MTHTrains GG-1, MTH F-3 DIESEL ENGINE Operating Instructions Manual

ELECTRIC TRAINS

R

MTH GG-1 ELECTRIC ENGINE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

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Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains Premier GG-1 Electric
locomotive. This ¼” scale reproduction of the famous GG-1 Electric
Locomotive measures over 19 3/4” in length and weighs over 8 pounds.
Despite its scale size, the locomotive is capable of operating on O-72 3-rail
track with any compatible AC transformer (see the chart on page 33 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 Basic Operating Instructions
found on Pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you understand the basics of
the operating system. Please note that some features are only found in the
ProtoSound® models and are marked as such. Features not marked as
ProtoSound features are available in all models.

Table Of Contents

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION
PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) 5
Horn Operation 5
Bell Operation 5
ProtoCoupler® Operation 6
Squeaking Brake Sounds 7
Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes 8
Passenger Station Sounds (PFA) 10

Tips On Using The Passenger Station Sounds 13

Self-Recharging Battery Backup System 15
Replacing The Battery 15
ProtoSound® Volume Adjustment 16

USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS™

Entering RESET Options 17
Setting The Engine Volume 18
Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller 19
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 19
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 20
Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds 21
Programming For ProtoCoupler Operation 21
Programming For PFA Operation 21
Activating Reverse Unit Lock-Out Control 22
Resetting All ProtoSound® Options To Factory Defaults 23
Reverse Unit Lockout Control Functions 24
Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse 24
Unlocking The Engine 24
Locking The Engine Into Neutral 24

OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS

ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart 32
Transformer Wiring Chart 33

O-72 OPERATION
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION
HOW TO GET SERVICE
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

3
4

17

26
28
29
29

34
35
35
35

WARNING:

When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be followed including the

following:

-- Read this and all related manuals (transformer/power supply, locomotive, etc.) thoroughly
before using this device.

-- This device is not recommended for children under 8 years of age without adult supervision.

-- MTH recommends parents examine the toy transformer used to power this device periodically
for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as
damage to the primary or output cord, plug blades, housing or other parts (including proper
functioning of the circuit breaker), and that, in an event such conditions exist, the transformer
should not be used until properly repaired.

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QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION

The MTH GG-1 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in
automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced
features, the GG-1 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC
transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 33). The GG-1
locomotive 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
throttle on the transformer can be advanced. You will see that only the
engine’s lights come on and that only two dings of the ProtoSound bell
occur followed by the diesel start-up sounds (on ProtoSound equipped 3-rail
models). The engine does not run. This is known as the RESET state and
is explained in more detail beginning on Page 4. The ProtoSound®
DCRU® will not power the motors 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.

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Figure 2: Locating The Proto-Coupler® Selection Switch

RESET

MTH GG-1 Operating Manual

Neutral

Forward

Neutral

Figure 2: DCRU Cycle Phases

3

Reverse

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:

Built-In DCRU Reverse Unit * Authentic GG-1 Horn Sound * Authentic GG-1

*

Bell Sound * Squeaking Brake Sound * Passenger Station Sounds * Operating
Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler® * Self-Recharging Battery Back-Up System
With Automatic Battery Shut-Off * Remotely Controlled Reverse Unit Lock-Out
* Remotely Adjustable Diesel Engine Volume * Upgradeable Microprocessor
Options * Authentic Diesel Engine Start Up & Shut Down Sounds * Random
Selection of Four “Cab Chatter" Radio Transmission Sound Clips * Authentic
Diesel Shut Down 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
ProtoSound® DCRU® reverse unit that contains the standard forward­neutral-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

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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
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
Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation (pre­programmed at the factory), Cab Chatter On/Off Control, ProtoCoupler
On/Off Control and Horn-In-Neutral Operation. 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.

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HORN OPERATION

Your MTH GG-1 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 horn to work when the engine is in
neutral. See page 17 for information on horn programming in the Using
RESET To Program ProtoSounds® section of this manual.

BELL OPERATION

Your MTH GG-1 ProtoSound-equipped engine is equipped with a digital
recording of an actual electric bell. Unlike previous versions of
ProtoSounds, the bell can be turned on or off with any separate bell button,
like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906 Bell Button, by simply pushing the

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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 MTH GG-1 ProtoSound-equipped locomotive has two coil-wound
Proto-Couplers® for remote uncoupling action. The couplers are mounted
on the leading power trucks of each A Unit. Because the Proto-Coupler® is
controlled through ProtoSound’s 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.

Put Engine In Neutral
At Full Power

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Ca-Clunk

H

Listen For The

Ca-Clunk Sound

H

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

See The Coupler Open

And Listen For The

Cha-Chusshh Sound

Cha-Chussshhh

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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 Proto-Couplers will
function at any one time. Use the coupler direction switch as shown in Fig.
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.

