Rail King RAILKING F-3 AA SET User manual

RAILKING F-3 AA SET
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the RailKing® F-3 AA Set. The engine’s
durable ABS body and die-cast trucks are traditionally sized for operation
on most O-31 Gauge track. The engine should operate for years with most
compatible AC transformers (see the chart on page 30 for a list of
compatible transformers) and is completely compatible with most 3-rail
locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.
The locomotive is equipped with either an electronic horn or the Proto-
Sound® 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 engine is
operated. For those of you who can’t wait to get started, theQuick Start
BasicOperating Instructions found on Page 3 should be read so that you
understand the basics of the operating system. Please note that some
features are only found in the Proto-Sound® models and are marked as
such. Features not marked as Proto-Sound® features are available in all
models.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Table Of Contents
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION 3
PROTO-SOUND® OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS 4
Proto-Sound® DCRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) 4
Horn Operation 5
Bell Operation 5
Cab Chatter Sounds 6
Squeaking Brake Sounds 7
Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes 7
Self-Charging Battery Backup System 8
Replacing the Battery 8
Passenger Station Announcements-Quick Overview 9
Activating Passenger Station Announcements (PFA) 11
Tips On Using The Passenger Station Announcements 14
SPECIALREVERSEUNITOPTIONS 15
Locking The Engine Into Forward or Reverse 15
Unlocking The Engine 15
Locking The Engine Into Neutral 15
Manually Adjusting The Proto-Sound® Volume 16
USING RESET TO PROGRAM PROTO-SOUND® FEATURES 17
Entering RESET Options 17
Setting The Engine Volume 18
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 18
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 19
Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 19
Programming For PFA Operation 20
Resetting All Proto-Sound® Options To Factory Defaults 21
Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds 21
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 22
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 23
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 24
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTO-SOUND®PROBLEMS 25
Proto-Sound® RESET Feature Chart 29
Transformer Wiring Chart 30
O-31 OPERATION 31
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 32
HOW TO GET SERVICE 32
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 32

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION
The RailKing F-3 AA Set contains state-of-the art electronics with several
built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these
advanced features, the F-3 AA Set is easy to operate with any compatible
standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 32).
All models are controlled by a Proto-Sound® 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). See Fig. 1 for the location of the lock-out switch.
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 engine’s lights
come on and that only two dings of
the Proto-Sound® bell occur
followed by the diesel start-up
sounds (on Proto-Sound® equipped 3-rail models). The engine does not
run. This is known as the RESET state (see Fig. 2) and is explained in more
detail beginning on Page 4. The
Proto-Sound® DCRU® will not power
the motors until the throttle is turned
OFF and then ON again. At this point,
the engine will now function just like
any other electronic or mechanical
E-unit. On Proto-Sound® equipped
engines, the diesel engine sounds will change in volume as the engine
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.
RESET
Neutral
Reverse
Neutral
Forward
Figure 2: DCRU™ Cycle Phases
Reverse Unit
Lock-Out Switch
ProtoCoupler®
Selection Switch
Figure 1: Lock-Out Switch Location

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
PROTO-SOUND® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The MTH Proto-Sound® digital sound and train control system provides
the operator with unprecedented realistic operation on your model railroad.
In addition to actual diesel engine, CD-equivalent 16-bit digital sounds,
you get the following features:
1. ∗Built-In Proto-Sound® DCRU® Reverse Unit * Authentic Diesel Engine Horn
Sound * Authentic Diesel Engine Bell Sound * Squeaking Brake Sound *
Passenger Station Announcements * Self-Charging Battery Back-Up System
With Automatic Battery Shut-Off * Remotely Controlled Reverse Unit Lock-Out
* Remotely Adjustable Diesel Engine Volume * Authentic Diesel Engine Start Up
& Shut Down Sounds * Random Selection of Four “Cab Chatter" Radio
Transmission Sound Clips *
Each feature is described among the following pages. Though the system
is easy to use, we encourage you to read the instructions thoroughly.
Proto-Sound® DCRU® REVERSE UNIT
As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a
Proto-Sound® 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 locomotive to enter the forward state. It is this
first RESET state that gives Proto-Sound® 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.
Proto-Sound® 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, Proto-Sound® has its own
“Computer" controlling these functions. 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 engine first enters RESET, the
microprocessor initiates a system check to determine if the system,
transformer and engine are operating correctly. This takes approximately 5
seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds begin. In

