MTHTrains Tinplate Traditions 384 Operation Manual

No. 384 Steam

Freight/ Passenger Set

Thank you for purchasing this Tinplate Traditions® product.

PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

Operation Manual (3V PS2)

www.railking.com

FYS

PSA

Table of Contents

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

Getting Started.................................................4

Assembling Std. Gauge 42 Track............................4

Connecting the Transformer................................4

Lubricating the Engine....................................5

Priming the Smoke Unit...................................5

Coupling the Engine and Cars ..............................6

Checking the Battery......................................6

Placing the Engine on the Track.............................6

Basic Operation ................................................6

Operation Buttons........................................6

Manual Volume Control...................................6

Proto-Sound 2.0 Operation .......................................7

Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features . . . . . . . . . 7

Freight Yard Sound (FYS)/Passenger station announcements (PSA). 7

Tips on Using PSA.......................................8

Speed Control...........................................8

Lock into a Direction .....................................9

Reset to Factory Defaults..................................9

Automatic Sounds.......................................10

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

Lubrication and Greasing Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Traction Tire Replacement................................13

Troubleshooting ................................................17

C o m patibility..................................................2 0

Transformer Compatibility Chart.................................20

Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Service and Warranty Information................................22

Freight Car Lubrication...................................12

Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Caboose Light Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Passenger Car Light Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Proto-Smoke® Unit Operation.............................14

Self-Charging Battery Back-Up............................15

Railware Interactive DVD.......................................16

CAUTION: ELECTRIC TOY:

M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with

children ages 10 - 16.

Transformer Ratings:

Input: 120 VAC, 60 Hz Only, Outpu

Not recommended for children under 10 years of age without adult supervision.

As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent

electric shock.

t: Z-750: 21VAC 3.75A 78VA; Z-1000: 14VAC 80W or 18VAC 100W

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

outlet), and resume operation.

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

Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
This device is not recommended for children under ten years of age without adult supervision.

M.T.H.® recommends parents examine the toy transformer 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, screw terminals
or other parts, and that, in an event such conditions exist, the transformer should not be used until properly repaired.
This Z-1000™ Hobby Transformer Power Unit is intended to be used indoors. Do not use if water is present. Serious or
fatal injury may result.
Do not use this Z-1000™ Hobby Transformer Power Unit for other than its intended purpose. This unit was designed to
operate with Z-Controller™ Control Unit.
This Z-1000™ Hobby Transformer Power Unit was designed to operate on 120 volt, 60 Hertz power. Do not connect to any
other source of power.
Do not operate the Z-1000™ Hobby Transformer Power Unit with damaged cord, plug or case.

To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble the unit. There are no user serviceable parts inside. If damaged
call M.T.H.® service for instructions.

CAUTION: Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat resulting in
damage to your layout.

If the circuit breaker trips, unplug the power cord from power source (electrical wall outlet), check your layout track and
accessories for any short circuits, reset the circuit breaker, plug the power cord into the power source (electrical wall

Unplug the Z-1000™ Hobby Transformer Power Unit from power source (electrical wall outlet)
when not in use.

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Tinplate No. 384 Steam Freight/Passenger Set with Proto-Sound® 2.0

Tools Needed

Set Includes

DVD

8 Pieces

Std. Gauge 42 Track

Set Up Checklist

r Assemble Std. Gauge 42 Track and Lock-on
r Connect the transformer
r Lubricate the engine
r Prime the Smoke Unit
r Place the engine and cars on the track and couple them together
r Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects
r Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operation section of these

instructions.

r Steam Locomotive and Tender
r 2 Cars

Std. Gauge

Lighted Lock-On

Transformer and Controller

with wire harness

Battery Charger (Optional)

Cotton Swab or Rag

Pliers

RailKing Maintenance Kit or

Light Household Oil and Bearing Grease

Scissors

Philips Screwdriver

You can obtain replacement parts and replacement instructions from the M.T.H.
Parts Department (Order online: www.mth-railking.com, e-mail: parts@mth-

railking.com,Fax: [phone], Phone: [phone], Mail:7020 Columbia Gateway
Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532 )

Getting Started

Assembling Std. Gauge 42 Track

The track pins allow you to set up the Std. Gauge 42 Track on any flat surface.

