MTHTrains HO 2-8-4 Quick start guide

M.T.H. HO 2-8-4
NKP Berkshire
Steam Engine
Congratulations! You've just purchased the
most feature rich and technically advanced
HO steam engine ever produced! In
addition, it happens to be produced by MTH,
the leader in digital sound and control
technology for model railroading. There
willbemanymoreenginestofollow.
Wehopeyouwillenjoythem.
Now,let'sgetstarted…..
PLEASE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE USE AND SAVE
WWW.MTHHOTRAINS.COM
(PS3)
ENGINEER’S GUIDE
33
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Passenger Station Announcement
Freight Yard Sound

TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE 4
Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine 4
What Else is in the Box? 4
PRODUCT OVERVIEW 5
Getting to Know Your Engine 5
Engine Diagram 7
SET-UP 8
Coupler Installation 8
Engine and Tender Connection 9
Smoke Unit Preparation and Use 9
Removal/Installation of Drive Wheel Sets 9
Lubrication 12
FEATURES AND OPERATION 13
Analog DC (standard DC power pack) 15
DCC Digital Command Control 20
DCS Digital Command System 23
SPECIFICATIONS 25
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 26
Troubleshooting Guide 26
SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION 32
Service & Warranty Information 32
Limited One-Year Warranty 32
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.
©2010, M.T.H. Electric Trains®, Columbia, MD 21046
CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:
WARNING:When usingelectricalproducts,basic safetyprecautions shouldbe observed,including thefollowing:
Readthis manualthoroughly beforeusing thisdevice.
lM.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment
periodicallyforconditionsthatmayresultintheriskoffire,electricshock,orinjurytopersons,suchasdamagetotheprimarycord,
plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until properly
repaired.
lDonot operateyourlayoutunattended. Obstructedaccessoriesorstalledtrainsmayoverheat,resultingindamagetoyourlayout.
lThistrain setisintendedforindooruse. Donotuseifwaterispresent. Seriousinjury orfatalitymayresult.
lDonot operatethehobbytransformerwithdamagedcord,plug,switches,buttonsorcase.
Recommended for Ages 14 and up. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age without adult supervision. As
with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock.

M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
3
QUICK START GUIDE
Of course, you should read your manual over before running your M.T.H.
HO Steam Engine. But if you just can’t wait, choose how you want to run
below and enjoy!! Now, after a few minutes, shut her down and read through
your engineer’s guide.
I USE A REGULAR DC SUPPLY…
Step 1: Unpack your Engine and Tender. (refer to unpacking instruction
on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Apply increasing DC voltage until she starts up and pulls out!
I'M A DCC OPERATOR….
Step 1: Unpack your Engine and Tender. (refer to unpacking instructions
on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCC system…
Step 4: Select engine address 3 and press “F3” to start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and head on down the pike…
I RUN DCS….
Step 1: Unpack your Engine and Tender. (refer to unpacking instructions
on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCS system…
Step 4: Add the engine to your system and start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and move out….
CAUTION: M.T.H. HO enginesDO NOT OPERATE ON AC VOLTAGE.
Applying AC power to your locomotive could cause permanent damage and will
void your warranty.

UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE
Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine
Carefully remove and unwrap the model on a soft surface. By nature, models with
high levels of detail have some small fragile parts.
Carefully remove any foam packing pieces that may be surrounding the model.
What Else is in the Box?
The following items are packed with your engine.
Engineer's Guide (1)
You probably know that since you're reading it.
Smoke Fluid Pipette (1)
Enough fluid to get you started and then some.
Drive Wheel Set without Traction Tires (1)
For Those who prefer not to use traction tires.
3mm Nut Driver (1)
In case you want to install the drivers without traction tires or replace the standard
drive wheels.
Couplers (2) with mounting hardware
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Tender Coupler Engine Coupler

