M.T.H. Premier EP-5 Electric Engine User manual

Premier EP-5
Electric Engine
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional
O-42 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 20 for a complete list of compatible
transformers and wiring instructions.)
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

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:Whenusingelectricalproducts,basicsafetyprecautionsshouldbeobserved,includingthefollowing:
Readthismanualthoroughlybeforeusingthisdevice.
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
properlyrepaired.
Donotoperateyour layoutunattended. Obstructedaccessoriesor stalledtrainsmayoverheat, resultingindamagetoyourlayout.
Thistrainsetisintendedforindooruse. Donotuseifwaterispresent. Serious injury or fatalitymayresult.
l
l
l
lDonotoperatethehobbytransformerwithdamagedcord,plug, switches, buttonsorcase.
Table of Contents
Set Up Checklist...................................................................................................3
Lubrication.............................................................................................3
Checking The Battery............................................................................ 3
Basic Operation....................................................................................................4
Activating Features................................................................................4
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions........................................................... 6
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features....................6
Passenger Sounds (PSA)................................................................... 7
Proto-Coupler® Operation.................................................................... 8
Speed Control........................................................................................ 9
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction.................................................. 10
Reset To Factory Default.......................................................................10
Automatic Sound Effects.......................................................................10
Maintenance......................................................................................................... 11
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................11
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track..................................................12
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions.................................................13
Headlight Replacement Instructions......................................................14
Self Charging Battery Back-Up.............................................................15
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems.......................................17
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart....................................... 20
Additional Features Accessible Of DCS Remote Control System........21
Service & Warranty Information........................................................... 22
Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................22

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 3
Set Up Checklist
•Lubricate the locomotive
•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. 1. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Checking The Battery
You may find, if your locomotive 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 the
"Self-Charging Battery Back-Up" on page 15.
Lubricate Pick-Up Rollers

4Premier EP-5 Locomotive
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.
Throttle To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the
throttle control knob. Turning clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning
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.
Bell - To sound the bell, in an engine equipped with a bell firmly press and release the
Bell button. To turn the bell off, press and release the Bell button again. The bell will
continue to ring from the time you turn it on until you press and release the button again
to turn it off.
Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The whistle
will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop when you
release the button.
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.
Cycle Phases
Neutral
Neutral ForwardReverse
Activating Features

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 5
Manual Volume Control
To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control
knob located next to the fuel tank clockwise to increase the volume and
counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Figure 2: Manual Volume Adjustment Knob
Volume Adjustment Knob

6Premier EP-5 Locomotive
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.
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Horn button pushes
described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it. To use
these buttons to activate features rather than to blow the horn or ring the bell, you should
tap the buttons very quickly with a ½-second pause between button presses. You may
need to practice your timing to make this work smoothly.
Proto-Sound 2.0
Operating Instructions
Timing Chart
Total Time Lapse: 1 Seconds½
Press
Horn
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause ½ Sec. Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional
Mode Features
Feature to Be Activated Button Code:
Passenger Station Announcements
Fire the Rear Coupler
Fire the Front Coupler
Speed Control On/Off
Lock into a Direction
Reset to Factory Defaults
1 Bell, 2 Horns
1 Bell, 3 Horns
1 Bell, 4 Horns
1 Horn, 2 Bells (from Neutral only)
1 Horn, 3 Bells
1 Horn, 5 Bells (from Neutral only)

7Premier EP-5 Locomotive
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of passenger station announcements that
you can play when you pull into a station. 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 PSA sufficient time to
run through each sequence.
•To cue the sound system to play the PSA, quickly but firmly tap the Bell button
once followed by 2 quick taps of the Horn button while the engine is moving.
Tap the buttons quickly but allow approximately ½ second between each press.
•Press the Direction button once to stop the engine. This will trigger the first
sequence of PSA. The reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will
not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds, and Proto-Sound
2.0 has disabled operator control over the Horn and Bell buttons until the full
PSA sequence is complete.
•After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of PSA.
•After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third PSA
sequence.
•Again, after allowing about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the
Direction button one more time to trigger the fourth and final PSA sequence.
The PSA will continue, and within a few seconds, the engine and bell will start
and move out on its own at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it
was traveling when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator
regains control of the transformer's bell and Horn buttons and can ring the bell or
blow the Horn as usual.
Passenger Station Announcements (PSA)
+
Sound System Cued
to Play Passenger
Station Announcements (PSA)
Horn Horn
Bell Direction
1st
Sequence
PSA
+
Direction
2nd
Sequence
PSA
+
Direction
3rd
Sequence
PSA
+
Direction
4th
Sequence
PSA
=Operator
Controls
When Bell
Turns Off

