MTHTrains FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL ENGINE Operating Instructions Manual
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MTHTrains FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL ENGINE Operating Instructions Manual

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MTH FM TRAINMASTER
DIESEL ENGINE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains FM Trainmaster diesel
locomotive. This ¼" scale reproduction of the famous FM Trainmaster
locomotive measures over 18" in length and weighs almost 6 pounds.
Despite its scale size, the locomotive is capable of operating on O-31 3-rail
track with any compatible AC transformer, (see page 34 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 Operating Instructions, found on
page 3, should be read so that you understand the basics of the operating
system.

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Summary of Contents for MTHTrains FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL ENGINE

  • Page 1: Operating Instructions

    MTH FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains FM Trainmaster diesel locomotive. This ¼” scale reproduction of the famous FM Trainmaster locomotive measures over 18” in length and weighs almost 6 pounds. Despite its scale size, the locomotive is capable of operating on O-31 3-rail track with any compatible AC transformer, (see page 34 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions) and is completely compatible with most other 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models) PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation (All 3-Rail Models) Horn Operation Bell Operation ProtoCoupler™ Operation Cab Chatter Sounds Squeaking Brake Sounds Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) Activating and Triggering Freight Yard Sounds Tips On Using FYS Features...

  • Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation(All 3-Rail Models)

    QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION The MTH FM Trainmaster contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the FM Trainmaster is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 34).

  • Page 4: Protosmoke™ Unit Operation

    PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION The FM Trainmaster 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. See Fig. 1 on page 3.

  • Page 5: Protosounds® Operating Instructions

    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 ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit * Authentic Diesel Horn Sound* Authentic Diesel Bell Sound* Squeaking Brake Sound* Freight Yard Sounds* Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™* Self-Recharging Battery Back-Up System With Automatic Battery Shut-Off* Remotely Controlled...

  • Page 6: Horn Operation

    check, do not advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first enter RESET, wait for the diesel startup sounds to begin and then slowly turn the transformer throttle to the off position and then back on again to enter the forward phase.

  • Page 7: Protocoupler™ Operation

    Bell Button, by simply pushing the button. If you don’t have a separate bell button, the bell can be controlled through your transformer’s whistle button whenever the engine is in NEUTRAL. The bell will never ring continuously in RESET (Remember NEUTRAL is the state between Forward and Reverse).

  • Page 8: Cab Chatter Sounds

    When the knuckle fires open you will hear the buzzing of the coil energizing and the sound of the air lines coming 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.

  • Page 9: Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds

    button be used to “arm” the brake feature and is explained in more detail in the “Activating Freight Yard Sounds” section found later in this manual. The sound itself is a stored recording on the ProtoSounds® software chip and will always play the same brake sound for the same three second length each time the voltage is reduced from high to low.

  • Page 10: Freight Yard Sounds (Fys)

    FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS (FYS) ProtoSounds® comes equipped with operator controlled Freight Yard Sounds, hereby referred to as FYS. This easy to use feature plays digitally reproduced freight yard sounds whenever your engine stops on your layout and is parked in the Neutral position. No additional wires or modifications are needed on your layout to enjoy these amazing sound effects.
  • Page 11 carefully, you should hear an air release sound after three seconds have passed. At this time you can release the bell button. (Note: because the air release sound may be difficult to hear, we recommend that you count out a full three seconds before releasing the bell button.) The bell will continue to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and release the bell button a second time.
  • Page 12 ACTIVATING THE FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS Before FYS can be heard, the feature must be armed as described on the proceeding pages. Once armed, activating the FYS effects is accomplished by simply interrupting the transformer throttle and parking the engine in the Neutral position with track power remaining on.
  • Page 13 B. After entering Neutral, ProtoSounds® will immediately play an air release sound followed approximately 2 seconds later by a radio arrival message (cab chatter). Immediately following the radio arrival Listen For Air Release Sound And Cab Chatter Message message, the sound of freight car doors can be heard opening, followed by the sounds of freight loading and unloading.

  • Page 14: Tips On Using Fys Features

    FYS confirms to the operator that it has entered the Forward phase by playing a radio message followed by the freight car door closing. Within 2 seconds of the door closing, the locomotive will give two or three whistle blasts depending on leaving direction. Followed by the bell chiming. After approximately 8 chimes of the bell, the engine begins moving in the forward phase Interrupt Throttle To...
  • Page 15 Tip #4: You can utilize FYS even if you are double-heading with another engine regardless of whether the second engine is equipped with an FYS programmed ProtoSound® module. If the second engine isn’t equipped with FYS, the only thing to remember is that you not turn up the transformer throttle very high when entering the Reverse phase found in Event 3.

