MTHTrains HO 4-8-4 J Quick start guide

M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 J
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 will be many more engines to follow.
We hope you will enjoy them.
Now, let's get started…..
PLEASE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE USE AND SAVE
WWW.MTHHOTRAINS.COM
(PS3)
ENGINEER’S GUIDE
33
A
R
D
O
B
H
N
O
O
S
M
Y
S
E
T
Passenger Station Announcement

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 11
FEATURES AND OPERATION 12
Analog DC (standard DC power pack) 12
DCC Digital Command Control 16
DCS Digital Command System 22
SPECIFICATIONS 24
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 25
Troubleshooting Guide 25
SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION 31
Service & Warranty Information 31
Limited One-Year Warranty 31
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.
©2009, M.T.H. Electric Trains®, Columbia, MD 21046
CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:
WARNING:When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:
Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
lM.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 properly
repaired.
lDo not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
lThis train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
lDo not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.
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 4-8-4 J 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 engines DO 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 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
4

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 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
5

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, just like 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 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
6

ENGINE DIAGRAM
Boiler
M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
7
Tender
Smoke Stack
Drawbar Pin
Sliding Roof Vent
Front Coupler
Pilot Truck
Drive Wheels
Drawbar
Cab Interior
Light
Fireman/
Engineer
Figures
Rear Coupler

Installing Couplers
Tender
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 coupler for the Engine pilot is placed in a slot in the pilot and
secured with a bracket that attached using the 2 smaller screws supplied with the
couplers.
To install the coupler on 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.
- Position the bracket and the coupler so that the
tab in the center of the bracket fits in to the large
hole in the coupler and the holes at the ends of the
bracket align with the screw holes in back of the
pilot.
- Attach the coupler bracket using the 2 smaller
screws supplied with the couplers.
SET-UP
M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
8

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 in the engine drawbar.
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.
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 Steamer comes 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 below.
SET-UP
M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
9

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 the 3mm nut driver tool we provided
in the box, carefully remove the drive rod screws (2) on
the 3rd set of drive wheels. There's one on each side.
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..
Now, remove the two screws holding
the gearbox cover in place. Then
carefully remove the gearbox cover and
set it aside.
M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 J Steam Engine
10
Traction tire
Nontraction tire
Brake Shoe Detail/bottom plate
Driver springs
Screws
(Reference picture only)