MTHTrains RAILKING 4-CAR SUBWAY SET User manual

RK
AIL ING
By MT H ElectricTrains
®
RAILKING 4-CAR SUBWAY SET
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the RailKing R-42 4-Car Subway Set. The set’s
durable ABS bodies and die-cast trucks are patterned and decorated after
the 1970 New York City Transit Authority cars. The cars should operate
for years on any O-27 Gauge track with any compatible AC transformer
(see the chart on page 28 for a list of compatible transformers) and are
completely compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and
accessories.
The 4-Car Subway Set contains one powered car that is equipped with a
DCRU® electronic reverse unit and can be optionally equipped with the
ProtoSound® Digital Sound and train control system which contains several
deluxe features that are simple and fun to operate. Each feature is described
among the following pages which should be read before the car is operated.
For those of you who can’t wait to get started, the Quick Start Basic
Operating Instructions found on Pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you
understand the basics of the operating system. Please note that some
features are only found in the ProtoSound® models and are marked as such.
Features not marked as ProtoSound® features are available in all models.
RAILKING

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Table Of Contents
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION 3
PROTOSOUNDS™ OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 4
ProtoSound® DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) 4
Horn Operation 5
Bell Operation 5
Squeaking Brake Sounds 6
Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes 7
Self-Recharging Battery Backup System 8
Subway Announcements (TAS) 9
Activating Subway Announcement Sounds 9
Tips On Using Subway Announcement Sounds 12
ProtoSound® Volume Adjustment 13
USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS™ 13
Entering RESET Options 13
Setting The Engine Volume 14
Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller 15
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 16
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 17
Programming For TAS Operation 17
Activating Reverse Unit Lock-Out Control 17
Resetting All ProtoSound® Options To Factory Defaults 18
Reverse Unit Lockout Control Functions 19
Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse 19
Unlocking The Engine 19
Locking The Engine Into Neutral 19
Manual Reverse Unit Lockout 20
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 21
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 22
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 23
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND™ PROBLEMS 24
Transformer Wiring Chart 28
ProtoSound® RESET Feature Chart 29
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 30
HOW TO GET SERVICE 30
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 30

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QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION
The RailKing 4-Car Subway Set contains state-of-the art electronics with
several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite
these advanced features, the 4-Car Subway Set is easy to operate with any
compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page
28).
All models are controlled by a ProtoSound® DCRU® electronic reverse
unit. The reverse unit operates in the same manner that all reverse units
function by using forward, neutral and reverse states that are entered each
time the throttle is turned on and off or by using the transformer direction
switch (if so equipped).
The reverse unit is designed
to ignore dirty track, dead
spots on switches or minor
short circuits without
disrupting the engine
operation, even at slow,
prototypical speeds. Once the
engine is placed on the track,
the throttle on the transformer
can be advanced. You will
see that only the powered
car’s lights come on and that only two dings of the ProtoSound bell occur
(on ProtoSound equipped 3-rail
models). The car does not run.
This is known as the RESET state
and is explained in more detail
beginning on Page 4. The
ProtoSound® DCRU® will not
power the motor until the throttle
is turned OFF and then ON again. At this point, the car will now function
just like any other engine equipped with an electronic or mechanical E-unit.
On ProtoSound-equipped cars, the motor sounds will change slightly in
volume as the car begins to move. The horn can be activated by pressing
the whistle button on the transformer just as any horn would be activated.
See the sections later in this guide, beginning on page 5, for more
information on activating the horn and bell sounds.
ProtoSound®
Volume Adjustment
ProtoSound® DCRU®
Lockout Switch
Figure 1: Locating The Powered Subway Cars switches
RESET
Neutral
Reverse
Neutral
Forward

