ELECTRIC TRAINS R MTH F-3 DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains F-3 diesel locomotive. This ¼” scale reproduction of the famous F-3 A-B-A locomotive consist measures over 39” in length and weighs over 11 pounds.
Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) Horn Operation Bell Operation ProtoCoupler® Operation Squeaking Brake Sounds Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes Passenger Station Sounds (PFA) Tips On Using The Passenger Station Sounds Self-Recharging Battery Backup System Replacing The Battery ProtoSound® Volume Adjustment USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS™ Entering RESET Options Setting The Engine Volume Programming For A Sepa
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION The MTH F-3 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the F-3 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 33). The F-3 locomotive is controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU® electronic reverse unit.
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: 1.
RESET, the microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the system, transformer and engine are operating correctly. This takes approximately 2.2 seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds begin.
Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906 Bell Button, by simply pushing the 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).
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’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’t open when firing the coupler at high speeds.
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.
down even though the sounds play. This simulates the wheel flange squeal of a train travelling 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.
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.
hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen carefully you should hear an air release sound after three seconds have passed at which time you can release the bell button. (Note: because the air release sound is 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.
ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING PASSENGER STATION ANNOUNCEMENTS Before PFA can be heard the feature must be activated first. Activation is accomplished by holding down the bell button for three or more seconds as described in the Activating and Triggering The Passenger Station Sounds section found earlier on page 8. Once the feature is activated, PFA will be played the next time the engine enters the neutral position. In order for PFA to begin, power must remain on once the engine enters the neutral position.
II. After entering neutral, ProtoSounds will immediately play an air release sound followed approximately two seconds later by an arrival message. The arrival message lists the train by name and the track it arrived on Listen For Air Release Sound And Cab Chatter Message (the track is identified as either track 1 or track 2, alternating each time during the current operating session).
This is followed by a public address message that the train on track 1 or 2 (whichever track number the arriving public address message stated) is now boarding. Upon completion of the PA message, two conductor voice highlights randomly begin playing. These conductor voices include “Welcome Aboard” and “Tickets Please”.
TIPS ON USING THE PFA FEATURES PFA is a unique feature of ProtoSounds that is completely controlled by the operator. You decide how, when or if you want to utilize the feature. By reviewing following tips you should find solutions or suggestions to the various operating scenarios you might encounter when using PFA. Tip #1: You can escape the PFA sequence by interrupting the transformer throttle before the first PA (Public Address) arrival message plays in Event 2 (neutral before reverse).
PROTOSOUND® VOLUME ADJUSTMENT Your ProtoSound® system has two types of volume adjustment. A manual turn knob on the bottom of the chassis (See Fig. 4 below) allows you to control all the sounds in the system and a remote control “RESET" option (Option # 6), allows you to control the volume level of the engine sounds remotely from the transformer.
USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS® As mentioned earlier, there are several programmable options in each ProtoSound-equipped engine that can be remotely set from any compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 33. This hands-off approach gives you unprecedented control of your railroad empire’s motive power never before seen in model railroading.
SETTING THE ENGINE VOLUME Of all the sounds that come with each ProtoSound-equipped locomotive, the one most often turned down is that of the engine volume because it is the one sound normally heard whenever the engine is running and is what usually can become tiresome to the ear over prolonged running sessions. The volume adjustment is controlled through RESET Feature 6. To access the feature, advance the transformer throttle to put the engine in RESET.
PROGRAMMING FOR A SEPARATE BELL BUTTON CONTROLLER To operate ProtoSounds with a separate bell button controller, like the Lionel® No. 5906 bell button, you will need to wire up Common the controller to your U U U U A B C D transformer and track as shown RED Wire in Fig. 5. Once the button is BLACK Wire wired, ProtoSounds comes preprogrammed to allow you to Figure 5: Wiring Up A Bell Button operate the bell by simply pushing the bell button once. To turn the bell off, push the button again.
described on page 8. To change the default setting, enter RESET and go to Feature 45. (See the section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 17). Once in Feature 45, press the whistle button and wait for the module to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until the module plays back one ding for option 1 - Squeaking brakes are activated by the bell button.
button. To reset ProtoSounds to its original factory setting of no horn in neutral, repeat the above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 25 until ProtoSounds only dings once instead of twice. Note: When “Horn In Neutral" is set, the bell will only operate with a separate bell button and the horn will not sound in neutral if the transformer throttle setting is over 11 volts.
on and off until ProtoSounds sounds two bell dings (signifying that the PFA features have been turned off). Simply turn the transformer throttle OFF and then ON again to lock in the new setting.
ProtoSound features back to their original factory defaults including Remote Lockout Control. RESETTING ALL PROTOSOUND® OPTIONS TO FACTORY DEFAULTS ProtoSounds® is equipped with a RESET feature (Feature 18) that resets all programmable options back to their original factory settings. This is a useful feature if you find your engine not operating the way you think it should and don’t want to take the time to check each RESET feature one at a time.
REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION ProtoSound’s unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on the locomotive by allowing the customer to lock the engine into any directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) from the transformer. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped with block signals or stop stations which would normally cycle the engine back into neutral.
of the horn. QUICKLY TURN THE POWER BACK ON AGAIN. Your engine is now locked into NEUTRAL. NOTE: When locking the engine in the Forward or Reverse positions, the whistle button will blow the horn. But when locking the engine into the NEUTRAL position, the whistle button may turn on or off sounds of the bell, coupler arming or coupler firing depending on the transformer throttle voltage settings prior to the user’s attempt to lock out the engine.
