H9 2-8-0 Steam Locomotive OPERATOR’S MANUAL Compatibility This engine is available in 2-rail and 3-rail Versions and will operate on any O-31 Gauge track system (3-rail), 31" radius (2-rail) including M.T.H.'s RealTrax and ScaleTrax or traditional tubular track. It is also compatible with most AC and DC transformers. See page 24 for a list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.
Table of Contents Configuring Locomotive for 2-Rail or 3-Rail Operation.................................. 3 3 Installing/Removing 3-Rail Pickup Rollers............................................... 3 Ensuring Proper Power to Track Polarity.................................................. 4 Changing Track Polarity Inside the Locomotive...................................... 4 Locomotive Coupler Options............................................................ Set Up Checklist..............................
Configuring Locomotive for 2-Rail or 3-Rail Operation Installing/Removing 3-Rail Pickup Rollers Both 2-Rail and 3-Rail versions of this locomotive can be configured to opperate on either 2-rail or 3-rail track by removing or adding the center rail pickups. 3-rail track operation requires the pickups, 2-ral track operation does not. The pickups are factory installed on 3-rail versions and packaged seperately in the locomotive box for 2-rail versions. Each pickup roller installs with a single phillips screw.
Changing Track Polarity Inside the Locomotive Failing to properly configure the polarity will result in the locomotive starting in reverse instead of forward or not receiving the DCS signal. Should this occur, it is not necessary to swap the wires from the transformer to the track or reverse the locomotive’s orientation on the track itself. Instead, simply slide the polarity switch located on the tender as seen in Figure 3.
Owners of 2-rail models who intend to run this locomotive on a 3-rail layout will find a M.T.H. Proto-coupler assembly for this model packed separately in the styrofoam box so that they may enjoy remote uncoupling action anywhere on a layout. Simply remove the Kadee® Coupler Bracket. Attach the Proto-coupler assembly to the rear truck with the supplied parts and connect the Proto-coupler wire inside the tender.
Set Up Checklist - Lubricate the locomotive - Prime the smoke unit - Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects - 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. 4. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Placing The Engine on the Track Place the engine on the track, then insert the reverse unit plug that extends out of the tender into the receptacle at the back of the boiler cab (Figure 6. WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THIS ENGINE TO A TENDER FROM ANOTHER ENGINE; IT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. Look at the bottom of the engine and tender where each will have a color-coded stamp. If they match you may connect those two pieces; if not, don’t. Connect the draw bar between the engine and tender.
Basic Operation The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel. Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine 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.
Manual Volume Control To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control knob located under the tender clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume. Volume Control Figure 7.
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS Remote Control System equipment. Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell a nd Horn button pushes described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it.
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) or Passenger Station Announcements (PSA): Your engine is equipped with a sound package of either freight yard or passenger station sounds that you can play. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is left on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between the button pushes described below to allow the FYS/PSA sufficient time to run through each sequence.
Tips on Using FYS/PSA ! You can terminate FYS/PSA at any time by turning off power to the track for 15 seconds. ! You do not have to be in Forward to use FYS/PSA. At the conclusion of the full sequence, the train will pull away from the station in whatever direction you were going when you activated the feature. ! You can use FYS/PSA even if you are double-heading with another engine. If the second engine is not equipped with Proto-Sound 2.
Front Coupler: To fire the front coupler (if your engine has one), quickly tap the Bell button once followed by four quick taps of the Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion will play, and the knuckle will be released. Fire Bell Horn Horn Horn Horn Front = Coupler Speed Control M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction You can lock your engine into a direction (forward, neutral, or reverse) so that it will not change directions. To do this, put the engine into the direction you want (or into neutral to lock it into neutral), run it at a very slow crawl (as slowly as it will move without halting), and quickly but firmly tap the Horn button once followed by three quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press.
Maintenance Lubricating and Greasing Instructions The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly. You should regularly lubricate all side rods, linkage components and pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 8. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point. DO NOT OVER OIL Lubricate Linkage (L) Lubricate Pickup Rollers (L) Lubricate Wheel Axels (L) Figure 8.
Body Mount Screws Body Mount Screw Grease (G) Grease (G) Figure 9. Removing the Body and Lubricating the Grease Points Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can cause poor electrical contact and traction as well as prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires. Wheels and tires can be cleaned using denatured (not rubbing) alcohol applied with a cotton swab.
Traction and Tire Replacement Instructions Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires on the rear set of flanged drivers. While these tires are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at some point. 1. Remove the side rods from the wheels in order to slip the new tire over the grooved drive wheel. Make sure to note the position of all rods before removing. 2.
