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds®

to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until ProtoSounds® sounds two bell

dings (signifying that the FYS features have been turned off). Simply turn the transformer throttle OFF and then ON again to lock in the new setting. To reset ProtoSounds® to its original factory setting of FYS on, repeat the

above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 28 until ProtoSounds® only dings once instead of twice.

ACTIVATING REMOTE LOCK-OUT CONTROL

ProtoSound® equipped engines feature a RESET setting that allows the operator to remotely “lock” the engine into forward, neutral or reverse. This is especially useful on layouts that feature “blocked” track sections. The lockout feature comes from the factory in the OFF position, meaning it is not active when you first take the engine out of the box. This is done to prevent novice operators from accidentally locking their engine into forward, neutral or reverse and then mistakenly thinking that the engine’s electronics have failed. To activate the Remote Lockout Control

setting, go to RESET feature 40 (See the section

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

28 Times

Listen For 5 Clank

And 3 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear

2 Bell Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The FYS Setting

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

40 Times

Listen For 8 Clank

And 0 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear

2 Bell Dings

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The Lock-Out Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

entitled Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 18). Once in Feature 40, press the transformer whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds® to sound a bell ding. Continue pressing the whistle button until ProtoSounds® sounds two bell dings signifying that the Remote Lockout Control has been selected. To lock in the setting, simply turn the throttle all the way off and then back on again. To turn the Remote Lockout Control setting back off, go back to Feature 40 and press the whistle button until only one bell ding sounds. To lock in the setting, simply turn the

transformer throttle off and then back on again. Alternatively, you can go to RESET Feature 18 to reset all ProtoSound® features back to their

original factory defaults including Remote Lockout Control.

RESETTING ALL PROTOSOUND OPTIONS TO FACTORY DEFAULTS

ProtoSounds® is equipped with a RESET feature (Feature 18) that resets all programmable options back to their original factory settings. This is a

useful feature if you find your engine not operating the way you think it should and don’t want to take the

time to check each RESET feature one at a time. To reset all the RESET features back to their

original factory settings, enter RESET and go to Feature 18.

(See the section entitled Using

RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 18).

Once in Feature 18, press the transformer whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds® to sound a garbled

bell sound, then interrupt the throttle to lock-in the setting.

In RESET Mode

Move The Throttle

Up & Down From

High Voltage To Low

18 Times

Listen For 3 Clank

And 3 Clink Sounds

Push The Whistle Button

Until You Hear

A Warbled Bell Ding

Interrupt The Throttle

To “Lock-In”

The RESET Setting

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION

ProtoSounds® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on the locomotive by allowing the customer to lock the engine into any directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) from the transformer. This

will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped with block signals or stop stations which would normally cycle the engine back into neutral. The feature must be first turned on by accessing RESET Feature 40 (See page

23).

LOCKING THE ENGINE INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE

To lock the engine into Forward or Reverse, use the transformer throttle to enter Forward or Reverse (whichever state you want to lock the engine into)

and while the engine is moving press the whistle button. WHILE THE HORN IS BLOWING TURN THE THROTTLE OFF AND THEN LET

GO OF THE WHISTLE BUTTON. After about one second, you will hear a short horn blast. QUICKLY TURN THE THROTTLE BACK ON

AGAIN. Your engine is now locked into Forward or Reverse and it will remain so until you unlock the engine, even if you wait a year to run your

engine again.

UNLOCKING THE ENGINE

Unlocking the engine is a similar procedure. WHILE THE ENGINE IS MOVING, PRESS THE WHISTLE BUTTON. WHILE THE HORN IS

BLOWING, TURN THE THROTTLE OFF AND THEN LET GO OF THE WHISTLE BUTTON. After three seconds without power you will hear one chime of the RESET bell. TURN ON THE POWER AGAIN. Your engine is now in RESET and will operate normally once you interrupt power and enter the forward direction.

LOCKING THE ENGINE INTO NEUTRAL

To lock the engine into the NEUTRAL position, PUT THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE THROTTLE STILL ON, PRESS THE

WHISTLE BUTTON. WHILE THE WHISTLE BUTTON IS BEING PRESSED, TURN OFF THE THROTTLE AND LET GO OF THE

WHISTLE BUTTON. After about one second, you will hear a short blast

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

of the horn. QUICKLY TURN THE POWER BACK ON AGAIN. Your engine is now locked into NEUTRAL.

