MTHTrains GS-4, GS-6 Engineer's Manual

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/GS-6

Steam Engine

Congratulations! You've just purchased the most
feature rich and technically advanced HO steam
engine ever produced! In addition, it happens to
be produced by MTH, the leader in digital sound
and control technology for model railroading.
There will be many more engines to follow.

We hope you will enjoy them.

Now, let's get started…..

Freight Yard Sound

PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

(PS3)

ENGINEER’S GUIDE

Passenger Station Announcement

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M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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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 7

SET-UP 8

Engine and Tender Connection 8
Smoke Unit Preparation and Use 8
Removal/Installation of Drive Wheel Sets 8
Lubrication 10

FEATURES AND OPERATION 11

Analog DC (standard DC power pack) 11
DCC Digital Command Control 14
DCS Digital Command System 20

SPECIFICATIONS 22

CARE AND MAINTENANCE 23

Troubleshooting Guide 23

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:

Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 - 16.
As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock.

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

Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.

l M.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.

l Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
l This train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
l Do not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.
l When operating this product with older transformers that fail to meet current U.L. standards, install some sort of circuit breaker

protection between the transformer the DCS Track Interface Unit (TIU). Failure to provide this protection could lead to fatal damage
to the DCS equipment. See the warnings later in the manual.

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.

©2008, M.T.H. Electric Trains, Columbia, MD 21046

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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QUICK START GUIDE

Of course, you should read your manual over before running your GS-4/6.
But if you just can’t wait, choose how you want to run below and enjoy!!
Now, after a few minutes, shut her down and read through your engineer’s
guide.

I USE A REGULAR DC SUPPLY…

Step 1: Unpack your GS-4/6 (refer to unpacking instructions on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Apply increasing DC voltage until she starts up and pulls out!

I'M A DCC OPERATOR….

Step 1: Unpack your GS-4/6 (refer to unpacking instructions on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCC system…
Step 4: Select engine address 3 and press “F3” to start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and head on down the pike…

I RUN DCS….

Step 1: Unpack your GS-4/6 (refer to unpacking instructions on pg 4)…

Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCS system…
Step 4: Add the engine to your system and start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and move 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.

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.

Smoke Fluid Pipette (1)

Enough fluid to get you started and then some.

Rear Drive Wheel Set without Traction Tires (1)

For Those who prefer not to use traction tires.

3mm Nut Driver (1)

In case you want to install the drivers with traction tires or replace the standard
drive wheels.

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW

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

Key Features

Your new HO GS-4/6 is equipped with the exclusive M.T.H. Proto-Sound®

3.0digital sound and control system. In plain English, this means your locomotive
contains state-of-the-art electronics providing realistic digital sounds, puffing smoke
perfectly synchronized with chuffing sounds and motion, precisely controlled speed
in increments of 1 scale mile per hour, and much, much, more.

Compatibility

The Proto-Sound 3 system is universally compatible with track power and/or signal
combinations including analog DC (regular DC transformer), DCC (NMRA Digital
Command Control), or DCS (MTH Digital Command System). Simply set your

GS-4/6 on the rails, apply any one of these power/signal sources, and move out!

The Proto-Sound 3.0 system automatically senses the track environment and adapts
accordingly. No hidden jumpers, switches, magic wands, or programming required!!!

A vast array of realistic operation is automatic when the GS-4/6 is run on analog
DC. You can expand access to features in a DCC environment. Experience the
most your new locomotive has to offer in the simple to use yet powerful world of
DCS. To be clear, DCS is NOT a proprietary version of DCC, as some other

manufacturers offer. DCS is a comprehensive layout control system designed
with one primary goal: make model trains do amazingly realistic things
using a simple and intuitive controller. We put the complexity on the inside,
and the fun in your hands!

Digital Sound

Your Proto-Sound 3 (PS 3) equipped GS-4/6 contains over 100 individual
recordings. These recordings are played back dynamically at appropriate times to
create a symphony of realism for your ears. Hear the chuffs automatically intensify
or lighten when speeding up or slowing down, listen to the sounds of brakes
squeaking and squealing as you come to a stop, or enjoy the random conversations
of railmen working as your model sits at idle. It's all there and it's incredible.

Now, your HO GS-4/6 includes the ultimate in realism Proto-Whistle. With this
incredible new feature you have variable control over the steam whistle sound in
your locomotive (when operated in DCS mode with the DCS Commander or DCS
software version 4.0 or greater) Also included is a Grade Crossing Whistle

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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Digital Control

In standard analog DC mode, your model still operates under digital control. The
PS 3 advance speed control system converts track voltage into digital speed
commands. Your model will run smoothly and consistently at any speed regardless
of load, hills, or curves. If you are a DCC user, you'll quickly learn to appreciate the
precision of our speed control and linear speed curve. DCS users will enjoy the
added benefits of controlling speeds in increments of 1 scale mile per hour
displayed on DCS controllers or easily changing acceleration and deceleration rates
independently without any discussion of bits or bytes. To be clear, DCS is NOT

DCC.