Connecting the Transformer

The transformer included with this set provides an easy-to-use, safe power source for AC­powered trains and accessories.

To complete the connection between the track and the transformer, simply plug in the
color-coded wire harness that was included in your set and plug the transformer into your
wall outlet.

! Plug the wire from the transformer into the Z-Controller’s center port.
! Connect the Wires from the Z-Controller to the Lighted Lock-On, being sure that the

wires are connected from red-to-red and black-to-black.

! Unplug when not in use.

4

Line up and insert the track pins
into the receiving holes on
another section of track. Push
track sections together for tight fit.

STEP

11

Clip Lighted Lock-on to track as shown in picture.
Then Connect Red wire to the pin on the left of the
light. And then connect the Black wire to the pin
on the right of the light as shown in picture.

STEP

22

Red WireBlack Wire

Tinplate No. 384 Steam Freight/Passenger Set with Proto-Sound® 2.0

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Also functions as a binding post.

Red Harness
Wire/Plug

Red Harness
Wire/Plug

Black Harness
Wire/Plug

Black Harness
Wire/Plug

Lubricating and Greasing the Engine

Before operating, lubricate all exposed moving parts using a multi-purpose
oil (available with M.T.H.'s Maintenance Kit, sold separately) or a light
household oil. Follow the lubrication points.

Priming the Smoke Unit

When preparing to run this engine,
add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid
through the smokestack. We
recommend M.T.H. ProtoSmoke,
Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids. Do
not overfill the unit or the fluid may
leak out and coat the interior engine
components.

If you choose not to prime the unit with fluid, turn the smoke unit control
located under the tender to the OFF position.( Full Counter Clockwise Position)
Running the engine without a primed smoke unit may cause damage. See
the "ProtoSmoke Unit Operation" section of this book for more information on
smoke unit maintenance.

DO NOT

OVER OIL

DO NOT

OVER OIL

DO NOT

OVER OIL

5

Lubricate Axles

Lubricate Pick-Up Roller Axles

Idler Gears

Running the engine without a primed
smoke unit may cause damage

Tinplate No. 384 Steam Freight/Passenger Set with Proto-Sound® 2.0

Add Smoke Fluid

Lubricate

Leading Truck Pivot Point and Axle

Smoke Unit Control

Coupling the Engine and Cars

Checking the Battery

You may find, if your set was built several months before you set it up, that the
rechargeable battery has run down and needs to be charged before operating. If you
notice that the sounds are garbled, test and charge the engine as described in “Self­Charging Battery Back-Up" on page 15.

Place the engine on the track, then insert the connecting plug that extends out of the
tender into the receptacle at the back of the boiler cab, making sure the cable loops
upward.(See Below)WARNING. DO NOT CONNECT THIS BOILER TO A TENDER
FROM ANOTHER TYPE OF ENGINE; IT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE.

Connect the draw bar between the engine and tender
At this point, you are ready to begin running your engine.

Placing The Engine On The Track

6

Position armature for proper
operation by lifting up on the
coupler latch arm making sure the
couplers are together and then
releasing the coupler latch arm.

STEP

11

Tinplate No. 384 Steam Freight/Passenger Set with Proto-Sound® 2.0

Connecting the tender and boiler.

Be sure that cable loops upward

Arrow will point upwards when plugged in correctly

7

Tinplate No. 384 Steam Freight/Passenger Set with Proto-Sound® 2.0

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.

Operation Buttons

Throttle To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the

throttle control knob. Turning it clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning
it counterclockwise will decrease voltage and speed. The engine will maintain the speed
you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage and
speed.

Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The horn
will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop when you
release the button.

Bell - To sound the bell, firmly press the bell button. The bell sound will continue until
the bell button is firmly pressed a second time.

Direction Your train is programmed to start in neutral. The train
will always cycle neutral-forward-neutral-reverse with each press
and release of the direction button. The engine is programmed to
restart in neutral each time the track voltage is turned off for 25
seconds or more.

Manual Volume Control

To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control
knob located under the engine clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to
decrease the volume.

increase

Volume Control