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Premier AC-6 Cab Forward
Steam Engine
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any
traditional 31" Radius track system.
It is also compatible with most
standard AC and DC transformers.
(See page for a complete list of
compatible transformers and wiring
instructions.)
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE
www.mthtrains.com
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Related Manuals for MTHTrains Premier AC-6 Cab Forward Steam Engine
Summary of Contents for MTHTrains Premier AC-6 Cab Forward Steam Engine
- Page 1 This engine will operate on any traditional 31” Radius track system. It is also compatible with most standard AC and DC transformers. (See page for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.) PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE www.mthtrains.com...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Before you Begin ..................................................3 Set Up Checklist ..................................................3 Lubrication ....................................................3 Priming the Smoke Unit................................................3 Placing Engine On Track ................................................4 PS 3.0 Enhancements .................................................6 Conventional AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down ..........................................6 DCS/DCC Switch ..................................................6 Programming Track (for DCC operation) ............................................7 Loading Engine Firmware ................................................7 LED Lighting ....................................................7 Modes of Operation ................................................... -
Page 3: Before You Begin
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: By visiting the M.T.H. website, www.mthtrains.com, you will be able to view any additional manual updates that affect your engine. Enter the MTH Item number of the engine you want to check and select the manual icon to download or view it. -
Page 4: Placing Engine On Track
Add Smoke Fluid Smoke Control Placing The Engine On The Track Your MTH steam engine is equipped with a tetherless drawbar. There is no unsightly cable or box showing between the engine and the tender to detract from the appearance of the model. The electrical connections pass through conductors in the drawbar, so it is important that the connector be properly inserted. - Page 5 To disconnect the engine and tender apply downward pressure near the tender until the connectors separate. The drawbar is able to withstand a 90 degree twist such as might be experienced in a derailment where the engine or the tender would turn over and the other unit would remain upright. If the drawbar is not properly connected your engine may exhibit erratic or no operation.
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Page 6: Ps 3.0 Enhancements
PS 3.0 Enhancements Here are some of the exciting changes incorporated into your new MTH Proto® Sound 3.0 Locomotives. More advanced features such as Custom Speed Tables and Advanced Consisting can be found in the DCC section of this manual. Conventional (Analog) AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down Your new MTH PS3.0-equipped locomotive no longer has batteries. -
Page 7: Programming Track (For Dcc Operation)
Programming Track (for DCC operation) Your MTH PS3.0-equipped O Gauge engine can function on Programming Track outputs from DCC systems. Most DCC systems can support the current requirements of the engine as long as it’s not started up. If you plan on powering up the MTH engine on your programming track, you may want to consider a DCC Programming Track Booster. -
Page 8: Conventional Ac Operation
Conventional AC Operation When using conventional AC power, the engine will respond to changes in track voltage. An increase in track voltage will increase the locomotive speed and a reduction in track voltage will reduce the engine speed. A short interruption (approximately 1 to 2 seconds) in the track voltage will cause the engine to cycle in the sequence for each track voltage interruption (neutral –... -
Page 9: Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional Ac Operating Instructions
Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional AC Operating Instructions Activating Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional AC Mode 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. -
Page 10: Manual Volume Control
Manual Volume Control Manual Volume Control To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the manual volume control (shown to the right) clockwise to increase the volume and counterclockwise to reduce the volume. Turning the manual volume control completely counterclockwise will turn of all of the engine sounds and announcements. - Page 11 Passenger/Freight Announcements (PFA) Your engine is equipped with a sound package of either passenger station announcements or freight yard sounds that you can play when you pull into a station or a yard. 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 PFA sufficient time to run through each sequence.