NOTE: When locking the engine in the Forward or Reverse positions, the whistle button will blow the whistle. But when locking the engine into the NEUTRAL position, the whistle button may turn on or off sounds of the bell, coupler arming or coupler firing depending on the transformer throttle voltage settings prior to the user’s attempt to lock out the engine. Remember, the whistle doesn’t blow in NEUTRAL (unless you programmed it to do so using Feature 25. See page 21 for details), only the bell rings or the coupler operates in NEUTRAL. While it doesn’t make any difference on how the lockout function operates, you may hear one

of the three different NEUTRAL-activated sounds.

To unlock the engine from the NEUTRAL position, follow the process to unlock the engine in the Forward or Reverse directions above.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS

In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that the chassis be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all side rods and linkage components and pickup rollers to prevent them from

squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L" in Fig. 9 below.

The locomotive’s internal gearing has been greased at the factory and shouldn’t need additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one

year whichever comes first. Grease can be added by inserting grease into the gear box inside the locomotive chassis. In order to access the gear box,

the boiler must be removed from the chassis by unscrewing the four chassis screws as seen in Figure 10 on page 28. Once the boiler is removed, the

two gear boxes can be opened up by unscrewing the four screws on the gearbox cover plate. One gearbox is located behind the motor and the

second is positioned at the end of universal drive train. Grease can then be applied into the gearbox using a grease tube dispenser.

Figure 8: Lubricating The Locomotive Chassis

Figure 9: Lubricate The Tender Chassis Trucks

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

In addition to the internal gearing, it is a good idea to lubricate the leading and trailing locomotive truck “tongues” to enhance their ability to slide on the chassis. Follow the grease points as seen in Figure 8 on page 27.

Periodically, check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt buildup as this can significantly affect the engine’s ability to perform properly. Dirty track and dirty wheels can cause both poor electrical contact as well as poor traction, especially on elevated track sections. Finally, dirt and oil build up

can prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires.

TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires on the rear set of flanged drivers. While these tires are extremely durable and

long-lasting there may arise a time where they will need to be replaced. Should this occur, you will need to remove the side rods from the wheels in order to slip the new tire over the grooved drive wheel.

Before the new tire can be installed, you must make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive wheel. Use a razor

blade or small flatblade screwdriver pry away any remains left from the old tire that may still be in the drive wheel groove. Once the old tire has been completely removed, slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it useful to use two small flatblade screwdrivers to assist you in stretching the

tire over the wheel. Be careful to avoid twisting the tire when stretching it

Figure 10: Removing The Boiler From The Chassis

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

over the wheel. If a twist occurs, the tire will have to be removed and reinstalled or a noticeable wobble in your engine will occur when operating the locomotive. In addition, it is important to make sure that the tire is fully seated inside the groove. Any portion of the tire extending out of the groove can cause the engine to wobble. A razor blade can be used to trim away any excess tire that doesn’t seat itself inside the groove properly.

Replacement tires are available directly from MTH Electric Trains.

HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT

The locomotive’s headlight is controlled by an electronic constant voltage circuit board in the engine. The headlight, loacated under the pilot deck, can

be easily removed should it need to be replaced. The bulb has a quick/disconnect plug that attaches the bulb harness to a light circuit. Removing the pilot deck is accomplished by removing the two mounting screws, located underneath the pilot near the pilot truck “tongue.” Once the screws are removed, the pilot deck can be lifted from the chassis, and the bulb and harness can be disconnected and replaced. Replacement bulbs are available directly from MTH Electric Trains.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS

Although ProtoSound™ has been designed and engineered for ease of use, some questions may arise during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If you find that your problem can’t be resolved with this manual, contact MTH ProtoSound Electronics (7020

Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, 410-381-2580) for additional assistance.

WHISTLE PROBLEMS REMEDY

The WHISTLE seems distorted at low voltages.

Your battery may be undercharged or dead. Try recharging the battery as explained in the battery sections.

When I press the whistle button, the bell comes on instead.

You are trying to operate the whistle in neutral. The whistle will only operate in Forward or Reverse unless you program ProtoSounds through Feature 25. See the instructions in the section entitled “Using RESET to Program ProtoSounds”.

I can’t get the whistle to blow when I press the whistle button.

