MTHTrains PREMIER GP 7/9 User manual

ELECTRIC TRAINS
PREMIER GP 7/9 DIESEL ENGINE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the Premier® production of General Motors’ GP
7/9 diesel engine. The engine’s durable ABS body and die-cast trucks are
traditionally sized for operation on most O-31 Gauge track. The engine
should operate for years with most compatible AC transformers (see the
chart on page 31 for a list of compatible transformers) and is completely
compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.
The locomotive is equipped with Proto sound® Digital Sound and train
control system which contains several deluxe features that are simple and
fun to operate. Each feature is described among the following pages which
should be read before the engine is operated. For those of you who can’t
wait to get started, theQuick Start Basic Operating Instructionsfound on
Pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you understand the basics of the
operating system. Please note that some features are only found in the
Proto sound® models and are marked as such. Features not marked as
Proto sound® features are available in all models.

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
Table Of Contents
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION 3
PROTOSOUNDS®OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS 4
Proto sound® ECRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) 5
Horn Operation 5
Bell Operation 5
ProtoCoupler™ Operation 6
Squeaking Brake Sounds 7
Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes 8
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 9
Tips On Using The Freight Yard Sounds 14
Self-Charging Battery Backup System 15
Replacing The Battery 15
Proto sound® Volume Adjustment 16
OPERATING AND PROGRAMMING PROTO-SOUND® FEATURES 17
Entering RESET Options 18
Setting The Engine Volume 19
ProgrammingForSqueakingBrake Operation 19
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 20
Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 20
Programming For FYS Operation 21
Resetting All Proto sound® Options To Factory Defaults 22
Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds 22
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 23
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 24
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 25
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND™ PROBLEMS 26
Proto sound® RESET Feature Chart 30
Transformer Wiring Chart 31
EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS LIST 32
O-31 OPERATION 35
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 36
HOW TO GET SERVICE 36
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 36

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION
The GP 7/9 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in
automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced
features, the GP 7/9 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC
transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 31).
All models are controlled by a Proto sound® ECRU® electronic reverse
unit. The reverse unit operates in the same manner that all reverse units
function by using forward, neutral and reverse states that are entered each
time the throttle is turned on and off or by using the transformer direction
switch (if so equipped).
The reverse unit is designed to
ignore dirty track, dead spots on
switches or minor short circuits
without disrupting the engine
operation, even at slow, prototypical
speeds. Once the engine is placed
on the track, the throttle on the
transformer can be advanced. You
will see that only the engine’s lights
come on and that only two dings of
the Proto sound® bell occur
followed by the diesel start-up
sounds (on Proto sound® equipped 3-rail models). The engine does not
run. This is known as the RESET
state and is explained in more
detail beginning on Page 4. The
Proto sound® ECRU® will not
power the motors until the throttle
is turned OFF and then ON again.
At this point, the engine will now
function just like any other
electronic or mechanical E-unit. On Proto sound® equipped engines, the
diesel engine sounds will change in volume as the engine begins to move.
The horn can be activated by pressing the whistle button on the transformer
just as any horn would be activated. See the sections later in this guide,
beginning on page 5, for more information on activating the horn and bell
sounds.
DCRU® Electronic Reverse Unit
Lockout Switch
Figure 1: Proto sound® ECRU® Lockout Switch
RESET
Neutral
Reverse
Neutral
Forward
Figure 2: ECRU™ Cycle Phases

