Rail King R-12 Subway Set User manual

RailKing R-12
Subway Set
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any
traditional O-31 Gauge track system,
including M.T.H.’s RealTrax®or
ScaleTrax™or traditional tubular
track. It is also compatible with most
standard AC transformers. (See page
15 for a complete list of compatible
transformers and wiring instructions.)

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:
Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 - 16.
As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock.
WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the followi ng:
Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
M.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment
periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary
cord, plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until
properlyrepaired.
Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
This train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
l
l
l
lDo not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.
Table of Contents
Set Up Checklis t...................................................................................................3
Lubrication.............................................................................................3
Basic Operation .....................................................................................................4
Loco-Sound Operating Instructions...................................................................5
Activating Features.................................................................................5
Speed Control.........................................................................................6
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction.................................................. 6
Maintenance.........................................................................................................8
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................8
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track..................................................9
Lightbulb Replacement Instructions......................................................10
Traction Tire Replacement.....................................................................12
Troubleshooting Loco-Sound® 2.0 Problems....................................... 13
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart....................................... 15
Service & Warranty Information........................................................... 16
Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................16

RailKing R-12 Subway Set 3
Set Up Checklist
•Lubricate the locomotive
•Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual
Lubrication
You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use
light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in
Fig. 1. Do not over-oil and avoid getting lubricant on flat surface of
pickup roller. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
(On Each Truck)
Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
DO NOT
OVER OIL

4RailKing R-12 Subway Set
Basic Operation
Throttle Throttle up the power to your track. Advance the throttle until 12 – 16 volts is
applied, then put the subway set into forward motion by either firmly pressing the
Direction button on your transformer or remote once or dropping and advancing the
throttle.
Bell - To sound the bell, quickly 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 you
turn it on until you press and release the button again to turn it off.
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.
Direction Your train is programmed to start in neutral. The first direction from neutral
upon start-up is forward. Firmly press and release the Direction button to allow the
engine to move forward. Just as you must stop your automobile 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 approximately 25
seconds or more.
Manual Volume Control
To adjust the volume of all sounds made
by this engine, turn the master volume
control knob located under the powered
unit (See Figure 2) clockwise to increase
the volume and counter-clockwise to
decrease the volume.
Cycle Phases
Neutral
Neutral
ForwardReverse
Proto-Sound 2.0
Volume Adjustment Knob
Figure 2: Manual Volume Adjustment

RailKing R-12 Subway Set 5
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.
Loco-Sound
Operating Instructions
Timing Chart
Total Time Lapse: 1 Seconds½
Press
Horn
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause
½ Sec.
Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Feature to Be Activated:
Speed Control On/Off
Lock into a Direction/Unlock
Button Code:
1 Whistle, 2 Bells
1 Whistle, 3 Bells
Activating Loco-Sound Features

6RailKing R-12 Subway Set
M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 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. Because the engine will run more slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed
control is on than when it is off, you should adjust the throttle to a lower power level for
operation with speed control off to avoid high-speed derailments. When speed control is
off, the volume will drop to allow for better low voltage operation.
To turn speed control on and off, put the engine in neutral, then quickly tap the
transformer's Horn button one time then quickly tap the Bell button two times, allowing
approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. Two horn blasts will
indicate that the engine has made the change. Repeat the 1 horn, 2 bells code to return it
to the other condition. 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.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Neutral
Bell Bell
=
Speed Control
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
Speed Control
You can lock your engine into a direction (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 crawl (as slowly as it will move without
halting), and quickly but firmly tap the Horn button once followed by three quick taps of
the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button
press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. The engine will
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction

RailKing R-12 Subway Set 7
Horn
Place
Engine into
Desired
Direction
Horn Bell Bell Bell
=Direction Lock
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
not change direction (including going into neutral) until you repeat the 1 horn, 3 bells
code to return the engine to its normal condition, even if the engine is kept without power
for extended periods of time.
When used with the RailKing Remote Lock-on (sold separately), 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: This feature allows 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 audio source 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.
Using Proto-Cast and Proto-Dispatch Features

8RailKing R-12 Subway Set
Maintenance
The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly.
Regularly lubricate all axles and linkage components and pickup rollers
to prevent squeaking. Use light household oil, such as that found in
M.T.H.'s maintenance kit. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on
each pivot point.
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Body Mount Screws
Motor Mounting Screw
Body Mount Screws
Figure 3
The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first.
Follow the greasing instructions below. Note that in some tightly packed engines you
may need to move internal components temporarily in order to access the gears.
1. Remove the eight Phillips screws from the chassis, as seen in Figure 3, then lift the
body away from the chassis.
2. Remove the truck blocks from the chassis by unscrewing the black Phillips motor
mount screw on the bottom of each truck block, as shown in Figure 3.
3. Once the motor mount screw has been removed, pull the motor away from the truck
block and lightly coat the motor worm gear and bronze drive gear (in the truck block)
with grease.
4. Reassemble the truck and motor, being careful not to pinch any wires between the
truck block and motor mount.
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions

RailKing R-12 Subway Set 9
5. Repeat the procedure for the other motor and truck.
6. Reassemble the chassis and body,
being careful that the wires are not
caught between the body and chassis,
as this can lead to a short that may
damage the electronics beyond repair.
7. Before replacing body mount
screws, test the unit on powered track
to make sure all light housings are in
place and functioning. Replace
screws and door slider handles.
Periodically check the locomotive
wheels and pickups for dirt and
buildup, which can cause poor
electrical contact and traction as well
as prematurely wear out the neoprene
traction tires.
Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can
cause poor electrical contact and traction and prematurely wear out the neoprene traction
tires. Wheels and tires can be cleaned using denatured (not rubbing) alcohol applied with
a cotton swab.
To clean the track, use RailKing Track
Cleaning Fluid and a clean rag or
denatured (not rubbing) alcohol.
Unplug the transformer and wipe the
rails of the track, turning the rag
frequently to ensure that you are using
clean cloth on the rails. Thereafter,
keep an eye on the track and clean it
when it gets dirty to ensure good
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track
Lubricate Worm Gear
Figure 4

10 RailKing R-12 Subway Set
electrical contact and to lengthen the life of
the tires.
Interior Lights
To replace the interior lights in the
powered unit:
1. Follow the shell removal instructions
found in the “Lubrication and Greasing”
section of this booklet.
2. Pull bulb straight out to remove.
To replace the interior lights in the unpowered units:
1. Remove the eight Phillips screws from
the chassis, then lift the body away from
the chassis. Lift the shell off carefully and
turn body shell over to reveal interior
lights.
2. Pull light bulbs straight out and push
new bulbs straight in to replace.
Gently Pull Bulbs
Away From Socket To Remove
Figure 5
Lightbulb Replacement Instructions
Non-Powered Car Chassis & Body
Figure 6
Gently Pull Bulbs
Away From Socket To Remove
Figure 7