MTHTrains Tinplate 3245 Operator's Manual

Tinplate
3245 Electric
Locomotive

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

TRADITIONAL MODEL

PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

Compatibility

This engine will operate on any traditional
Standard Gauge tubular track system,
including M.T.H.’s tubular track. It is also
compatible with most standard AC
transformers. (See page 18 for a complete
list of compatible transformers and wiring
instructions.)

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.

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.
Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
This train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.

l

l

l

l Do not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.

Table of Contents

Set Up Checklist................................................................................................... 3

Lubrication.............................................................................................3

Basic Operation....................................................................................................4

Maintenance.........................................................................................................11

Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................12

Cleaning The Wheels and Track.................................................. 12

Headlight Replacement Instructions......................................................12

Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart.......................................18

Service & Warranty Information...........................................................20

Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................20

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 3

Set Up Checklist

• Lubricate the locomotive

•

Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual

Lubrication

You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use
light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in
Fig. 1. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.

Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)

Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)

Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive

DO NOT

OVER OIL

4 Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive

Basic Operation

The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel.

Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine and caboose lights shine bright.

Put the engine into motion by pressing the Direction button on your transformer once.
(hold it for approximately 1 second)

If the engine does not begin to move as
soon as you firmly press the Direction
button, you may not have sent enough
voltage to the track to make the train move.
Turn the throttle up a bit higher until the
train begins to move.

Cycle Phases

Forward

Reverse

NeutralNeutral

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 5

Maintenance

The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly.

Regularly lubricate all axles and linkage components and pickup rollers to prevent
squeaking. Use light household oil, such as that found in M.T.H.'s
maintenance kit. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each
pivot point.

DO NOT

OVER OIL

Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)

Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)

Figure 3

The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease. However, it will be necessary to lubricate the idler gears located next
to the drive wheels with grease every 25 hours of operation. Follow the greasing points
illustrated in Figure 4.

Lubricating and Greasing Instructions

Grease Idler Gear (G)

Figure 4

6 Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive

Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can
cause poor electrical contact and traction. Wheels can be cleaned using denatured (not
rubbing) alcohol applied with a cotton swab.

To clean the track, use RailKing Track
Cleaning Fluid and a clean rag or
denatured (not rubbing) alcohol.
Unplug the transformer and wipe the
rails of the track, turning the rag
frequently to ensure that you are using
clean cloth on the rails. Thereafter,
keep an eye on the track and clean it
when it gets dirty to ensure good
electrical contact and to lengthen the
life of the tires.

The locomotive’s headlights are controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the engine.
The headlight is easy to remove and replace when it burns out. The bulb(s) simply
unscrew from their sockets. Replacement bulbs are available directly from the M.T.H.
Parts Department.

Cleaning The Wheels and Track

Headlight Replacement Instructions

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 7

Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart
below lists the many compatible transformers. Note the chart details how the terminals
on these transformers should be attached to your layout.

Transformer

Model

Center Rail Outside Rail

Min/Max.

Voltage

Power

Rating

Transformer

Type

Lionel 1032 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1032M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1033 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1043 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1043M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard

Lionel 1044 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1053 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard
Lionel 1063 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard

All-Trol Left Terminal Right Terminal 0-24v 300-Watt Electronic

Dallee Hostler Left Terminal Right Terminal Electronic

Lionel LW A U 8-18v 75-Watt Standard

Lionel KW A or B U 6-20v 190-Watt Standard

Lionel MW

Outside Track

Terminal

Inside Track

Terminal

5-16v 50V.A. Electronic

Lionel RS-1 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-18v 50V.A. Electronic

Electronic

Lionel RW U A 9-19v 110-Watt Standard
Lionel SW U A Unknown 130-Watt Standard

Lionel TW

U A 8-18v 175-Watt Standard

Lionel ZW

Lionel Post-War

Celebration

Series ZW

A,B,C or D

A,B,C or D

U

Common

8-20v

0-20v

275-Watt

135/190 Watt

Standard

MTH Z-500 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-18v 50-Watt Electronic
MTH Z-750 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-21v 75-Watt Electronic

MTH Z-4000 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-22v 390-Watt Electronic

* Conventional Mode Only

Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart

How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty

For warranty repair, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service.

