MTHTrains FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL ENGINE Operating Instructions Manual

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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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

Table Of Contents

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models) 3
PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION 4

PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 5

ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation (All 3-Rail Models) 5
Horn Operation 6
Bell Operation 6
ProtoCoupler™ Operation 7
Cab Chatter Sounds 8
Squeaking Brake Sounds 8
Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Sounds 9
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 10
Activating and Triggering Freight Yard Sounds 10
Tips On Using FYS Features 15
Self-Recharging Battery Backup System 16

Replacing The ProtoSound® Battery 16
ProtoSound® Volume Adjustment 17

USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS® 18

Entering RESET Options 18
Setting The Engine Volume 19
Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller 20

Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 20
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 21
Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 22
Programming For FYS Operation 23
Activating Remote Lockout Control 23
Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds 24
ResettingAll ProtoSound® Options To Factory Default 24

REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION 25

Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse 25
Unlocking The Engine 25
Locking The Engine Into Neutral 25

OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 27
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 28

LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 29
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS 30

ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart 33
Transformer Wiring Chart 34

SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 35
HOW TO GET SERVICE 35

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 35

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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). All models are equipped with an operating smoke system that should
be primed with smoke fluid before operating . Adding 20 - 25 drops of
fluid through the smoke stack should be sufficient. If you choose to not

prime the units with fluid , turn the smoke unit switch located under the
trailing truck to the OFF position. (See Figure 1) This will prevent any

damage from occurring to the smoke unit when running the engine without
a primed smoke unit. For more
information see the section on page 4

on Smoke Unit operation.

The FM Trainmaster model is
controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU®
electronic reverse unit. The reverse
unit operates in the same manner that
all reverse units function by using
forward, neutral and reverse states that
are entered each time the throttle is
turned on and off or by using the
transformer direction switch (if so
equipped).

The reverse unit is designed to
ignore dirty track, dead spots on

switches or minor short circuits
without disrupting the engine
operation, even at slow, prototypical

speeds. Once the engine is placed on the track, the transformer throttle can
be advanced. You will see that only the engine’s lights come on and two
dings from the sound system will chime followed by the air compressor
pump sounds. The engine does not run. This is known as the RESET state
and is explained in more detail beginning on Page 5. The ProtoSound®
DCRU® will not power the motor until the throttle is turned OFF and then
ON again. At this point, the engine will now function just like any other
electronic or mechanical E-unit.

Smoke Unit Switch

ProtoCoupler

Switch

Figure 1: Locating The Smoke Unit Switch
and ProtoCoupler Switch.

RESET

Neutral

Reverse

Neutral

Forward

Figure 2: ProtoSound® DCRU® Cycle Phases

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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.

The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick which soaks up and then
“cooks" a mineral oil-based fluid that omits a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced out

of the stack via a small electric fan which runs at a constant speed. However, the smoke
intensity can be varied by increasing the transformer voltage setting. The higher the setting,

the more intense the smoke output.

For best results, we recommend that you add 20 - 25 drops of ProtoSmoke™, Seuthe, LGB or
LVTS fluid before you run the engine. If you don’t choose to add the fluid, then the smoke

unit switch should be turned off. Failure to either add the fluid or turn the switch off could
lead to damage to the smoke unit heating element and or wicking. Add the fluid through the
smoke stack hole. After adding the fluid, gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air
bubbles. Do not overfill the unit as overfilling can cause the fluid to leak out and coat the
interior engine components. When the smoke output begins to diminish while running the
engine, an additional 20-25 drops of smoke fluid should be added or the smoke unit switch

should be turned off. When storing the engine for long periods of time, you may want to add at
least 20 drops of fluid to keep the wick soaked with fluid and prevent it from drying out. After
removing the engine from storage, it is advisable to add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the

wick soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to operation.

SMOKE UNIT MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Operating the engine without smoke fluid and with the smoke unit switch in the
ON position can damage your smoke unit wick, causing the wick to become hard, blackened
and unabsorbant around the heating element.
When this occurs, it may be difficult for the
wick to soak up the smoke fluid resulting in
poor or no smoke output. If that occurs, we

recommend that you inspect and/or replace the
wick taking care to not run the engine without
fluid in the future. You can inspect the wick to

see if it needs replacement by removing the
smoke unit circuit board from the smoke unit

body as seen in Fig.2. After removing the
circuit board screws lift the circuit board away

and inspect the wick. If the wick is darkly
discolored and hard, it should be replaced.

Smoke Unit

Circuit Board

Mounting Screws

After Removing

Mounting Screws,

Lift Circuit Board

To Reveal Wicking

Figure 2: Inspecting The Smoke Unit

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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:

1.

∗

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
Reverse Unit Lock-Out* Remotely Adjustable Diesel Engine Volume* Authentic
Cab Chatter Neutral Sounds* Authentic Diesel Engine Startup & Shutdown
Sounds *

Each feature is described among the following pages. Though the system
is easy to use, we encourage you to read the instructions thoroughly.