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
PROTO SOUNDS® OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
The MTH Proto sound® 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. ∗Built-In Proto-sound® DCRU® Reverse Unit * Authentic Diesel Engine Horn
Sound * Authentic Diesel Engine Bell Sound * Squeaking Brake Sound * Freight
Yard Sounds * Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™ *
Self-Recharging Battery Back-Up System With Automatic Battery Shut-Off *
Remotely Controlled Reverse Unit Lock-Out * Remotely Adjustable Diesel
Engine Volume * Authentic Diesel Engine Start Up & Shut Down Sounds *
Random Selection of Four “Cab Chatter" Radio Transmission Sound Clips *
Each feature is described among the following pages. Though the system
is easy to use, we encourage you to read the instructions thoroughly.
Proto sound® DCRU® REVERSE UNIT
As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a
Proto sound® DCRU® reverse unit that contains the standard
forward-neutral-reverse states found on most reverse units. However, as
described earlier, when power is first applied to the track, the reverse unit
begins in RESET or what seems like a neutral state. Power must be
interrupted again to get the locomotive to enter the forward state. It is this
first RESET state that gives ProtoSound® its unique, remote controlled
functions. The system will enter RESET whenever power to the track is off
for three or more seconds. NEUTRAL will be referred to as the state
between Forward and Reverse.
ProtoSounds® is equipped with a microprocessor, that, depending on the
amount of memory it is allotted, allows the user to utilize several remotely
activated functions. In the simplest terms, ProtoSounds® has its own
“Computer" controlling these functions. In order to access many of these
remotely controlled functions, the user must be in the RESET state to do so.
RESET is entered anytime power to the locomotive has been off for more
than 3 to 5 seconds. When the engine first enters RESET, the
microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the system,

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
transformer and engine are operating correctly. This takes approximately 5
seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds begin. In
order for ProtoSounds® to properly initiate the system check, do not
advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first enter RESET,
wait for the diesel startup sounds to begin and then slowly turn the
transformer throttle to the off position and then back on again to enter the
forward phase. Interrupting the power too quickly may cause the system to
re-enter RESET (signaled by two dings of the bell). Should this happen,
wait longer before interrupting the power to enter the Forward phase.
ProtoSounds® comes with several programmable functions, including
Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation
(pre-programmed at the factory), Cab Chatter On/Off Control, ProtoCoupler
On/Off Control and Horn-In-Neutral Operation. Each of these features are
described in more detail later. You will notice that when in RESET, your
engine will not respond to the whistle button with a horn blast or continuous
bell ringing. In fact, when in RESET and the whistle button is depressed,
only one single bell chime will be heard each time the whistle button is
pressed. If you don’t want to configure or change your locomotive using
any of these programmable features, simply leave RESET and wait 5
seconds before interrupting the power to put the engine in forward. After
you leave RESET, your engine will operate normally in all the direction
states of forward, neutral and reverse.
HORN OPERATION
Your GP 7/9 ProtoSound® equipped engine is equipped with a digital
recording of a diesel horn. The horn sound can be activated anytime the
engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your
transformer. The horn will continue to blow as long as the whistle button is
depressed. The horn will not function in RESET and must be configured
through a RESET option to allow the horn to work when the engine is in
neutral. See page 17 for information on horn programming in the Using
RESETTo Program ProtoSounds® section of this manual.
BELL OPERATION
Your GP 7/9 ProtoSound® equipped engine is equipped with a digital
recording of an actual diesel bell. Unlike previous versions of
ProtoSounds®, the bell can be turned on or off with any separate bell
button, like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906 Bell Button, by simply

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
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). Once
the bell is turned on, it will continue to ring when the engine is cycled into
forward or reverse until you press the bell button or re-enter NEUTRAL
and turn the bell off with the whistle button.
To turn the bell on using the transformer’s whistle button, turn on power to
the track and cycle the engine into NEUTRAL. Turn the throttle to 8 volts
or less (any higher voltage will arm the ProtoCoupler™) and press the
whistle button. The bell should begin chiming. To turn the bell off, press
the whistle button again. If you want to keep the bell on while running the
engine, simply interrupt the power with the transformer throttle or the
transformer directional switch and enter forward or reverse.
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION
Your GP 7/9 ProtoSound® equipped locomotive has two coil-wound
ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. The couplers are mounted
on the power trucks. Because the ProtoCoupler™ is controlled through
ProtoSounds® microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track
section or modification to your layout to function. The three simple steps
below are required to operate the coupler.
1. Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the
way up.
2. Press the transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler.
(You will hear a “Clank")
3. After arming the coupler, press the whistle button again to
open the coupler.
HH
Put Engine In Neutral
At Full Power
Press & Release
The Whistle Button Press & Release
The Whistle Button
Listen For The
Ca-ClunkSound
See The Coupler Open
And Listen For The
Cha-Chusshh Sound