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PROTOSOUNDS® OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
The MTH ProtoSound® digital sound and train control system provides
the operator with unprecedented realistic operation on your model railroad.
In addition to actual Subway Set car CD-equivalent 16-bit digital sounds,
you get the following features:
*
Built-In DCRU Reverse Unit * Authentic Horn Sound * Authentic Bell Sound *
Squeaking Brake Sound * Subway Announcement Sounds * Self-Recharging
Battery Back-Up System With Automatic Battery Shut-Off * Remotely
Controlled Reverse Unit Lock-Out * Remotely Adjustable Engine Volume *
Each feature is described among the following pages. Though the system
is easy to use, we encourage you to read the instructions thoroughly.
PROTOSOUND® DCRU® REVERSE UNIT
As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the car is controlled by a
ProtoSound® DCRU® reverse unit that contains the standard forward-
neutral-reverse states found on most reverse units. However, as described
earlier, when power is first applied to the track, the reverse unit begins in
RESET or what seems like a neutral state. Power must be interrupted again
to get the car to enter the forward state. It is this first RESET state that
gives ProtoSound® its unique, remote controlled functions. The system
will enter RESET whenever power to the track is off for three or more
seconds. NEUTRAL will be referred to as the state between Forward and
Reverse.
ProtoSounds® is equipped with a microprocessor, that, depending on the
amount of memory it is allotted, allows the user to utilize several remotely
activated functions. In the simplest terms, ProtoSounds® has its own
“Computer" controlling these functions. In fact, the power of this
microprocessor is the same as that of a 286 desktop computer! In order to
access many of these remotely controlled functions, the user must be in the
RESET state to do so. RESET is entered anytime power to the locomotive
has been off for more than 3 to 5 seconds. When the car first enters
RESET, the microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the
system, transformer and car are operating correctly. This takes
approximately 2.2 seconds. In order for ProtoSounds® to properly initiate
the system check, do not advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts
when you first enter RESET, then slowly turn the transformer throttle to the

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off position and then back on again to enter the forward phase. Interrupting
the power too quickly may cause the system to re-enter RESET (signaled by
two dings of the bell). Should this happen, wait longer before interrupting
the power to enter the Forward phase.
ProtoSounds® comes with several programmable functions, including
Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation (pre-
programmed at the factory), and Horn-In-Neutral Operation. Each of these
features are described in more detail later. You will notice that when in
RESET, your car will not respond to the whistle button with a horn blast or
continuous bell ringing. In fact, when in RESET and the whistle button is
depressed, only one single bell chime will be heard each time the whistle
button is pressed. If you don’t want to configure or change your car using
any of these programmable features, simply leave RESET after waiting 2.2
seconds by interrupting the power to put the car in forward. After you leave
RESET, your car will operate normally in all the direction states of forward,
neutral and reverse.
HORN OPERATION
Your RailKing ProtoSound® equipped 4-Car Subway Set features a digital
recording of a Subway Car horn. The horn sound can be activated anytime
the car is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your
transformer. The horn will continue to blow as long as the whistle button is
depressed. The horn will not function in RESET and must be configured
through a RESET option to allow the horn to work when the car is in
neutral. See page 16 for information on horn programming in the Using
RESET To Program ProtoSounds® section of this manual.
BELL OPERATION
Your RailKing ProtoSound® equipped 4-Car Subway Set features a digital
recording of an actual Subway Car bell. Unlike previous versions of
ProtoSounds®, the bell can be turned on or off with any separate bell
button, like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906 Bell Button, by simply
pushing the button. If you don’t have a separate bell button, the bell can be
controlled through your transformer’s whistle button whenever the car is in
NEUTRAL. The bell will never ring continuously in RESET (Remember
NEUTRAL is the state between Forward and Reverse). Once the bell is
turned on, it will continue to ring when the car is cycled into forward or

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reverse until you press and release the bell button or re-enter NEUTRAL
and turn the bell off with the whistle button.
In fact, because of ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design, the
microprocessor remembers its last command. Therefore, unless you turn
the bell off before you quit running your car, the next time you run the car,
the bell will come on. No matter whether you come back an hour later or a
year later, the bell will begin chiming once the car enters one of the three
directional states.
Unlike most ProtoSound® equipped engines, the Subway Set version of
the ProtoSound® software activates the bell in a slightly different manner.
Normally, the bell is activated by pressing the bell button. With the
Subway Set’s unique Subway Announcement Sounds feature, the bell
button is used to activate the Subway Announcements as well as to control
the bell. In addition, since most Subways only used the bell to signal a start
or stop sequence and rarely ran with the bell constantly running, use of the
bell was normally quite limited. Nevertheless, the ProtoSound® equipped
Subway Set bell can be controlled by a bell button. Instead of pushing the
button on to start the bell sound, the operator must push and release the bell
button quickly. Failure to release the button quickly will activate the
Subway Announcement feature which is described on the following pages.
To turn the bell on using the transformer’s whistle button, turn on power to
the track and cycle the engine into NEUTRAL. Turn the throttle to 8 volts
or less and press the whistle button. The bell should begin chiming. To
turn the bell off, press the whistle button again. If you want to keep the bell
on while running the car, simply interrupt the power with the transformer
throttle or the transformer directional switch and enter forward or reverse.
PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION
Your RailKing Subway ProtoSound-equipped car contains a coil-wound
ProtoCoupler® for remote uncoupling action. The coupler is mounted on
the front power truck. Because the ProtoCoupler is controlled through
ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section
or modification to your layout to function. The three simple steps below
are required to operate the coupler.
1. Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the
way up.
2. Press the transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler.
(You will hear a “Clank")