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that the chassis be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all truck block bushings and pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L" in Fig. 7 below.
Once the motor mount screw has been removed, pull the motor away from the truck block and lightly coat the motor worm gear and bronze drive gear (in the truck block) with grease. Reassemble the truck and motor, being careful not to pinch the pickup and ground wires between the truck block and motor mount. Repeat the procedure for the other motor and truck and then reassemble the chassis to the body.
Lubrication section on the preceding pages to dissemble the chassis and truck blocks from the body. Before the new tire can be installed, you must make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive wheel. Use a razor blade or small flatblade screwdriver pry away any remains left from the old tire that may still be in the drive wheel groove. Once the old tire has been completely removed, slip the new tire onto the wheel.
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND® PROBLEMS Although ProtoSound® has been designed and engineered for ease of use, some questions may arise during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If you find that your problem can’t be resolved with this manual, contact MTH ProtoSound Electronics (7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, 410-381-2580) for additional assistance. HORN PROBLEMS REMEDY The horn seems distorted at low voltages. Your battery may be undercharged or dead.
COUPLER PROBLEMS REMEDY The ProtoCoupler won’t let the engine uncouple on the “Fly”. The power required to fire the coupler open when the engine is on the “Fly” may be greater than the ProtoSound system is capable of providing. As a result, you may experience times when the coupler won’t fire open. Unfortunately, the only solution is to stop the engine and fire the coupler in Neutral.
BATTERY PROBLEMS REMEDY I get no sounds when the engine shifts between the direction states. The battery may be dead or needs charging. See the Battery Backup section for more information. After I turn off my transformer, my engine continues to make sounds before quitting with a ding of its bell. ProtoSounds continues to sound for approximately 10 seconds after power to the track has been shut off. The sounds distort at low voltages. The battery is insufficiently charged or dead.
PFA PROBLEMS REMEDY The PFA feature does not begin even after stopping the engine and hearing the brake sounds. The power was not turned back on once the engine enter the neutral state thus disabling PFA.The transformer throttle was interrupted too quickly in neutral thus disabling PFA. Leave the throttle on in neutral until after the PFA arrival message plays. The PFA sound effects occassionally repeat themselves.
TRANSFORMER WIRING CHART ProtoSounds® is designed to work with any standard AC transformer that uses a “Pure Sine-Wave" format. The chart below lists the many Lionel® compatible transformers, such as the Lionel KW or ZW models. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these compatible transformers should be attached to your layout. The Trainmaster system from Lionel® (marked with an asterisk below) will not function correctly with ProtoSounds without disrupting the sound effects.
O-31 OPERATION While the MTH F-3 diesel is more than capable of operating on O-31 curves and switches, you may find that certain light freight cars are prone to derailing when being pulled or pushed by the MTH F-3 through O-31 switches. Should this occur, we suggest adding weight to the cars making them heavier and less likely to derail.
F-3A B A Powered A unit (Lead) Parts Name and Number 1.) 1.) 1.) 2.) 3.) 3.) 3.) 5.) 5.) 6.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 8.) 10.) 10.) 11.) 11.) 12.) 13.) 13.) 13.) 14.) 15.) 15.) 16.) 16.) 16.) 17.) 18.) 19.) 20.) 21.) 22.) 23.) 24.) 25.) 26.) 27.) 28.) 29.) 29.) Part # Shell ( S.P. # 6180 ) FC-2100153 Shell ( C.P. # 2373 ) FC-2100154 ( both A units have same # ) Shell ( Reading # 276 ) FC-2100155 Diaphram FI-0000017 Vent ( red ) FC-2100199 Vent ( gray ) FC-2100200 Vent ( black ) FC-2100201 Handrail ( 18.
Powered A unit (Lead) Parts Name and Number 84.) Fan 85.) Pin ( for fan ) 86.) Door ( S.P. ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right rear ) 86.) Door ( C.P. ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right rear ) 86.) Door ( Reading ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right rear ) 87.) Door ( S.P. ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right front ) 87.) Door ( C.P. ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right front ) 87.) Door ( Reading ) ( complete w/ all hardware )( right front ) 88.) Door ( S.P.
MTH F3 Diesel Engine
Powered A unit Parts Name and Number 1.) 1.) 1.) 2.) 3.) 3.) 3.) 5.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 8.) 10.) 10.) 11.) 11.) 12.) 13.) 13.) 13.) 14.) 14.) 14.) 15.) 15.) 16.) 17.) 18.) 19.) 20.) 21.) 22.) 23.) 24.) 25.) 26.) 27.) 28.) 28.) 29.) 30.) 31.) 32.) 33.) 33.) 34.) 35.) 36.) 37.) 38.) 39.) 40.) 41.) 42.) 43.) Part # Shell ( S.P. # 6181 ) Shell ( C.P. # 2373 ) Shell ( Reading # 279 ) Diaphram Vent ( red ) Vent ( gray ) Vent ( black ) Handrail ( nickel ) Handrail ( yellow ) Handrail ( 31.
MTH F3 Diesel Engine
SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION HOW TO GET SERVICE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY For warranty repair, do not return your product to the place of purchase unless it was purchased from Mike’s Train House in Columbia, MD. Instead, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service as our dealer network is not prepared to service the product under the terms of this warranty. 1.