PROTOSOUND® DCRU® REVERSE UNIT

As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a
DCRU® reverse unit that contains the standard forward-neutral-reverse
states found on most reverse units. However, as described earlier, when
power is first applied to the track, the reverse unit begins in RESET or what
seems like a neutral state. Power must be interrupted again to get the
locomotive to enter the forward state. It is this first RESET state that gives
ProtoSound® its unique, remote controlled functions. The system will enter
RESET whenever power to the track is off for three or more seconds.
NEUTRAL will be referred to as the state between Forward and Reverse.

ProtoSounds® is equipped with a microprocessor, that, depending on the
amount of memory it is allotted, allows the user to utilize several remotely

activated functions. In the simplest terms, ProtoSounds® has its own
“Computer" controlling these functions. In fact, the power of this

microprocessor is the same as that of a 286 desktop computer! In order to
access many of these remotely controlled functions, the user must be in the
RESET state to do so. RESET is entered anytime power to the locomotive

has been off for more than 3 to 5 seconds. When the engine first enters
RESET, the microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the
system, transformer and engine are operating correctly. 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

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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. Interrupting the power too quickly may cause the
system to re-enter RESET (signaled by two dings of the bell). Should this
happen, wait longer before interrupting the power to enter the Forward
phase.

ProtoSounds® comes with several programmable functions, including
remote Diesel Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation

(pre-programmed at the factory), Horn In Neutral Operation,
ProtoCoupler™ On/Off Control, Squeaking Brakes and Passenger Station

or Freight Yard Proto-Effects. Each of these features are described in more
detail later. You will notice that when in RESET, your engine will not

respond to the whistle button with a horn blast or continuous bell ringing.
In fact, when in RESET and the whistle button is depressed, only one single
bell chime will be heard each time the whistle button is pressed. If you
don’t want to configure or change your locomotive using any of these
programmable features, simply leave RESET and wait 2.2 seconds before
interrupting the power to put the engine in forward. After you leave
RESET, your engine will operate normally in all the direction states of
forward, neutral and reverse. Remember though, once power is turned off
for more than 3 seconds, the next time power is applied to the track, your
engine will be back in RESET.

HORN OPERATION

Your FM Trainmaster ProtoSound®-equipped engine is equipped with a
digital recording of a diesel horn. The horn sound can be activated anytime
the engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your
transformer. The horn will continue to blow as long as the whistle button is
depressed. The horn will not function in RESET and must be configured
through a RESET option to allow the whistle to work when the engine is in

neutral. See page 21 for information on horn programming in the Using
RESET To Program ProtoSounds® section of this manual.

BELL OPERATION

Your FM Trainmaster ProtoSound®-equipped engine is equipped with a
digital recording of an actual diesel engine bell. The bell can be turned on
or off with any separate bell button, like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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). Once the bell is turned on, it will continue to ring
when the engine is cycled into forward or reverse until you press the bell
button or re-enter NEUTRAL and turn the bell off with the whistle button.

In fact, because of ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design, the
microprocessor remembers its last command. Therefore, unless you turn

the bell off before you quit running your train, the next time you run the
engine, the bell will come on. No matter whether you come back an hour

later or a year later, the bell will begin chiming once the engine enters one
of the three directional states.

To turn the bell on using the transformer’s whistle button, turn on power to
the track and cycle the engine into NEUTRAL. Turn the throttle to 8 volts
or less (any higher voltage will arm the ProtoCoupler™) and press the
whistle button. The bell should begin chiming. To turn the bell off, press
the whistle button again. If you want to keep the bell on while running the
engine, simply interrupt the power with the transformer throttle or the
transformer directional switch and enter forward or reverse.

PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION

Your FM Trainmaster 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 to function. The three simple steps below are

required to operate the coupler.

1. Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the way up.

2. Press the transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler. (You
will hear a “Clank").

3. After arming the
coupler, press the whistle

button again to open the
coupler. H H

Put Engine In Neutral
At Full Power

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Listen For The

Ca-Clunk Sound

See The Coupler Open

And Listen For The

Cha-Chusshh Sound

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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.
However, you may find that the
coupler doesn’t open when

firing the coupler at high
speeds. Reduce the voltage

setting on your transformer if
this occurs and run your engine

at a slower speed before firing
the coupler. If the coupler

continues to open erratically, try lubricating the knuckle with light oil as
indicated in Fig. 3.

For multiple heading purposes, only one of the two ProtoCouplers™ will
function at any one time. Use the coupler direction switch as shown in
Figure 1 on page 3 to select either the front or rear coupler. Simply slide
the switch toward the direction of the coupler you want to make active.

NEUTRAL-ACTIVATED CAB CHATTER SOUNDS

Your engine is equipped with four dispatacher-to-engineer “Cab Chatter”
radio transmissions that occur every 2 to 30 seconds. Each sequence will
play at random intervals to eliminate repetition. While the sounds are
selected to play randomly by the microprocessor, there is no guarantee that
you won’t hear the same message repeated twice or more times.

SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS

ProtoSound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your engine slows in speed. There are two
settings for activating the squeaking brake sounds. The default setting
allows the brake sounds to play
while the engine is in forward or
reverse and the transformer
throttle is lowered from a high
setting (greater than 14v) to a
low setting (less than 8v). The
second setting requires that a bell

Lubricate

ProtoCoupler™

Knuckle

Figure 3: Lubricating The ProtoCouplers

Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low

Listen For The

Squeaking Brake Sounds

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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. Some practice may be
required to synchronize the playing of the brake sounds with the movement
of the engine. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before the brake
sound is completed. Operators will find that by 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, then

reduced below 8 volts.

TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE

Because the squeaking brake feature always plays for approximately 3
seconds, it is possible that the brake sounds will play longer or shorter than
what visually seems prototypical. You will find that by practicing with the
brake feature, you can quickly determine how quickly to throttle down and
which speeds and voltage settings will give you the most prototypical braking
effect.

Typical users will find the feature to be a very realistic way to simulate the
sound of an engine slowing down for curves, crossings or coming to a stop at a
station, side track or switch yard. As mentioned above, you will find that
initially your engine may continue to play the brake sounds once your engine

comes to a stop or that the sounds stop prematurely before the engine comes to
a complete halt. For example, if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle

off quickly, the brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the
engine has come to a complete stop. This annoying effect can be eliminated by
simply practicing with the brake feature. In no time, you will quickly learn

how to “feather" the throttle to keep the engine moving while the brake sounds
play and then turning the throttle off just as the sounds stop. Remember that

once you stop the engine, you should turn the throttle to the off position if you
don’t want to activate the Freight Yard Sounds feature described later in this
manual.

The ProtoSound® squeaking brake feature also has the ability to simulate the
squeal of wheel flanges when your train enters a curve at high speeds. The
same brake squeaking sound plays, but you don’t need to reduce the

transformer throttle to activate the squeaking sounds. To play the squeaking
sounds as wheel flange sounds, trigger the brake feature using either method 1
or 2 above. Once triggered set the transformer throttle setting at 14 volts or
higher. As your engine enters a curve (or anywhere on the layout) quickly

“flick" your transformer whistle button about half way. This “flicking" action
causes the transformer to release a short DC signal that ProtoSounds® reads as

an indicator to activate the brake sounds. The engine won’t slow down even
though the sounds play. This simulates the wheel flange squeal of a train
traveling through a turn too quickly.

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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. The
sounds themselves are randomly generated and randomly “shuffled” on the
ProtoSounds® software chip. This gives the system the ability to produce

different sounds in a different order each time FYS is enabled. These
different sounds are heard each time you cycle the transformer throttle from

ON to OFF in the same manner that you would cycle the throttle to enter the
various states of Forward, Neutral and Reverse. The entire FYS sequence is
designed to simulate the arrival, loading or unloading and departure of a

freight train in a freight yard. Each sequence is described in more detail in
the following sections.

USING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS

Your ProtoSound® equipped engine features an operator controlled freight
yard sound set. Once activated, this easy-to-use feature plays the sound of
freight yard activitities whenever the operator parks the engine in the
neutral position.

ARMING THE FREIGHT YARD FEATURE

Before FYS can be heard, ProtoSound® must be told to activate the
feature the next time the engine enters the neutral position. This can be

accomplished in one of two ways.
Option 1: If you are using a separate bell button controller to ring your

bell (like the Lionel® Railsounds® number 5906 bell activation button),
you can activate the feature by pressing and holding down the bell button

for three or more
seconds (it doesn’t

matter if you are in
Forward, Neutral or

Reverse). You will hear
the bell chiming turn on
and if you listen

Put Engine In Neutral,
Forward or Reverse

Press & Hold

The Railsounds® Bell Button

For 3 Seconds

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Listen For The

Air Release Sound

After 3 Seconds

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MTH FM Trainmaster Diesel Operating Manual

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. If you were in Neutral when you triggered
the brake feature, interrupt the transformer throttle to enter either forward or
reverse and allow the engine to begin moving. (Note: the feature will only

be activated in the first direction state you enter after arming the feature
from the Neutral position. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter

another direction state and still have the brake feature active.) Once your
engine begins moving, you can trigger the sounds to begin playing

whenever you enter Neutral.

Option 2: If you do not have a separate bell button on your layout, you
can still activate the feature with your transformer whistle button. To
activate the feature, turn on the transformer throttle and get your engine into
the Neutral position (not RESET). Once in Neutral, set the transformer
throttle at 8 volts or less and press and hold the whistle button for at least
three seconds. You will hear the bell chiming begin and if you listen
carefully, you should hear an air release sound after three seconds have
passed. At this time you can release the whistle 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 whistle button.) The bell will
continue to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press

and release the whistle
button a second time.
Interrupt the transformer

throttle to enter either
forward or reverse and

allow the engine to begin
moving. (Note: the feature

will only be activated in the
first direction state you enter after arming the feature from the Neutral
position. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another direction
state and still have the brake feature active.) Once your engine begins
moving, you can trigger the sounds to begin playing whenever you re-enter
Neutral.

Put Engine In Neutral
At Low Power

Press & Hold

The Whistle Button

For 3 Seconds

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Listen For The

Air Release Sound

After 3 Seconds

H