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3. After arming the coupler, press the whistle button again to
open the coupler.
When the knuckle fires open you will hear the buzzing of the coil
energizing and the sound of the air lines coming apart. It can best be
described as a CHA-
CHUSHHH sound.
The coupler doesn’t’t
have to be fired in
NEUTRAL. Once the
coupler is armed it can
be fired in Forward,
Neutral or Reverse.
However, you may find that the coupler doesn’t’t open when firing the
coupler at high speeds. Reduce the voltage setting on your transformer if
this occurs and run your engine at a slower speed before firing the coupler.
If the coupler continues to open erratically, try lubricating the knuckle with
light oil as indicated in Fig. 3 on page 22.
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
ProtoSound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your car slows in speed. The Subway Set is
shipped with a default setting that causes the brake sounds to play while the
car is in forward or reverse and the transformer throttle is lowered from a
high setting to a low setting (14 volts to 8 volts or less). The brakes can be
turned off through a RESET setting explained later in this manual The
sound itself is a stored record on the ProtoSounds software chip and will
always play the same brake sound for the same three second length each
time the voltage is reduced from
high to low. Some practice may be
required to synchronize the playing
of the brake sounds with the
movement of the car. It is not
uncommon for the car to stop
before the brake sound is
completed. Operators will find that
by coordinating the movement of the throttle setting from 8 volts to off will
allow the car to maintain its movement while the brake sounds play. Note:
The brake sounds will not be heard if the transformer throttle is not set
above 14 volts and/or not reduced below 8 volts.
Squeeek
Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low
Listen For The
Squeaking Brake Sounds
HH
Ca-Clunk
Cha-Chussshhh
Put Engine In Neutral
At Full Power
Press & Release
The Whistle Button
Press & Release
The Whistle Button
Listen For The
Ca-Clunk Sound
See The Coupler Open
And Listen For The
Cha-Chusshh Sound

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TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Because the squeaking brake feature always plays for approximately 3
seconds, it is possible that the brake sounds will play longer or shorter than
what visually seems prototypical. You will find that by practicing with the
brake feature, you can determine how quickly to throttle down and what
speeds and voltage settings give you the most prototypical braking effect.
Typical users will find the feature to be a very realistic way to simulate the
sound of a car slowing down for curves, crossings or coming to a stop at a
station, side track or switch yard. As mentioned above, you will find that
initially your car may continue to play the brake sounds once it comes to a
stop or that the sounds stop prematurely before the car comes to a complete
halt. For example, if you simply run the car and turn the throttle off quickly,
the brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the car has come to
a complete stop. This annoying effect can be eliminated by simply practicing
with the brake feature. In no time, you will quickly learn how to feather" the
throttle to keep the car moving while the brake sounds play and then turning
the throttle off just as the sounds stop.
The ProtoSound® squeaking brake feature also has the ability to simulate the
squeal of wheel flanges when your car enters a curve at high speeds. The
same brake squeaking sound plays, but you dont need to reduce the
transformer throttle to activate the squeaking sounds. To play the squeaking
sounds as wheel flange sounds, you can trigger the brake feature with the
whistle button on the transformer. As your engine enters a curve (or anywhere
on the layout) quickly flick" your transformer whistle button about half way.
This flicking" action causes the transformer to release a short DC signal that
ProtoSounds® reads as an indicator to activate the brake sounds. The car
wont slow down even though the sounds play. This simulates the wheel
flange squeal of a train travelling through a turn too quickly.
Note: Consistent activation of the wheel flange squeaking is determined by the
condition of your transformers whistle button rectifier disc. Older rectifier
discs may not release a clear and strong enough DC signal required by
ProtoSounds® computer to play the wheel flange squealing.