First, e-mail, write, call or fax an Authorized M.T.H. Service Center in your area or M.T.H. Electric
Trains to obtain Repair Authorization. You can find the list of Authorized Service Centers on the
M.T.H. website, www.mth-railking.com. Otherwise, contact M.T.H. (at e-mail:
[e-mail]; 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046; tel:
410-381-2580; fax: [phone]), stating when the item was purchased and describing the
problem. If you contact M.T.H., you will be given a return authorization number to assure that your
merchandise will be properly handled upon its receipt.

CAUTION: Make sure the product is packed in its original factory packaging including its foam
and plastic wrapping material so as to prevent damage to the merchandise. The shipment must be
prepaid and we recommend that it be insured. A cover letter including your name, address, daytime

phone number, e-mail address (if available), Return Authorization number, a copy of your sales
receipt and a full description of the problem must be included to facilitate the repairs. Please
include the description regardless of whether you discussed the problem with a service technician
when contacting the Service Center or M.T.H. for your Return Authorization.

All M.T.H. products purchased from an Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant are covered by this
warranty. See our website at www.mth-railking.com or call 1-888-640-3700 to identify an
Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant near you.

M.T.H. products are warrantied for one year from the date of purchase against defects in material or
workmanship, excluding light bulbs, pick-up rollers and traction tires. We will repair or replace (at
our option) the defective part without charge for the parts or labor, if the item is returned to an
Authorized M.T.H. Service Center or M.T.H. Electric Trains within one year of the original date of
purchase. This warranty does not cover damages caused by improper care, handling, or use.
Transportation costs incurred by the customer are not covered under this warranty.

Items sent for repair must be accompanied by a return authorization number, a description of the

problem, and a copy of the original sales receipt from an Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant, which
gives the date of purchase. If you are sending the item to M.T.H., call 410-381-2580, fax
410-423-0009, or e-mail the Service Department at [e-mail] to obtain a return
authorization number. If you are sending this product to an Authorized Service Center, contact that
Center for their return authorization.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights that vary from state to
state.

Service Department

M.T.H. Electric Trains

7020 Columbia Gateway Drive

Columbia, Maryland 21046-1532

Service & Warranty Information

Limited One-Year Warranty

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 9

PARTICIPATING RETAILER LIST

OCTOBER 2001

ALABAMA

ARIZONA

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

DELAWARE

FLORIDAILLINOIS

INDIANA

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

SOUTHERLAND
STATION

HUNTSVILLE
256-533-4720
[e-mail]

ARIZONA TRAIN
DEPOT

MESA
480-833-9486

sales@arizonatraindep
ot.com
www.arizonatraindepot.
com/

DOLLHOUSES,
TRAINS & MORE

NOVATO
415-883-0388
[e-mail]

TIN PLATE JUNCTION
OAKLAND

510-444-4780
TOYTRAINS@email.m
sn.com

MIZELL TRAINS Inc
WESTMINSTER
303-429-4811

[e-mail]
www.mizelltrains.com

SHELTON RAILROAD
SYSTEMS
SHELTON
203-924-8761

[e-mail]

NEW ENGLAND
HOBBY SUPPLY
MANCHESTER

860-646-0610
[e-mail]

K R R B MODEL
TRAINS INC.

NEWARK
302-292-2779
[e-mail]

www.krrb.com

DEPOT HOBBY SHOP
LAKE WORTH

561-585-1982
[e-mail]
www.depothobbies.co

m
COLONIAL PHOTO &

HOBBY
ORLANDO
407-841-1485

trains@colonialphotoa
ndhobby.com

WARRICK CUSTOM
HOBBIES

PLANTATION
954-370-0708
info@warrickcustomho

bbies.com
www.warrickcustomho
bbies.com

FRANK'S TRAINS &
HOBBIES INC.
OLDSMAR

813-855-1041
[e-mail]
www.allhobbies.com

READY TO ROLL
MIAMI

305-688-8868
[e-mail]
www.readytorolltrains.c

om

BIKE & CHOO CHOO
CONNECTION

SCHAUMBURG
847-882-7728
trainconnection@aol.c

om

Y. O. R. K. TRAINS
MUNSTER
219-838-9999

[e-mail]
SAMUELSON'S TRAIN

SHOP
VALPARAISO

219-462-2708

AMERICA'S TRAIN
YARD
BATON ROUGE

225-926-5592

WHEELS, WINGS &
THINGS

LUDLOW
207-532-6277
[e-mail]