You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. Most older AC transformers contain a two--step whistle button that releases a DC signal onto the track. It is this DC signal that tells the whistle to blow. However, because the signal is weaker when the whistle button is depressed fully, the ProtoSound circuit may not recognize the signal. Try pressing the whistle button slower, taking approximately 1 second to fully depress the button.

BELL PROBLEMS REMEDY

When I press the whistle button to activate the bell, the whistle sounds.

You are trying to ring the bell in Forward or Reverse. The bell only operates in Neutral unless you have programmed ProtoSounds to recognize a separate bell button.

When I press the whistle button to activate the bell, I arm the coupler.

Reduce the voltage on the transformer before pressing the whistle button to activate the bell. The bell will only come on at 8 volts or less.

When I press the whistle button to activate the bell, the bell only rings once.

You are trying to ring the bell in RESET instead of neutral. Interrupt the power twice to enter Neutral, set the voltage at 8 volts or less and press the whistle button to activate the bell.

I can’t get the bell to ring when I press the whistle button.

You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. See the 3rd remedy in the whistle section above.

The bell won’t work with a separate bell button.

ProtoSounds must be programmed in order for a separate bell button to function. Enter RESET function number 20 (see the section entitled “Using RESET to Program ProtoSounds”) and press the whistle button until the bell sounds two dings. Simply turn the throttle off and then on again to lock in the new setting.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

COUPLER PROBLEMS REMEDY

The ProtoCoupler won’t let the engine uncouple on the “Fly”.

The power required to fire the coupler open when the engine is on the “Fly” may be greater than the ProtoSound system is capable of providing. As a result, you may experience times when the coupler won’t fire open. Unfortunately, the only solution is to stop the engine and fire the coupler in Neutral. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, try lubricating the coupler knuckle and rivet as explained in the ProtoCoupler Operation section.

I can’t get the coupler to arm or fire open when I press the whistle button.

You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. See the third remedy in the whistle section above. Another possibility is that ProtoSounds has been programmed to turn the coupler function off. See the section entitled “Using RESET to Program ProtoSounds”

Only one coupler will function when I press the whistle button.

Only one coupler can operate at any one time. Use the coupler selection switch on the bottom of the chassis to choose which coupler you want active.

LOCKOUT PROBLEMS REMEDY

I can’t get the engine to run after I power up the transformer. It sits still with the steam compressor sounds running.

The engine is locked out into the Neutral position. Follow the unlocking procedures in the Lockout Section.

The engine won’t lock out into Forward, Neutral or Reverse even after the short whistle blast sounds.

You are waiting too long to turn the throttle back on after the short whistle blast sounds. The power must be turned back on immediately after the short whistle blast sounds or the engine will go back into RESET. See the lockout procedure in the Lockout Section.

VOLUME PROBLEMS REMEDY

When I try to run the engine, the steam volume is OFF or very low.

The steam volume has been programmed at a reduced volume or to be silent. Go to RESET Feature 6 and adjust the volume. See the section entitled “Using RESET to Program ProtoSounds” for more information.

When I try to set the steam volume, it resets itself to the original volume after I selected the new volume.

You are trying to set the volume with a poorly charged or dead backup battery. See the section on Battery Backup for more information.

When I try to set the Steam Volume to O Volume, I still hear the cab chatter sounds.

When the steam volume is set to O, you will hear the Cab Chatter sounds because setting the steam volume only controls the sound of the steam engine itself. All other sounds, including Cab Chatter, the whistle and bell will continue to play at the volume level set by the manual volume control knob located on the bottom of the chassis. See the section entitled “ProtoSound Volume Adjustment” for more information.

The sounds seem distorted, especially when the whistle or bell is activated.

The overall ProtoSound volume has been set to high creating the distorted sounds. Try turning the volume control knob located on the bottom of the chassis counter clockwise to reduce the overall volume level.

BATTERY PROBLEMS REMEDY

I get no sounds when the engine shifts between the direction states.

The battery may be dead or needs charging. See the Battery Backup section for more information.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

After I turn off my transformer, my engine continues to make sounds before quitting with a ding of its bell.

ProtoSounds continues to sound for approximately 10 seconds after power to the track has been shut off.

The sounds distort at low voltages.

The battery is insufficiently charged or dead. Follow the recharging instructions found in the section entitled “Self Recharging Battery Backup System”.

A repeating whistle blast occurs after the power has been shut down.