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SUBWAY ANNOUNCEMENTS (TAS)
ProtoSounds® is now equipped with operator controlled Subway
announcement sounds, hereby known as TAS. This easy to use feature
plays digitally reproduced Subway announcements and platform action
sounds whenever you activate and stop your Subway Set car. No additional
wires or modifications are needed on your layout to enjoy these amazing
sound effects, though an option does exist that allows you to completely
automate your Subway run activating the sounds at user specified locations.
The sounds themselves are randomly generated and randomly “shuffled” on
the ProtoSounds software chip. This gives the system the ability to produce
different sounds in a different order each time the TAS feature is enabled.
These different sounds are heard each time you cycle the transformer
throttle from on to off in the same manner that you would cycle the throttle
to enter the various states of forward, neutral and reverse. The entire TAS
sequence is designed to simulate the arrival, disembarking, embarking, and
departure of a Subway Set stop. The sounds include the Subway driver
announcing the stop and the upcoming stop, passenger disembarking and
embarking sounds, driver to passenger requests, door openings and closing
and general subway platform action sounds. Each is described in more
detail in the following sections.
ACTIVATING SUBWAY SOUNDS
Your ProtoSounds® equipped engine features an operator controlled
Subway announcement sound set that can be activated in one of three ways,
in automatic mode, manual mode or in layout controlled mode. Once
activated, this easy to use feature plays digitally reproduced sounds of a
Subway stop.
Option 1 - Automatic Mode: If you are using a separate bell button
controller to ring your bell (like the Lionel Railsounds No. 5906 bell
activation button) you can activate the feature by entering forward or
reverse and pressing and holding the bell button for one second to signal the
subway set to activate
the TAS feature.
Continued holding of
the bell button will be
followed by a special
“air let-off” sound
Psst, Psst
Put Engine In
Forward or Reverse
Press & Hold
The Railsounds® Bell Button
For 3 Seconds
Listen For The
Air Let Off Sound

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which indicates that a passenger wishes to exit the car at the current stop.
At this point the operator should release the bell button if he wishes to stop
the car. If the operator continues to hold the bell button down, the car will
continue travelling down the track until the operator chooses to release the
bell button. This option gives the operator the true sense of acting as the
Subway driver. It also allows the operator to precisely control where the
Subway Set does stop. This option is the default setting for the TAS
feature.
Once the bell button is released, the Subway Set will come to an automatic
stop even though power to the track has not been interrupted by the
operator. Once stopped, the TAS feature will play the sound of the doors
opening followed by the sounds of passengers leaving the cars and others
arriving. During this event, the operator can expect to hear a variety of
different sounds, including passing subway trains, passenger conversational
sounds and the authentic sounds
of a busy subway station. After a
set period of time, the operator
can expect to hear the standard
“stand clear of the doors”
message, followed by a double
bell “ding, dong” and the sound of
the car’s doors closing.
Immediately following the door closing, the motor will be engaged and the
Subway Set will automatically take off. The TAS feature will automatically
start the car back up in the same direction it was travelling when the TAS
feature was activated. So if the car was travelling forward before TAS was
activated, it will continue travelling forward once TAS has completed.
Option 2 Manual Mode The TAS feature is armed in the same manner
as Option 1, but instead, after the “air let-off” sound has played and the bell
button released, the car will not automatically stop. To activate the rest of
the TAS features, the operator must stop the car and place it in the neutral
position by interrupting the transformer throttle. The car will not
automatically start up again after the initial TAS sounds have played,
Instead, the sounds will continue to repeat themselves giving the operator
the ability to leave the car at the stop for longer periods of time. When the
operator is ready to leave the stop, the transformer throttle must be
interrupted again. This will be followed by the sound of a double bell
“ding, dong” and the sound of the doors closing. After the door closing,
Psst, Psst
Release The Railsounds®
Bell Button To Stop The Car
After Hearing The
Air Let-Off Sound

