Rail King Docksider 0-4-0 User manual

RK
AIL ING
By MTH Electric Trains
®
DOCKSIDER 0-4-0 STEAM
ENGINE TRAIN SET
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Making the Most of Your Investment
Thank you for purchasing this RailKing® Ready-to-Run Steam Engine
Train Set. We at MTH Electric Trains take pride in manufacturing
quality products like your set, and we hope that you will enjoy it for a
long time. To ensure the maximum durability and pleasure from your
locomotive, rolling stock, track and transformer, please read all the way
through the Quick Start Basic Operating Instructions you will find
beginning on pages. Remember that a little attention to routine
maintenance yields a maximum of trouble-free performance.

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Table Of Contents
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION 4
Setting Up The RealTrax® Track System 4
Preparing The Locomotive & Cars For Operation 6
Lubrication 6
Operating The Locomotive & Cars 7
Electronic Reverse Unit 7
Transformer Operation 8
Special Reverse Unit Options 9
TRAIN SET MAINTENANCE 11
Oil 11
Grease 12
Locomotive Lamp Replacement 12
Caboose Lamp Replacement 13
RealTrax® TRACK LAYOUT PLANS 15
TRANSFORMER COMPATIBILITY CHART 18
EXPLODED PARTS VIEW DIAGRAM 19
SAFETY & WARNING PRECAUTIONS 23
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 24
HOW TO GET SERVICE 24
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 24

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Compatibility
Our designers have sized the engine to operate on any traditional 0-27
or larger O Gauge track system, including RealTrax® using any
standard AC transformer including the Z-500 transformer packaged in
your set. (See page 19 for a complete list of compatible transformers as
well as wiring instructions.) All RailKing® products are compatible with
most other 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories.
Equipment Options
Your ready-to-run set features a 0-4-0 steam locomotive equipped with
an operating headlight, mechanical whistle, ProtoSmoke® operating
smoke unit and a solid state electronic reverse unit. All are simple and
fun to operate. In addition to the locomotive, your set should also
include a circle of RealTrax® track (8 curved sections), a RealTrax®
lighted lock-on and wire harness set (for connecting the track to the
transformer) and a 50-watt Z-500 transformer and controller.
You’ll find complete instructions for choosing and setting up options in
the following pages. If you don’t read through the entire manual before
starting to operate your equipment, be sure to check theQuick Start
Basic Operating Instructions, which will give you the basics of the
operating system.
CAUTION - ELECTRICALLY OPERATED
PRODUCT:
Not recommended for children under ten years of age without adult
supervision. As with all electric products, precautions should be
observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Transformer Ratings:
Input: 120 VAC
60 HZ Only
Output: 18VAC, 3A 54VA

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Quick Start Operating Instructions
Track and Power
Although MTH Electric Trains manufactures its own track and
transformers, you can run your locomotive on any 0-27 or wider-radius
O gauge track wired to draw power from any of the standard
compatible AC transformers listed in the chart on page 19. Be sure
your track is in good condition—clean and securely connected—to keep
the locomotive running and to prevent derailments. If you intend to
utilize the RealTrax® track sections included in the set, see the
directions below.
Setting Up the RealTrax® Circle
Unlike other O Gauge track systems, each RealTrax® track section
features a realistic built-in
roadbed base, solid
nickel-silver track rails and
realistic railroad ties, all
designed to give the owner
an authentic looking track
system. In addition, each
RealTrax® track section
employs the use of
quick-connect connectors
instead of track pins or
railjoiners to assemble the
track sections to one
another. The quick
connectors and built-in base allow RealTrax® track sections to be setup
anywhere, including some carpeted
surfaces without the need for track
nails or the worry of carpet stains.
You can set up literally hundreds of
different track designs utilizing
RealTrax® components. We’ve
included just a few later in this
manual for your reference. Each
Align Quick Connect
Plugs and Gently Push
RealTrax® Sections Together
Figure 1: Preparing to snap RealTrax® sections together by
aligning Quick Connect Connectors together.
Figure 2: RealTrax® sections in properly
connected position.