To Replace Headlight: 1. Remove the body mount screws as shown in Fig. 8 and separate the boiler from the chassis. 2. Remove the screw attaching the smokebox front and pull the smokebox front from the boiler shell. (Fig 11) 3. Gently pull the bulb from the headlight shell and separate the blue connector inside the smokebox area. (Fig 12) 4. Insert the replacement bulb and the smokebox front being careful not to pinch any of the wires. 5. Place the boiler back on the chassis.
Self Charging Battery Back-up The special NiCad 2.4v self-charging battery recharges continuously during train operation and should last for up to five years. The battery is a dry battery that should not leak or cause any damage to your engine. Depending upon when your engine was built, it may need to be charged right out of the box.
ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation This Premier steam locomotive contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs smoke through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced out of the stack by a small electric fan. Smoke volume is controlled by the Proto-Sound 2.0 system.
If you experience poor or no smoke output when the smoke unit is on and has fluid, check the wick to see if it has become hard, blackened, and unabsorbent around the heating element. To remove the smoke unit you will first have to remove the boiler shell (by removing the body mounting screws shown in Fig. 9 on pg. 15), board and bracket that block the smoke unit assembly from being accessed. To do this, follow these instructions: 1.
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® Problems Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for assistance (telephone: 410-381-2580; fax: 410-423-0009; service@mth-railking.com, 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532). Starting Up Remedy When I first turn the power on, the engine will not begin to run.
Cab Chatter Remedy Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds don’t play. Cab Chatter plays only in neutral at random intervals. Lock-out Remedy I can’t get the engine to run after I The engine is locked into the power up the transformer. It sits neutral position. Follow the procedure in the “Lock into a Direction” section. Engine speed must be below 10 The engine won’t lock into scale mph (approx. 10 volts or forward, neutral, or reverse. less in conventional mode). Volume Remedy Proto-Sound 2.
FYS Remedy Once in FYS, the engine doesn’t go into reverse. So that FYS effects can be as realistic as possible, Proto- Sound 2.0 disables the reversing unit whenever FYS is enabled. This way the engine remains still at its stop as the operator cycles through the FYS sequences. When the FYS enters its last sequence the bell automatically comes on. FYS is programmed to start ringing the bell at that point. After approximately 12 seconds it will automatically turn off.
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart below lists the many compatible transformers. Note that many of the operational commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your transformer does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit of the system. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these transformers should be attached to your layout.
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS Remote Control System (Additional equipment required) While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound 2.0 engine yields wonderfully realistic sound and several train control features, command mode operation allows the user to access a world of command functions never before accessible to O Gauge railroaders.
Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty When you suspect an item is defective, please check the operator's manual for standard operation and troubleshooting techniques that may correct the problem. Additional information may be found on the M.T.H. Website. Should you still require service, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service. First, e-mail, write, call or fax a M.T.H.
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. - Columbia, MD 21046 Information: 410-381-2580 Fax: 410-381-6122 www.mth-railking.com PARTICIPATING A.S.C. RETAILER LIST ALABAMA COLORADO ILLINOIS SOUTHERLAND STATION HUNTSVILLE 256-533-4720 CUSTOM RAILWAY SUPPLY COLORADO SPRINGS 719-634-4616 BERWYN'S TOY TRAINS & MODELS BERWYN 708-484-4384 ARIZONA CABOOSE HOBBIES, INC.
LOUISIANA MINNESOTA AMERICA'S TRAIN YARD BATON ROUGE 225-926-5592 DON'S HOBBY CO. MANKATO 507-387-1330 MAINE MISSOURIS WHEELS, WINGS & THINGS LUDLOW 207-532-6277 SWITCH STAND SAINT LOUIS 314-781-4458 MARYLAND MARK TWAIN HOBBY CENTER ST.
THE FREIGHT YARD SMITHFIELD 919-934-6229 CHARLEROI SWEEPER CENTER CHARLEROI 724-483-3397 RHODE ISLAND GRANDMA'S HOUSE GRANDPA'S TRAIN WARWICK 401-463-7803 LITTLE CHOO CHOO SHOP INC.
T S G HOBBIES WARRENTON 540-347-9212 NORGE STATION WILLIAMSBURG 757-564-7623 WASHINGTON EASTSIDE TRAINS KIRKLAND 425-828-4098 WEST VIRGINIA PATRICK'S TRAINS WHEELING 304-232-0714 WISCONSIN WOODCRAFTERS SHOP BURLINGTON 262-763-5239 SOMMERFELD'S TRAINS BUTLER 262-783-7797 HOBBY OUTLET FOND DU LAC 920-924-3770 G B T V & TRAINS GREEN BAY 920-496-9697 THE TRAIN ROOM FERGUS 19-787-3280 CREDIT VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY TREETSVILLE 905-826-1306 B&H TRAINS TERREBONNE 514-793-9696 GRAMPA'S TRAIN SHOP RICE LAKE 715
