My MTH diesel won't run

[FancyWolfTrains]

My MTH o gauge or Lionel diesel lights turn on and the sound works but won't run even when I press the direction button. By the way the diesel is the one in the picture. What do I do?

[rrswede]

Welcome to the forum!

Since power is being delivered to the locomotive, my first guess would be some form of electrical failure between the input to the locomotive and the motor. Before offering any concrete assistance, I would certainly need to know more about your diesel. MTH model number, most importantly.

Thanks, swede

[FancyWolfTrains]

the prouduct number is 20-2451-1

[FancyWolfTrains]

heres the prouduct info: E-6 ABA Diesel Engine Set w/Proto-Soundr 2.0 - City of Los Angeles A Unit - LA-4 B Unit - LA-5 A Unit - LA-10 Roadname: Union Pacific Product Item Number: 20-2451-1 Catalog: BG 2003 Volume 2 Product Line: Premier Scale: O Scale Delivery Status: Delivered DEC. 2003 This product is compatible with all O Gauge 3-Rail track systems including those systems offered by Atlas and Lionel and Gargraves and Ross Custom Switches. No other passenger engine of the diesel era has garnered the attention or affection of railfans like EMD's E-Series has. In the middle of the Great Depression, General Motors asked its Detroit stylists to design a sleek streamlined engine to head up consists of the lightweight passenger cars that had become fashionable. And because diesels did not have the pulling power of steam engines, these new units needed to be equipped to run in multi-unit lash-ups when more horsepower was needed to pull a long train. There were six variations of the E-unit (the EA and E-1 through -5), none produced in large numbers, before EMD settled on a standardized passenger unit and began to produce the E-6 before the U.S. entered World War II. EMD built 92 E-6 A-units and 26 matching B-units before the war effort arrested production of all passenger diesels in 1942. When the war ended, EMD resumed production of the E-Series with the E-7, but it was the E-6 that established the standard for streamlined passenger locomotives. Now you can enjoy the beauty and glamour of these seminal streamliners in the colorful markings of the New York Central, Ilinois Central, Seaboard and Union Pacific City of Los Angeles railroads. These Premier engines will be as eye-catching at the head of your varnish as the originals were more than a half century ago. Did You Know? Because the prime mover of an E-unit diesel could be changed easily, these locomotives were given new engines throughout their service years. - Directionally Controlled Headlights - Intricately Detailed ABS Bodies - Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears - Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank - (2) Remotely Controlled Proto-Couplersr - Colorful Paint Scheme - Metal Handrails and Decorative Horn - Metal Chassis - (2) Precision Flywheel Equipped Motors In Each A Unit - Illuminated Number Boards - Lighted Marker Lights - Spinning Roof Fans - (2) Cab Figures In Each A Unit - Metal Body Side Grilles - Lighted Cab Interiors - (2) Operating Smoke Units - Locomotive Speed Control - Proto-Sound 2.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring:- Passenger Station Proto-Effects - Unit Measures:55 3/8" x 2 5/8" x 3 3/4" - Operates On O-31 Curves

[Michael6268]

FancyWolfTrains

My MTH o gauge or Lionel diesel lights turn on and the sound works but won't run even when I press the direction button. By the way the diesel is the one in the picture. What do I do?

 

 

 

The one in your avatar? I'm turning my phone upside down to try to see it but I cant!

[FancyWolfTrains]

its the yellow one

[dbaker48]

When you turn power on, try pushing the "start up" button (#3), see if that helps.

[FancyWolfTrains]

uhh  don't have that controller I got the one from the polar express set which was my first Lionel set

 

[robmcc]

Did your Polar Express set come with a traditional transformer (CW-80) or is it the one that came with the LionChief remote? If it came with the remote, it won't be compatible with MTH. Try using a traditional transformer to see if the engine will run. Keep in mind you will only have access to limited features using a traditional transformer.

[Penny Trains]

We're not seeing a photo, but the description says Proto-sound 2.0 delivered Dec. 2003.  I hate to tell you this, but Proto 2 locos are notorious for "loosing their minds".  You may need to find an MTH service tech to get it repaired.

[Firelock76]

An MTH Proto-Sound 2 locomotive?  Has it been a while since it's been run?  Try placing it on some track powered with any conventional traditional type AC transformer.  Power up the track and just let it sit there for a half to a full hour, then try running it then.

It could be your problem's being caused by a run-down battery.  My PS-2 engines act the same way if I haven't used them for several months.  Some charging typically solves the problem.