http://mthtrains.com/30-1159-0

If the MTH number is correct, it never came with Proto 2. That number is a locosound locomotive. Whistle, Bell really bad chuff sound and that's it. No command control. If the number was 30-1159-1 then it would have ProtoSound 2.

Scott Smith

According to the MTH site, this locomotive is PS2.

Did you try doing a factory reset?  If you are not using DCS reset is 1 whistle, 5 bells.

http://mthtrains.com/30-1159-0 is locosound

http://mthtrains.com/30-1159-1 is the Proto 2 version

According to the MTH site, this locomotive is PS2.

No, the MTH web page for 30-1159-0 clearly states "Loosound".

I always enjoy the gamut of responses one gets on this forum.

Thanks for the reset information, thats what I was hoping for.

But, if that doesn't resolve the issue, could the dead lamp socket be an indicator of other issues, and if so, would the chip reset be next step?

You may have an engine to park in the yard of misfit trains.  Don't feel bad, I've gotten stung on ebay a few times.  

No it runs great, has sound and smoke, if I can restore its features, I may sell it.

That engine was made with PS-1, Loco Sound and PS-2.   If the engine is running and you press Whistle do you still get a bell?  Or only in neutral?  As far as front bulb.  The screw in type can be frustrating. Some times the center of the bulb doesn't make contact in the holder.  It either has to be screwed in tight, or add a drop of solder.

For the bulb, if PS-1 it is a 16-18V bulb, if Loco Sounds or PS-2 it would be a 6V bulb.  Maybe you installed the wrong voltage bulb.   G

Drummer,

If you see QSI on the sound board, it is a PS1 (Proto Sounds) engine. They also have a removable sound chip in the middle of the board.

PS1 engines originally came to be run with a PW ZW that didn't have a bell button. So they ring the bell in neutral and blow the whistle running. They can also be set to blow the whistle in neutral with reset 25.

Reset 25?

Actually its Feature 25:

PROGRAMMING FOR HORN IN NEUTRAL

OPERATION

If you are operating your engine with a separate bell button and want to

blow your horn when your engine is in neutral, you will need to program

ProtoSounds to do so as the factory setting only allows the horn 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 17.) 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 horn 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 horn with the transformer whistle

button. To reset ProtoSounds to its original factory setting of no horn in

neutral, repeat the above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in

Feature 25 until ProtoSounds only dings once instead of twice.

What most seem to be ignoring, using the OP's catalog number, THIS IS NOT a Protosound 1 or 2 locomotive.  This is a Locosound locomotive, it has no feature programming.  You can turn the cruse on and off, and lock the direction, that is it.  It doesn't matter what was listed on eBay, the catalog number tells us what it really is.  Here is the manual.  Now it's up the the OP to contact teh seller and call them out on the incorrect listing and let eBay know.

I already addressed the liar on ebay.

It has been resolved.

The engine is the Loco Sound engine.

I will test the horn to see if it only operates when moving.

But should it operate as a bell when in neutral?

Horn only operates when moving.

Tested bulb..it is dead

Smoke does not chuff..it just smokes

Fan IS NOISY

I have the tender cover off. I see wires to the coupler.

Does LOCOSOUND have a controllable coupler or is it p1?

I may have the wrong catalog #. But I know for certain it is not a P2 engine.

One chip has QSI and patent numbers. The other has "IT 2-8-0" then under that it says MTH...And it is a 2-8-0 engine.

I believe the proto-2 version had the board in the engine, perhaps loco sound as well. Got a pic?

Ok.

Got my LOCOSOUND ENGINE FROM 30-4095-0 Christmas Set

http://mthtrains.com/30-4095-0. Delivered 2003.

The horn sounds in neutral

The smoke chuffs in sync and even blows smoke rings.

It has not been ran for at least 5 years.  Sounds loud and crystal clear.

Runs smooth and even.

It is the set that got me into MTH O scale and away from my HO DCC collecting.

O yeah, original battery.

Heres some video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKwSprEpWLc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorpCOBAm6s

Notice the engine slows in reverse and the wires to the coupler.

How do I fire the coupler?

that second vid with that 30-1159 is definitely PS1. in order to fire the coupler, (from another railking protosounds 1 manual);

"

Definitely PS1

Drummer,

Here is the engine you have from a set:

http://mthtrains.com/30-4023-1

PS-1 have remote couplers and the bell in neutral was the give away to me, NO locosounds would not do that.

Good engine just not command.  Read the instructions or any instructions on PS-1.  Easy to activate PSA, and fire the coupler with the whistle button once armed.   G

GGG posted:

PS-1 have remote couplers and the bell in neutral was the give away to me, NO locosounds would not do that.

Good catch GGG.