The battery is insufficiently charged or dead. Follow the recharging instructions found in the section entitled “Self Recharging Battery Backup System”.

RESET PROBLEMS 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.

This is normal behavior. When power to the track is first turned on, ProtoSounds enters a “RESET” phase at which time the engine undergoes a system check. Power must be interrupted to get the engine into the Forward Phase. See the section entitled “DCRU Reverse Unit Operation” for more information.

Whenever I interrupt the power from RESET to enter Forward, the engine goes back into RESET instead of Forward. I know this occurs because the bell dings twice.

Whenever ProtoSounds enters RESET after power has been off for more than 15 seconds, the microprocessor initiates a system check to determine that everything is in working order. This system check requires 2.2 seconds to complete during which time the engine will play the steam startup sounds. We recommend that you don’t interrupt the power in RESET until the steam startup sounds have completed. This will guarantee that the system check will have been completed since the startup sounds take longer than 2.2 seconds to play. If the problem persists, we recommend that you operate the throttle with a slower movement as you interrupt the power in RESET and enter the Forward Phase

BRAKE SOUND PROBLEMS REMEDY

When the transformer is throttled down, the sounds won’t play.

The brake features has not been activated. See the section on activating the brake feature for more information.The throttle voltage setting on the transformer is either not starting high enough or ending low enough to trigger the brakes sounds. Try increasing the throttle setting to 14 volts or higher before throttling down to 8 volts or less.

The brake sounds continue to play even after the engine stops.

The brake feature sound record lasts for three seconds. With practice you can control how quickly you should stop the engine to keep it in sequence with the sound of the brake’s squeaking.

The brake feature was activated in neutral after the engine was running in forward, but the brake sounds would not play when triggered after the engine went back into forward or reverse.

The brake feature will only remain enabled if it is triggered in the first direction state you enter after activating the feature in neutral. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another direction state and still have the brake feature active. Therefore, in order to make the brake sound feature operate in forward, you must first activate the feature in the neutral position that occurs after the engine was in the reverse state.

After triggering the brake sound and stopping the engine in neutral, the engine begins making passenger station sound effects.

After you trigger the brake sounds, you cannot stop the engine in neutral and leave the track power on without activating the passenger station sounds. If you don’t want to hear the passenger station sounds after entering neutral, turn the power off for three seconds to disable the passenger station sound effects.

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

FYS PROBLEMS REMEDY

The FYS feature does not begin even after stopping the engine and hearing the brake sounds.

The power was not turned back on once the engine enter the neutral state thus disabling FYS.The transformer throttle was interrupted too quickly in neutral thus disabling FYS. Leave the throttle on in neutral until after the FYS arrival message plays.

The FYS sound effects occasionally repeat themselves.

ProtoSounds has a built--in random number generator that randomly selects each sound clip to play. Because there are only a total of 8 sound clips available in each FYS event, it is probable that a sound can occasionally be repeated one or more times.

Once in FYS, the engine never goes in reverse.

So that the freight yard sound effects and operation is as realistic as possible, ProtoSounds disables the reverse unit state whenever FYS is enabled. This way the engine never goes into reverse as the operator cycles through the various FYS events.

When the engine enters FYS event 5, the bell automatically comes on.

FYS has a built--in command to turn on the bell when the system enters Event 5. After approximately 15 rings of the bell, it automatically will turn off.

PROTOSOUND RESET FEATURE CHART

The following chart lists the available features found in your ProtoSound equipped engine. The default settings are listed for each feature as well as

the operation of the feature. You can reset all features to their original factory settings by accessing Feature 18 in RESET and then pressing and holding the transformer whistle button until you hear a soft, warbled bell

sound.

RESET # OPERATION DEFAULT CLANKS/CLINKS

6 Engine Volume Full Volume 1 Clank/1 Clink 10 Coupler ON/OFF Coupler ON 2 Clanks/0 Clinks 18 Reset Default Settings 3 Clanks/3 Clinks 20 Remote Bell Button Bell Button Active 4 Clanks/0 Clinks 23 RESERVED RESERVED 25 Whistle In Neutral Whistle In Neutral OFF 5 Clanks/0 Clinks 27 Chuff Rate Full Chuff Range 5 Clanks/2 Clinks 28 FYS Enabled FYS ON 5 Clanks/3 Clinks 40 Lockout Enabled Lockout OFF 8 Clanks/0 Clinks 45 Squeaking Brakes Brakes Always ON 9 Clanks/0 Clinks

