Can't start my MTH 4-8-4 #2581

Hi you're not giving us enough information what's the engine item number 20- or  30- and the other 4 numbers, is it PS 2 3-volt PS 2 5 volt or ps3, we need to know, also what is the current draw when you power it up? should only be like .04 amps or so! would be glad to help you If you can give me more information! from wha tI can tell your engine is a Great Northern 2581 S-2 4-8-4 Glacier Brass mth Engine I can't find an item number?

Alan

The maintenance message is just like the one in your car, it will not stop it from working.  That message is not related to the engine not starting.

As Alan mentioned, it is always helpful to provide the manufacturer’s part number.  I think yours is 20-3500 but let us know for certain

Do you have any other DCS locomotives?  Are they working correctly?  Have you tried a factory reset?

Jeff...this was not a 3-rail traditional toy train topic rather you are specifically asking about an MTH locomotive so I moved it.

OK Thank you. Sorry I am mistaken. Before I was told I was in the wrong posting and my posts should be for three rail toy trains. I am happy you put it into the correct topic location. Later tonight I will address the otger needed info as asked by members.

@Alan Mancus posted:

Hi you're not giving us enough information what's the engine item number 20- or  30- and the other 4 numbers, is it PS 2 3-volt PS 2 5 volt or ps3, we need to know, also what is the current draw when you power it up? should only be like .04 amps or so! would be glad to help you If you can give me more information! from wha tI can tell your engine is a Great Northern 2581 S-2 4-8-4 Glacier Brass mth Engine I can't find an item number?

Alan

This engine was from the MTH set where you got the engine and cars as a set. I will look for the info on the engine. Thankyou.

Regarding the GN 4-8-4 as a set. I found the instructions which were generic but references that the locomotive is PS3, purchased in 2014 as set 20-3500-1. It mentions having to go online with MTH to get a more comprehensive manual. I also found a xerox copy of a page that goes into great detail as to how to connect the tender to the locomotive; which does not have a tether but rather a different type of connector which has to snap into position to power the engine.

I am going to re-address this step by step instructions to properly connect the electrical connector and perhaps that is my problem.

Sunday I will try and see if this solves my problem; in the meantime I wanted to bring up what I found in my records.

@Jeff B. Haertlein - In addition to the 'snap' (on the underside of the tender I believe) if it's like my PS3 steam engine there's also a 'flat spring' (not your typical coiled spring which I was initially looking for) that runs along the top of and parallel to the draw bar that must be positioned against the pin on the underside of the tender in order to ensure a proper ground. If the engine is not properly grounded (and/or the connector isn't 'snapped' properly) the engine will be unresponsive and just sit there as you've described. (Don't ask me how I know)

Good Luck in getting the connections done properly!

Sounds like I may have the answer. Thanks.

BTW Jeff, let us know how you make out. That way, everyone benefits. 😏

Good news! The engine is now working. It is very hard to connect the tender to the locomotive, although I didn't hear a "snap", the engine is now responding. We shall see if the connections stays connected. Now to figure out how to light the class lamps and the number boards.  Thanks one and all.

@PH1975 posted:

@Jeff B. Haertlein - In addition to the 'snap' (on the underside of the tender I believe) if it's like my PS3 steam engine there's also a 'flat spring' (not your typical coiled spring which I was initially looking for) that runs along the top of and parallel to the draw bar that must be positioned against the pin on the underside of the tender in order to ensure a proper ground. If the engine is not properly grounded (and/or the connector isn't 'snapped' properly) the engine will be unresponsive and just sit there as you've described. (Don't ask me how I know)

Good Luck in getting the connections done properly!

Can you tell me and show me PH 1975. I have a similar issue I believe. Northern Imperial 30-1564-1 no power, no light, not read by my dcs. The tender works but nothing with engine. I am new to engine troubleshooting. I did try a reset, but still no go.

Thanks,

mike

@Train Mike - I'm sorry but I don't have the equipment to produce a video. However, there might be a video of this procedure on You Tube so you may want to check it out.

That said - PROVIDED THIS IS THE REASON FOR YOUR ENGINE NOT RUNNING - I can't 'tell' you what to do any clearer than what I already stated above. The two keys are making sure the plastic connector is snapped together securely underneath the tender and that the metal spring runs along the top of the drawbar (gently push it sideways with your finger in the opposite direction to the way it is - to create some tension) and then BUTTS UP AGAINST the metal pin underneath the tender (in order to create a good ground) as you slide the hole of the drawbar over the pin on the underside of the tender. It may sound complicated (I initially thought so) but if you just follow what I've said above, I'm sure you'll figure it out because it's not rocket science.

Like the part in the Wizard of Oz movie "There's no place like home, there's no place like home", I just kept repeating the two steps in my head when I first tackled my PS3 steam engine and - eventually - I figured it out (although I didn't 'click my heels' as I kept repeating the steps in my head). lol

Good Luck!

@PH1975 posted:

@Train Mike - I'm sorry but I don't have the equipment to produce a video. However, there might be a video of this procedure on You Tube so you may want to check it out.

That said - PROVIDED THIS IS THE REASON FOR YOUR ENGINE NOT RUNNING - I can't 'tell' you what to do any clearer than what I already stated above. The two keys are making sure the plastic connector is snapped together securely underneath the tender and that the metal spring runs along the top of the drawbar (gently push it sideways with your finger in the opposite direction to the way it is - to create some tension) and then BUTTS UP AGAINST the metal pin underneath the tender (in order to create a good ground) as you slide the hole of the drawbar over the pin on the underside of the tender. It may sound complicated (I initially thought so) but if you just follow what I've said above, I'm sure you'll figure it out because it's not rocket science.

Like the part in the Wizard of Oz movie "There's no place like home, there's no place like home", I just kept repeating the two steps in my head when I first tackled my PS3 steam engine and - eventually - I figured it out (although I didn't 'click my heels' as I kept repeating the steps in my head). lol

Good Luck!

Thank you!!!!