User Manual

ManualsBrandsRoundhouse ManualsHobbyHO RTR 4-4-0 w/DCC & Sound, D&RGW #400

MDC Steam Locomotive Instruction Guide

Your new MDC Steam Locomotive comes factory

equipped with a state-of-the-art Dual Function

decoder. This enables your locomotive to operate

with any NMRA compatible DCC system as well as

with any regular DC Train Control [HO power pack].

It will automatically sense the type of control you

are using, without you having to set it up for the

required operation.

Caution: Do not run your new MDC Steam Locomo-

tive with power packs intended for “G” scale, [Do not

exceed 18 VDC], as you may damage the locomotive

circuitry. Also, never operate you locomotive with a

transformer designed for use with AC powered model

trains, [such as O-27 trains or some European HO

models].

Some DCC systems also come equipped with a switch

for extra voltage for larger scales, [“O” or “G”], if you

use your locomotive on this setting damage will occur

to the on-board electronics due to the higher constant

track voltage, [22 volts].

DC Operation- Analog Mode

The wireless remote transmitter [included] is pow-

ered by a 12 volt battery [#A23.12].

One battery is included, replacement batteries

are readily available at electronic or ofﬁce supply

stores.

There are certain conditions that will affect the

range of the transmitter [atmospheric, metal pip-

ing, any type of metal screening used on the lay-

out, etc.] for best operation it is advisable to place

the transmitter antenna close to, or touch, the rails

as you operate your locomotive.

This model will operate with a standard analog DC

power pack. However, the locomotive’s sound will

not begin until the throttle is approximately at 50%

of the throttle setting, and will start moving at ap-

proximately 60% on the throttle dial. The wireless

remote transmitter features six buttons that control

various sounds:

Button 1 will start or stop the bell ringing.

Button 2 will blow the whistle-the length of time

the button is held determines the length of the

whistle blast.

Button 3 activates the sound of couplers connect-

ing.

Button 4 lowers the total sound system volume.

Button 5 raises the total sound system volume.

Button 6 turns the lights on and off.

Note* Button #6 [light button] must be held down

for approx. 1-2 seconds to tell decoder to turn the

directional lights on/off.

If you hear the locomotive say “Program” while running

in the analog DC mode, don’t press any buttons on the

transmitter. Power down with the power packs throttle to

zero, bringing your train to a gradual stop. Then turn the

power packs on/off switch to off to reset your locomotive.

This could be possible if the locomotive encounters a

section of dirty track while trying to activate the coupler

button

[#3]. The decoder senses the dirty track as a “power

down, power up” sequence to enter the program mode.

Programming - Analog Mode

To program the various sound features, please fol-

low the following steps:

Turn on the power pack. Move the throttle

slowly up until you hear the steam hiss start,

make sure the locomotive is in idle.

Turn off the power switch [leaving the throttle

setting as is] and wait 2 seconds.

Press and hold Button #3 while you turn the

power switch to ON. When you hear the loco-

motive say “Program” quickly release Button

#3, wait 2 seconds and press Button #3 a

second time, you will hear the locomotive say

“Program” again, this will conﬁrm that you are

in the Program Mode. Note: Program Mode is

a slow process. Always wait 2 seconds after

pressing a button. Do not press two buttons

within that 2 second lag time, and do not press

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Restoring Factory Defaults

In the Program Mode, press Button #3 ﬁve times,

[press, wait for “program”, wait 2 seconds, press

Button #3 again, listen for “program”, etc, etc].

Once done the locomotive will go into it’s start-

up mode and be ready to run when the throttle is

advanced.

*Note: This will also restore factory defaults in the DCC

Mode also. If you are having difﬁculty restoring factory

defaults with your DCC System, use the above steps to

restore the locomotive.

Programming –DCC Mode

Your MDC Steam Locomotive will operate on any

NMRA compatible Digital Command Control [DCC]

system. The highly advanced dual-function decoder

has the following features:

Synchronized chuff rate with associated locomotive

random sounds.

1.5 amp capacity.

Programmable acceleration rate.

Programmable for either 2 digit [1-127] or 4 digit

[1-9999] addresses.

Programmable start voltage.

Programmable acceleration rate.

Programmable deceleration rate.

Programmable top voltage.

Programmable 14-28/128 speed steps.

Directional lighting {F0}.

16 accessory sound functions.

Advanced consisting, [CV 19].

OPS Mode programming.

Compatible with NMRA DCC standards.

Complies with Part 15 of FCC regulations.

