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Operating Instrctions
MTH E-8 DIESEL ENGINE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains E-8 diesel locomotive.
This ¼" scale reproduction of the famous E-8 A-B-A locomotive consist
measures over 55" in length and weighs over 11 pounds. Despite its scale
size, the locomotive is capable of operating on O-31 3-rail track with any
compatible AC transformer (see the chart on page 31 for a complete list of
compatible transformers and wiring instructions) and is completely
compatible with most other 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and
accessories.
The locomotive is equipped with several deluxe features that are simple
and fun to operate. Each feature is described among the following pages
which should be read before the engine is operated. For those of you who
can't wait to get started, the Quick Start Basic Operating Instructions
found on Pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you understand the basics of
the operating system. Please note that some features are only found in the
ProtoSound® models and are marked as such. Features not marked as
ProtoSound features are available in all models.
E L E C T R I C
T R A I N S
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Summary of Contents for M.T.H. E-8
- Page 1 MTH E-8 DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains E-8 diesel locomotive. This ¼” scale reproduction of the famous E-8 A-B-A locomotive consist measures over 55” in length and weighs over 11 pounds. Despite its scale...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) Horn Operation Bell Operation ProtoCoupler® Operation Squeaking Brake Sounds Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes Passenger Station Sounds (PFA) Tips On Using The Passenger Station Sounds Reverse Unit Lockout Control Functions Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse Unlocking The Engine... -
Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation
The MTH E-8 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the E-8 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 31). All models are equipped with an operating smoke system that should be primed with smoke fluid before operating. -
Page 4: Protosounds® Operating Instructions
E-unit. PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION The E-8 contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs a steady stream of smoke through the smoke stack on the roof of the engine. The ON/OFF switch located next to the power truck must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit to function. -
Page 5: Dcru® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models)
PROTOSOUNDS® INSTRUCTIONS The MTH ProtoSound® digital sound and train control system provides the operator with unprecedented realistic operation on your model railroad. In addition to actual diesel engine, CD-equivalent 16-bit digital sounds, you get the following features: ∗ Built-In DCRU Reverse Unit * Authentic Diesel Engine Horn Sound * Authentic Diesel Engine Bell Sound * Squeaking Brake SoundFreight Yard Sounds * Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™... -
Page 6: Horn Operation
HORN OPERATION Your MTH E-8 ProtoSound-equipped engine is equipped with a digital recording of a diesel horn. The horn sound can be activated anytime the engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your transformer. -
Page 7: Protocoupler® Operation
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION Your MTH E-8 ProtoSound-equipped locomotive has two coil-wound ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. The couplers are mounted on the power trucks. Because the ProtoCoupler is controlled through ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section... -
Page 8: Squeaking Brake Sounds
apart. It can best be described as a CHA-CHUSHHH sound. The coupler doesn’t have to be fired in NEUTRAL. Once the coupler is armed it can be fired in Forward, Neutral or Reverse. However, you may find that the coupler doesn’t open when firing the coupler at high speeds. -
Page 9: Passenger Station Sounds (Pfa)
voltage is reduced from high to low. Some practice may be required to synchronize the playing of the brake sounds with the movement of the engine. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before the brake sound is completed. - Page 10 Operating Proto-Sound® Passenger Station Sound Effects Passenger Station Announcements (PFA) Proto-Sound® is equipped with operator controlled Passenger Station Sounds, referred to as PFA. The PFA sequence is designed to simulate the arrival, disembarking, embarking and departure of a passenger train in a Passenger Station.
- Page 11 To Play PFA, Stop Train Direction. This Can Be Done by Pressing the Bell DIRECTION Button or Cycling the Horn Whistle Transformer Handle. Direction At This Time the Train Will Stop in Neutral. In a Few Seconds, An Arrival Message Plays, Followed by a Background Noise.
- Page 12 Activating Passenger Sounds (PFA)- Detailed PFA Instructions Arming The Passenger Sounds Feature Before the Passenger Station sounds can be heard, the feature must be activated. The feature can be activated in one of two ways. Option 1: If you are using the Z-4000™ transformer, or any transformer with a separate bell button controller, you can activate the feature by simply pressing and holding the bell button for at least three seconds (it does not matter if you are in forward, neutral or reverse).
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Page 13: Tips On Using The Passenger Station Sounds
release is heard, the whistle button can be released. The bell will continue to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and release the whistle button. Interrupt the transformer throttle to enter the next directional state (either forward or reverse). - Page 14 taxi. Additionally, several conductor highlights will be heard in the foreground. Event 2: Interrupt the transformer throttle again to cycle the engine from Interrupt Throttle To Listen For Engine Rumbling Sound Enter The Next Phase neutral into reverse. In order to have the engine leave the yard in the same direction it entered Proto-Sound®...
- Page 15 TIPS ON USING THE PFA FEATURES PFA is a unique feature of Proto-Sound® that is completely controlled by the operator. You decide how, when or if you want to utilize the feature. By reviewing the following tips, you should find solutions or suggestions to the various operating scenarios you might encounter when using PFA.
