Rail King 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine User manual

RAILKING6-8-6
STEAM TURBINE WITH
PROTO-SOUND 2.0
READY-TO-RUN TRAIN SET
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Your RailKing
®Ready-To-Run train set is complete with everything you need to get
your model railroad up and running. This set includes a
6-8-6 steam turbine locomotive,
three freight cars
, a transformer, a loop of RealTrax, the RailKing wireless infrared
remote control, and the infrared activated remote lock-on. M.T.H.’s exclusive RailWare
CD-ROM, which is included with this set, provides track layout software and other
information helpful to model railroaders.
This locomotive is equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 with Digital Command System
(DCS). This new system will allow you to operate your locomotive in Command mode
(when used with the DCS Remote Control System, sold separately) or Conventional
mode. Conventional mode operating features are described in the following pages, while
the
DCS operating features are covered in the set of operating instructions that
accompanies the DCS equipment.
Conventional Mode operation of this locomotive is
much simpler than operation of original Proto-Sound engines. Please read all the
accompanying instructions carefully before setting up and operating your train set.

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Table of Contents
Set Up Assembling RealTrax®3
Plugging in the Transformer 4
Lubricating the Engine 4
Priming the Smoke Unit 4
Coupling the Engine and Car 5
Remote Control 6
BasicOperation
Operation Buttons 7
VolumeControl 8
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operation
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features 9
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 10
Tips on Using FYS 11
Proto-Coupler
®Operation 12
Speed Control 12
Lock into a Direction State 13
Reset to Factory Defaults 13
Automatic Sounds 13
Maintenance
Care of Remote Control 14
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions 14
Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track 16
Locomotive Traction Tire Replacement 16
Smoke Unit Maintenance 17
Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement 18
Caboose Light Bulb Replacement 19
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up 21
RailWare Interactive CD-ROM 22
Troubleshooting 24
Compatibility 26
Transformer Compatibility Chart 27
Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System 28
Safety Precautions 30
Service and Warranty Information 32

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Set Up Checklist
• Assemble RealTrax®
• Connect the transformer
• Lubricate the train
• Place the engine and cars on the track and couple them together
• Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operation section of
these instructions.
Assembling RealTrax
®
Unlike other O Gauge track systems, each RealTrax section features a realistic
built-in roadbed base, solid nickel-silver track rails, and realistic railroad ties,
all designed to give you an authentic looking track system. The quick
connectors and built-in roadbed allow you to set up RealTrax anywhere,
including most carpeted surfaces, without the need for track nails or the worry
of carpet stains.
Each RealTrax segment has at least one knock-out tab in the roadbed (on either
end of the segment) that can be removed with a pair of pliers to reveal an
opening for the lock-on that is used to connect the transformer to the track. To
assemble RealTrax, follow the instructions below.
Knock Out must be
removed before
RemoteLockOncan
be installed
Remove Knock Out
by Holding and Twisting Up
with a pair of pliers
1a
1c
1b
1d Make sure the
metal contacts
line up.
Figure 1a-1d: Installation of Remote Lock On

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Align Quick Connect
Plugs and Gently Push
RealTrax® Sections Together
Figure 2: Preparing to snap RealTrax®
sections together by aligning Quick
Connect Connectors.
Figure 3: RealTrax® sections in properly
connected position.
Connecting the Transformer
The Z-750®power supply included with this set provides an easy-to-use, safe
power source for AC-powered trains and accessories.
Plug the wire from the transformer into the remote lock-on’s center port, then
plug the transformer into the wall outlet. Insert two AA batteries (not
included) into the remote handheld.
Lubricating the Engine
You must lubricate the engine before operating it. Use a light household oil
and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 10 on Page 14. Do not
over oil. Use only a drop or two on each
pivot point.
Priming the Smoke Unit
You should prime the smoke unit with smoke
fluid before operating. Add 15-20 drops of
smoke fluid from the included pipette
through the smokestack (see figure 4), then
gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air
bubbles in the fluid.
Add Smoke Fluid
ThroughSmokestack
Figure 4. Add Smoke Fluid
Through the Smoke Stack

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
If you choose not to prime the unit
with fluid, turn the smoke unit switch
located under the
engine to the OFF
position (see Figure 5). Running the
engine without a primed smoke unit
may cause damage. See the
“ProtoSmoke Unit Operation” section
of this book for more information on
smoke unit maintenance.
Coupling the Engine and Cars
Our couplers are designed for realistic
operation. Place the engine and cars on
the track and couple them together. If the coupler is already closed, press
down on the small finger that extends from under the right side of the coupler
to open the coupler knuckle and allow the couplers to interlock as shown in
Figure 6.
Insert the reverse unit plug that extends out
of the tender into the receptacle at the back
of the engine. Connect the draw bar
between the engine and tender.
WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THIS
ENGINE TO A TENDER FROM
ANOTHER ENGINE; IT MAY CAUSE
SERIOUSDAMAGE.
Look at the bottom
of the engine and tender where each will
have a color-coded stamp. If they match
you may connect those two pieces; if not,
don’t.
SMOKE UNIT
ON/OFF SWITCH
Figure 5. Smoke Unit ON/OFF Switch
Push Down on Coupler Finger to
Release Knuckle
Figure 6.Coupling the Freight
Cars Together

