GS4 4-8-4 Proto 1 train

Neo,

MTH's Proto 1's are old and finicky.  Finicky because electronic manufacturer QSI tried to pack command control-style features into a conventionally-controlled locomotive.  As a result you have the throttle, the "direction" button, and the pushing of two buttons on the transformer ("whistle/horn" and "bell") in various sequences, to get all those advanced features to operate.

Do you get any action at all when you apply power to the track?  Be careful, there's a rechargeable battery inside (white colored one) that is likely to be very old, and you can scramble the software inside the loco if that battery is dead.  Most people suggest changing the battery before doing anything else, especially if it's never been changed.

If you already have a new battery (a green colored one, or equivalent), or once you get one (or a battery substitute called a BCR), try applying power smoothly up to above 10 volts.  You should hear start-up sounds.  If you do leave it there powered up for a good 15 minutes.

Now you can try to get it to move.  Lower the throttle to below 8 volts and you should hear a clank followed by a woosh.  Then hit the direction button and off she should go.

Try it.  Does it work this way for you?

Mike

and to add to putting a new battery in first, what transformer are you using to run this?

Thank you for the responses, gentlemen.  I tried posting this in “WTB”.  I did replace the old battery with a BCR at one point.  I had to get a new sound board shortly thereafter.  My transformer is a MTH Z-4000.

I am looking to by an inexpensive train and tender combo and maybe re-use the shells.  This train has been an expensive lesson for someone new to the hobby but one I learned real quick.  I have since purchased my motive power new.  I tried looking on the aforementioned site but units are scarce since MTH “reorganized”.

I don't see swapping shells as an easy to do fix for this.

Truthfully, I'd talk to someone like @GGG on the forum here, he has a lot of expertise with the PS/1 boards, and I suspect a number of spare boards if you need a replacement.  That would be far easier and cheaper to do than swapping shells onto another questionable chassis.  Swapping shells, unless it's an identical locomotive, can end up being a real quagmire.

Do you have an MTH item number for the locomotive?

@NeophyteMRR posted:

Thank you for the responses, gentlemen.  I tried posting this in “WTB”.  I did replace the old battery with a BCR at one point.  I had to get a new sound board shortly thereafter.  My transformer is a MTH Z-4000.

I am looking to by an inexpensive train and tender combo and maybe re-use the shells.  This train has been an expensive lesson for someone new to the hobby but one I learned real quick.  I have since purchased my motive power new.  I tried looking on the aforementioned site but units are scarce since MTH “reorganized”.

This did not belong in the WTB category so we moved it to the correct MTH forum.  If you are wanting to buy something, then that should be a separate post on the WTB forum.

If it is a premier it can be fixed and would be worth it, even upgrading would be good.  If the full size RK probably also worth it.  This can be something simple like a bad harness or solder joint at the engine PCB.  G

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

This did not belong in the WTB category so we moved it to the correct MTH forum.  If you are wanting to buy something, then that should be a separate post on the WTB forum.

Point taken.  Still figuring out how everything works here.  Thank you.

@GGG posted:

If it is a premier it can be fixed and would be worth it, even upgrading would be good.  If the full size RK probably also worth it.  This can be something simple like a bad harness or solder joint at the engine PCB.  G

Thank you for your response.  It is RK:  30-1119-1 is the item number.