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
order for Proto-Sound® to properly initiate the system check, do not
advance the transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first enter RESET,
wait for the diesel startup sounds to begin and then slowly turn the
transformer throttle to the 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.
Proto-Sound® comes with several programmable functions, including
Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation
(pre-programmed at the factory), Cab Chatter On/Off Control, and
Horn-In-Neutral Operation. Each of these features are described in more
detail later. You will notice that when in RESET, your engine 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 locomotive using any of these
programmable features, simply leave RESET and wait 5 seconds before
interrupting the power to put the engine in forward. After you leave
RESET, your engine will operate normally in all the direction states of
forward, neutral and reverse.
HORN OPERATION
Your RailKing F-3 AA Set Proto-Sound® equipped engine is equipped
with a digital recording of a diesel horn. The horn sound can be activated
anytime the engine 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
engine is in neutral. See page 19 for information on horn programming in
the Using RESET To Program Proto-Sound® section of this manual.
BELL OPERATION
Your RailKing F-3 AA Set Proto-Sound® equipped engine is equipped
with a digital recording of an actual diesel bell. Unlike previous versions of
Proto-Sound®, 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 engine

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
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 engine is cycled into
forward or reverse until you press the bell button or re-enter NEUTRAL
and turn the bell off with the whistle button.
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 engine, simply interrupt the power with the
transformer throttle or the transformer directional switch and enter forward
or reverse.
DIESEL CAB CHATTER SOUNDS
Whenever your diesel locomotive is parked in Neutral, randomly played
“Cab Chatter” sound effects will occur every 2 to 30 seconds. There are a
total of four of these Cab Chatter sequences that capture authentic radio
transmissions between dispatcher and engineer. They are designed to play
at random intervals to eliminate repetitive and boring sequences though
there is no guarantee that you won’t hear the same message repeated two or
more times.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
Proto-Sound® equipped engines feature the ability to play the sound of
squeaking brakes whenever your engine slows in speed. There are two
settings for activating the squeaking brake sounds. The default setting
allows the brake sounds to play while the engine 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 second
setting requires that
a bell button be used
to “arm” the brake
feature and is
explained in more
detail in the
“Activating Passenger Station Announcements” section found later in this
manual. The sound itself is a stored record on the Proto-Sound® 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 engine. It is not uncommon for the engine 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 engine 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.
TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE
Users will find the squeaking brake feature to be a very realistic way to
simulate the sound of an engine slowing down for curves, crossings or coming
to a stop at a station, side track or switch yard. However, you may find that
your engine continues to play the brake sounds once your engine comes to a
stop, or that the sounds stop before the engine comes to a complete halt. For
example, if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle off quickly, the
brake sounds will likely continue playing even though the engine has come to
a complete stop.
This 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 engine
moving while the brake sounds play and then turning the throttle off just as the
sounds stop.
Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low
Listen For The
Squeaking Brake Sounds