8Premier EP-5 Locomotive
Tips on Using PSA
•You can terminate PSA at any time by turning off power to the track for 15
seconds.
•You do not have to be in Forward to use 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 PSA even if you are double-heading with another engine. If the
second engine is not equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0, you must remember
not to leave the throttle at a high voltage level once you have stopped the
engine to run the PSA. Otherwise, the engine without PSA will begin
vibrating on the track as its motors strain to move the train, since they
cannot be automatically disabled during the PSA cycle (or if an original
Proto-Sound engine, PSA are triggered differently and that engine's
motor-disable feature will not be active when you run PSA in Proto-Sound
2.0).
PSA can be triggered from Neutral. It will operate the same as if triggered while in
motion except that, at the conclusion of the PSA, the engine will depart in the next
direction of travel, as opposed to the direction it was traveling before entering
Neutral.
This locomotive is equipped with one or more coil-wound Proto-Couplers for remote
uncoupling action. Because Proto-Couplers are controlled through the Proto-Sound 2.0
microprocessor, they do not require an uncoupling track section or modification to your
layout to function. You can fire a coupler from neutral or while in motion. Use the code
shown below (and in the chart on p. 6) to fire the coupler(s).
Rear Coupler:
To fire the rear coupler, quickly tap the Bell button once followed by three 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.
Horn Horn
Fire
Rear
Coupler
= Horn
Bell
Proto-Coupler® Operation

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 9
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.
Horn Horn
Fire
Front
Coupler
=
Horn Horn
Bell
M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 have speed control capabilities that allow
the engine to maintain a constant speed up and down grades and around curves, much
like an automobile cruise control. You can add or drop cars on the run, and the engine
will maintain the speed you set.
While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control feature activated, you can
opt to turn it off. This means the engine's speed will fall as it labors up a hill and increase
as it travels downward. It is also affected by the addition or releasing of cars while on the
run. Because the engine will run more slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed
control is on than when it is off, you should adjust the throttle to a lower power level for
operation with speed control off to avoid high-speed derailments. When speed control is
off, the volume will drop to allow for better low voltage operation.
To turn speed control on and off, put the engine in neutral, then quickly tap the
transformer's Horn button one time then quickly tap the Bell button two times, allowing
approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. Two horn blasts will
indicate that the engine has made the change. Repeat the 1 horn, 2 bells code to return it
to the other condition. You will want to do this during the initial neutral upon start-up if
you ever couple this engine to another engine that is not equipped with speed control to
avoid damaging the motors in either engine. Each time you shut down the engine
completely, it will automatically turn speed control on.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Neutral
Bell Bell
=Speed Control
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Speed Control

10 Premier EP-5 Locomotive
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. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. The engine will
not change direction (including going into neutral) until you repeat the 1 horn, 3 bells
code to return the engine to its normal condition, even if the engine is kept without power
for extended periods of time.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Desired
Direction
Horn Bell Bell Bell
=Direction Lock
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its
factory defaults, while in Neutral tap the Horn button quickly once, followed by five
quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each
quick button press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change.
Reset
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Horn
Place
Engine in
Neutral =
BellBellBellBellBell
Certain Proto-Sound 2.0 sound effects automatically play in programmed conventional
mode conditions:
•Squealing Brakes play any time the engine's speed decreases rapidly.
•Cab Chatter plays at random intervals when the engine idles in neutral.
•Engine Start-up and Shut-down sounds play when the engine is initially powered
on or is powered off for five seconds or more.
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction
Reset To Factory Default
Automatic Sound Effects

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 11
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
Figure 3: Body Removal Screw Locations
The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first.
Follow the greasing instructions below. Note that in some tightly packed engines you
may need to move internal components temporarily in order to access the gears.
1. To access the gear box, remove the cab from the chassis by unscrewing the chassis
screws as seen in Figure 3 and lifting the cab from the chassis.
2. Once the cab is removed, remove the trucks by unscrewing the black Phillips motor
mount screw located on the underside of the drive trucks (see Fig. 3).
3. 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.
4. Reassemble the truck and motor, being careful not to pinch any wires between the
truck block and motor mount.
5. After repeating the procedure for the other motor, reassemble the chassis and body,
being careful that the wire harnesses are not caught between the chassis and body and
reinstall the chassis screws.
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions
Body Mount Screws

12 Premier EP-5 Locomotive
Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can
cause poor electrical contact and traction and prematurely wear out the neoprene traction
tires. Wheels and tires 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.
Your locomotive is equipped with
two neoprene rubber traction tires on
each powered truck block. While
these tires are extremely durable, you
may need to replace them at some
point.
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track
Figure 4: Oiling Idler Gears
Oil Idler Gears

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 13
First, remove the truck sides from the truck block by unscrewing the mounting screws as
noted in Figure 3, then remove the 4 screws noted in Figure 5 which will release the truck
frames from the truck block.
Once the truck sides have been removed, see the traction tires pointed out in Figure 5,
follow the instructions below for removal in installation of new traction tires:
1. Make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive
wheel, using a razor blade or small flathead screwdriver to pry away any remains.
2. Slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it useful to use two small flathead
screwdrivers to stretch the tire over the wheel.
3. If you twist the tire while stretching it over the wheel, you will need to remove and
reinstall the tire. Otherwise your engine will wobble while operating.
4. Make sure the tire is fully seated inside the groove. Use a razor blade to trim away any
excess tire that will not seat inside the groove properly.
5. Reassemble in the reverse order.
One set of replacement tires is packaged with your model. Additional sets are available
directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department(order online: www.mth-railking.com, e-mail:
[email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD
21046-1532, FAX: [phone]).
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions
Figure 5
Traction Tires
Truck Mount Screws