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Whistle/
Horn
Direction
Throttle Control
Rocker Switch
Bell
Emergency
Stop
Figure 8: Overview of the Remote
controls
Figure 7. Aim the Remote at the Rounded
Side of the Receiver’s Lens, the Slanted
Side Should Face Away.
Remote Control
The RailKing®Remote Control System included with this set uses wireless
infrared technology, much like a television remote control, to allow users
remote control of their trains from up to 15 feet away. The remote and lock-on
replace the control box found with M.T.H.’s Z-750®transformer, and they are
designed for use with moderately powered transformers such as this one. It is
compatible with most manufacturer’s engines.
Because the RailKing remote is an infrared line-of-sight remote, you must aim
it at the lock-on in order to send signals to the track. You need to rotate the
lock-on’s receiver lens so that it faces the direction you will most often signal
from (see Figure 7 below). The receiver lens can be repositioned later as
needed. The green LED atop the lock-on will come on, indicating the track is
receiving power. Subsequent pushes of any buttons on the remote will cause
the LED to blink, indicating it is receiving the signal.
Note: The RailKing®Remote Control and Remote Lock-on will not
operate engines equipped with pre-1997 versions of Proto-Sound®or with
Proto-One,™Proto-Plus,™Proto-Deluxe,
™aftermarket systems.

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Basic Operation
Throttle up the power to your track.
Give your train enough power so that
the head light shines brightly. Then put the engine into motion by firmly
pressing the Direction button on your remote once.
Operation Buttons
Use the operation buttons on your remote as described below.
•
Throttle – To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed,
press the throttle control rocker switch. Pressing the top end of the throttle
will increase voltage and speed. Pressing the bottom end of the throttle will
decrease voltage and speed. The engine will maintain the speed you set after
you release the throttle until you press it again to change the voltage and
speed.
•
Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button.
The whistle will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It
will stop when you release the button.
The whistle has four different endings,
depending on whether you hold the button for less than three seconds, three
seconds, four seconds, or five seconds or longer.
•
Bell - To sound the bell, firmly press and release the Bell button. To turn the
bell off, press and release the Bell button again. The bell will continue to ring
from the time your turn it on until you press and release the button again to
turn it off.
•
Direction – Your train is programmed to start in neutral. To put the engine
into forward and then to change the direction of the train or to put it into
neutral, firmly press and release the Direction button on your remote. Just as
you must stop your car between forward and reverse, this engine will not go
directly from forward to reverse; it goes into neutral between directions. If the
train has been moving forward, the first press of the Direction button will put
the train from forward into neutral, the second press into reverse, the third
press back into neutral, and the fourth back into forward.
To prevent
accidental high-speed start-ups, this engine is programmed to restart in neutral
each time the track voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or more.
•
Emergency Stop – To drop track voltage instantly to 0, firmly press the
Emergency Stop button. All trains on the track controlled by the remote will
stop until you reapply voltage.

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Proto-Sound 2.0
Volume Adjustment
Knob
Figure 9. Location of Proto-Sound 2.0 Volume Adjustment Knob
Manual Volume Control–To adjust the volume of all sounds made by
this engine, turn the master volume control knob located under the tender
clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the
volume (see Fig. 9).

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions
This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in
conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode
features accompany the DCS Remote Control System equipment.
Because Proto-Sound 2.0 is an all-new system developed by M.T.H.’s own
research and development team, it operates differently from original
Proto-Sound. Most Proto-Sound 2.0 features are automatically enabled, and
the reset state has been eliminated, so there is no need to program features as
with original Proto-Sound. Although the new system is easier to operate than
original Proto-Sound, you should read these instructions thoroughly before
using Proto-Sound 2.0 features in order to prevent harm to yourself or your
equipment.
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features:
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Whistle
button pushes described below. Please read the full descriptions of each
feature before using it. To use these buttons to activate features rather than to
blow the whistle or ring the bell, you should press the buttons for a shorter
time (½ second); you may need to practice your timing to make this work
smoothly.
FeaturetoBeActivated:
Freight Yard Sounds
Fire the Rear Coupler
Speed Control On/Off
Lock into a Directional State/Unlock
Reset to Factory Defaults
Button Code:
1 Bell, 2 Whistles
1 Bell, 3 Whistles
1 Whistle, 2 Bells (from Neutral only)
1 Whistle, 3 Bells
1 Whistle, 5 Bells (from Neutral only)

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RailKing 6-8-6 Steam Turbine Engine
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS):
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of freight yard sounds that you
can play when you pull into a yard. Each sequence described below will play
as long as it is left on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow
approximately 30 seconds between the button pushes described below to
allow the FYS sufficient time to run through each sequence.
1. To cue the sound system to play the FYS, quickly but firmly press the Bell
button once followed by 2 quick presses of the Whistle button while the engine
is moving.
2. Press the Direction button once to stop the engine. This will trigger the first
sequence of FYS. The reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will
not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds, and
Proto-Sound 2.0 has disabled operator control over the Whistle and Bell
buttons until the full FYS sequence is complete.
3. After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of FYS.
4. After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third
FYS sequence.
5. Again, after allowing about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the
Direction button one more time to trigger the fourth and final FYS sequence.
The FYS will continue, and within a few seconds, the engine will start and
move out on its own at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it was
traveling when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator
regains control of the transformer’s bell and whistle buttons and can ring the
bell or blow the whistle as usual.