Basic Operation; Activating Features - M.T.H. Tinplate 385 Operator's Manual

Basic Operation

The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel.
The locomotive is stopped, started and reversed by means of the reversing 'E-Unit'
located inside the locomotive. The E-Unit is a three position sequence relay which cycles
whenever current to the locomotive is interrupted. This can be done by operating the
'direction' control on the transformer, or by moving the transformer voltage control to
the OFF position. The sequence of its operation is Forward, Neutral, Reverse, Neutral,
etc. In other words, if the locomotive is in forward motion, operate the 'Direction'
control once to stop it, and twice to reverse it.
If you want to operate the train in one direction only, which is necessary If you have
automatic stations or Insulated blocks in your layout, you must 'lock-out' the E-Unit.
Make sure the locomotive is moving in the desired direction then stop it. Now, move the
E-Unit lever (located on the top of the boiler) to its OFF position or toward the left side
of the locomotive. If the E-Unit is 'locked out' while it is in the Neutral position, the
locomotive will not run at all. Also, because the E-Unit works partially by gravity, it will
not operate properly if the locomotive is held on its side or upside down.

Activating Features

Throttle To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the
throttle control knob. Turning clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning
counterclockwise will decrease voltage and speed. The engine will maintain the speed
you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage and
speed.
Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The whistle
will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop when you
release the button.
4 Tinplate 1835/385 Locomotive
Cycle Phases
Neutral
Reverse
Neutral
Forward