MTHTrains UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY Operating Instructions Manual
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MTHTrains UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY Operating Instructions Manual

Articulated steam engine for 2 & 3-rail models
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E L E C T R I C
T R A I N S
R
UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY
ARTICULATED STEAM ENGINE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
For 2 & 3-Rail Models
Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains Union Pacific Big Boy Die-Cast 4-8-8-4
steam engine. This 1/4" scale reproduction of the famous Union Pacific locomotive
measures over 35 inches in length and weighs over 19 pounds. Despite its scale size it still
operates on standard O-72 3-rail track with any compatible standard AC transformer, see
page 24, and is completely compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and
accessories. If you purchased the 2-rail version, the engine should negotiate 72 inch radius
track and is compatible with any DC power source.
The 3-rail locomotive and tender are equipped with 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 Operating Instructions found on Page 3 should be read so that you understand the
basics of the operating system. Those features marked for 2 and 3-rail are found in both
versions. Features not marked as such are only available in the 3-rail version.

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Summary of Contents for MTHTrains UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY

  • Page 1 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS For 2 & 3-Rail Models Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains Union Pacific Big Boy Die-Cast 4-8-8-4 steam engine. This 1/4" scale reproduction of the famous Union Pacific locomotive measures over 35 inches in length and weighs over 19 pounds. Despite its scale size it still...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION(2 and 3-Rail Models) SMOKE UNIT OPERATION PROTOSOUNDS™ OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DCRU™ REVERSE UNIT OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models) WHISTLE OPERATION BELL OPERATION ENHANCED NEUTRAL STEAM SOUNDS SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE FREIGHT YARD SOUND EFFECTS (FYS) ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS...

  • Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation(2 And 3-Rail Models)

    QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION The MTH Union Pacific 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 compatiblity chart on page 24) The 2-rail model will operate with any DC power supply.

  • Page 4: Smoke Unit Operation

    SMOKE UNIT OPERATION The Big Boy contains a self-powered smoke units that output a steady stream of smoke through the smoke stack. The ON/OFF switch located next to the locomotive trailing truck must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit to function. See Fig. 2. The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick which soaks up and then “cooks"...

  • Page 5: Protosounds™ Operating Instructions

    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 as seen in Fig.

  • Page 6: Dcru™ Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models)

    DCRU REVERSE UNIT OPERATION As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a 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.

  • Page 7: Whistle Operation

    WHISTLE OPERATION Your Big Boy engine is equipped with a digital recording of an articulated steam engine 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.

  • Page 8: Squeaking Brake Sounds

    SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS ProtoSounds is now equipped with operator controlled squeaking brake sounds. Once activated, this easy to use feature plays the sound of squeaking brakes whenever the transformer throttle is reduced from high voltage to low voltage simulating the application of the brakes as you enter curves or slow down for crossings and passenger stations.

  • Page 9: Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Feature

    Once the brake feature is activated and the engine is running, it is possible that the Note: brake sounds may not occur if the transformer throttle setting is not set high enough before throttling down. We recommend that after activating the brake feature, you run the engine at no less than 14 volts before throttling down to approximately 8 volts or less to ensure that the brake sounds occur.

  • Page 10: Activating And Triggering Freight Yard Sounds

    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. ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS Before FYS can be heard the feature must be activated first.
  • Page 11 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.

  • Page 12: Tips On Using The Fys Features

    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.

  • Page 13: Proto-Coupler Operation

    PROTO-COUPLER OPERATION Your Big Boy locomotive has a coil-wound ProtoCoupler™ mounted on the tender for remote controlled coupler operation. Because it is controlled through ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section or modification to your layout to function. The ProtoCoupler can be activated with any compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button.

  • Page 14: Replacing The Protosound Battery

    REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND BATTERY The battery, located in the engine’s tender (see the tender disassembly instructions on page 20), is a rechargeable NiCad type which is continually charged from the track when power is applied. NiCad batteries are a dry battery and should not leak or cause any damage to your locomotive and will last up to five years or longer.

  • Page 15: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds

    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 transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 24.

  • Page 16: Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller

    and pushing it a fourth time will give you no steam chuffing sounds. 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.

  • Page 17: Programming For Protocoupler Operation

    repeat the above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 25 until ProtoSounds only dings once instead of twice. Note: If you didn’t set the “Separate Bell Button Operation" in Feature 20 before setting the “Whistle In Neutral" option, then your bell will not function until you set the “Separate Bell Button"...

  • Page 18: Activating Remote Lock-Out Control

    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.

  • Page 19: Reverse Unit Lock-Out Operation

    REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION ProtoSound’s 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.

  • Page 20: Oil & Lubrication Instructions

    OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS (2 & 3-Rail Versions) In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that both the locomotive and tender be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all side- rods and linkage components to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and Figure 8: Lubricating The Locomotive Chassis follow the lubrication points marked “L"...

  • Page 21: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

    TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS Your Big Boy locomotive is equipped with four neoprene rubber traction tires. 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 main side rod on the 6-wheel drive train in order to slip the new tire over the wheel.

  • Page 22: Trouble Shooting Protosound™ Problems

    TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND™ PROBLEMS Although ProtoSounds 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 (9693-A Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046) for additional assistance.
  • Page 23 The battery may be dead or needs charging. See the Battery Backup section for I get no sounds when the engine shifts between the direction states. more information. After I turn off my transformer, my engine continues to make sounds before ProtoSounds continues to sound for approximately 10 seconds after power to the quitting with a ding of its bell.

  • Page 24: Transformer Compatibility And Wiring Chart

    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 details how the terminals on these compatible transformers should be attached to your layout. The Trainmaster System from Lionel® (marked with an * below) will not function correctly with ProtoSound without disrupting the sound effects.

  • Page 25: Protosound Reset Feature Chart

    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 pressing and holding the transformer whistle button until you hear a soft, warbled bell sound.

  • Page 26: Service And Warranty Information

    SERVICE AND 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.

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