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Page 12: Pfa
Tips on Using PFA •You can terminate PFA at any time by turning off power to the track for 15 seconds. •You do not have to be in Forward to use PFA. At the conclusion of the full sequence, the train will pull away from the station or yard in whatever direction you were going when you activated the feature. -
Page 13: Speed Control
Speed Control M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound® 3.0 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. -
Page 14: Reset To Factory Default
Reset to Factory Default To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its factory defaults, while in Neutral tap the Horn button quickly once, followed by five quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½... -
Page 15: Dcs Operation
Additional details can be found in the DCS manual that accompanies your DCS system or on the MTH Web site, www.mthtrains.com With DCS, you can have a whole fleet of MTH PS 3.0 engines on the rails and they will remain shut down until you command them to start up. -
Page 16: Basic Dcc Operation
Basic DCC Operation: Your MTH PS3.0-equipped engine takes full advantage of DCC’s capabilities. Below are the basic commands you’ll want to know to get started running quickly. Please refer to the Advanced DCC Operation section of the manual if you want to dig into the full capability of DCC. -
Page 17: Lights
Bell/Whistle (Horn) F1 – Bell To activate the Bell press F1. To deactivate it, hit F1 again F2 – Whistle (Horn) To activate the Whistle/Horn, press F2. To shut it off either let off the F2 button or press and release it F4 –... -
Page 18: Master Volume
Master Volume F6 – Master Volume There are 10 volume levels. Pressing F6 twice (toggling on then off) raises the Master Volume one level. The Master Volume loops. That is, if you go past the 10th level it will loop back around to the 1st or lowest volume level. -
Page 19: Engine Sounds
Engine Sounds F25 – Engine Sounds You can turn the Engine Sounds On/Off by pressing the F25 button. Pressing it once (enabling F25) will cause the Engine Sounds to shut off. TheWhistle/Horn and Bell sounds will still be active, however. To turn the engine sounds back on press the F25 button again (disable F25). Additional F Functions F14-F16 –... - Page 20 F22 – Coupler Slack When an engine hooks up and pulls a train it has to take up the coupler slack. You can play this sound by pressing F22 twice (toggling on then off). This feature works two ways – While the engine is sitting still, press F22 twice to enable it.
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Page 21: Function Chart
AC-6 Cab Forward... -
Page 22: Cv29
CV29 CV29 is the basic decoder setup CV that is used by all DCC decoder manufactures. So, if you are familiar with CV29 from other manufacturer’s decoders MTH’s is no different. The most important part of CV29 is the ability to switch between long and short addressing. By default, CV29 on your MTH PS3.0-equipped engine is set to 2. -
Page 23: Feature/Factory Resetting
To change your engine’s Long Address using PoM: 1. Call up the current engine’s address on your DCC handheld 2. Enter Programming on the Main on your DCC handheld 3. In this step you have to tell the MTH engine that you want it to start looking at long addresses. You do this in CV29: a. - Page 24 unsure of the engine address you can apply the 55-55-55 reset (send a value of 55 to CV55 to engine address 55). In order for this to work correctly the engine’s address must NOT be 55. The engine will need to be sitting at some address other than 55. Below is the method (55-55-55 Reset) you can employ to return an engine to its factory default short address of 3 (it will also set the engine’s long address back to its default –...
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Page 25: Proto-Sound 3.0 Expanded Dcc Functionality
MTH PS3.0 Expanded DCC Functionality Advanced DCC Operation: This section of the manual provides more in-depth detail on how to set up and configure your MTH PS3.0-equipped engine using the NMRA-standard CV’s as well as the manufacturer-specific CV’s. It also explains some of the other F Functions not covered in the Basic DCC Operation section. Configuration Variables (CV) Configuration Variables used on MTH PS3.0-equppied engines. - Page 26 Below is the table of Factory Default MTH supported DCC CV’s. This table is specific to the engine in the title of this manual: Factory Default Values for MTH PS3.0 DCC Configuration Variables (CV’s) AC-6 Cab Forward...
- Page 27 User-Settable F-Function List This feature allows you to take the 28 F-Functions that currently reside in each MTH Proto-Sound 3.0-equipped O-Gauge Engine and change the location of that function. For example: F4 is currently PFA and you’d like that placed down to F28 which is Feature Reset.
- Page 28 The above list includes ALL F functions that an MTH PS3 engine could have. You are free to change any of the above listed items to any F function position, 1-28. For example, if you your engine came from the factory without a smoke unit but you added one at a later date you could swap out any of the F functions, 1-28, for the Smoke On/Off and the Smoke Volume.
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Page 29: Advanced Consisting
Advanced Consisting Advanced Consisting follows the NMRA standards. Any values assigned to CV’s 21-24 are ignored once the consist is removed (CV19 set to 0). Setting the MSB (Bit 7) of CV19 tells the engine that it is facing reverse in the consist Setting CV21 and CV22 determine which F Functions the consist responds to See diagram below for example AC-6 Cab Forward... - Page 30 To set this consists up so that: -The Headlight is ON in the Front engine when going Forward, OFF when the consist is in Reverse -The Reverse light and headlight is OFF in the Rear engine when the consist is going Forward, headlight is ON, reverse light is OFF when the consist is in Reverse -The Middle engine has no lights in either direction Perform the following:...