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TAS will automatically reengage the motor and the set will proceed away
from the Subway stop. Like Option 1, the set will continue on in the same
direction it was traveling
before TAS was activated.
Option 3 - Automatic
Layout Configuration
The TAS feature in the
Subway Set can be
automatically triggered on
a layout by configuring
insulated pieces of track
near the designated
Subway stops around the layout. The insulated track sections (center rail
only) need to be attached to the transformer with a diode in the line to create
a negative DC signal (the same signal created by the bell button) and be
long enough that the signal will be outputted for at least 3 seconds (the time
it takes to activate TAS by pressing the bell button). In short, the insulated
track section and diode are acting like a bell button. Whenever the car runs
through the insulated section, it will receive the negative DC signal and
TAS will be activated. Because the diode reduces the power to the track,
the car will also slow as it enters the insulated track section. The key to
making this option effective is using a section long enough to create the 3
second “push” of negative DC without slowing the powered car to a
complete halt. It is recommended that the operator attempt to have the rear
roller of the powered car
leave the insulated track
section shortly after the 3
second push of negative
DC has been received by
the ProtoSound® module
inside the Subway Set
powered car. This way,
when TAS has completed
its sequence, the powered
car will be sitting on a
track section with enough
power to sufficiently get
the set moving again. Adjusting the overall track voltage will help adjust
the speed necessary to carry the car through the insulated track section but
Psst, Psst
Put Engine In
Forward or Reverse
Press & Hold
The Railsounds® Bell Button
For 3 Seconds, Then Release
Listen For The
Air Let-Off Sound
Put Engine In Neutral
At Low Power
To Transformer
A-DTerminals
To Insulated Track
Center Rail
Insulate Center Rail
Using Fiber Connector Pin
Insulate Center Rail
Using Fiber Connector Pin
INSULATING TRACK SECTION
USING 6amp DIODE
INSULATING TRACK SECTION
USING BELL BUTTON
Tape Bell Button
Down
Common
RED Wire
BLACK Wire
U
A
U
B
U
C
U
D

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caution should be taken that not too much power is on the track or the car
may pass through the insulated section before 3 seconds of negative DC
was received by the ProtoSound® module. This will be obviously the case
if the car’s bell turns on instead of it stopping.
TIPS ON USING THE TAS FEATURES
TAS is a unique feature of ProtoSounds® that can be completely controlled by the
operator or automatically configured on the layout. You decide how, when or if you
want to utilize the feature. By reviewing the following tips you should find
solutions or suggestions to the various operating scenarios you might
encounter when using TAS.
Tip #1: You can escape the TAS sequence by turning the transformer throttle
to OFF after TAS has been activated and waiting 3 seconds before turning the
throttle back ON. This will return the car to the RESET position.
Tip #2: You do not have to be in the forward state to utilize TAS. For
example if you activate the TAS feature while in reverse and interrupt the
throttle to enter neutral, you will be entering neutral before forward rather than
neutral before reverse as normally defined by the ProtoSound® sequencing.
TAS, however, remembers what direction state the car was in before activation
and will return the car to that same state upon completion of the TAS
sequence, skipping the next direction state normally found in the ProtoSound®
sequence. This will allow your car to leave the stop in the same reverse
direction that it arrived in.
Tip #3: In Auto Mode, putting the car into Neutral immediately after the car
stops (when TAS has been activated) will cause TAS to play 3 dings of the
bell, play the door closing sound and repower the car into the forward mode.
Tip #4: In Auto Mode, putting the car into Neutral after the car stops (when
TAS has been activated) and the sound of the car doors opening has played
will cause TAS to play two dings of the bell, play the door closing sound and
then proceed into the forward mode.
Tip #5: In the Track Configured Mode, interrupting the power while the car is
travelling through the insulated track section will cause TAS to sound 3 dings
of the bell, close the doors and proceed off in the reverse direction.

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SELF-RECHARGING BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM
ProtoSounds® state-of-the-art design includes a self-recharging battery
backup system for improved performance at any speed. The self-recharging
battery backup system is automatically turned on or off whenever track
power is turned on or off. There are no switches to turn on or off to enjoy
the benefits of the automatic battery backup system. The battery ensures
that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes,
setting RESET options, or when traveling over dirty track and switches.
The battery is a rechargeable NiCad type which is continually charged
from the track when power is applied. NiCad batteries are a dry battery and
should not leak or cause any damage to your locomotive and will last up to
five years or longer. If you notice that the sounds seem distorted or garbled
at low voltages or become silent when power from the transformer is shut
off, the battery charge may be low. Before replacing the battery, you
should put the engine in NEUTRAL and leave the transformer throttle at
about 12 volts for fifteen minutes. This should temporarily recharge the
battery. If the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced, then your battery
charge has worn down. You can give your battery a full charge by leaving
the engine ON in NEUTRAL for 16 to 18 hours.
REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND BATTERY
The ProtoSound® battery is a special NiCad 7-cell, 8.4v battery - NOT the
6-cell, 7.2v battery found in most convenience stores. The 6-cell NiCad is
NOT recommended for use with ProtoSound® applications. Replacement
ProtoSound® batteries are available from MTH ProtoSound Electronics at
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046-1532. A standard
9v alkaline battery can be substituted as a temporary fix, but since alkaline
batteries can’t take a charge, it will eventually wear down. Regardless, it
should give you a week to a couple of months use while you wait for your
replacement ProtoSound® battery to arrive.
PROTOSOUND® VOLUME ADJUSTMENT
Your ProtoSound® system has two types of volume adjustment. A
manual turn knob on the bottom of the chassis (See Fig. 1, on Page 3)
allows you to control all the sounds in the system and a remote control
“RESET" option (Option # 6), allows you to control the volume level of the
car motor sounds remotely from the transformer. Turning the volume
adjustment knob clockwise will increase the volume and counterclockwise
will lower the volume of all sounds; bell, horn, engine sounds, TAS, etc.