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Page 16: Reverse Unit Lockout Control Functions
Special Reverse Unit Options Reverse Unit Lockout Operation For operators who wish to lock their engine into a single direction, Proto-Sound’s® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on the locomotive. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped with block signals or stop stations that would normally cycle the engine back into neutral. -
Page 17: Self-Recharging Battery Backup System
SELF-CHARGING BATTERY BACKUP Proto-Sound® includes a self-charging battery backup system for improved performance at any speed. The battery ensures that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes, while setting RESET options or when traveling over spots of dirty track and switches. The self-recharging battery backup system is automatically turned on or off. -
Page 18: Protosound® Volume Adjustment
If you need to replace the battery, they are available from MTH Proto-Sound® Electronics at 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046-1532. A standard 9v alkaline battery can be substituted as a temporary fix, but, since alkaline batteries can’t take a charge, it will eventually wear down. -
Page 19: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds
USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS® ProtoSound® is equipped with several programmable features which are accessed in the RESET state by moving the transformer throttle up and down between full voltage and low voltage (8 volts) without shutting the transformer off completely. Each time this is done you advance, one feature at a time, through the available options. -
Page 20: Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation
to the next level. The levels available are 100%, 50%, 25%, and 0%. After 0%, pressing the horn/whistle button again will return the motor sounds to 100%. When the desired level is reached, lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward. Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation Reset Feature 45 (9 Clanks, 0 Clinks) -
Page 21: Programming For Proto-Coupler® Operation
Programming For Proto-Coupler® Operation- Reset Feature 10 (2 Clanks) Reset Feature 10 allows you to turn the operation of the ProtoCoupler on or off. In RESET Mode Move The Throttle Push The Horn/Whistle Button When OFF, the coupler Up & Down From Until You Hear High Voltage To Low 2 Bell Dings... -
Page 22: Programming For Pfa Operation
Programming For Squeaking Brakes And PFA Operation- Reset Feature 28 ( 5 Clanks, 3 Clinks) Reset Feature 28 allows you to turn the operation of the PFA sequence on or off. When OFF, the PFA will not activate. To use, cycle to Reset Feature 28 In RESET Mode Move The Throttle... -
Page 23: Resetting All Protosound® Options To Factory Defaults
Resetting All Proto-Sound® Options To Factory Defaults- Reset Feature 18 (3 Clanks, 3 Clinks) Reset Feature 18 is the most powerful of the Reset features available. Using Reset Feature 18 allows you to override all changes in programming and return all Resets to the original, out of the box settings. To use, cycle to Reset Feature 18 and press the Horn/Whistle button. -
Page 24: Oil & Lubrication Instructions
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that the chassis be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all truck block bushings and pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L" in Fig. 7 below. -
Page 25: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions
Next, remove the truck blocks from the chassis by unscrewing the large Phillips motor mount screw on the bottom of each truck block (See Fig. 8). Once the motor mount screw has been removed, pull the motor away from the truck block and lightly coat the motor worm gear and bronze drive gear (in the truck block) with grease. -
Page 26: Light Bulb Removal & Replacement
MTH Electric Trains. HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT The E-8 locomotive’s headlights are controlled by constant voltage circuits inside the locomotive body. The headlight(s) can be easily removed from their lampholders should the bulbs expire. To remove the bulb, follow the body removal instructions found in the Lubrication section on the proceeding pages. -
Page 27: Trouble Shooting Protosound® Problems
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS Although ProtoSound® has been designed and engineered for ease of use, some questions may arise during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If you find that your problem can’t be resolved with this manual, contact MTH ProtoSound Electronics (7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, 410-381-2580) for additional assistance. - Page 28 COUPLER PROBLEMS REMEDY The power required to fire the coupler open when the engine is on the “Fly” may be greater than the ProtoSound system is capable of providing. As a result, you may experience times when the coupler The ProtoCoupler won’t let the engine uncouple on the won’t fire open.
- Page 29 BATTERY PROBLEMS REMEDY I get no sounds when the engine shifts between the The battery may be dead or needs charging. See the direction states. Battery Backup section for more information. After I turn off my transformer, my engine continues to ProtoSounds continues to sound for approximately 10 make sounds before quitting with a ding of its bell.
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Page 30: Protosound Reset Feature Chart
PFA PROBLEMS REMEDY The power was not turned back on once the engine enter the neutral state thus disabling PFA.The The PFA feature does not begin even after stopping transformer throttle was interrupted too quickly in the engine and hearing the brake sounds. neutral thus disabling PFA. -
Page 31: Transformer Wiring Chart
TRANSFORMER WIRING CHART ProtoSounds® is designed to work with any standard AC transformer that uses a “Pure Sine-Wave" format. The chart below lists the many Lionel® compatible transformers, such as the Lionel KW or ZW models. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these compatible transformers should be attached to your layout. -
Page 32: O-31 Operation
O-31 OPERATION While the MTH E-8 diesel is more than capable of operating on O-31 curves and switches, you may find that certain light freight cars are prone to derailing when being pulled or pushed by the MTH E-8 through O-31 switches. - Page 33 Notes:______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ E8 Operating Manual...
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Page 36: Service And Warranty Information
SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION HOW TO GET SERVICE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY For warranty repair, do not return your product to the place of purchase unless it was purchased from Mike’s Train House in Columbia, MD. Instead, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service as our dealer network is not prepared to service the product under the terms of this warranty.