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

TRANSFORMER COMPATIBILITY AND WIRING CHART

ProtoSounds® is designed to work with any standard AC transformer that uses a “Pure Sine-Wave" format. The chart below lists the many Lionel® compatible transformers, such as the Lionel KW or ZW models. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these compatible

transformers should be attached to your layout. The Trainmaster system from Lionel® will not function correctly with ProtoSounds® without disrupting the sound effects. Therefore, whenever ProtoSounds® senses that

the Trainmaster system is being used, it automatically disables ProtoSounds® sound effects. The operator retains control over the engine,

but no sound effects will play.

Transformer

Model

Center Rail Outside Rail

Min/Max.

Voltage

Power

Rating

Transformer

Type

Lionel 1032 U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1032M U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1033 U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard Lionel 1043 U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1043M U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1044 U A 5-16v* 90-Watt Standard Lionel 1053 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard Lionel 1063 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard

All-Trol Left Terminal Right Terminal 0-24v 300-Watt Electronic

Cab-1/Powerma

ster

A U 0-18v 135V.A. Electronic

Dallee Hostler Left Terminal Right Terminal

Lionel LW A U 8-18v 75-Watt Standard Lionel KW A or B U 6-20v 190-Watt Standard

MRC Tech II Left Terminal 2nd From Left 0-15v* 40V.A. Electronic

Lionel MW (not recommended)

Outside Track

Terminal

Inside Track

Terminal

5-16v* 50V.A. Electronic

R.O.W. Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-24v 384-Watt Standard

Lionel RS-1 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-18v 50V.A. Electronic

Lionel RW U A 9-19v 110-Watt Standard

Lionel SW U A Unknown 130-Watt Standard

Lionel TW U A 8-18v 175-Watt Standard

Lionel ZW A or D U 8-20v 275-Watt Standard MT#Z4000 Red Black 5-22v 390-Watt Electronic

MTH Big Boy Operating Manual

O-72 OPERATION

While the Big Boy engine is more than capable of operating on O-72 curves and switches, you may find that certain light freight cars are prone to derailing when being pulled or pushed by the Big Boy through O-72

switches. Should this occur, we suggest adding weight to the cars making them heavier and less likely to derail.

WARNING:

When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be followed including the following:

-- Read this and all related manuals (transformer/power supply, locomotive, etc.) thoroughly before using this device.

-- This device is not recommended for children under ten years of age without adult supervision.

-- MTH recommends parents examine the toy transformer used to power this device periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary or output cord, plug blades, housing or other parts (including proper functioning of the circuit breaker), and that, in an event such conditions exist, the transformer should not be used until properly repaired.

SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION

HOW TO GET SERVICE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

For warranty repair, do not return your product to the place of purchase. Instead, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service as our dealer network is not prepared to service the product under the terms of this warranty.

1. First, write, call or FAX MTH Electric Trains, 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, 410-381-2580 (FAX No. 410-423-0009), stating when it was purchased and what

seems to be the problem. You will be given a return authorization number to assure that your merchandise will be properly handled upon its receipt.

2. CAUTION: Make sure the product is packed in its original factory packaging including its foam and plastic wrapping material so as to prevent damage to the merchandise. The shipment

must be prepaid and we recommend that it be insured. A cover letter, including your name,

address, daytime phone number, Return Authorization number and a full description of the problem,a copy of your sales receipt, must be included to facilitate the repairs. Please include the description regardless of whether you discussed the problem with one of our service technicians when contacting MTH for your Return Authorization number.

3. Please make sure you have followed the instructions carefully before returning any merchandise for service.

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

This item is warranted for one year from the date of purchase against defects in material or workmanship. We will repair or replace (at our option) the defective part without charge for

parts or labor, if the item is returned to the address below within one year of the original date of purchase. This warranty does not cover items that have been abused or damaged by careless handling. Transportation costs incurred by the customer are not covered under this warranty.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

ProtoSounds® is a trademark of MTH Electric Trains. DCRU® is a registered copyright of QS Industries, Inc.

Lionel® is a registered trademark of Lionel L.L.C.. Railsounds® is a registered trademark of Lionel L.L.C.

MTHTrains BIG BOY Operating Instructions Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual