MTHTrains F-3 Engineer's Manual

M.T.H. HO

F-3

Diesel Engine

Congratulations! You've just purchased the most
technically advanced HO diesel locomotive ever
produced! This highly detailed model includes a
broader range of features than you’ll find on any
other HO scale diesel, including smooth
performance from a 12-Volt 5-Pole Precision
Flywheel Equipped Skew-wound motor; and a
DCC-Ready plug-in receptacle for any DCC
receiver. If you’re looking for modern motive
power that’s accurately detailed, smooth running,
and a great deal of fun to operate, it doesn’t get
any better than this.

PLEASE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE USE AND SAVE

WWW.MTHHOTRAINS.COM

DCC Ready

ENGINEER’S GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE 4

Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine 4
What Else is in the Box? 4

PRODUCT OVERVIEW 5

Getting to Know Your Engine 5
Engine Diagram 6
Removing the Body 6

SET-UP 7

Lubrication 7

FEATURES AND OPERATION 7

Analog DC (standard DC power pack) 8
DCC Digital Command Control 8

Installing your DCC Decoder 10

SPECIFICATIONS 12

CARE AND MAINTENANCE 13

Troubleshooting Guide 13

HOW TO ORDER PARTS 14

SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION 15

Alternate Lighting Supply Jumper 9

Service & Warranty Information 15
Limited One-Year Warranty 15

This product may be protected by one or more of the following patents: 6,019,289;
6,280,278; 6,281,606; 6,291,263; 6,457,681; 6,491,263; 6,604,641; 6,619,594; 6,624,537;
6,655,640.

©2010, M.T.H. Electric Trains®, Columbia, MD 21046

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:

WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:

Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.

lM.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment

periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary cord,
plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until properly
repaired.

lDo not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
lThis train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
lDo not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.

Recommended for Ages 14 and up. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age without adult supervision. As
with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock.

Rev: 80dl18571i_12/30/2010

M.T.H. HO F-3 Diesel Engine

3

QUICK START GUIDE

I USE A REGULAR DC SUPPLY…

Step 1: Unpack your Engine (refer to unpacking instruction on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Apply increasing DC voltage until she starts up and pulls out!

CAUTION: M.T.H. HO engines DO NOT OPERATE ON AC

VOLTAGE. Applying AC power to your locomotive could cause permanent

damage and will void your warranty.

Of course, you should read your manual over before running your engine,
but if you just can’t wait you’re in luck. Your MTH DCC Ready engine is
ready to run out of the box. Follow the three simple steps below to get
your new engine up and running. Now, after a few minutes, shut her down
and read through your engineer’s guide.

.

UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE

Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine

Carefully remove and unwrap the model on a soft surface. By nature, models
with high levels of detail have some small fragile parts.

Carefully remove any foam packing pieces that may be surrounding the model.

What Else is in the Box?

The following items are packed with your engine.

Engineer's Guide (1)
You probably know that since you're reading it.

ALT-L Pad Jumper (1)

This is for the ALT-L pad on the MTH DCC Ready Engine Board

M.T.H. HO F-3 Diesel Engine

4

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Getting to Know Your M.T.H. HO Locomotive

Key Features

Your new HO Diesel Engine is equipped with a DCC-Ready receiver receptacle.
In plain English, this means your locomotive is ready-to-run using any DC power
supply and can be quickly updated to command control with any DCC decoder.

Compatibility

This HO model has directionally controlled LED's, has locations for DCC
decoders to drive the Number board LED's (extra F functions on applicable DCC
decoders).

Compatible with any DC power supply
Compatible with DCC decoders that use the standard 8-pin NMRA connection

M.T.H. HO F-3 Diesel Engine

5

Lights

As you read on, you'll notice there are no instructions for replacing light bulbs in
your diesel. That's because there aren't any. We use specially designed and
controlled LEDs to create realistic lighting effects that occur automatically. All
the lights for this model are LED’S (headlight and two number boards) Again,
NO PROGRAMMING!!

More…

No other HO locomotive has features like these. There are so many more things
to learn and enjoy about M.T.H. HO Engines, we could write a book. But, that's
no fun. So, if you haven't already done so, flip to the Quick Start Guide and let's
run your new engine!!