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
SELF-CHARGING BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM
Proto-Sound® state-of-the-art design includes a self-charging battery
backup system for improved performance at any speed. The battery ensures
that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes,
while setting RESET options or when traveling over spots of dirty track and
switches. The self-recharging battery backup system is automatically
turned on or off whenever track power is turned on or off.
Proto-Sound® contains a warning alarm if the battery backup system fails
to automatically disengage when track power is turned off. Should the
backup system fail, you will hear a repeating horn blast indicating that this
has occurred. Should this happen, unplug the battery from the
Proto-Sound® module (to prevent the battery from being run down) and
contact MTH for instructions on returning the train for repair.
REPLACING THE PROTO-SOUND® BATTERY
The Proto-Sound® 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 Proto-Sound® applications. The battery
is continually charged from the track when power is applied and should last
for up to five years. In addition, the NiCad battery is a dry battery and
should not leak or cause any damage to your locomotive during its lifetime.
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 may
be going bad. Before replacing the battery, you should put the engine in
NEUTRAL and leave the transformer throttle set at about 12 volts for 15
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 the
NEUTRAL position and the transformer throttle set at about 12 volts for 6
hours.
If you need to replace the battery, they are available from MTH
Proto-Sound® 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.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Operating Proto-Sound® Passenger Station
Sound Effects
Passenger Station Announcements (PFA)
Proto-Sound® is equipped with operator controlled Passenger Station
Sounds, referred to as PFA. The PFA sequence is designed to simulate the
arrival, disembarking, embarking and departure of a passenger train in a
Passenger Station. This easy-to-use feature allows you to play digitally
recorded sounds of Passenger Station sounds while your engine is parked in
the Neutral State. No additional wires or modifications are needed to enjoy
these amazing sound effects. The sounds themselves are randomly
“shuffled” by the Proto-Sound® computer. This gives the system the
ability to play the various sounds in a different order each time PFA is
enabled.
Activating Passenger Sounds- Quick Overview
Your train is now ready for you to play the PFA.
The train on track moving Forward or Reverse direction.
BPress and Hold Bell Button For 3+
Seconds,ListenForaHornBlastor
Air Release, then Remove your Finger
from the Button.
BPress Bell Button Again Quickly to
Stop Bell Chime.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
For more detailed PFA instructions, read the following.
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
To Play PFA, Stop Train Direction.
This Can Be Done by Pressing the
DIRECTION Button or Cycling the
TransformerHandle.
At This Time the Train Will Stop in
Neutral.
In a Few Seconds, An Arrival Message
Plays, Followed by a Background
Noise.
STOP
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR Change/Press Direction- The Train Will
Remain In Neutral. It Will Continue to
Play More Background Noises.
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
Change/Press Direction- The Train Will Remain
In Neutral. You Will Hear a Double Air Release,
Departure Message Plays More Background
Noises.
d
Bell
Horn
Whistle
Direction
OR
GO
Change/Press Direction- The Train Will Remain In
Neutral. You Will Hear Closing Doors, Horn Blast,
a Few Bell Chimes and Train Departs in the
Direction the Train First Stopped.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Activating Passenger Sounds (PFA)-Detailed PFA Instructions
Arming The Passenger Sounds Feature
Before the Passenger Station sounds can be heard, the feature must be
activated. The feature can be activated in one of two ways.
ARMING THE PASSENGER SOUNDS FEATURE
Before the passenger station sounds can be heard, Proto-Sound must
activate the feature so that the next time the engine enters the neutral
position, the sounds can play, The feature can be activated one of two ways.
Option 1: If you are using the Z-4000™ transformer, or any transformer
with a separate bell button controller, you can activate the feature by simply
pressing and holding the bell button for at least three seconds (it does not
matter if you are in forward, neutral or reverse). You will hear the bell turn
on and, after three seconds, you should hear a short horn blast or air release.
Once the horn blast or air release is heard, the bell button can be released.
The bell will continue
to chime, so if you want
to turn off the bell
ringing, simply press
and release the bell
button. If you were in
neutral, interrupt the
transformer throttle to
enter the next directional state (either forward or reverse). (Note: the PFA
will only play in the first Neutral after it is armed. You can not interrupt
the power twice to enter another direction and still have the PFA active.)
You can now trigger the sounds to begin playing when you next enter
Neutral.
Option 2: If you do not have a Z-4000™ transformer (or separate bell
button available), you can activate the PFA using your transformer’s whistle
button control. To arm the
PFA, turn on the
transformer throttle and
cycle your engine into
Neutral (not RESET).
Once in neutral, set the
transformer throttle to 8
Put Engine In Neutral,
Forward or Reverse
Press & Hold
The Railsounds® Bell Button
For 3 Seconds
Listen For The
Start Of The Bell Sound
Listen For The
Air Release Sound
After 3 Seconds
Put Engine In Neutral
At Low Power
Press & Hold
The Whistle Button
For 3 Seconds
Listen For The
Start Of The Bell Sound
Listen For The
Air Release Sound
After 3 Seconds
H

