TINPLATE TRADITIONS ® By MTH Electric Trains® Tinplate IVES 3243R Electric Locomotive And Passenger Set OPERATOR’S MANUAL (CONTEMPORARY) Compatibility This engine will operate on any traditional Standard Gauge tubular track system, including M.T.H.’s tubular track. It is also compatible with most standard AC transformers. (See page 18 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.
Table of Contents Set Up Checklist........................................................................................................... Lubrication....................................................................................................... Checking the Battery....................................................................................... Coupler............................................................................................................. 3 3 3 4 Basic Operation.....
Set Up Checklist - Lubricate the locomotive -Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects - Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual. Lubrication You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 1. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Couplers The couplers on your Ives 3243 R Electric Locomotive are faithful reproductions of the couplers that were originally supplied with the Ives 3243R. They are designed to couple with Ives rolling stock. If you wish to use this engine to pull a train of 200 series cars, a set of Latch Style couplers are packed in the styrofoam box for your convenience.
Direction - Your train is programmed to start in neutral. The train will always cycle neutral-forward-neutral-reverse with each press and release of the direction button. The engine is programmed to restart in neutral each time the track voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or more.
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. Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell a nd Horn button pushes described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it.
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) or Passenger Station Announcements (PSA): Your engine is equipped with a sound package of either freight yard or passenger station sounds that you can play. 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 FYS/PSA sufficient time to run through each sequence.
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.
Locking Locomotive Into a Direction You can lock your engine into a direction (forward, neutral, or reverse) so that it will not change directions. To do this, put the engine into the direction you want (or into neutral to lock it into neutral), run it at a very slow crawl (as slowly as it will move without halting), and quickly but firmly tap the Horn button once followed by three quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press.
Maintenance Lubricating and Greasing Instructions The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly. Regularly lubricate all axles and pickup rollers to prevent squeaking. Use light household oil, such as that found in M.T.H.'s maintenance kit. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires, and Track Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can cause poor electrical contact and traction. Wheels can be cleaned using denatured (not rubbing) alcohol applied with a cotton swab. To clean the track, use RailKing Track Cleaning Fluid and a clean rag or denatured (not rubbing) alcohol. Unplug the transformer and wipe the rails of the track, turning the rag frequently to ensure that you are using clean cloth on the rails.
Self Charging Battery Back-up The special NiCad 2.4v self-charging battery recharges continuously during train operation and should last for up to five years. The battery is a dry battery that should not leak or cause any damage to your engine. Depending upon when your engine was built, it may need to be charged right out of the box.
Light Bulb Replacement: First, pull the roof off of the body of the car, it is held on by tabs under the lip of the roof. The roof will be freed from the car body, exposing the interior of the car (see Figure 9, below). Figure 9 After the car interior is exposed, simply unscrew the light bulb from its socket mounted under the off center light bracket and replace it with a new one (see Figure 10). Replacement 18 Volt, screw-based bulbs can be purchased directly from MTH Electric Trains, Inc.
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 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; service@mth-railking.com, 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532). Starting Up Remedy When I first turn the power on, the engine will not begin to run.
Cab Chatter Remedy Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds don’t play. Cab Chatter plays only in neutral at random intervals. Lock-out Remedy I can’t get the engine to run after I The engine is locked into the power up the transformer. It sits neutral position. Follow the procedure in the “Lock into a Direction” section. Engine speed must be below 10 The engine won’t lock into scale mph (approx. 10 volts or forward, neutral, or reverse. less in conventional mode). Volume Remedy Proto-Sound 2.
FYS Remedy Once in FYS, the engine doesn’t go into reverse. So that FYS effects can be as realistic as possible, Proto- Sound 2.0 disables the reversing unit whenever FYS is enabled. This way the engine remains still at its stop as the operator cycles through the FYS sequences. When the FYS enters its last sequence the bell automatically comes on. FYS is programmed to start ringing the bell at that point. After approximately 12 seconds it will automatically turn off.
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart below lists the many compatible transformers. Note the chart details how the terminals on these transformers should be attached to your layout. Transformer Model Center Rail Outside Rail Min/Max.
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS Remote Control System (Additional equipment required) 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.
Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty When you suspect an item is defective, please check the operator's manual for standard operation and troubleshooting techniques that may correct the problem. Additional information may be found on the M.T.H. Website. Should you still require service, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service. First, e-mail, write, call or fax a M.T.H.
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. - Columbia, MD 21046 Information: 410-381-2580 Fax: 410-381-6122 www.mth-railking.com PARTICIPATING A.S.C. RETAILER LIST ALABAMA COLORADO ILLINOIS SOUTHERLAND STATION HUNTSVILLE 256-533-4720 CUSTOM RAILWAY SUPPLY COLORADO SPRINGS 719-634-4616 BERWYN'S TOY TRAINS & MODELS BERWYN 708-484-4384 ARIZONA CABOOSE HOBBIES, INC.
LOUISIANA MINNESOTA AMERICA'S TRAIN YARD BATON ROUGE 225-926-5592 DON'S HOBBY CO. MANKATO 507-387-1330 MAINE MISSOURIS WHEELS, WINGS & THINGS LUDLOW 207-532-6277 SWITCH STAND SAINT LOUIS 314-781-4458 MARYLAND MARK TWAIN HOBBY CENTER ST.
THE FREIGHT YARD SMITHFIELD 919-934-6229 CHARLEROI SWEEPER CENTER CHARLEROI 724-483-3397 RHODE ISLAND GRANDMA'S HOUSE GRANDPA'S TRAIN WARWICK 401-463-7803 LITTLE CHOO CHOO SHOP INC.
T S G HOBBIES WARRENTON 540-347-9212 NORGE STATION WILLIAMSBURG 757-564-7623 WASHINGTON EASTSIDE TRAINS KIRKLAND 425-828-4098 WEST VIRGINIA PATRICK'S TRAINS WHEELING 304-232-0714 WISCONSIN WOODCRAFTERS SHOP BURLINGTON 262-763-5239 SOMMERFELD'S TRAINS BUTLER 262-783-7797 HOBBY OUTLET FOND DU LAC 920-924-3770 G B T V & TRAINS GREEN BAY 920-496-9697 THE TRAIN ROOM FERGUS 19-787-3280 CREDIT VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY TREETSVILLE 905-826-1306 B&H TRAINS TERREBONNE 514-793-9696 GRAMPA'S TRAIN SHOP RICE LAKE 715