ENGINE HOUSE
HOBBIES

GAITHERSBURG
301-590-0816

[e-mail]
J & B TRAINS

HAGERSTOWN
240-420-4930

HOBBYTOWN U S A
FREDERICK

301-694-7395
PURKEY'S TOY

TRAINS
SYKESVILLE
410-549-6061

[e-mail]
m

THE TRAIN ROOM
HAGERSTOWN

301-745-6681

NORTHEAST TRAINS
PEABODY
978-532-1615

www.netrains.com

AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER

www.mth-railking.com

7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. - Columbia, MD 21046

Information: 410-381-2580 Fax: [phone]

10 Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive

MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

BRASSEUR
ELECTRIC TRAINS
INC.

SAGINAW
517-793-4753
[e-mail]

www.traindoctor.com

SWITCH STAND
SAINT LOUIS
314-781-4458

[e-mail]
MARK TWAIN HOBBY

CENTER
ST. CHARLES
636-946-2816

webmaster@hobby1.c
om
www.hobby1.com

TREASURED TOYS
SALEM

603-898-7224
ttoys@treasured-

toys.com
www.treasured­toys.com

RAILROAD
SPECIALTIES

HUDSON
603-882-5566
crew@electric-

trains.com
www.electric­trains.com

TRAINS & THINGS
TRENTON

609-883-8790
[e-mail]

m
GRAND CENTRAL

STATION
KEARNY
201-955-6200

[e-mail]
m

HOBBYMASTERS,
INC
RED BANK

732-842-6020
hobbymasters@hobby
masters.com

HOLLY BEACH TRAIN
DEPOT

WILDWOOD
609-522-2379

[e-mail]

COAST TRAINS AND

COLLECTIBLES
WALL
732-556-9005

[e-mail]
www.coasttrains.com

J & B TRAINS, INC.
MAPLE SHADE
856-414-0092

[e-mail]
HOBBY SHOP

MATAWAN
732-583-0505
hobbyshopnj.com

ATLANTIC RAILS
HAMMONTON

609-567-8490
[e-mail]
www.atlanticrails.com

COUNTRY AND
STUFF

ANDOVER
973-786-7086
[e-mail]

t
RIDGEFIELD HOBBY

RIDGEFIELD
201-943-2636

COLUMBUS TRAIN
STATION
COLUMBUS

609-518-1800

AURORA RAILS &
HOBBIES
EAST AURORA

716-652-5718
[e-mail]

AMERICANA STORE
TIVOLI
845-757-4246

[e-mail]
NASSAU HOBBY

CENTER, INC.
FREEPORT
516-378-9594

[e-mail]
m

KROSS HARDWARE
WEST BABYLON
631-669-3069

[e-mail]
CITY DEPOT, INC.

NEW HAMPTON
845-374-3010

citydepot@frontiernet.n
et

www.citydepot.com

DRY BRIDGE
STATION
MOUNT AIRY

336-786-9811
mikek@drybridgestatio
n.com

www.drybridgestation.c
om

THE FREIGHT YARD
SMITHFIELD
919-934-6229

[e-mail]
TRAINS LTD.

CHARLOTTE
704-566-9070
[e-mail]

t
www.trainsltd.com

THE ROUNDHOUSE
& BACKSHOP
CARY

919-465-0810

DIXIE UNION
STATION
MASON

513-459-0460
[e-mail]
www.dixieunionstation.

com
RICK'S TOY TRAINS

TOLEDO
419-478-0171

T & K HOBBY SHOP
BRIDGEPORT
740-633-6607

[e-mail]
www.tkhobbies.com

TRAINS-N- THINGS
CANTON
330-499-1666

[e-mail]
PARMA HOBBY

CLEVELAND
216-741-6440
[e-mail]