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USING “RESET" TO PROGRAM
PROTOSOUNDS®
As mentioned earlier, there are several programmable options in each
ProtoSound® equipped engine that can be remotely set from any
compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a
list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 28. This hands-off
approach gives you unprecedented control of your railroad empire’s motive
power never before seen in model railroading. Each programmable feature
can be accessed whenever your car is in the RESET state as described
earlier on page 4. By following the instructions below you will find the
programming easy and straight forward.
ENTERING RESET OPTIONS
ProtoSound® is equipped with a few programmable features that are
accessed in the RESET state by moving the transformer throttle up and
down between full voltage and low voltage (6 to 8 volts) without shutting
the transformer off completely. Each time this is done you advance, one
feature at a time, through the available options. An air-release sound is
heard each time the throttle is advanced. In addition, there are special
sounds to tell you what RESET position you are in.
For example, if you want to select Feature 2, you put the car in RESET,
and move the throttle up and down from full throttle to low two times.
After the second advance, you will hear two “clinks" indicating that the
computer is now in Feature 2. Advance the throttle again and you will hear
three “clinks" for Feature 3. Advance it two more times and you will hear a
“clank" indicating that
you are now in Feature 5.
Advance the throttle two
more times and you will
hear a “clank" and two
“clinks" indicating
Feature 7. ((5 throttle
advancements = 1 clank)
+ (2 throttle
advancements = 2 clinks)). “Clank + “Clink" + “Clink" = Feature 7. You
can advance the throttle as quickly as you like (though you may not hear the
air-release sounds) and the computer will still remember the number of
times the throttle is advanced by playing back the number of “Clinks" and
“Clanks" to confirm the feature you’ve selected.
Clink, Clink
Clank, Clink
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
2 Times
Advance The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
4 More Times
Listen For The
2 Clink Sounds
Listen For 1 Clank
And 1 Clink Sounds