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
layout specifies the space required and the components needed to
complete the track design. You can purchase additional track
components from any authorized MTH retailer.
The lighted lockon included in
your set snaps into any
RealTrax® track section roadbed
and functions as the interface
between the track and the
transformer. Each RealTrax® track
section includes two “knock-out”
tabs in the roadbed (on either end
of the track) that can be removed to
reveal an opening for the lighted
lockon. To remove this knock-out
grab the knock-out with a pair of
pliers and gently twist the knock-out
until it snaps away from the
roadbed base. Once the knock-out
has been removed, snap the lighted
lockon into the roadbed taking care
to make sure that the lockon arms
snap into the roadbed electrical
receptors. To complete the
connection between the RealTrax®
track section and the transformer,
simply plug in the color-coded wire
Knock-out
Must Be Removed
Before Lighted Lockon
Can Be Inserted
Figure 3: Top view position of lighted lockon
preparing to enter RealTrax® section.
Figure 5: Underside view of RealTrax® track
section with lighted lockon in fully seated position.
Remove
Knock-out
By Holding
& Twisting
With A Pair
Of Pliers
Figure 4: Underside view of RealTrax® section
with “knock-out” removed and lighted lockon in
positionforinsertion.
Figure 6: Top view of RealTrax® section with
lighted lockon in fully seated position.

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
harness that was included in your set.
Preparing the Locomotive & Cars For
Operation
Before you run your locomotive, you must oil the locomotive.
Lubrication
Before you run the
locomotive, use a light
household or hobby oil to
lubricate the gears. Apply
a small drop of oil (a
pinpoint oiler will help
place the right amount of
oil where you need it) to
each of the points
indicated by figures 8 and
9. You may also want to
use either a locomotive
repair cradle or an old
towel folded over to
provide a protective bed
for the locomotive shell
while you’re working on it.
Also functions as a binding post.
Red Harness
Wire/Plug
Red Harness
Wire/Plug
Black Harness
Wire/Plug
Black Harness
Wire/Plug
Figure 7: Wiring up the Z-500 transformer to the lighted lockon.
Lubricate Pickup Rollers
Lubricate Side Rods
Figure 8: Lubrication points of RailKing 0-4-0 locomotive.

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Because the locomotive’s internal gearing has been greased at the
factory, you shouldn’t need to add more grease until you have run the
locomotive for 50 hours or owned it for a year, whichever comes first.
See the section on lubrication, pages 11-12, for details.
Adding Smoke Fluid
The 0-4-0 contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs a steady
stream of smoke through the smoke stack on the top of the engine. The
ON/OFF switch must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit
to function. See Fig. 10 below.
The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick which
soak up and then “cook" a mineral oil-based fluid, that creates a
harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced out of the stack via a small
electric fan which runs at a constant speed. However, the smoke
intensity can be varied by changing the transformer voltage setting. The
higher the setting, the more intense the smoke output
Before operating the engine, you should add smoke fluid to the smoke
unit by pouring 15 - 25 drops of fluid into the locomotive’s smoke
stack. Use the included ProtoSmoke® smoke fluid vial or Seuthe, LGB
or LVTS smoke fluid before you run the engine. If you don’t choose to
add the fluid, then the smoke unit switch should be turned off.
Failure to either add the fluid or turn the switch off could lead to
damage to the smoke unit heating element and or wicking. After
adding the fluid, gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles.
Do not overfill the unit as
overfilling can cause the
fluid to leak out and coat
the interior engine
components. When the
smoke output begins to
diminish while running the
engine, an additional 20--25
drops of smoke fluid should
be added or the smoke unit
switch should be turned off.
When storing the engine for
ProtoSmoke® ON/OFF Switch
Figure 10: Locating the ProtoSmoke® ON/OFF Switch

