MTHTrains Tinplate 3245 User manual

Tinplate
3245 Electric
Locomotive
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
TRADITIONAL MODEL
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional
Standard Gauge tubular track system,
including M.T.H.’s tubular track. It is also
compatible with most standard AC
transformers. (See page 18 for a complete
list of compatible transformers and wiring
instructions.)

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 therisk of electric shock.
WARNING:When usingelectricalproducts,basicsafetyprecautionsshouldbeobserved,includingthefollowing:
Readthismanualthoroughlybefore usingthisdevice.
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.
Donotoperateyourlayoutunattended. Obstructedaccessoriesorstalledtrainsmayoverheat,resulting in damage toyourlayout.
Thistrainsetisintendedforindooruse. Donotuseifwaterispresent. Seriousinjuryorfatalitymayresult.
l
l
l
lDonotoperatethehobbytransformerwithdamagedcord,plug,switches,buttonsorcase.
Table of Contents
Set Up Checklist................................................................................................... 3
Lubrication.............................................................................................3
Basic Operation....................................................................................................4
Maintenance.........................................................................................................11
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................12
Cleaning The Wheels and Track.................................................. 12
Headlight Replacement Instructions......................................................12
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart.......................................18
Service & Warranty Information...........................................................20
Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................20

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 3
Set Up Checklist
•Lubricate the locomotive
•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.
LubricatePick UpRollers(L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
DO NOT
OVER OIL

4Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive
Basic Operation
The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel.
Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine and caboose 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.
Cycle Phases
Forward
Reverse NeutralNeutral

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 5
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
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Figure 3
The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease. However, it will be necessary to lubricate the idler gears located next
to the drive wheels with grease every 25 hours of operation. Follow the greasing points
illustrated in Figure 4.
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions
Grease Idler Gear (G)
Figure 4

6Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive
Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can
cause poor electrical contact and traction. Wheels 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.
The locomotive’s headlights are controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the engine.
The headlight is easy to remove and replace when it burns out. The bulb(s) simply
unscrew from their sockets. Replacement bulbs are available directly from the M.T.H.
Parts Department.
Cleaning The Wheels and Track
Headlight Replacement Instructions

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 7
Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart
below lists the many compatible transformers. Note 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
Lionel1032 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1032M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel1033 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel1043 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1043M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel1044 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel1053 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard
Lionel1063 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
LionelMW OutsideTrack
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

How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty
For warranty repair, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service.
First, e-mail, write, call or fax an Authorized M.T.H. Service Center in your area or M.T.H. Electric
Trains to obtain Repair Authorization. You can find the list of Authorized Service Centers on the
M.T.H. website, www.mth-railking.com. Otherwise, contact M.T.H. (at e-mail:
[email protected]; 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046; tel:
410-381-2580; fax: [phone]), stating when the item was purchased and describing the
problem. If you contact M.T.H., you will be given a return authorization number to assure that your
merchandise will be properly handled upon its receipt.
CAUTION: Make sure the product is packed in its original factory packaging including its foam
and plastic wrapping material so as to prevent damage to the merchandise. The shipment must be
prepaid and we recommend that it be insured. A cover letter including your name, address, daytime
phone number, e-mail address (if available), Return Authorization number, a copy of your sales
receipt and a full description of the problem must be included to facilitate the repairs. Please
include the description regardless of whether you discussed the problem with a service technician
when contacting the Service Center or M.T.H. for your Return Authorization.
All M.T.H. products purchased from an Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant are covered by this
warranty. See our website at www.mth-railking.com or call 1-888-640-3700 to identify an
Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant near you.
M.T.H. products are warrantied for one year from the date of purchase against defects in material or
workmanship, excluding light bulbs, pick-up rollers and traction tires. We will repair or replace(at
our option) the defective part without charge for the parts or labor, if the item is returned to an
Authorized M.T.H. Service Center or M.T.H. Electric Trains within one year of the original date of
purchase. This warranty does not cover damages caused by improper care, handling, or use.
Transportation costs incurred by the customer are not covered under this warranty.
Items sent for repair must be accompanied by a return authorization number, a description of the
problem, and a copy of the original sales receipt from an Authorized M.T.H. Train Merchant, which
gives the date of purchase. If you are sending the item to M.T.H., call 410-381-2580, fax
410-423-0009, or e-mail the Service Department at [email protected] to obtain a return
authorization number. If you are sending this product to an Authorized Service Center, contact that
Center for their return authorization.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights that vary from state to
state.
Service Department
M.T.H. Electric Trains
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, Maryland 21046-1532
Service & Warranty Information
Limited One-Year Warranty

Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive 9
PARTICIPATING RETAILER LIST
OCTOBER 2001
ALABAMA
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
FLORIDAILLINOIS
INDIANA
LOUISIANA
MAINE
MARYLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
SOUTHERLAND
STATION
HUNTSVILLE
256-533-4720
[email protected]
ARIZONA TRAIN
DEPOT
MESA
480-833-9486
sales@arizonatraindep
ot.com
www.arizonatraindepot.
com/
DOLLHOUSES,
TRAINS & MORE
NOVATO
415-883-0388
[email protected]
TIN PLATE JUNCTION
OAKLAND
510-444-4780
[email protected]
sn.com
MIZELL TRAINS Inc
WESTMINSTER
303-429-4811
[email protected]
www.mizelltrains.com
SHELTONRAILROAD
SYSTEMS
SHELTON
203-924-8761
[email protected]
NEW ENGLAND
HOBBY SUPPLY
MANCHESTER
860-646-0610
[email protected]
K R R B MODEL
TRAINS INC.
NEWARK
302-292-2779
[email protected]
www.krrb.com
DEPOT HOBBY SHOP
LAKE WORTH
561-585-1982
[email protected]
www.depothobbies.co
m
COLONIAL PHOTO &
HOBBY
ORLANDO
407-841-1485
trains@colonialphotoa
ndhobby.com
WARRICK CUSTOM
HOBBIES
PLANTATION
954-370-0708
info@warrickcustomho
bbies.com
www.warrickcustomho
bbies.com
FRANK'S TRAINS &
HOBBIES INC.
OLDSMAR
813-855-1041
[email protected]
www.allhobbies.com
READY TO ROLL
MIAMI
305-688-8868
[email protected]
www.readytorolltrains.c
om
BIKE & CHOO CHOO
CONNECTION
SCHAUMBURG
847-882-7728
[email protected]
om
Y. O. R. K. TRAINS
MUNSTER
219-838-9999
[email protected]
SAMUELSON'S TRAIN
SHOP
VALPARAISO
219-462-2708
AMERICA'STRAIN
YARD
BATON ROUGE
225-926-5592
WHEELS, WINGS &
THINGS
LUDLOW
207-532-6277
[email protected]
ENGINE HOUSE
HOBBIES
GAITHERSBURG
301-590-0816
[email protected]
J & B TRAINS
HAGERSTOWN
240-420-4930
HOBBYTOWNU S A
FREDERICK
301-694-7395
PURKEY'STOY
TRAINS
SYKESVILLE
410-549-6061
[email protected]
m
THE TRAIN ROOM
HAGERSTOWN
301-745-6681
NORTHEAST TRAINS
PEABODY
978-532-1615
www.netrains.com
AUTHORIZEDSERVICECENTER
www.mth-railking.com
7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. - Columbia, MD 21046
Information: 410-381-2580 Fax: [phone]