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SETTING THE ENGINE VOLUME
Of all the sounds that come with each ProtoSound-equipped locomotive,
the one most often turned down is that of the engine volume because it is
the one sound normally heard whenever the engine is running and is what
usually can become tiresome to the ear over prolonged running sessions.
The volume adjustment is controlled through RESET Feature 6.
To access the feature, advance the transformer throttle to put the engine in
RESET. Move the throttle up and down, as described on page 5, 6 times.
After you hear the “clank” and “clink” indicating that you are in Feature 6,
press the whistle button to select the engine volume you desire. Pushing the
whistle button once will
give you full volume,
which is the factory
setting. Pushing the
whistle button a second
time will give you 50%
volume, pushing it a
third time will give you
25% volume and pushing it a third time will give you no sound. The
microprocessor will immediately play the sound level each time the whistle
button is pushed so that you can decide if it is acceptable. You can recycle
through the four choices by simply continuing to push the whistle button.
Once you have decided on the appropriate volume level, turn the
transformer throttle off and on again or press the transformer direction
switch to lock in your selection. The volume adjustment will remain set at
the level you have chosen until you change it again. Regardless of the
engine volume setting, the horn, bell, compressor and TAS sounds will
function normally. In fact because only the engine volume is affected by
selections in Feature 6, when you select 0 volume, you can still hear the
horn, bell and TAS sounds when the engine is running or in neutral.
PROGRAMMING FOR A SEPARATE BELL BUTTON
CONTROLLER
To operate ProtoSounds® with a separate bell button controller, like the
Lionel® No. 5906 bell button, you will need to wire up the controller to
your transformer and track as shown in Fig. 2. Once the button is wired,
ProtoSounds® comes preprogrammed to allow you to operate the bell by
simply pushing the bell button once. To turn the bell off, push the button
Clank, Clink
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
6 Times
Listen For 1 Clank
And 1 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Reach The
Setting You Desire
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Volume Setting
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RAILKING
again. If the bell doesn’t’t function when you press the button, you may
need to re-program ProtoSounds to operate with a separate bell button
controller. To do this enter
RESET and go to Feature 20.
(See the section Using RESET
To Program ProtoSounds®on
page 14.) Once in Feature 20,
press the whistle button and
wait for the module to sound a
bell ding(s). Continue pushing
the whistle button until the
module plays back two dings
(signifying that the module has
been programmed for a bell
button). Simply turn the throttle
off and then on again to
“Lock-In" the new setting.
To turn the bell button
function off, repeat the
above procedure but keep
pushing the whistle button
until the computer only
responds with one bell
ding.
PROGRAMMING FOR SQUEAKING BRAKE
OPERATION
ProtoSounds® can be programmed for squeaking brake operation in three
different manners; (1)Squeaking brakes can be activated by bell button
control, (2)they can be programmed for continuous operation subject to
throttle changes or (3)they can be programmed to be turned off. The default
setting is (2) Squeaking
brakes are activated for
full-time operation as
described on page 6. To
change the default setting,
enter RESET and go to
Feature 45. (See the
section Using RESET To
Program ProtoSounds®
Clank, Clank, Clank,
Clank, Clank, Etc.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
45 Times
Listen For 9 Clank
And 0 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear The
Appropriate # Of Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Brake Setting
H
Common
RED Wire
BLACK Wire
U
A
U
B
U
C
U
D
Figure 2: Wiring Up A Bell Button
Clank, Clank, Clank,
Clank, Clank
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
20 Times
Listen For 5 Clank
And 0 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear 2 Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Bell Button Setting
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RAILKING
on page 14). Once in Feature 45, press the whistle button and wait for the
module to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button until
the module plays back one ding for option 1 - Squeaking brakes are
activated by the bell button with TAS operation. Press the whistle button
again until the module plays back two dings for option 2 - squeaking brakes
are activated for full-time operation, or press the whistle button again until
the module plays back three dings for option 3 -Squeaking brakes off. Once
you have decided on the desired setting, simply turn the throttle off and then
on again to “Lock-In” the new setting. To reset the computer to its original
factory default setting (option 2 - squeaking brakes are activated for full-
time operation), repeat the above procedure but keep pushing the whistle
button until the module only responds with two bell dings.
PROGRAMMING FOR HORN IN NEUTRAL
OPERATION
If you are operating your car with a separate bell button and want to blow
your horn when your car is in neutral, you will need to program
ProtoSounds® to do so as the factory setting only allows the horn to blow in
forward or reverse. To do this, enter RESET and go to Feature 25. (See the
section Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 14.) Once in
Feature 25, press the
transformer whistle button
and wait for ProtoSounds® to
sound a bell ding(s).
Continue pressing the whistle
button until ProtoSounds®
sounds two bell dings
(signifying that
ProtoSounds® has been
programmed to sound the horn in neutral). Turn the throttle off and then on
again to “Lock-In" your selection. Now, whenever you are in neutral, you
can blow the horn with the transformer whistle button. To reset
ProtoSounds® to its original factory setting of no horn in neutral, repeat the
above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 25 until
ProtoSounds® only dings once instead of twice.
Note: When Horn In Neutral" is set, the bell will only operate with a separate bell button and
the horn will not sound in neutral if the transformer throttle setting is over 11 volts.