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Getting to Know Your M.T.H. HO Locomotive
Key Features
Your new HO Steam Engine is equipped with the exclusive M.T.H. Proto-Sound®
3.0 digital sound and control system. In plain English, this means your locomotive
contains state-of-the-art electronics providing realistic digital sounds, puffing smoke
perfectly synchronized with chuffing sounds and motion, precisely controlled speed
in increments of 1 scale mile per hour, and much, much, more.
Compatibility
The Proto-Sound 3 system is universally compatible with track power and/or signal
combinations including analog DC (regular DC power pack), DCC (NMRA Digital
Command Control), or DCS (MTH Digital Command System). Simply set your
Engine on the rails, apply any one of these power/signal sources, and move out!
The Proto-Sound 3.0 system automatically senses the track environment and adapts
accordingly. No hidden jumpers, switches, magic wands, or programming required!!!
A vast array of realistic operation is automatic when the Engine is run on analog
DC. You can expand access to features in a DCC environment. Experience the
most your new locomotive has to offer in the simple to use yet powerful world of
DCS. To be clear, DCS is NOT a proprietary version of DCC, as some other
manufacturers offer. DCS is a comprehensive layout control system designed
with one primary goal: make model trains do amazingly realistic things
using a simple and intuitive controller. We put the complexity on the inside,
and the fun in your hands!
Digital Sound
Your Proto-Sound 3 (PS 3) equipped Engine contains over 100 individual
recordings. These recordings are played back dynamically at appropriate times to
create a symphony of realism for your ears. Hear the chuffs automatically intensify
or lighten when speeding up or slowing down, listen to the sounds of brakes
squeaking and squealing as you come to a stop, or enjoy the random conversations
of railmen working as your model sits at idle. It's all there and it's incredible.
Now, your HO Engine includes the ultimate in realism Proto-Whistle. With this
incredible new feature you have variable control over the steam whistle sound in
your locomotive (when operated in DCS mode with the DCS Commander or DCS
software version 4.0 or greater). Also included is a one button push Grade Crossing
Whistle
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Digital Control
In standard analog DC mode, your model still operates under digital control. The
PS 3 advance speed control system converts track voltage into digital speed
commands. Your model will run smoothly and consistently at any speed regardless
of load, hills, or curves. If you are a DCC user, you'll quickly learn to appreciate the
precision of our speed control and linear speed curve. DCS users will enjoy the
added benefits of controlling speeds in increments of 1 scale mile per hour
displayed on DCS controllers or easily changing acceleration and deceleration rates
independently without any discussion of bits or bytes. To be clear, DCS is NOT
DCC.
Lights & Smoke
As you read on, you'll notice there are no instructions for replacing light bulbs in
your Mohawk. That's because there aren't any. We use specially designed and
controlled LEDs to create realistic lighting effects that occur automatically. Again,
NO PROGRAMMING!! Just come to a stop and watch as the headlight dims
automatically in accordance with rule 17. Of course, as you pull away, the headlight
returns to it's fully bright, yet warm, glow. We even included a light in the cab so
the engineer and fireman can see to do their jobs!
M.T.H. is renowned for our realistic smoke systems. This HO Steam Engine is no
exception. When the smoke is on, you will experience copious puffs synchronized
precisely with chuffing sounds at 4 times per revolution of the drive wheels. Of
course, when you stop, the smoke wafts out of the stack steadily, justlike the real
thing! The smoke behavior applies to all operating modes, analog DC, DCC, or
DCS. With some DCC controllers, you can turn smoke on and off remotely. In
DCS mode, you can not only toggle smoke on and off with the press of single
button, you can actually select from 3 output levels to keep those smoke alarms
from going off!
More…
In analog DC operation, just flip the track polarity or direction switch at any speed
and watch your Engine gradually come to stop, turn on the appropriate directional
lighting, and smoothly accelerate back up to speed. No other HO locomotive has
features like these. There are so many more things to learn and enjoy about M.T.H.
HO Engines, we could write a book. But, that's no fun. So, if you haven't already
done so, flip to the Quick Start Guide and let's run your new engine!!
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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ENGINE DIAGRAM
Boiler
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Tender
Sliding Roof Vents
Drawbar
Cab Interior
Light
Fireman/
Engineer
Figures
Drive Wheels Pilot Truck
Smoke Stack
Rear Coupler
Drawbar Pin