GLEN'S TRAIN SHOP
AKRON

330-253-6527
E & S TRAINS

AKRON
330-745-0785

GRAND PACIFIC
JUNCTION

OLMSTEAD FALLS
440-235-4777

gpjmrr@juno.c

om

HUDSON TOY, TRAIN

& HOBBY
HUDSON
330-653-2997

[e-mail]
DAVIS ELECTRONICS

MILFORD
513-831-6425
[e-mail]

www.davistrains.com
SANDY'S HOBBY'S &

COLLECTIBLES
ELYRIA
440-365-9999

[e-mail]
ERIE RAILWAY

DEPOT
TROY
937-440-9972

[e-mail]
CLEARVIEW TRAIN &

HOBBY
LORAIN
440-277-4488

[e-mail]
www.clearviewtrainand
hobby.com

FAIRCHANCE
PHARMACY

FAIRCHANCE
724-564-7817

[e-mail]
www.hhs.net/fairchanc
e

THE STATION
NEW CUMBERLAND

717-774-7096
[e-mail]

BUSSINGER TRAINS
AMBLER
215-628-2366

[e-mail]
www.icdc.com/~btrains

CHARLEROI
SWEEPER CENTER
CHARLEROI

724-483-3397
AMERICAN HOBBY

CENTER
ALIQUIPPA
724-378-3930

[e-mail]
CRANBERRY HOBBY

DEPOT
CRANBERRY TWP

724-776-3640
[e-mail]

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 11

ALLENTOWN TOY

TRAIN SERVICE
ALLENTOWN
610-821-0740

ON THE RIGHT
TRACK

ALTOONA
814-942-4345

JIM'S TRAIN SHOP
HOMER CITY
724-479-2026

[e-mail]
YE OLDE TRAIN &

CHRISTMAS SHOPPE
BOYERTOWN
610-369-0755

www.yeoldetrain.com
TOBY TYLER'S

HOBBY CENTER
PITTSBURGH
412-653-5030

[e-mail]
BUSTLETON TRAIN

SHOP
PHILADELPHIA
215-698-7266

CHESTNUT TOYBOX
PHILADELPHIA

215-545-0455
chestnuttoy@earthlink.
net

THE CABOOSE
LEHIGHTON

570-386-5352
www.thecaboosehobbi
es.com

[e-mail]

EMERALD TRAIN &
HOBBY
GREENWOOD

864-223-2247

MODEL RAILROAD &
HOBBY SHOP
MEMPHIS

901-384-6500
[e-mail]
www.modelrailroadand

hobby.com

HOBBY TIME
AMARILLO

806.352.9660
don.l.harris.@hobby­time.com

TRAIN DEPOT
MANASSAS
703-335-2216

NORGE STATION
WILLIAMSBURG

757-564-7623
[e-mail]

NUTBUSH EXPRESS
VICTORIA
804-696-1902

thenutbushexp@meck
com.net

TOY TRAIN CENTER
RICHMOND
804-288-4475

T S G HOBBIES
WARRENTON

540-347-9212
[e-mail]
www.mnsinc.com/tripi/t

sg.htm
CHESTERFIELD

HOBBIES
MIDLOTHIAN
804-379-9091

[e-mail]
www.chesterfieldhobbi
es.com

DAVIS HOBBY
SUPPLIES

PORTSMOUTH
757-397-1983
[e-mail]

www.davishobby.com
LOCUST GROVE

TRAINS
LOCUST GROVE
540-854-8955

[e-mail]
www.locustgrovetrains.
com

PATRICK'S TRAINS
WHEELING

304-232-0714
[e-mail]

www.patstrains.com

SOMMERFELD'S
TRAINS
BUTLER

262-783-7797
questions@sommerfel

ds.com
www.sommerfelds.com

G B T V & TRAINS

GREEN BAY
920-496-9697
[e-mail]

GRAMPA'S TRAIN
SHOP

RICE LAKE
715-234-2996
grampastrainshop@ya

hoo.com
THE TRAIN STORE

WAUKESHA
262-650-6675

HOBBY OUTLET
FOND DU LAC
920-924-3770

hobby_outlet@hotmail.
com

CREDIT VALLEY
RAILWAY COMPANY
STREETSVILLE

905-826-1306
CVRCO@globalserve.
net

www.cvrco.com
TOY TRAIN

WORKSHOP
CUMBERLAND

613-833-3125
info@toytrainworkshop
.com

www.toytrainworkshop.
com

THE TRAIN ROOM
FERGUS
519-787-3280

SOUTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

ONTARIO

CANADA