Programmable individual sound volumes.

and hold a button while in the Program Mode,

as the circuitry may “read” that as the button

being pressed twice, causing an error. While

in the Program Mode you will only be able to

perform approximately 30 program operations.

To return to the Run Mode, turn the power

pack’s ON/OFF switch to off, then wait 2 sec-

onds before turning the power pack back on.

While in the Program Mode, press Button #1 to

change the bell type- there are four types, plus

“Off” from which to choose, and you will hear

a sample of each bell type ring four times each

time Button #1 is pressed. After you hear the

bell type you like, or “Off”, stop pressing Button

#1.

Utilize Button #2 to choose from 12 different

whistle sounds plus “Off.” Each time you press

Button #2 you will hear a sample of the whistle

sound, stop pressing Button #2 when you hear

the whistle sound you desire or “OFF.”

Button #3 is used to enter the program mode,

or to reset locomotive to factory defaults.

Button #4 decreases the chuff rate. Push

button 4 and wait for the air hiss sound. This

indicates that the chuff rate has decreased

one level. Wait 2 more seconds and repeat the

process for further adjustment.

Button #5 increasess the chuff rate. See button

4 for adjustment process.

Button #6 not used in program mode.

*Note- The chuff start point is ﬁxed from the

factory and matched with the motor revolutions.

The chuff start point cannot be adjusted.

The “OFF” features are useful when the loco-

motive is a trailing loco in a train, and only the

leading locomotive’s whistle and bell sounds

are needed to be activated by the remote trans-

mitter.

•

This decoder supports all program methods includ-

ing, register mode, paged mode, CV programming

mode, direct mode, and programming on the main,

[OPS mode programming]. Program the locomotive

the same way you would program any other NMRA

compatible decoder with your DCC system.

Out Of The Box DCC Running

The ﬁrst time you run your new MDC Steam loco-

motive there are a few steps you should take to

make sure the locomotive operates properly:

Test the locomotive in it’s analog mode [D.C.]

if possible. If it runs properly [lights, sound,

forward and reverse] on D.C., it will run trouble

free on DCC.

The locomotive comes with a factory default

DCC address of #3. Before programming a new

address into the locomotive, test run it on your

DCC system on address #3. This will also in-

sure there are no problems with the locomotive.

Test all functions [lights and sound] on

default address of #3. Use the supplied Func-

tion Chart.

•

Once these steps have been done, follow the in-

cluded CV chart to program any new programming

features you want into the locomotive. When you

initially program your new MDC Steam locomotive,

this step should be done on a program track for

best results. You must know how to properly use

your DCC systems programming mode to program

any decoder, if you are unsure of programming a

decoder with your system, please consult your DCC

systems instruction book regarding programming

or contact the manufacturer of your DCC system for

proper guidance.

To acquire your locomotive, select it’s current ad-

dress on your DCC system, [address #3 if it is just

out of the box]. Press any function button, other than

F1 or F2, or bring the throttle up one click. These

steps, after turning on your DCC system, acquire the

locomotive’s address, and now you can run it.

The dual-function decoder installed in this locomo-

tive should perform well when used with any NMRA

compatible DCC system. You should be familiar with

your DCC systems programming and operating func-

tions to get the most enjoyment out of any decoder

equipped locomotive. For more information about

NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices,

RP-9.2.2. This is available directly from NMRA or on

their website at www.nmra.org.

Troubleshooting

When placing the locomotive on the tracks make

sure all wheels are properly aligned as not to

cause a short circuit.

Make sure battery is correctly installed in the

transmitter [DC analog use only].

Always check the two steps above ﬁrst if you en-

counter any trouble with your MDC Locomotive.

*NOTE- Some DCC systems do not have enough

power on the Program Track for programming

sound decoders. If your systems is one of these,

there are Program track Boosters available from

aftermarket DCC suppliers.

*Note- Because this locomotive has a dual function

sound decoder on-board, it does not support CV

read back features.

Operation- DCC Sounds Chart

FUNCTION

F0 Headlights ON/OFF

Bell ON/OFF

Whistle

Air Release

Coupling

Brake squeal (repeat press will increase length)

Conductor

Fire box door open and close

Sand drop

Steam associated sound

Water

Blower hiss

Turns ON/OFF sound

Short air release

Air hose firing

Coal auger

Shoveling

Air pump

Change bell type

Whistle type select

*Note: Only MRC Prodigy Advance DCC has F13-F19 accessory functions

F10

F11

F12

F13*

F14*

F15*

F16*

F17*

F18*

F19*

IDLE/MOVING