Figure 3: Lubricating The ProtoCoupler Knuckle

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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 to a low setting (14 volts
to 8 volts or less). The second

Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low

Listen For The

Squeaking Brake Sounds

Squeeek

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setting requires that a bell 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 record 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 and/or not 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
what speeds and voltage settings 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 squealing 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 squealing sound plays, but you dont need to reduce the
transformer throttle to activate the squealing sounds. To play the squealing
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

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down even though the sounds play. This simulates the wheel flange squeal of
a train traveling through a turn too quickly.

Note: Consistent activation of the wheel flange squealing is determined by the
condition of your transformers whistle button rectifier disc. Older rectifier
discs may not release a clear and strong enough DC signal required by
ProtoSounds computer to play the wheel flange squealing.

SELF-RECHARGING BATTERY
BACKUP

ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design includes a self-recharging battery
backup system for improved performance at any speed. The self-recharging
battery backup system is automatically turned on or off whenever track
power is turned on or off. There are no switches to turn on or off to enjoy
the benefits of the automatic battery backup system. The battery ensures
that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes,
setting RESET options, or when traveling over dirty track and switches.

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The battery is a rechargeable NiCad type which is continually charged from
the track when power is applied. NiCad batteries are a dry battery and
should not leak or cause any damage to your locomotive and will last up to
five years or longer. If you notice that the sounds seem distorted or garbled
at low voltages or become silent when power from the transformer is shut
off, the battery may be going bad. Before replacing the battery, you should
put the engine in NEUTRAL and leave the transformer throttle at about 12
volts for fifteen minutes. This should temporarily recharge the battery. If
the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced, then your battery charge has
worn down. You can give your battery a full charge by leaving the engine
ON in NEUTRAL for 16 to 18 hours.

REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND BATTERY

The ProtoSound® battery is a special NiCad 7-cell, 8.4v battery - NOT the
6-cell, 7.2v battery found in most convenience stores. The 6-cell NiCad is
NOT recommended for use with ProtoSound® applications. Replacement
ProtoSound® batteries are available from MTH ProtoSound Electronics at
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. A standard 9v
alkaline battery can be substituted as a temporary fix, but since alkaline
batteries can’t take a charge, it will eventually wear down. Regardless, it
should give you a week to a couple of months use while you wait for your
replacement ProtoSound® battery to arrive.

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PASSENGER ANNOUNCEMENTS (PFA)

ProtoSounds is now equipped with operator controlled passenger station
announcements, hereby known as PFA. This easy to use feature plays
digitally reproduced passenger station sounds whenever your engine stops
at a train station on your layout. 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 the PFA feature 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 PFA
sequence is designed to simulate the arrival, disembarking, embarking, and
departure of a train entering and leaving a train station. The sounds include
public address arrival and departure messages, passenger disembarking and
embarking sounds, conductor voices and general train station ambient
sounds. Each is described in more detail in the following sections.

ACTIVATING PASSENGER SOUNDS

Your ProtoSounds equipped engine features an operator controlled
passenger station sound set. Once activated, this easy to use feature plays
digitally reproduced sounds of a passenger station whenever you stop your
engine in the neutral position at a train station on your layout.

ARMING THE PASSENGER SOUNDS FEATURE

Before the passenger station sounds can be heard, ProtoSounds must
activate the feature so that the next time the engine enters the neutral
position, the sounds can play, The feature can be activated one of two ways.

Option 1: If you are using a separate bell button controller to ring your

bell (like the Lionel Railsounds No. 5906 bell activation button) you can
activate the feature by
pressing and holding
the bell button for three
seconds or longer (it
doesn’t matter if you
are in forward, neutral
or reverse). You will

Put Engine In Neutral,
Forward or Reverse

Press & Hold

The Railsounds® Bell Button

For 3 Seconds

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Ding, Ding

Beeernt!!

Listen For The

Horn Blast

After 3 Seconds

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hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen carefully you should hear a
horn blast after three seconds have passed at which time you can release the

bell button. (Note: because the horn blast may be hard 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 to allow the engine to begin

running. (

Note: the feature will only be activated in the first direction

state you enter after triggering the feature from the neutral position. You
cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another direction state and still
have the passenger sound feature active.) Once your engine begins

running, 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 turn on and if you listen carefully
you should hear a horn blast after three seconds have passed at which time

you can release the whistle button. (

hard 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 bell button a
second time. Interrupt the
transformer throttle to enter
either forward or reverse to

Note: because the horn blast may be

Put Engine In Neutral
At Low Power

Press & Hold

The Whistle Button

For 3 Seconds

H

Listen For The

Start Of The Bell Sound

Ding, Ding

Psshhee

Air Release Sound

Listen For The

After 3 Seconds

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allow the engine to begin running. (

in the first direction state you enter after triggering the feature from the
neutral position. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another
direction state and still have the feature active.) Once your engine begins

running, you can trigger the sounds to begin by entering neutral.

MTH GG-1 Operating Manual

Note: the feature will only be activate

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