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E L E C T R I C
T R A I N S
R
MTH GP38-2 DIESEL ENGINE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains GP38-2 diesel
locomotive. This ¼" scale reproduction of the famous GP38-2 locomotive
measures over 15" in length and weighs almost 5 pounds. Despite its scale
size, the locomotive is capable of operating on O-31 3-rail track with most
compatible AC transformer, (see 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 Operating Instructions, found on page
3, should be read so that you understand the basics of the operating system.
Please note that some features are only found in the ProtoSound® equipped
engines and are marked as such.
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Summary of Contents for MTHTrains GP38-2
- Page 1 T R A I N S MTH GP38-2 DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains GP38-2 diesel locomotive. This ¼” scale reproduction of the famous GP38-2 locomotive measures over 15” in length and weighs almost 5 pounds. Despite its scale...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart Transformer Wiring Chart O-31 OPERATION EXPLODED VIEW AND PARTS LISTS SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION HOW TO GET SERVICE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation(All 3-Rail Models)
The MTH GP38-2 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the GP38-2 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 31). The GP38-2 model is controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU® electronic reverse unit. -
Page 4: Protosounds ® Operating Instructions
This takes approximately 2.2 seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds begin. In order for ProtoSounds® to properly initiate the system check, do not advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 5: Horn Operation
The bell can be turned on or off by simply pressing the Bell button on your transformer anytime the engine is in forward, neutral or reverse. The bell will continue to ring until the bell MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 6: Protocoupler™ Operation
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION Your GP38-2 ProtoSound®-equipped locomotive is equipped with two coil-wound ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. Because the ProtoCoupler™ is controlled through ProtoSounds® microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section or modification to your layout... -
Page 7: Cab Chatter Sounds
Listen For The Throttle Down From Squeaking Brake Sounds High Voltage To Low playing of the brake sounds with the movement of the engine. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before the MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 8: Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds
brake sound is completed. Operators will find that coordinating the movement of the throttle setting from 8 volts to off will allow the engine to maintain its movement while the brake sounds play. Note: The brake sounds will not be heard if the transformer throttle is not set above 14 volts and/or not reduced below 8 volts. -
Page 9: Freight Yard Sounds (Fys)
Seconds, Listen For a Horn Blast or Air Release, then Remove your Finger from the Button. Press Bell Button Again Quickly to Stop Bell Chime. Your train is now ready for you to play the FYS. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... - Page 10 Change/Press Direction- The Train Will Remain In Horn Whistle Neutral. You Will Hear Closing Doors, Horn Blast, Direction a Few Bell Chimes and Engine Departs in the Direction the Engine First Stopped. For more detailed FYS instructions, read the following. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 11 Listen For The release the whistle button. Press & Hold Horn/Whistle Blast The Horn/Whistle Button After 3 Seconds Interrupt the transformer For 3 Seconds MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 12 In order to have the engine leave the yard in the same direction it entered Proto-Sound® disables the motors in this reverse state to prevent the engine from running backwards. FYS confirms reverse is entered by playing a sound highlight best described as a rumbling sound. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 13 Otherwise the engine will just sit still until you increase the transformer throttle setting on the transformer. However, don’t set the throttle setting too high or the engine will go racing away faster than you might expect. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
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Page 14: Tips On Using Fys Features
In Event 4, you cannot interrupt FYS until after the engine begins to move. Interrupting the throttle before the engine begins to move has no effect on the locomotive’s operation. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 15: Reverse Unit Lockout Control Functions
NEUTRAL position, the horn/whistle button may turn on or off sounds of the bell. Remember, the horn/whistle doesn’t blow in NEUTRAL (unless you programmed it to do so using Reset Feature 25 - see page 20 for details), only the bell rings. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 16: Self-Charging Battery Backup System
ON in the NEUTRAL position for 6 hours. Note: When charging the battery in neutral, if your trains contains a Smoke Unit should be turned OFF to prevent damage to the wick and the heating elements. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 17: Manual Protosound® Volume Adjustment
