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M.T.H. Alco S-2 - User Manual

M.T.H. Alco S-2
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Alco S-2
Diesel Engine
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional
O-31 Gauge track system, including
M.T.H.’s RealTrax® or ScaleTrax™ or
traditional tubular track. It is also
compatible with most standard AC
transformers. (See page 21 for a complete
list of compatible transformers and
wiring instructions.)
Freight Yard Sound
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE
OPERATOR’S MANUAL (3V PS-2)

Questions and Answers

Summary

Compatibility

Set Up Checklist

Lubrication

Guide to lubricating the locomotive's axles and pickup rollers to prevent squeaking.

Checking the Battery

Instructions on how to test and ensure the locomotive's battery is charged for optimal sound.

Priming the Smoke Unit

Basic Operation

Activating Features

Details on how to activate various operational features like Bell, Horn/Whistle, and Direction.

Manual Volume Control

Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions

Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features

Explains button sequences to activate Proto-Sound 2.0 features like sounds, couplers, and speed control.

Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) or Passenger Station Announcements (PSA)

Instructions on how to play freight yard or passenger station sounds using button sequences.

Proto-Coupler Operation

Rear Coupler Operation

Details on how to fire the rear coupler using button sequences.

Front Coupler Operation

Speed Control

Lock into a Direction

Reset to Factory Defaults

Automatic Sounds

Maintenance

Lubricating and Greasing Instructions

Guide to lubricating the locomotive's axles, pickup rollers, and gears for smooth operation.

Cleaning Wheels, Tires, and Track

Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement

Self-Charging Battery Back-up

Battery Test Procedure

Procedure to test the battery's charge by running the engine at a specific voltage for 15 minutes.

Battery Recharge Methods

Methods for recharging the engine's battery, including using track power or a dedicated charger.

Battery Replacement

Information on when and how to replace the engine's battery if it fails the test.

ProtoSmoke Unit Operation

Troubleshooting Proto-Sound Problems

Troubleshooting: Starting Up Issues

Addresses issues when the engine does not run immediately after power-up, requiring throttle adjustment.

Troubleshooting: Whistle;Horn Issues

Solutions for problems related to horn and whistle activation, including incorrect sounds or bell activation.

Troubleshooting: Bell Issues

Solutions for problems related to bell activation, including incorrect sounds or horn activation.

Troubleshooting: Coupler Issues

Solutions for problems with coupler operation, uncoupling, or not firing correctly.

Troubleshooting: Cab Chatter

Troubleshooting: Lock-out

Troubleshooting: Volume Issues

Troubleshooting: Battery Issues

Troubleshooting: FYS Issues

Troubleshooting: FYS Operation

Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart

Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System

Service and Warranty Information

Getting Service Under Limited One-Year Warranty

Detailed steps and requirements for obtaining warranty service for defective items, including repair authorization.

Limited One-Year Warranty Details

Explains what the one-year warranty covers, exclusions, and conditions for repair or replacement of parts.

Overview

This document is the operator's manual for the M.T.H. Alco S-2 Diesel Engine with Proto-Sound 2.0 (3V PS-2). It provides comprehensive instructions for setup, basic operation, advanced features, and maintenance of the locomotive.

Function Description

The M.T.H. Alco S-2 Diesel Engine is a model train locomotive equipped with the Proto-Sound 2.0 digital command system. It is designed to operate on traditional O-31 Gauge track systems, including M.T.H.'s RealTrax® or ScaleTrax™ and traditional tubular track. The engine is compatible with most standard AC transformers, allowing for conventional mode operation with realistic sound effects and train control features. With additional equipment like the DCS Remote Control System, it can access advanced command mode functions for enhanced control and realism.

Important Technical Specifications

  • Gauge: O-31 Gauge
  • Control System: M.T.H. Proto-Sound 2.0 (3V PS-2)
  • Battery: Special NiCad 2.4v self-charging battery (lasts up to five years)
  • Smoke Unit: ProtoSmoke® controlled smoke unit with a heating element, wick, and electric fan. Uses mineral oil-based fluid (M.T.H. ProtoSmoke, Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids recommended).
  • Couplers: Coil-wound Proto-Couplers for remote uncoupling.
  • Lighting: Headlight and cab interior lights controlled by a constant voltage circuit.
  • Transformer Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of AC transformers, including M.T.H. Z-500, Z-750, Z-1000, Z-4000, Lionel 1032, 1032M, 1033, 1043, 1043M, 1044, 1053, 1063, All-Trol, Dallee Hostler, Lionel LW, KW, MW, RS-1, RW, SW, TW, ZW, and Lionel Post-War Celebration Series ZW. The manual provides a detailed chart of min/max voltage, power rating, and transformer type for each compatible model.

