Tinplate Traditions® 3243R Electric Engine Operating Instructions Thank you for purchasing the M.T.H. Tinplate Traditions 3243R Locomotive. This locomotive runs on Standard Gauge three-rail track and can handle a 72” curve. It runs on 14-20 volts AC (Alternating Current). This Standard Gauge Tinplate Traditions® Electric Engine contains state-of-the-art electronics with many built-in automatic features for exciting operation.
Table of Contents Initial Lubrication Basic Operation Throttle Operation Buttons Volume Control Proto-Sound 2.0 Operation Activating Proto-Sound 2.
Initial Lubrication Use motor oil (10W-40 or 10W-30) for lubrication. Apply oil sparingly, using a toothpick or similar applicator. Before beginning, please be sure to have several toothpicks and cotton swabs handy to apply oil and clean up the excess. Familiarize yourself with the location of the oiling points (see Fig. 2 on page 12 ) before beginning. Apply oil before operating and after every seven hours of operation.
Basic Operation Throttle – Throttle up the power to your track. Give enough power so that the engine’s headlight shines brightly. Then put the engine into motion by either firmly pressing the Direction button on your transformer or remote once or dropping and advancing the throttle to put the engine in forward. Operation Buttons Use the operation buttons on your transformer or remote as described below. Horn/Whistle - To sound the horn, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button.
Volume Control – To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control knob located under the engine clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume (see Fig. 1). Proto-Sound 2.0 Volume Adjustment Knob Figure 1. Proto-Sound 2.
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS Remote Control System equipment. Because Proto-Sound 2.0 is an all-new system developed by M.T.H.’s own research and development team, it operates differently from original Proto-Sound. Most Proto-Sound 2.
Passenger Station Announcements (PSA): Your engine is equipped with a sound package of passenger station announcements that you can play when you pull into a passenger station. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is left on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between the button pushes described below to allow the PSAs sufficient time to run through each sequence. 1.
Tips on Using PSA You can terminate PSA at anytime by turning off power to the track for 15 seconds. You do not have to be in Forward to use PSA. At the conclusion of the full sequence, the train will pull away from the station in whatever direction you were going when you activated the feature. You can use PSAs even if you are double-heading with another engine.
Speed Control: M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 have speed control capabilities that allow the engine to maintain a constant speed up and down grades and around curves, much like an automobile cruise control. You can add or drop cars on the run, and the engine will maintain the speed you set. While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control feature activated, you can opt to turn it off.
Reset to Factory Defaults: To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its factory defaults, while in Neutral press the Whistle button once, followed immediately by five quick pushes of the Bell button. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. Automatic Sounds: Certain Proto-Sound 2.0 sound effects automatically play in programmed conventional mode conditions: • Squealing Brakes play any time the engine’s speed decreases rapidly.
Maintenance Lubrication and Greasing Instructions Use motor oil (10W-40 or 10W-30) for lubrication. Apply oil sparingly, using a toothpick or similar applicator. Before beginning, please be sure to have several toothpicks and cotton swabs handy to apply oil and clean up the excess. Familiarize yourself with the location of the oiling points (see Fig. 2) before beginning. Apply oil before operating and after every seven hours of operation. Lubricating the Wheel Gears (Fig.
Figure 2. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive Light Replacement Instructions The locomotive’s lights are controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the engine. They are easy to remove and replace when they burn out. Simply unscrew the bulb that needs to be replaced from its socket and replace it with another. Replace the headlamps with M.T.H. MS-0000009 clear lamps. Replacement bulbs are available directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department (phone: 410-381-2580; e-mail: parts@mth-railking.
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up The special NiCad 7-cell 8.4v self-charging battery in this engine improves performance at any speed. It ensures that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes or when travelling over dirty track or switches. The self-charging battery system is automatically turned on or off whenever track power is turned on or off.
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for assistance (telephone: 410-381-2580; fax: 410-423-0009; e-mail: service@mth-railking.com, mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Tinplate Traditions 3243R Electric Engine
Compatibility This engine will operate on any traditional Standard Gauge track system, including M.T.H.’s or original Standard Gauge track. It is also compatible with most standard AC transformers. (See page 17 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Note that many of the operational commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your transformer does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit of the system.
Additional Features Accessible with the DCS Remote Control System: While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound 2.0 engine yields wonderfully realistic sound and several train control features, command mode operation allows the user to access a world of command functions never before accessible to O Gauge railroaders.
• Proto-Effects™ Set Up-User can select individual Proto-Effects™ operations to be active or inactive, including cab chatter, train wreck sounds, coupler sounds, and wheel clickety-clack sounds. • Direction Control Set Up-User can set initial individual start-up direction (start in forward or reverse) for double-heading operations. • Locomotive Consist Set-up-User can determine locomotive values for consist make-ups, allowing multiple locomotives belonging to a consist to operate together.
CAUTION: Electrically Operated Product: Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 - 16. As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock. WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be followed including the following: - Read this manual thoroughly before using this device. - M.T.H.
Tinplate Traditions 3243R Electric Engine
Tinplate Traditions 3243R Electric Engine
Tinplate Traditions 3243R Electric Engine
Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty For warranty repair, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service. 1. First, e-mail, write, call or fax an Authorized M.T.H. Service Center in your area or M.T.H. Electric Trains to obtain Repair Authorization. You can find the list of Authorized Service Center s on the M.T.H. website, www.mth-railking.com. Otherwise, contact M.T.H. (at e-mail: service@mth-railking.