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
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 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 open when
firing the coupler at high
speeds. Reduce the voltage
setting on your transformer if
this occurs and run your engine
at a slower speed before firing
the coupler. If the coupler
continues to open erratically, try
lubricating the knuckle with
light oil as indicated in Fig. 3.
For multiple heading purposes, only one of the two ProtoCouplers™ will
function at any one time. Use the coupler direction switch as shown in Fig.
5 on page 16 to select either the front or rear coupler. Simply slide the
switch toward the direction of the coupler you want to make active.
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
ProtoSound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your engine slows in speed. There are two
settings for activating the squeaking brake sounds. The default setting
allows the brake sounds to play while the engine is in forward or reverse
and the transformer throttle is lowered from a high setting to a low setting
(14 volts to 8 volts or less). The second 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
Lubricate Coupler Rivet
Figure 3: Lubricating The ProtoCouplers
Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low
Listen For The
Squeaking Brake Sounds

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
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. It is not uncommon for the engine to stop before the brake
sound is completed. Operators will find that by coordinating the movement
of the throttle setting from 8 volts to off will allow the engine to maintain its
movement while the brake sounds play. Note: The brake sounds will not
be heard if the transformer throttle is not set above 14 volts and/or not
reduced below 8 volts.
TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Users will find the squeaking brake feature to be a very realistic way to
simulate the sound of an engine slowing down for curves, crossings or coming
to a stop at a station, side track or switch yard. However, you may find that
your engine continues to play the brake sounds once your engine comes to a
stop, or that the sounds stop before the engine comes to a complete halt. For
example, if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle off quickly, the
brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the engine has come to a
complete stop.
This annoying effect can be eliminated by simply practicing with the brake
feature. In no time, you will quickly learn how to “feather" the throttle to keep
the engine moving while the brake sounds play and then turning the throttle off
just as the sounds stop.

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
Operating Proto-Sound Freight Yard Sound
Effects
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)
Proto-Sound® is equipped with operator controlled Freight Yard Sounds,
referred to as FYS. The FYS sequence is designed to simulate the arrival,
unloading, loading and departure of a freight train in a freight yard. This
easy-to-use feature allows you to play digitally recorded sounds of freight
yard operations while your engine is parked in the Neutral State. No
additional wires or modifications are needed to enjoy these amazing sound
effects. The sounds themselves are randomly “shuffled” by the
Proto-Sound® computer. This gives the system the ability to play the
various sounds in a different order each time FYS is enabled.
Quick Overview- FYS Sounds
The following is a quick over view on how you can operate FYS.
The train on track moving Forward or Reverse direction.
B
Press and Hold Bell Button For 3+
Seconds, Listen For a Horn Blast or
Air Release, then Remove your Finger
from the Button.
BPress Bell Button Again Quickly to
Stop Bell Chime.
Your train is now ready for you to play the FYS.

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Premier GP-7/9 Operating Manual
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
To Play FYS, Stop Train Direction.
This Can Be Done by Pressing the
DIRECTION Button or Cycling the
TransformerHandle.
At This Time the Train Will Stop in
Neutral.
In a Few Seconds, A Man Whistling
Plays, Followed by a Background
Noise.
STOP
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR Change/Press Direction- The Train Will
Remain In Neutral. It Will Continue to
Play More Background Noises.
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
Change/Press Direction- The Train Will Remain
In Neutral. You Will Hear a Double Air Release,
A Man Whistling Plays, More Background
Noises.
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
GO
Change/Press Direction- The Train Will Remain In
Neutral. You Will Hear Closing Doors, Horn Blast,
a Few Bell Chimes and Engine Departs in the
Direction the Engine First Stopped.
For more detailed FYS instructions, read the following.