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BERKSHIRE STEAMER
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the RailKing die-cast Berkshire 2-8-4 steam
locomotive. The engine's die-cast body and tender are traditionally sized
for operation on any O-27 or larger layout. The engine is compatible with
any standard AC transformer, (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 either an electronic whistle
or 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. Please
note that some features are only found in the ProtoSound® equipped
engines and are marked as such. Features not marked as ProtoSound®
features are available in both versions.
R
AIL
B y M T H E lectr ic T r ains
RAILKING 2-8-4
K
ING
®
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Summary of Contents for Rail King Berkshire 2-8-4
- Page 1 RAILKING 2-8-4 BERKSHIRE STEAMER OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the RailKing die-cast Berkshire 2-8-4 steam locomotive. The engine’s die-cast body and tender are traditionally sized for operation on any O-27 or larger layout. The engine is compatible with any standard AC transformer, (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.
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart Transformer Wiring Chart SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION HOW TO GET SERVICE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation(All 3-Rail Models)
The RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the Berkshire 2-8-4 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 34). -
Page 4: Protosmoke™ Unit Operation
PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION The Berkshire 2-8-4 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 3 below. -
Page 5: Protosounds® Operating 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 Berkshire 2-8-4 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* Passenger Station Sounds* Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™* Self-Recharging Battery... -
Page 6: Whistle Operation
RESET. WHISTLE OPERATION Your Berkshire 2-8-4 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. -
Page 7: Protocoupler™ Operation
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION Your Berkshire 2-8-4 ProtoSound®-equipped locomotive tender is equipped with a coil-wound ProtoCoupler™ for remote uncoupling action. Because the ProtoCoupler™ is controlled through ProtoSound®’s microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section or... -
Page 8: Enhanced Neutral Steam Sounds
Throttle Down From other setting requires that a bell Squeaking Brake Sounds High Voltage To Low button be used to “arm” the brake feature and is explained in more detail in the “Activating Passenger Sounds” section found RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 9: Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds
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 travelling through a turn too quickly. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 10: Passenger Station Sounds (Pfa)
(it doesn’t matter if you are in forward, neutral or Listen For The Press & Hold Air Release Sound The Railsounds® Bell Button reverse). You will hear After 3 Seconds For 3 Seconds RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... - Page 11 You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another direction state and still have the feature active.) Once your engine begins running, you can trigger the sounds to begin by entering neutral. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
- Page 12 3 seconds of leaving the forward phase will disable PFA and shutdown ProtoSounds®. The next time you turn power back on your engine will be in the RESET position. See page 5 for more information. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
- Page 13 These sounds and the conductor highlight are randomly repeated as long as the system remains in the “reverse” state. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
- Page 14 PFA automatically activates the motors. Otherwise, the engine will just sit still until you increase the throttle setting on the transformer. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
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Page 15: Tips On Using Pfa Features
PA arrival message has played and the doors have opened. In Event 5, you cannot interrupt PFA until after the engine begins to move. Interrupting the throttle before the engine begins to move has no affect on the locomotive. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 16: Self-Recharging Battery Backup System
ON in the NEUTRAL position for 18 hours. (Make sure the smoke unit switch is in the OFF position to prevent harm to the smoke unit wicking). RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 17: Protosound® Volume Adjustment
For information on operating the RESET volume adjustment option, see the section entitled “Programming ProtoSound® RESET ProtoSound Manual Reverse Unit Volume Adjustment Knob Lockout Switch Figure 6: Adjusting The ProtoSound® Volume Options” on the following pages. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 18: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds
= 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 RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 19: Setting The Engine Volume
In fact because only the engine volume is affected by selections in Feature 6, when you select 0 volume, you can still hear the whistle, bell and neutral sounds when the engine is running or in neutral. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 20: Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller
(3)they can be programmed to be turned off. The default setting is (2) Squeaking brakes are in continious operation as described on page 8. To change the default setting, enter RESET and go to Feature 45. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 21: Programming For Whistle In Neutral Operation
Interrupt The Throttle Listen For 5 Clank To “Lock-In” transformer whistle button. And 0 Clink Sounds The Whistle Setting To reset ProtoSounds® to its original factory setting of no RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 22: Programming For Protocoupler™ Operation
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. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 23: Programming For Pfa Operation
Interrupt The Throttle failed. To activate the Listen For 8 Clank To “Lock-In” And 0 Clink Sounds The Lock-Out Setting Remote Lockout Control setting, go to RESET Feature 40 (See the section RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 24: Resettingall Protosound® Options To Factory Default
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 transformer throttle to enter the forward phase. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 25: Reverse Unit Lock-Out Operation
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 RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... - Page 26 Note: Once the unit is locked out and an hour or more of non-use has passed, the reverse unit may cycle into any of the three directional states. Should this occur, the ON/OFF switch should be reset to the ON position to regain normal operation. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
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Page 27: Oil & Lubrication Instructions
Figure 10 on page 28. Once the boiler is removed, the gear box can be opened up by unscrewing the two screws on the plate Figure 9: Lubricate The Tender Chassis Trucks RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 28: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions
Once the old tire has been completely removed, slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 29: Light Bulb Removal & Replacement
To remove the bulb, follow the boiler removal instructions found in the Lubrication section on the proceeding pages. Once the boiler has been separated from the chassis, gently unscrew the bulb from its socket. Replacement bulbs are available directly from MTH Electric Trains. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 30: Trouble Shooting Protosound® Problems
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 BELL PROBLEMS REMEDY RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... - Page 31 COUPLER PROBLEMS REMEDY LOCKOUT PROBLEMS REMEDY VOLUME PROBLEMS REMEDY RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
- Page 32 BATTERY PROBLEMS REMEDY RESET PROBLEMS REMEDY BRAKE SOUND PROBLEMS REMEDY RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual...
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Page 33: Protosound® Reset Feature Chart
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 RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... -
Page 34: Transformer Wiring Chart
Center Rail Outside Rail Model Voltage Rating Type ProtoSounds® needs over 14 volts of power to operate properly. Overloading or using in-line accessories with this transformer may lower the peak voltage below ProtoSounds® minimum requirements. RailKing Berkshire 2-8-4 Operating Manual... - Page 35 O-27 OPERATION While the Berkshire 2-8-4 engine is more than capable of operating on O- 27 curves and switches, you may find that certain light freight cars are prone to derailing when being pulled or pushed by the Berkshire 2-8-4 through O-27 switches.
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Page 36: Service And Warranty Information
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.
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