Lights & Smoke

As you read on, you'll notice there are no instructions for replacing light bulbs in
your GS-4/6. That's because there aren't any. We use specially designed and
controlled LEDs to create realistic lighting effects that occur automatically. Again,

NO PROGRAMMING!! Just come to a stop and watch as the headlight dims
automatically in accordance with rule 17. Of course, as you pull away, the headlight

returns to it's fully bright, yet warm, glow. Your new GS-4/6 includes realistic
Classification lighting with appropriately colored LED's in the boiler. We even
included a light in the cab so the engineer and fireman can see to do their jobs!

MTH is renowned for our realistic smoke systems. The HO GS-4/6 is no
exception. When the smoke is on, you will experience copious puffs synchronized
precisely with chuffing sounds at 4 times per revolution of the drive wheels. Of
course, when you stop, the smoke wafts out of the stack steadily, just like the real
thing! The smoke behavior applies to all operating modes, analog DC, DCC, or
DCS. With some DCC controllers, you can turn smoke on and off remotely. In
DCS mode, you can not only toggle smoke on and off with the press of single
button, you can actually select from 3 output levels to keep those smoke alarms
from going off!

More…

In analog DC operation, just flip the track polarity or direction switch at any speed
and watch your GS-4/6 gradually come to stop, turn on the appropriate directional
lighting, and smoothly accelerate back up to speed. No other HO locomotive has

features like these. There are so many more things to learn and enjoy about the

GS-4/6, 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!!

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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ENGINE DIAGRAM

Boiler

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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Tender

Drive Wheels

Cab Interior
Light

Fireman/
Engineer
Figures

Lighted
Classification
Lights

Front Coupler

Sliding Roof Vent

Pilot Truck

Smoke Stack

Drawbar

Drawbar Receiver

Rear Coupler

Apron

Drive Wheels

SET-UP

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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Connection of the Engine and Tender

Your MTH HO GS-4/6 is presented and packaged as a pre-connected unit.
The drawbar is attached to the engine and the tender by screws. Along with
providing a mechanical connection of the tender to the engine, the drawbar also
provide an electrical connection between the engine and tender.
No assembly is required.

Smoke Unit Preparation and Use

Your GS-4/6 is equipped with a proven fan-driven smoke system design featured in
MTH products for over 10 years. The performance and realism of this system is
unparallel in the model train industry.

Your smoke unit comes primed from the factory however, before running the smoke
unit for more than a few minutes, you should add more fluid. Add between 10-15
drops initially and whenever smoke output diminishes or if the engine has been
stored for a long period of time. We provided some fluid with your model to get
you started.

The smoke unit is controlled differently depending upon how your run your engine
so, for particulars on turning it on or off or setting the output levels, check out the
features and operation section.

You shouldn't run your smoke unit without fluid. Doing so can cause overheating
and reduce the performance and/or life of the unit. Of course, we recommend
using only MTH ProtoSmoke fluid. Super Smoke and LVTS brands also work fine.

Removal/Installation of Drive Wheel Sets

Your Gs4/Gs6 comes from the factory with traction tire equipped drive wheels
installed and an alternate set without traction tires available separately in the box.
The traction tires provide exceptional pulling power on grades and through curves
but should you prefer the traditional appearance of steel drive wheels, the alternate
set can be easily installed by
following the steps below.

First, position the engine upside
down in a foam cradle or other
soft surface. Using the 3mm nut
driver tool we provided in the
box, carefully remove the drive
rod screws (2) on the rear set of
drive wheels. There's one on
each side.

Next, remove brake shoe detail by gently prying and pulling up the part and set
aside. Remove the 5 screws holding down the rectangular chassis bottom cover.
Carefully remove the cover, set it aside and then stop. Don’t do anything further
until reading the next step completely.

Before proceeding, there are a couple of important things to know. First, under the
square bushings on each end of the axle are tiny springs. They are critical to the
proper operation of your engine and you don't want to drop them. Next, look
closely at the wheel set and bushings and take note of their orientation.

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4/ GS-6 Steam Engine

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Screws

Brake Shoe Lever & Bellcrank

Traction tire

Nontraction tire

Brake Shoe Detail/bottom plate

Brake Shoe Lever & Bellcrank

Driver springs