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
long periods of time, you may want to add at least 15 drops of fluid to
keep the wick soaked with fluid and prevent it from drying out. After
removing the engine from storage, it is advisable to add another 25
drops of fluid, letting the wick soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to
operation.
Operating The Engine
and Cars
Once the track has been assembled,
the transformer has been wired to
the track lock-on, and the
locomotive has been lubricated you
are almost ready to begin running
your new train set. Place the engine
and cars on the track and couple
them up to one another. If the coupler is already closed, pressing down
on the coupler armature will open the coupler knuckle to allow the
couplers to interlock with one another. The engine connects to the
tender by a draw bar.
Before turning on the transformer, it is important to understand the
features of your new train set.
Electronic Reverse Unit
The 0-4-0 model is controlled by an 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
button (if so equipped).
In addition to the electronic reverse unit, your new train set locomotive
features a mechanical whistle that can be activated by pressing the
white Horn/Whistle button on your Z-500 transformer. Any compatible
transformer horn/whistle button will also activate the whistle in your
new locomotive. Simply pressing the Horn/Whistle button whenever
the throttle is above the OFF setting should activate the whistle. If the
whistle doesn’t blow, increase the throttle setting and press the button
again. The whistle will blow as long as the button is depressed and
voltage is applied to the track.
Pushing Down
On The Coupler
Armature Opens
The Coupler
Knuckle
Figure 11: Pushing down on the coupler
armature tab to open up the coupler knuckle.

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0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Transformer Operation
The Z-500 provides the model railroad enthusiast with an easy to use,
safe power source for AC-powered trains and accessories. Operation is
quick and easy by following the setup diagram below.
Button Functions:
Bell: Press to activate a
digital sound system bell.
*Note: Pressing the bell
button will have no effect on
your set engine because your
locomotive is not equipped
with a bell. Only
locomotives equipped with
full digital sound systems
(which feature engine sounds, horns, bells, air-release sound effects, squeaking
brakes and many other locomotive related sound effects) can utilize the bell
button.
Horn/Whistle: Press to activate the whistle
Direction: Press to stop motion of train and press again to change
direction
Starting to Roll
Advance the transformer throttle. The locomotive's light will come on
and the engine should now proceed in the forward direction. At this
point, advancing the throttle further will allow the engine to pick up
speed, reducing the throttle will slow the engine down. Turning the
throttle OFF and then back ON will park the engine into neutral.
Cycling the throttle OFF and then back ON again one more time will
allow the locomotive to enter reverse.
Tip: An alternative method to using the throttle to enter the next reverse
unit state is to press the direction button. When depressed, the
transformer interrupts all power to the track. Releasing the button
reapplies power to the track at whatever voltage level the transformer
throttle is set at.
DIRECTION
BELL
HORN
WHISTLE
POWER
RK
AIL ING
ByMTHElectricTrains
®
Figure 12: Z-500 Controls

10
0-4-0 Steam Engine Instructions
Special Reverse Unit Options
Locking Out The Reverse Unit Into A Single Direction
Your locomotive’s electronic reverse unit may be locked out into one
of three positions; forward,
neutral or reverse. Locking
the engine into one of
these three positions
prevents the locomotive
from cycling through the
reverse unit phases and is
useful for operators
employing block signal
operations on their layout.
Once locked into a
position, turning the
throttle OFF and then ON
again will not allow the
engine to enter the next
reverse unit phase and instead keeps the engine in the current locked
direction.
To lock the engine into one of the three positions, simply enter that
position using the transformer throttle or direction button. Once in the
desired direction, remove the locomotive from the track and slide the
ON/OFF switch located on the bottom of the tender (See Figure 13) to
the OFF position. This locks the engine into the desired direction.
Sliding the switch back to the ON position resets the reverse unit into
its normal cycling phases.
Reverse Unit Switch
Figure 13: Electronic Reverse Unit Lock-out Switch location
(bottom chassis view).