14 Premier EP-5 Locomotive
The locomotive’s lighting is controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the cab. All lights
are replaceable should they burn out. To replace bulbs, the body will have to be removed
from the chassis. Once removed, follow the illustrations below to gain access to the bulb
locations. Each bulb is connected to the circuit board with a quick connect plug making
replacement easy. Replacement bulbs can be obtained directly from the M.T.H. Service
Department or any M.T.H. Authorized Service Center.
Headlight Replacement Instructions

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 15
Self Charging Battery Back-Up
The special NiCad 7-cell 8.4v 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. If engine sounds seem distorted or
garbled at low voltages or become silent when power from the transformer is turned off,
test the battery to determine whether it should be recharged or replaced.
Test: Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 10-12 volts (high enough
for the lights to shine brightly and the engine to move steadily) for 15 minutes.
Recharge: If the sounds are improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, the battery
charge has run down and can be recharged. There are a number of ways you can do this:
•Leave the engine in neutral with track voltage at 10-12 volts for 6-7 hours so the
battery can fully recharge (if your engine has a smoke unit, be sure it is turned
off).
•Use M.T.H.'s battery recharger (sold separately) that plugs into a wall outlet and
a special port under the engine to recharge the battery overnight without leaving
it on the track.
Replace: If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, it is
time to replace the battery. Available through M.T.H. Parts.

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 16
Figure 7: Removing The Battery
Figure 6: Battery Charger Port
Battery Charger Port
Disconnect Wires and Slide Battery Out of Bracket

17 Premier EP-5 Locomotive
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: [phone]; fax: [phone]; [email protected],
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems
Starting Up
Horn
Bell
Coupler
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
When I first turn the power on, the
engine will not begin to run. I have to
turn the throttle off and then on again
to get the engine to operate.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell comes on instead.
I can’t get the horn to blow when I
press the whistle button.
I can’t get the bell to ring when I press
the bell button.
The bell won’t work on a separate bell
button.
When I try to fire the coupler, PSA
starts.
The Proto-Coupler won’t let the engine
uncouple on the fly.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell sounds.
Reverse the transformer leads.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the whistle button
more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the bell button
more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
Reverse the transformer leads.
Check the wiring of the separate
button.
You are waiting too long between
whistle button presses.
Try lubricating the coupler knuckle
with a dry graphite lubricant. Do NOT
use oil.
This is normal behavior. To prevent
accidental high-speed start-ups,
Proto-Sound 2.0 is programmed to
start up in neutral anytime track power
has been turned off for several
seconds. See the "Basic Operation"
section for more details.

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 18
Cab Chatter
Lock-out
Volume
Battery
PSA
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds
don’t play.
I can’t get the engine to run after I
power up the transformer. It sits still
with the engine sounds running.
The engine won’t lock into forward,
neutral, or reverse.
The sounds seem distorted, especially
when the whistle or bell is activated.
The engine will not leave the initial
neutral setting
The PSA sounds occasionally repeat
themselves.
I get no sounds when the engine shifts
between directions.
After I turn off my transformer, my
engine continues to make sounds
before quitting.
Cab Chatter plays only in neutral.
The engine is locked into the neutral
position. Follow the procedure in the
“Lock into a Direction” section.
Engine speed must be below 10 scale
mph (approx. 10 volts or less in
conventional mode).
Proto-Sound 2.0 volume is set too
high. Turn the volume control knob on
the bottom of the chassis counter-
clockwise to reduce the volume.
Check to be sure the battery is
installed and fully charged. See the
“Self-Charging Battery Back-Up”
section.
The battery may be dead or need to
be charged. See the “Self-Charging
Battery Back-Up” section.
Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to
continue to sound for a few seconds
after power to the track has been shut
off.
Proto-Sound 2.0 has a built-in random
number generator that randomly
selects each sound clip to play.
Because there are a limited number of
sound clips available in each PSA
sequence, it is probable that some of
these sound clips will be repeated
from time to time.

19 Premier EP-5 Locomotive
PSA Remedy
Once in PSA, the engine doesn’t go
into reverse.
When the PSA enters its last
sequence the bell automatically
comes on.
When PSA is enabled, pressing the
whistle and bell buttons has no effect.
I push the direction button but the next
sound clip in the sequence does not
play or the engine does not come out
of PSA after fourth press of the
direction button.
So that PSA effects can be as realistic
as possible, Proto-Sound 2.0
disables the reversing unit
whenever PSA is enabled. This
way the engine remains still at its
stop as the operator cycles
through the PSA sequences.
PSA is programmed to start ringing
the bell at that point. After
approximately 12 rings of the bell, it
will automatically turn off.
Because PSA must control various
effects in each sequence, Proto-
Sound 2.0 takes control of these
sound effects until you exit PSA.
Each PSA clip must play for approx.
30 seconds before PSA will advance
to the next step in the PSA cycle. Wait
at least 30 seconds in each PSA
sound clip before pressing the
direction button.

Premier EP-5 Locomotive 20
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.
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 U6-20v 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