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
volts or less and press and hold the whistle button for at least three seconds.
You will hear the bell turn on and, after three seconds, you should hear a
short horn blast or air release. Once the horn blast or air release is heard,
the whistle button can be released. The bell will continue to chime, so if
you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and release the whistle
button. Interrupt the transformer throttle to enter the next directional state
(either forward or reverse). (Note: the PFA will only play in the first
Neutral after it is armed. You can not interrupt the power twice to enter
another direction and still have the PFA active.) You can now trigger the
sounds to begin playing when you next enter Neutral.
Triggering Passenger Station Announcements
Once the PFA feature has been activated, it will be played the next time the
engine enters neutral. At this point, Proto-Sound® will take over control of
your engine, disabling the bell and whistle button. In addition,
Proto-Sound® reconfigures the way the reverse unit functions during the
operation of the PFA feature. This forces the engine to leave your
Passenger Station in the same direction as it arrived. The following
operator controlled “Events” control the PFA’s actions and sounds. (Note:
The direction states shown assume the PFA is entered from forward. If
entering the Passenger Station in reverse, the direction states shown will
be reversed.)
Event 1: Interrupt the transformer throttle to cycle the
engine from forward into neutral. If
the throttle was at 14 volts or higher,
the squeaking brakes sound will play.
Once the engine is stopped, the throttle
must be turned on to keep it in the
neutral state. Note: Failure to turn the
throttle back on within 3 seconds of
leaving forward will disable PFA and shutdown Proto-Sound®. The next
time power is turned on, the engine will be in the RESET position. See
page 17 for additional information on RESET. If the bell was not turned
off after arming PFA, it is now turned off automatically. After entering
neutral, Proto-Sound® will immediately play a horn blast or an air release
sound, followed approximately 2 seconds later by an Arrival
Announcement. Following this arrival announcement, the sounds of doors
opening and the conductor saying “Watch your step” is heard. At this point,
various Passenger Station sounds can be heard, including passenger
footsteps, muffled voices, baggage being moved about and whistling for a
Listen For the
Conductor to Say...
Put Engine In Neutral
At Low Power

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
taxi. Additionally, several conductor highlights will be heard in the
foreground.
Event 2: Interrupt the transformer throttle
again to cycle the engine from neutral into
reverse. In order to have the engine leave
the yard in the same direction it entered
Proto-Sound® disables the motors in this
reverse state to prevent the engine from
running backwards. PFA confirms reverse
is entered by playing the conductor saying
“Baggage to the right/left.” Once this
highlight is played, the Passenger Station sounds heard in Event 1 will
continue to play.
Event 3: Interrupt the transformer throttle
again to cycle the engine from reverse back
to neutral. PFA confirms that the engine is
now in neutral by sounding two quick air
releases. This is followed approximately
two seconds later by a Boarding
Announcement message and continued
Passenger Station sounds. Conductor
highlights, such as “Welcome aboard” and “Tickets please” will play
randomly.
Event 4:Interrupt the transformer throttle again to complete the PFA
feature and cycle the engine into forward. PFA confirms it has entered
forward by playing the conductor’s call “All
Aboard!” and the sound of the passenger car
door closing. Within two seconds, the
whistle will sound two short blasts (three if
entering reverse), and the bell will begin to
chime. After a few chimes of the bell, the
engine will begin moving in forward with the
bell continuing to ring. A few seconds later,
the bell will turn off, and the engine will
resume normal operation. Note: When entering Event 4, it is important to
set the transformer throttle at a high enough setting that the engine will
begin to move when the motors are activated. However, the throttle
should not be too high for the engine to maintain a safe operating speed.
Listen For the
Conductor to Say..
Interrupt Throttle To
Enter The Next Phase
Listen For The Sound
“All Aboard!”
Interrupt Throttle To
Enter The Next Phase
Listen For The Conductor
to Say..
Interrupt Throttle To
Enter The Next Phase

