Recently purchased a Railking 2-8-0 Consolidation with PS2. However, the engine is set in neutral and will not move forward or reverse although the light is on, it's smokes etc. My question is I run a conventional layout with a postwar ZW transformer and cannot reset the engine to it's default state apparently. Is there anyway around this with my ZW or do I need an MTH or similar transformer to reset the engine? Thank you.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You're going to need something with a bell and horn button to get the reset combination... I've done it with a couple of Lionel 5906 whistle/ horn boxes but it's not so easy.
Proto-2 engines will not leave neutral with a weak battery so hopefully you have a weak battery.
To test.
.Power up the engine with sound and remove track power, If the sounds don't continue on for at least 6 or 7 seconds the battery may be your problem.
When you turn off track power, do sounds persist for at least 6-7 seconds? If not, the engine cannot leave neutral because the battery is too weak. You should charge the battery until sounds persist for 6-7 seconds when track power is removed. If it won't do that after a charge of several hours, the battery should be replaced.
You can do a transformer reset using most any transformer that has both a bell and whistle button. To do a transformer reset, press 1 Whistle followed by 5 Bells, using 1/2 second presses with 1/2 second pauses in-between. If successful, the engine will sound 2 whistle toots.
Have you read the engine's instruction manual? Both the reference to the battery and the way to do a transformer reset are described in considerable detail.
Thank you to both of you. The battery is weak so I am charging now. I knew how to get back into default but was wondering if I could do it with a postwar ZW. Much thanks for the advice!
If this is an older PS-2 5V engine, consider replacing battery with a new one. May never have been changed, and the old can be dead. G
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
