Rail King F-3 Diesel Engine User manual

RAILKING F-3
WITH LOCO-SOUND
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. You get an
F-3 diesel locomotive, a set of three
passenger
cars, a transformer, a loop of RealTrax, the RailKing wireless infrared remote
control, and the infrared activated remote lock-on. You also get M.T.H.’s exclusive
RailWare CD-ROM with track layout software and other information helpful to model
railroaders.
M.T.H. takes pride in manufacturing high quality products like your train set, and we
hope that you will enjoy it for a long time. Please read all the accompanying instructions
carefully before setting up and operating your train set. With proper care, this set should
yield years of trouble-free performance.

2
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Table of Contents
Set Up Assembling RealTrax®3
Plugging in the Transformer 4
Lubricating the Engine 4
Coupling the Engine and Cars 4
Remote Control 5
BasicOperation
Operation Buttons 6
Speed Control 7
Direction Lock 7
Proto-Cast and Proto-Dispatch 8
VolumeControl 9
Maintenance
Care of Remote Control 10
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions 10
Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track 11
Locomotive Traction Tire Replacement 11
Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement 12
Passenger CarLight Bulb Replacement 13
RailWare Interactive CD-ROM 14
Troubleshooting 17
Compatibility 18
Transformer Compatibility Chart 19
Safety Precautions 20
Service and Warranty Information 24

3
RailKing F-3 Diesel 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 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
removedbefore
Remote Lock On can
beinstalled
Remove Knock Out
by Holding and Twisting
with a pair of pliers
1a
1c
1b
1d
Fig. 1a-1d: Installation of Remote Lock On

4
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
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,
marked “Power,” then plug the transformer into the wall outlet. Insert two
AA batteries (not included) into the remote handheld as shown.
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. 6 on pg. 10. Do not over oil. Use only
a drop or two on each pivot point.
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 2.
Push Down on Coupler Finger to
Release Knuckle
Figure 2. Coupling the Passenger
Cars Together

5
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
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-500
™and Z-750®
transformers, and they are designed for use with moderately powered
transformers such as these. It is compatible with virtually any 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. 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.
Whistle/
Horn
Direction
Throttle Control
RockerSwitch
Bell
Emergency
Stop
Fig. 3: Overview of the Remote controls

6
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Basic Operation
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 horn, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button.
The horn will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will
stop when you release the button.
• 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.

7
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Speed Control:
M.T.H. engines equipped with Loco-Sound have speed control capabilities
that allow the engine to maintain a constant speed up and down grades and
around curves, much like an automobile cruise control. You can add or drop
cars on the run, and the engine will maintain the speed you set.
While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control feature
activated, you can opt to turn it off. This means the engine’s speed will fall as
it labors up a hill and increase as it travels downward. It is also affected by
the addition or releasing of cars while on the run. The engine will run more
slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed control is on than when it is off.
To turn speed control on and off,
put the engine in neutral, then press the
remote’s Whistle button firmly but quickly one time then immediately press
the Bell button two times. Repeat the 1 whistle, 2 bells code to return it to the
other state. You will want to do this during the initial neutral upon start-up if
you ever couple this engine to another engine that is not equipped with speed
control to avoid damaging the motors in either engine. Each time you shut
down the engine completely, it will automatically turn speed control on.
Direction Lock:
You can lock your engine into a directional state (forward, neutral, or reverse)
so that it will not change directions. To do this, put the engine into the
direction you want or into neutral, to lock it into neutral, run it at a very slow
speed (< 10 scale mph), and quickly but firmly press your remote’s Whistle
button once followed immediately by three presses of the Bell button. The
engine will not change direction (including going into neutral) until you
repeat the 1 whistle, 3 bells code to return the engine to its normal state.
Feature to Be Activated:
Speed Control On/Off
Lock into a Directional State/Unlock
Button Code:
1 Whistle, 2 Bells
1 Whistle, 3 Bells

8
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Proto-Cast and Proto-Dispatch:
When used with the remote lock-on included in this set, Loco-Sound-equipped
engines gain Proto-Cast™and Proto-Dispatch™features.
Proto-Cast: This feature allows you to
play audio recordings through your
engine’s speakers. You must supply the
audio source (a small portable is
sufficient) and a male-to-male mini cable
(1/8” plug, like that used for the headset
with a portable CD/tape player) to
connect your audio source to the Remote
Lock-On. To use Proto-Cast, simply plug
the mini-cable into your audio source
(usually into the headphone jack) and into
the “Audio” port on the right side of the
remote lock-on and adjust the volume.
Proto-Dispatch: Thisfeatureallows you
to broadcast your own voice through your
engine’s speakers. You must supply the microphone and a mini cable (1/8”
plug, like that used for the headset with a portable CD/tape player) to connect
your microphone to the Remote Lock-On. To use Proto-Dispatch, simply plug
the mini-cable into the microphone and into the “Mic” port on the left side of
the remote lock-on and speak into the microphone.
When these features are in use, the locomotive’s own sounds (engine sounds
and bells, whistles, and horns) will be muted so that only the sounds you
broadcast will be heard. Because these two features are voice activated, there
will be a 10-15 second delay after you stop speaking into the microphone or
turn off the stereo before the engine sounds resume. To stop using the feature
and return to normal operation, unplug the cable from the lock-on jack.
If using parallel tracks with multiple Loco-Sound-equipped engines,
Proto-Cast and Proto-Dispatch transmissions from one track may be picked up
by the other nearby engines.
If you experience popping and interference, try cleaning the track with
denatured alcohol as described in the “Cleaning the Wheels, Tires and Track”
section of this booklet.
Note: M.T.H. does not recommend using Proto-Cast and Proto-Dispatch
at the same time.
Cast
Dispatch Power
Fig.4: Overview of the Inputs on the
Remote Lock On

9
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Volume Control
–To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this
engine, turn the master volume control knob located under the engine
clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the
volume (see Fig. 5).
Loco-Sound
Volume Adjustment
Knob
Figure 5. Location of the Loco-Sound Volume Adjustment Knob

10
RailKing F-3 Diesel Engine
Maintenance:
Care of the Remote Control
Your RailKing Remote Control System should offer years of trouble-free
service. There are a few things you can do to ensure trouble-free operation:
• If your train responds inconsistently, replace old batteries with fresh ones.
Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Remove batteries before storing for extended periods.
• Do not drop the remote. It can damage the delicate electronics inside.
• Any attempt by anyone other than an authorized M.T.H. repair person to
open and repair the handheld transmitter or lock-on may result in damage and
the loss of warranty protection.
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions
The engine should be oiled and greased in order to run properly.
You should regularly the engine and pickup rollers to prevent them from
squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked
“L” in Fig. 6. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Lubricate Pick-Up
Roller (L) Lubricate Pick-Up
Roller (L)
Lubricate Axle
Bushings (L)
Figure 6. Lubrication Points on the Engine