For information on operating the RESET volume adjustment option, see the section entitled “Programming Proto-Sound® RESET Options” on the following pages. Proto-Sound® Volume Adjustment Figure 3: Adjusting The ProtoSound® Volume and selecting the ProtoCoupler direction. Proto-Coupler® Selection Switch MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 18: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds
“Clinks" and “Clanks" High Voltage To Low High Voltage To Low 2 Times 4 More Times to confirm the feature you’ve selected. Listen For 1 Clank Listen For The And 1 Clink Sounds 2 Clink Sounds MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 19: Remotely Setting The Engine Volume
Remotely Adjusting The Engine Volume - Reset Feature 6 – (1 Clank, 1 Clink) Reset Feature 6 allows you to change the volume setting of the chuff sounds without affecting the volume of other sounds, such as whistle, bell, enhanced neutral sounds, etc. To use, cycle to Reset 6 and press the Whistle button. -
Page 20: Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation
The settings for Reset 10 are 1 Bell = ON, 2 Bells = OFF. When the desired setting is reached, lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 21: Turning Off Cab Chatter
The settings for Reset 28 are 1 Bell = ON, 2 Bells = OFF. When the desired setting is reached, lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 22: Activating Remote Lockout Control
Proto-Sound system has restored Interrupt The Throttle Listen For 3 Clank all settings to factory default To “Lock-In” And 3 Clink Sounds The Default Setting settings. Lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 23: Oil & Lubrication Instructions
(See Figure 5). Grease can then be applied into the gear box using a grease tube dispenser. Motor Mount Screw Figure 5: Location of the motor mount screw MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 24: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions
If a twist occurs, the tire will have to be removed and reinstalled or a noticeable wobble in your engine will occur when operating the locomotive. In addition, it is important to make sure that the tire is MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 25: Light Bulb Removal & Replacement
Lubrication section on the proceeding pages. Once the cab has been separated from the chassis, gently unplug the bulb’s wiring harness from the socket on the constant voltage circuit. Replacement bulbs are available directly from MTH Electric Trains. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 26: Trouble Shooting Protosound® Problems
The bell won’t work with a separate bell button. Program ProtoSounds”) and press the whistle button until the bell sounds two dings. Simply turn the throttle off and then on again to lock in the new setting. Also check the bell button wiring. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... - Page 27 The sounds seem distorted, especially when the creating the distorted sounds. Try turning the volume whistle or bell is activated. control knob located on the bottom of the chassis counter clockwise to reduce the overall volume level. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 28 If you don’t engine in neutral, the engine begins making freight want to hear the freight yard sounds after entering yard sound effects. neutral, turn the power off for three seconds to disable the freight yard sound effects. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 29 Whenever FYS is enabled, pressing the whistle and event, the bell and whistle functions are disabled until bell buttons has no affect. either the FYS events have been completed, or the engine is shut down for 3 or more seconds. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
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Page 30: Proto-Sound Reset Feature Chart
4 Clanks/3 Clinks Horn In Neutral Horn In Neutral OFF 5 Clanks/0 Clinks RESERVED FYS Enabled FYS ON 5 Clanks/3 Clinks Lockout Enabled Lockout OFF 8 Clanks/0 Clinks Squeaking Brakes Brakes Always ON 9 Clanks/0 Clinks MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 31: Transformer Wiring Chart
8-20v 275-Watt Standard MTH Z4000 Black 5-22v 390-Watt Electronic *ProtoSounds® needs over 14 volts of power to work properly. Overloading or using in-line accessories with this transformer may lower the peak voltage below ProtoSounds® minimum requirements. MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... -
Page 32: O-31 Operation
O-31 OPERATION While the GP38-2 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 GP38-2 through O-31 switches. Should this occur, we suggest adding weight to the cars making them heavier and less likely to derail. -
Page 33: Exploded View And Parts Lists
( black ) FC-2150019 51.) Screw IA-0000034 17.) Side grill ( short )(left) ( blue ) FC-2120035 ( M2X5.0mm )( fillister head ) 17.) Side grill ( short ) (left) ( black ) FC-2120036 52.) Switch BB-0000006 MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions... - Page 34 MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
- Page 35 ( 4/40X6.0mm )( roundhead ) 83.) Screw IA-0000010 ( M3X4.0mm )( roundhead ) 84.) Screw IA-0000003 ( 4/40X6.0mm )( roundhead ) 85.) Insulator BD-0000015 (Pick-up)(top)(square) 86.) Speaker BF-4500008 (Star PR-05004-08, 8 ,0.2w) 87.) Bracket (speaker) IH-0000011 MTH GP38-2 Operating Instructions...
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Page 36: Service And Warranty Information
Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, 410-381-2580 (FAX No. 410-423-0009), or on the internet at service@mth-railking.com or our web site, www.mthtrains.com, stating which product you have, when it was purchased and what seems to be the problem. You will be given a return authorization number to assure that your merchandise will be properly handled upon its receipt at MTH.
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