Connection of the Engine and Tender
Your M.T.H. HO Steam Engine is equipped
with bus type draw bar. The drawbar not
only connects the engine and tender it uses
two electrical conductors to transmit digital
information between the engine and the
tender. Connecting the engine and the
tender is just a matter of inserting the
drawbar pin on the front of the tender into the hole closest to the engine is for
operation on smaller radius curves (less than 44 inch radius). The hole at the end of
the drawbar is for larger radius curves (44 inch radius or greater).
Smoke Unit Preparation and Use
Your M.T.H. HO Steam Engineis equipped with a proven fan-driven smoke system
design featured in M.T.H. products for over 10 years. The performance and realism
of this system is unparallel in the model train industry.
Your smoke unit comes primed from the factory however, before running the smoke
unit for more than a few minutes, you should add more fluid. Add between 10-15
drops initially and whenever smoke output diminishes or if the engine has been
stored for a long period of time. We provided some fluid with your model to get
you started. Versions with twin smokestack openings should have smoke fluid
applied in the forward smokestack opening only.
The smoke unit is controlled differently depending upon how your run your engine
so, for particulars on turning it on or off or setting the output levels, check out the
features and operation section.
You shouldn't run your smoke unit without fluid. Doing so can cause overheating
and reduce the performance and/or life of the unit. If you wish to operate your
engine without smoke, turn the smoke unit off. Do not let the smoke unit go dry
with the smoke unit turned on. Of course, we recommend using only M.T.H.
ProtoSmoke fluid. Super Smoke and LVTS brands also work fine.
Removal/Installation of Drive Wheel Sets
Your M.T.H. HO Steamercomes from the
factory with a set of traction tire equipped drive
wheels installed and an alternate set without
traction tires available separately in the box. The
traction tires provide exceptional pulling power on
grades and through curves but should you prefer
the traditional appearance of steel drive wheels,
the alternate set can be easily installed by following
the steps on the next page.
SET-UP
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Right Wheel
Left Wheel

M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Installing Couplers
The coupler for the tender is mounted on the rear of the tender
using the Draft Gear Box that is supplied with the coupler hardware.
The Draft Gear Box with the Coupler installed is attached to the
tender by one screw. The lip of the Draft Gear Box Lid should be
placed against the outside of the rear sill of the tender.
To install the coupler on the tender:
- Place the tender upside down in a foam cradle or other soft
surface. Make sure that the tender will not roll over.
- Place the coupler in the Draft Gear Box. When the Draft
Gear Box is in a position so that the area covered with the
Draft Gear Lid is facing up, the coupler should be placed in the
Draft Gear Box with the Trip Pin hanging down.
- Carefully place the assembled Draft Gear Box and Coupler on
the rear of the tender chassis and insert the larger screw
supplied with the couplers to secure the Draft Gear Box.
Engine Pilot:
The pilot coupler supplied in the packaging is an HO scale
coupler. Prior to mounting the coupler to the engine, the coupler must be inserted into
the draft gear. The draft gear and coupler is then inserted into pilot and attached with a
single screw that is supplied in the packaging.
To install the coupler for the engine:
Place the engine upside down in a foam cradle or other soft surface. Make sure that
the engine will not roll over. Be careful of the small details on the boiler
-Insert the coupler into the slot in the pilot.
- Align the hole in the draft box with the tapped hole on the underside of the pilot and
attach the draft box using the mounting screw that is supplied in the packaging
-
.
SET-UP

First, position the engine upside down in a foam cradle or other soft surface, while
being careful of the small details on the boiler. Using a small flat blade
screwdriver, carefully remove the drive rod screws (2) on the 3rd set of drive
wheels. There's one on each side.
MAKE NOTE OF THE ECCENTRIC CRANKS IN REALTION TON
THE AXLE IF THE DRIVER BEING CHANGED. THE ECCENTRICS
MUST BE RE-ASSEMBLED IN THE SOME POSITION.
Remove the Brakeshoe detail along with the bottom plate by removing the 5 screws
indicated in the picture below. Set the cover aside and don't do any thing further
until you have completely read the Caution Note.
Caution Note
Before proceeding, there are a couple of important
things to know. First, under the square bushings on
each end of the axle are tiny springs. They are critical
to the proper operation of your engine and you don't
want to drop them. Next, look closely at the wheel set
and bushings and take note of their orientation.
M.T.H. HO 2-8-4 NKP Berkshire Steam Engine
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Driver springs
Screws
Brake Shoe Detail/bottom plate