Clank, Clank, Clank,
Clank, Clank, Etc.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
25 Times
Listen For 5 Clank
And 0 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear
2 Bell Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Horn Setting
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PROGRAMMING FOR TAS OPERATION
ProtoSounds® is equipped with a RESET setting to automatically select
the Subway Announcement Proto-Effects Options (TAS) features. You
also may want to configure
TAS for manual operation
or turn it off completely.
To configure TAS, enter
RESET and go to Feature
28. (See the section on
Using RESET To Program
ProtoSounds® on page
14). Once in Feature 28,
press the transformer
whistle button and wait for
ProtoSounds® to sound a bell ding(s). Continue pressing the whistle button
on and off until ProtoSounds® sounds one bell ding(s) (signifying that the
TAS feature has been turned off). Simply turn the transformer throttle OFF
and then ON again to lock in the new setting. To reset ProtoSounds® to its
original factory setting of Squeaking Brakes and TAS on, repeat the above
procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 28 until
ProtoSounds® dings 3 times instead of once. Interrupt the throttle by
turning it OFF and then ON again to lock in the new setting. If you prefer
TAS Option 3 - Manual Mode, repeat the above proceedure but keep
pressing the whistle button until you hear 2 bell dings instead of 3.
ACTIVATING REMOTE LOCK-OUT CONTROL
ProtoSound® equipped engines feature a RESET setting that allows the
operator to remotely “lock” the engine into forward, neutral or reverse.
This is especially useful on layouts that feature “blocked” track sections.
The lockout feature comes from the factory in the OFF position, meaning it
is not active when you first
take the engine out of the
box. This is done to
prevent novice operators
from accidentally locking
their engine into forward,
neutral or reverse and then
mistakenly thinking that
the engine’s electronics
Clank, Clank, Etc.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
40 Times
Listen For 8 Clank
And 0 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear
2 Bell Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Lockout Setting
H
Clank, Clank, Etc.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
28 Times
Listen For 5 Clank
And 3 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear
2 Bell Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The TAS Setting
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RailKing 4-Car Subway Set Operating Manual
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have failed. To activate the Remote Lockout Control setting, go to RESET
Feature 40 (See the section entitled Using RESET To Program
ProtoSounds® on page 14). Once in Feature 40, press the transformer
whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds® to sound a bell ding. Continue
pressing the whistle button until ProtoSounds® sounds two bell dings
signifying that the Remote Lockout Control has been selected. To lock in
the setting, simply turn the throttle all the way off and then back on again.
To turn the Remote Lockout Control setting back off, go back to Feature 40
and press the whistle button until only one bell ding sounds. To lock in the
setting, simply turn the transformer throttle off and then back on again.
Alternatively, you can go to RESET Feature 18 to reset all ProtoSound®
features back to their original factory defaults including Remote Lockout
Control.
RESETTING ALL PROTOSOUND® OPTIONS TO
FACTORY DEFAULTS
ProtoSounds® is equipped with a RESET feature (Feature 18) that resets
all programmable options back to their original factory settings. This is a
useful feature if you find
your engine not operating the
way you think it should and
don’t want to take the time to
check each RESET feature
one at a time. To reset all the
RESET features back to their
original factory settings,
enter RESET and go to
Feature 18. (See the section entitled Using RESET To Program
ProtoSounds® on page 14). Once in Feature 18, press the transformer
whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds® to sound a garbled bell sound.
Interrupt the throttle again to lock in the setting.
Clank, Clank, Etc.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
18 Times
Listen For 3 Clank
And 3 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear
A Warbled Bell Ding
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Default Settings
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REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION
ProtoSounds® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on
the powered car by allowing the customer to lock the set into any
directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) from the transformer. This
will allow users to run the set on layouts equipped with block signals or
stop stations which would normally cycle the engine back into neutral. The
feature must be first turned on by accessing RESET Feature 40 (See section
entitled Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds® on page 14).
LOCKING THE SUBWAY SET INTO FORWARD OR
REVERSE
To lock the set into Forward or Reverse, use the transformer throttle to
enter Forward or Reverse (whichever state you want to lock the set into)
and while the set is moving press and hold the whistle button. WHILE THE
HORN IS BLOWING TURN THE THROTTLE OFF AND THEN LET
GO OF THE WHISTLE BUTTON. After about one second, you will hear
a short horn blast. QUICKLY TURN THE THROTTLE BACK ON
AGAIN. Your set is now locked into Forward or Reverse and it will remain
so until you unlock the powered car, even if you wait a year to run your set
again.
UNLOCKING THE SUBWAY SET
Unlocking the set is a similar procedure. WHILE THE SET IS MOVING,
PRESS AND HOLD THE WHISTLE BUTTON. WHILE THE HORN IS
BLOWING, TURN THE THROTTLE OFF AND THEN LET GO OF
THE WHISTLE BUTTON. After three seconds without power you will
hear one chime of the RESET bell. TURN ON THE POWER AGAIN.
Your powered car is now in RESET and will operate normally once you
interrupt power and enter the forward direction.
LOCKING THE SUBWAY SET INTO NEUTRAL
To lock the engine into the NEUTRAL position, PUT THE SET IN
NEUTRAL AND WITH THE THROTTLE STILL ON, PRESS AND
HOLD THE WHISTLE BUTTON. WHILE THE WHISTLE BUTTON IS
BEING PRESSED, TURN OFF THE THROTTLE AND LET GO OF THE
WHISTLE BUTTON. After about one second, you will hear a short blast