Usage Features

  • Basic Operation:
    • Throttle Control: Controls train speed by adjusting track voltage. Turning clockwise increases speed, counter-clockwise decreases speed. The engine maintains the set speed until the throttle is adjusted again.
    • Direction Control: The train cycles through neutral-forward-neutral-reverse with each press and release of the Direction button. The engine restarts in neutral if track voltage is off for 25 seconds or more.
    • Bell: Activated by pressing and releasing the Bell button. Pressing again turns it off.
    • Horn/Whistle: Activated by pressing and holding the Horn/Whistle button. Stops when the button is released.
  • Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features (activated by specific button sequences):
    • Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) / Passenger Station Announcements (PSA): Plays sequences of freight yard or passenger station sounds. Activated by tapping the Bell button once, followed by two quick taps of the Horn/Whistle button while the engine is moving. The Direction button is used to cycle through sequences. The reverse unit is temporarily disabled during FYS/PSA.
    • Proto-Coupler® Operation: Remote uncoupling of front and/or rear couplers. Rear coupler is fired by tapping Bell once, then Horn/Whistle three times. Front coupler (if present) is fired by tapping Bell once, then Horn/Whistle four times.
    • Speed Control: Maintains constant speed regardless of grades or car additions/removals, similar to automobile cruise control. Can be turned on/off by putting the engine in neutral, then tapping Horn/Whistle once and Bell twice. Automatically turns on when the engine is shut down completely.
    • Lock into a Direction: Locks the engine into forward, neutral, or reverse. Activated by putting the engine in the desired direction (or neutral), running at a very slow crawl, then tapping Horn/Whistle once and Bell three times. Two horn/whistle blasts confirm the change.
    • Reset to Factory Defaults: Resets all engine settings to factory defaults. Activated in neutral by tapping Horn/Whistle once and Bell five times. Two horn/whistle blasts confirm the change.
  • Automatic Sound Effects:
    • Squealing Brakes: Plays when the engine's speed decreases rapidly.
    • Cab Chatter: Plays at random intervals when the engine idles in neutral.
    • Engine Start-up and Shut-down: Plays when the engine is initially powered on or powered off for five seconds or more.
  • DCS Remote Control System Features (with additional equipment):
    • DCS Proto-Speed Control: Sets locomotive speed in scale miles per hour, with adjustable maximum speed and acceleration/deceleration rates.
    • ProtoSmoke® Variable Output Control: Adjusts smoke output and matches it to locomotive speed.
    • Locomotive Lighting Control: Controls headlights, marker and interior lights, beacon lights, ditch lights, and MARS lights.
    • Emergency Stop: Single button push stops all DCS-controlled trains.
    • One Touch Global Mute/UnMute: Mutes or unmutes all user-defined actions (sound, lights, smoke) for DCS-controlled locomotives.
    • Proto-Dispatch Operation: Public Address-like feature to speak through the locomotive speaker.
    • Proto-Cast: Plays audio recordings through the locomotive speaker.
    • Proto-Doppler Sound Effects Set Up: Configures Doppler operation, including setting distance points for start, repeat, and stop modes.
    • Independent Volume Control: Adjusts volume for engine sounds, bell, horn, and whistle for each locomotive.
    • Multi-Locomotive Control: Controls up to 50 DCS-equipped locomotives simultaneously with multiple TIUs.
    • Proto-Effects™ Set Up: Selects active/inactive Proto-Effects™ operations (e.g., cab chatter, train wreck sounds, coupler sounds).
    • Direction Control Set Up: Sets initial start-up direction (forward or reverse) for double-heading.
    • Locomotive Consist Set-up: Determines locomotive values for consist make-ups, allowing multiple locomotives to operate together.

Maintenance Features

  • Lubrication: Regular lubrication of axles and pickup rollers with light household oil (M.T.H. maintenance kit oil recommended) to prevent squeaking. Lubrication points are marked in Figure 1 and Figure 5. Internal gearing is factory-greased and typically needs re-greasing after 50 hours of operation or one year. Instructions for accessing gearboxes and applying grease to motor worm gear, bronze drive gear, and idler gears are provided.
  • Cleaning:
    • Wheels, Tires, and Track: Periodically check locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup. Clean with denatured (not rubbing) alcohol and a cotton swab. Clean track rails with RailKing Track Cleaning Fluid or denatured alcohol and a clean rag.
  • Traction Tire Replacement: Instructions for replacing neoprene rubber traction tires on powered truck blocks. This involves removing truck sides, prying off old tires, slipping on new ones, and ensuring proper seating. Replacement parts are available from the M.T.H. Parts Department.
  • Light Bulb Replacement: Instructions for replacing headlight and cab interior lights. This involves removing the cab, gently disconnecting the bulb harness from the connector terminal, and inserting a new bulb harness. Replacement bulb harnesses are available from the M.T.H. Parts Department.
  • Self-Charging Battery Back-Up: The NiCad 2.4v battery recharges continuously during operation. If sounds are distorted or garbled, or become silent when power is off, the battery may need charging or replacement.
    • Test: Leave the engine in neutral with 10-12 volts track voltage for 15 minutes.
    • Recharge: If sounds improve after testing, recharge by leaving the engine in neutral with 10-12 volts track voltage for 6-7 hours (smoke unit off), or use M.T.H.'s separate battery recharger plugged into a wall outlet and the engine's special port.
    • Replace: If sounds do not improve after charging, the battery needs replacement. Available from M.T.H. Parts. Instructions for disconnecting the battery and sliding it out of its bracket are provided.
  • ProtoSmoke® Unit Maintenance:
    • Priming: Add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack before running. Do not overfill.
    • Volume Control: Adjust smoke output by turning the smoke unit volume control clockwise (increase) or counter-clockwise (decrease).
    • Running Smoke-Free: If not adding fluid, turn the smoke unit off by turning the volume control fully counter-clockwise to prevent damage to the heating element and wicking material.
    • Refilling: Add 10-15 drops of fluid when smoke output diminishes.
    • Storage: Add about 15 drops of fluid for long-term storage to prevent the wick from drying out. After storage, add 25 drops and let soak for 15 minutes before operation.
    • Wick Inspection/Replacement: If smoke output is poor despite fluid, inspect the wick for hardening, blackening, or unabsorbency. This involves removing the locomotive body, the smoke unit inspection cover, and lifting the inspection plate. Replacement wicks and instructions are available from the M.T.H. Parts Department.

M.T.H. Alco S-2 Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandM.T.H.
ModelAlco S-2
CategoryModel train
LanguageEnglish