10 Tinplate 3245 Electric Locomotive
MICHIGAN
MISSOURI
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
NORTH CAROLINA
OHIO
PENNSYLVANIA
BRASSEUR
ELECTRIC TRAINS
INC.
SAGINAW
517-793-4753
[email protected]
www.traindoctor.com
SWITCH STAND
SAINT LOUIS
314-781-4458
[email protected]
MARK TWAIN HOBBY
CENTER
ST. CHARLES
636-946-2816
[email protected]
om
www.hobby1.com
TREASURED TOYS
SALEM
603-898-7224
ttoys@treasured-
toys.com
www.treasured-
toys.com
RAILROAD
SPECIALTIES
HUDSON
603-882-5566
crew@electric-
trains.com
www.electric-
trains.com
TRAINS & THINGS
TRENTON
609-883-8790
[email protected]
m
GRAND CENTRAL
STATION
KEARNY
201-955-6200
[email protected]
m
HOBBYMASTERS,
INC
RED BANK
732-842-6020
hobbymasters@hobby
masters.com
HOLLY BEACH TRAIN
DEPOT
WILDWOOD
609-522-2379
[email protected]
COAST TRAINS AND
COLLECTIBLES
WALL
732-556-9005
[email protected]
www.coasttrains.com
J&BTRAINS,INC.
MAPLE SHADE
856-414-0092
[email protected]
HOBBY SHOP
MATAWAN
732-583-0505
hobbyshopnj.com
ATLANTIC RAILS
HAMMONTON
609-567-8490
[email protected]
www.atlanticrails.com
COUNTRYAND
STUFF
ANDOVER
973-786-7086
[email protected]
t
RIDGEFIELD HOBBY
RIDGEFIELD
201-943-2636
COLUMBUS TRAIN
STATION
COLUMBUS
609-518-1800
AURORA RAILS &
HOBBIES
EAST AURORA
716-652-5718
[email protected]
AMERICANA STORE
TIVOLI
845-757-4246
[email protected]
NASSAU HOBBY
CENTER, INC.
FREEPORT
516-378-9594
[email protected]
m
KROSS HARDWARE
WEST BABYLON
631-669-3069
[email protected]
CITY DEPOT, INC.
NEW HAMPTON
845-374-3010
[email protected]
et
www.citydepot.com
DRY BRIDGE
STATION
MOUNT AIRY
336-786-9811
mikek@drybridgestatio
n.com
www.drybridgestation.c
om
THE FREIGHT YARD
SMITHFIELD
919-934-6229
[email protected]
TRAINS LTD.
CHARLOTTE
704-566-9070
[email protected]
t
www.trainsltd.com
THE ROUNDHOUSE
& BACKSHOP
CARY
919-465-0810
DIXIE UNION
STATION
MASON
513-459-0460
[email protected]
www.dixieunionstation.
com
RICK'S TOY TRAINS
TOLEDO
419-478-0171
T & K HOBBY SHOP
BRIDGEPORT
740-633-6607
[email protected]
www.tkhobbies.com
TRAINS-N- THINGS
CANTON
330-499-1666
[email protected]
PARMA HOBBY
CLEVELAND
216-741-6440
[email protected]
GLEN'S TRAIN SHOP
AKRON
330-253-6527
E & S TRAINS
AKRON
330-745-0785
GRAND PACIFIC
JUNCTION
OLMSTEAD FALLS
440-235-4777
[email protected]
om
HUDSONTOY, TRAIN
& HOBBY
HUDSON
330-653-2997
[email protected]
DAVIS ELECTRONICS
MILFORD
513-831-6425
[email protected]
www.davistrains.com
SANDY'S HOBBY'S &
COLLECTIBLES
ELYRIA
440-365-9999
[email protected]
ERIE RAILWAY
DEPOT
TROY
937-440-9972
[email protected]
CLEARVIEWTRAIN &
HOBBY
LORAIN
440-277-4488
[email protected]
www.clearviewtrainand
hobby.com
FAIRCHANCE
PHARMACY
FAIRCHANCE
724-564-7817
[email protected]
www.hhs.net/fairchanc
e
THE STATION
NEW CUMBERLAND
717-774-7096
[email protected]
BUSSINGERTRAINS
AMBLER
215-628-2366
[email protected]
www.icdc.com/~btrains
CHARLEROI
SWEEPER CENTER
CHARLEROI
724-483-3397
AMERICAN HOBBY
CENTER
ALIQUIPPA
724-378-3930
[email protected]
CRANBERRY HOBBY
DEPOT
CRANBERRY TWP
724-776-3640
[email protected]