- Page 31 11. Call up the consist address (address 4 in this example) 12. Press the F0 button to ensure the FL is toggled on. Most systems have a light bulb icon to indicate whether F0 is active or not. Ensure that it is ON NOTE –...
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Page 32: Programming Track
NOTE - CV21 is ONLY used when you have some value other than 0 written to CV19. If CV19 = 0 then the values of CV21, CV22, CV23, and CV24 are not used 1. Call up your Middle engine (address 2 in the example) 2. - Page 33 So, in the above example you simply add up the values in the “Decimal Value” row – 128+64+0+16+8 +0+0+1 = 217. You would write 217 to the CV you were altering. The above applies to any CV. Also, if you have a CV that already has a value assigned that you do not want to alter but need to make additions to it, for example CV29, you would simply add the additional bits you enabled to the existing value to obtain the new CV value.
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Page 34: Maintenance
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. Pivot Point Grease (G) Pivot Point... -
Page 35: Cleaning The Wheels, Tires And Track
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 and prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires. Wheels and tires can be cleaned using denatured (not rubbing) alcohol applied with a cotton swab. -
Page 36: Headlight Replacement Instructions
• Clean the groove using a cotton swab and denatured alcohol. • Slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it useful to use two small flathead screwdrivers to stretch the tire over the wheel. • If you twist the tire while stretching it over the wheel, you will need to remove and reinstall the tire. -
Page 37: Troubleshooting Proto-Sound 3.0 Problems
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 3.0 Problems Although Proto-Sound® 3.0 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;... - Page 38 Lock-out Solution I can’t get the engine to run after I power up the The engine maybe locked into the neutral transformer. It sits still with the diesel and com- position. Follow the procedure in the “Lock pressor sounds running. The engine won’t lock into a Direction”...
- Page 39 Conventional DC Stand-up Solution When I apply power to the track my engine Check to see if that section of track has power. doesn’t do anything. No lights, no sound, no Use a voltmeter or a lit passenger car. nothing. Slide the engine a couple of feet in either direction, you may have a bad track section Have you got that section electrically isolated...
- Page 40 Lights Solution One of my lights is out. Most likely you had been running the engine in DCC or DCS mode and toggled that light off. Put it back into one of those modes and turn that light back on. The engine will remember that when you run it again in Conventional DC.
- Page 41 Starting Up Solution When I apply power to the track my engine Did you press F3 yet? F3 on your DCC handheld doesn’t do anything. No lights, no sound. will start your engine up. Check to see if that section of track has power. Use a voltmeter or a lit passenger car, not your tongue.
- Page 42 Lights Solution When I apply power to the track my engine Did you press F3 yet? F3 on your DCC handheld doesn’t do anything. No lights, no sound. will start your engine up. Check to see if that section of track has power. Use a voltmeter or a lit passenger car, not your tongue.
- Page 43 DCS (Remember, it’s NOT DCC) Starting Up Solution When I apply power to the track my engine This is normal. You have to hit the Start-Up doesn’t do anything. No lights, no sound. button. Check to see if that section of track has power. Use a voltmeter or a lit passenger car, not your tongue.
- Page 44 Smoke Solution My engine isn’t smoking at all Press the smoke button, this will activate the smoke. My engine barely smokes If you just filled it with the smoke fluid sometimes the fluid can make a seal in the stack. Blow down the stack to clear the air bubble.
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Page 45: Transformer Compatibility And Wiring Chart
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Proto-Sound® 3.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart below lists the many compatible transformers. 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. -
Page 46: Dc Power Supply Chart
AC-6 Cab Forward... -
Page 47: Additional Features Accessible Of Dcs Remote Control System
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS Remote Control System (Additional equipment required) While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound® 3.0 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. -
Page 48: Service & Warranty Information
Service Center (ASC) in your area to obtain Repair Authorization. You can find the list of ASCs on the M.T.H. Website, www.mthtrains.com. Authorized Service Centers are required to make warranty repairs on items sold only from that store; all other repairs may-- or may not be done at the store’s own discretion. If you did not purchase the item directly from the ASC, you will need to select a National Authorized Service Center (NASC).
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