  • Page 16: Self-Recharging Battery Backup System

    Note: Consistent activation of the wheel flange squealing is determined by the condition of your transformer’s whistle button rectifier disc. Older rectifier discs may need to be replaced in order to play squealing sounds. SELF-RECHARGING BATTERY BACKUP ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design includes a self-recharging battery backup system for improved performance at any speed.

  • Page 17: Protosound® Volume Adjustment

    If you need to replace the battery, replacement ProtoSound® batteries are available from MTH ProtoSound® Electronics at 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. 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 18: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds

    USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS® As mentioned earlier, there are several programmable options in each ProtoSound®-equipped engine that can be remotely set from any compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 34. This hands-off approach gives you unprecedented control of your railroad empire’s motive power never before seen in model railroading.

  • Page 19: Setting The Engine Volume

    times the throttle is advanced by playing back the number of “Clinks" and “Clanks" to confirm the feature you’ve selected. SETTING THE ENGINE VOLUME Of all the sounds that come with each ProtoSound®-equipped locomotive, the one most often turned down is that of the engine volume because it is the one sound normally heard whenever the engine is running and is what usually can become tiresome to the ear over prolonged running sessions.

  • Page 20: Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller

    PROGRAMMING FOR A SEPARATE BELL BUTTON CONTROLLER To operate ProtoSounds® with a separate bell button controller, like the Lionel® No. 5906 bell button, you will need to wire up the controller to your Common transformer and track as shown in Fig. 5. Once the button is RED Wire BLACK Wire wired, ProtoSounds®...

  • Page 21: Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation

    Feature 45. (See the section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 18). Once in Feature 45, press the whistle button and wait for the module to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until the module plays back one ding for option 1 - Squeaking brakes are activated by the bell button.

  • Page 22: Programming For Protocoupler Operation

    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®...

  • Page 23: Programming For Fys Operation

    want to stop at a yard and have both engines playing their FYS sound effects. To In RESET Mode Move The Throttle Push The Whistle Button Up & Down From Until You Hear turn off FYS, enter RESET High Voltage To Low 2 Bell Dings 28 Times and go to Feature 28.

  • Page 24: Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds

    the way off and then back on again. To turn the Remote Lockout Control setting back off, go back to Feature 40 and press the whistle button until only one bell ding sounds. To lock in the setting, simply turn the transformer throttle off and then back on again.

  • Page 25: Reverse Unit Lock-Out Operation

    REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION ProtoSounds® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on the locomotive by allowing the customer to lock the engine into any directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) from the transformer. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped with block signals or stop stations which would normally cycle the engine back into neutral.
  • Page 26 of the horn. QUICKLY TURN THE POWER BACK ON AGAIN. Your engine is now locked into NEUTRAL. NOTE: When locking the engine in the Forward or Reverse positions, the whistle button will blow the whistle. But when locking the engine into the NEUTRAL position, the whistle button may turn on or off sounds of the bell, coupler arming or coupler firing depending on the transformer throttle voltage settings prior to the user’s attempt to lock out the engine.

  • Page 27: 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 Grease Gears (G) Lubricate Pickups (L) Lubricate Blind Wheel Axle (L) Figure 6: Lubricating The Locomotive Chassis gears, axles and pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking.

  • Page 28: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

    Periodically, check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt buildup as this can significantly affect the engine’s ability to perform properly. Dirty track and dirty wheels can cause both poor electrical contact as well as poor traction, especially on elevated track sections. Finally, dirt and oil build up can prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires.

  • Page 29: Light Bulb Removal & Replacement

    fully seated inside the groove. Any portion of the tire extending out of the groove can cause the engine to wobble. A razor blade can be used to trim away any excess tire that doesn’t seat itself inside the groove properly. Replacement tires are available directly from MTH Electric Trains.

  • Page 30: 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 31 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 32 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.

  • Page 33: Protosound Reset Feature Chart

    FYS PROBLEMS REMEDY The power was not turned back on once the engine enter the neutral state thus disabling FYS.The The FYS feature does not begin even after stopping transformer throttle was interrupted too quickly in the engine and hearing the brake sounds. neutral thus disabling FYS.

  • Page 34: Transformer Wiring Chart

    TRANSFORMER COMPATIBILITY AND 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 35 O-31 OPERATION While the FM Trainmaster engine 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 FM Trainmaster through O-31 switches. Should this occur, we suggest adding weight to the cars making them heavier and less likely to derail.

  • 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 MTH Electric Trains 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.

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