Read the entire manual first

Depends.  If it's just another road name of an engine design I'm already familiar with; why read the manual?

Now; if it's the first engine of a new design or different electronics, I will read the manual.

Curt

Only if I can't figure it out.

Better question is who wants to read five pages of safety warnings and govt recycle mandates (in four or more languages).

That's why most products are packaged and designed to be ready to run (like Lionel sets) or plug and play.

If the engine, operating accessory, or rolling stock has options that I am not familiar with, most definitely. And if I am still confused, I will call customer service or ask questions on this forum. Anytime that I "assume" to know it all, the comedy of misfortune normally takes center stage.

enjoy your trains...

Don't need no stinking manual.

I usually do just to enjoy the new engine scent longer....then I put in scented smoke fluid and highball!

I read the manual before ignoring it.

Pete

What's a manual?  Never seen one with any engine I own.......

MTH doesn't even include manuals anymore - instead a quick start guide with the same model on each cover...have to download them from their website, using your printer and paper. Talk about saving a buck.

If I didn't know that the Triplex had a smoke unit in the tender it would've been curtains for that wick.

I tend to skim thru first, to gather the salient points.  Then, if there's soothing I haven't seen before, I look it up in the manual.

As far as manuals you must get online, such as from MTH, I simply save them in a folder on my laptop and reference them when I need to.   I don't print them out.

As in anything day-to-day, common sense is paramount (if you bought 2 of the same loco from the same production generation, are you going to read both manuals?) Me, I enjoy "reading the instructions" for any interesting equipment. Model locos, next to automobiles, are the most interesting equipment in my day-to-day life. The "book" is part of enjoying owning an interesting thing. Downloads? Just not as engaging. Once read, however, the manual just goes in the file.

If it's just an appliance like a refrigerator (or this dumb computer) - that's a chore. Reading, talking and thinking about computers will put me to sleep faster than British television. 

I am a believer that in "if All else fails, then read read the Manual".

Then go on-line to get the real true story...

Great posts guys.  Always read the manual.  I have a handful of engines and always read the manual.

Read the manual, that's just crazy talk!

Jerry

I always read he manual and highlight and underline before an item reaches he rails

Bob C.

I see many new locomotives with the smoke unit filled to the top with fluid and the customer complains the engine does not smoke.   If they read the book, hopefully  that would not happen.  I see many new engines where the owner complains the engine does not operate right.  Many of them have the run/program switch in program.   I know they did not read the book.   Several people with new MTH DCS/DCC  ---2 rail/3 rail locomotives complain the engine does not run.  I know they did not read the book or they would have put the switches in the proper position.    It is weird that some of these people who have these complaints (they did not read the book)  make a lot of noise.   I know many people are smart enough that they do not need to read the book.   I am very happy for them.  Has anyone ever wondered why train manufacturers spend the money to make the book for every engine?  Not crazy talk Jerry.  I work on over 340 locomotives each year some years close to 375.  Many problems could be non problems.   I see many people with LC+ engines who saturate the wicking big time and wonder why the engine does not smoke well or not at all.  That is a great product and when the proper amount of fluid is added, they smoke good.  Guess what, that information is in the book.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

  Not crazy talk Jerry.

I was being facetious...

but that said I rarely read the manuals either. If I do encounter any problem I will then go thru the book to see if that particular issue is addressed but for the most part I prefer to learn hands on with anything I have be it a toy train or a heavy piece of yard equipment or my cars and have yet to have any issues arise from not reading the manual.

Jerry

Jerry, I know you were.   I know you are in the group that does not need to read the manual.    Basically newer guys that run into some of these issues with smoke and setting switches are the guys I would love to see them read the book.  I say this would be helpful as trains today are not the trains of yesterday.  I would think it helpful and make life easier for everyone.   I hate seeing repairs after Christmas for some of these smoke related reasons.   As a rule the trains that have any issue today are fixable.   I feel this forum has helped people pick up some operating tips.   I grew up in my Fathers garage where he built some great cars.  We lived inside the Motors Repair Guide.  In the Navy again always in the books working on Aircraft.  After the Navy the Police Department.  Again the need to be in the books.    It is a thing with me to read about anything mechanical or electrical.  Guess what.  I read everything I can on the forum and anyone can learn from this forum.

Marty:

I hear you man, I'm Retired Military and now I design electronics for Industrial controls.

I at least flip through the book for the variables, What switches exist and what they are used for, Lubrication, How much smoke fluid, etc.

Learned my new Big Boy has steam Smoke that way. (read about it before I ordered but forgot while awaiting delivery)

I will note, my engines all seem to have smoke fluid in them new, at least a bit, so I run them and see if it smokes prior to filling it up.

Useful to read manuals on some current automobiles.  Some of them have two 12 volt plug-ins, one on dash and one hidden in console  (surprise!), different amperage.  Try to blow up a tire with a portable compressor off the dash one, you blow a fuse, and find out you need to use the console one.  Something of a nuisance when you have a low tire and are in a hurry (and have no spare fuses)

I can't begin to count all of the DCS questions I and others have answered, posed by people who bought my book, that were already answered in the book itself.

Barry, your book sits next to my pile of Lionel and DCS tech manuals.   I was with Charlie yesterday and he told me he had to put in another book order.   DCS guys are fortunate to have that available to them.   

Marty,

I ordered Charlie's books yesterday.  

I push your book every chance I get.  I figure a cold beer should be in my future.

Marty, 

For such a smart guy, you are kidding yourself if you think Barry is going to buy you a beer.

I'll still buy you one anytime.

Erol

Marty,

Erol,  Barry is a good guy.  He opens his wallet when he should.  We share about 6-8 meals at York.    When we are in Florida and visit him, he is a great host with Cora.  

Erol, I enjoy when you visit my house as it is always great to have a beer with a good guy like yourself.   Ralph always enjoys your visits.