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
TIPS ON USING PFA FEATURES
PFA is a unique feature of Proto-Sound® that is completely controlled by the
operator. 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 PFA.
Tip#1: You can escape the PFA sequence by interrupting the transformer
throttle before the man’s whistle plays in Event 1 (neutral).
Tip#2: You can exit PFA at anytime by turning the transformer throttle Off
for 15 seconds.
Tip#3: You do not have to be in Forward to utilize PFA. For example, if you
activate the PFA feature while in Reverse, your train will leave the station/yard
in the same direction that it arrived in.
Tip#4: You can use PFA even if you are double-heading with another engine
regardless of whether the second engine is equipped with an PFA programmed
Proto-Sound® module. If the second engine isn’t equipped with PFA, the only
thing to remember is that you not to turn up the transformer throttle very high
when entering Reverse in Event 2. If the throttle is set too high, then the
second locomotive will begin vibrating on the track as its motors will be
turning in reverse. If your second engine is equipped with PFA, you may want
to disable the PFA when used in double-headed operations. To disable PFA,
see the section on programming RESET functions on page 20 of this manual.
Tip#5: You can leave any of the event stages at any time by simply
interrupting the transformer throttle. Any sound effects programmed to play in
that event will simply not occur. The only exceptions are Event 1 and Event 4.
In Event 1, interrupting the throttle has no effect on PFA until after the man’s
whistle has completed and the passenger car doors have opened. In Event 4,
you cannot interrupt PFA until after the engine begins to move. Interrupting
the throttle before the engine begins to move has no effect on the locomotive’s
operation.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Special Reverse Unit Options
Reverse Unit Lockout Operation
For operators who wish to lock their engine into a single direction,
Proto-Sound’s® unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on
the locomotive. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped
with block signals or stop stations that would normally cycle the engine
back into neutral. Note: The feature must be first turned on by accessing
RESET Feature 40 (See page 20).
Locking the Engine into Single Direction Operation
Cycle the transformer throttle so that your engine is operating in the
direction you wish to lock it in (forward, neutral or reverse). With the
throttle set to approximately 8 volts, press and hold the horn/whistle button.
While holding the horn/whistle button, turn the throttle OFF, then release
the horn/whistle button. After 2 seconds, you will hear a short whistle blast.
IMMEDIATELY turn the throttle back on. The engine is now locked, and
will continue in the previous direction whenever power is applied to the
track.
Unlocking the Engine
With the throttle set to approximately 8 volts, press and hold the
horn/whistle button. While holding the horn/whistle button, turn the throttle
OFF, then release the whistle button. After three seconds, a single bell will
be heard indicating that the engine is unlocked. When power is again
applied, the engine will enter RESET and perform as normal.
NOTE: When locking the engine in the Forward or Reverse positions,
the horn/whistle button will blow the horn/whistle. But when locking the
engine into the NEUTRAL position, the horn/whistle button may turn on
or off sounds of the bell. Remember, the horn/whistle doesn’t blow in
NEUTRAL (unless you programmed it to do so using Reset Feature 25 -
see page 19 for details), only the bell rings.

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
MANUALLY ADJUSTING THE PROTO-SOUND®
VOLUME
Your Proto-Sound® system has two types of volume adjustment. A
manual turn knob on the bottom of the chassis (See Fig. 3 below) 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 engine
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, whistle, engine sounds, enhanced neutral
sounds, etc. For information on operating the RESET volume adjustment
option, see the section entitled “Programming Proto-Sound® RESET
Options” on the following pages.
ProtoSound
Volume Knob
Figure 4: Adjusting The ProtoSound Volume

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
USING RESET TO PROGRAM PROTO-SOUND®
Proto-Sound® is equipped with several programmable features which are
accessed in the RESET state by moving the transformer throttle up and
down between full voltage and low voltage (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 and returned. In addition, there are
special sounds to tell you what RESET position you are in.
For example, if you want
to select Feature 2, put the
engine 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 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.
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
2ClinkSounds
Listen For 1 Clank
And 1 Clink Sounds

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RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Remotely Adjusting The Engine Volume - Reset Feature 6 – (1
Clank, 1 Clink)
Reset Feature 6 allows you to change the volume setting of the chuff sounds
without affecting the volume of other sounds, such as whistle, bell,
enhanced neutral sounds, etc. To use, cycle to Reset 6 and press the
Whistle button. A single bell will play, and the chuff will begin at the
current volume. Each time the Horn/Whistle button is pressed, a bell will
sound and the volume setting will cycle down to the next level. The levels
available are 100%,
50%, 25%, and 0%.
After 0%, pressing the
horn/whistle button
again will return the
chuff to 100%. When
the desired level is
reached, lock the
changes by interrupting
the throttle and cycling the engine into forward
Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation- Reset
Feature 45 –(9 Clanks, 0 Clinks)
Reset Feature 45 allows you to determine if and how the Squeaking Brakes
recording will be activated. To use, cycle to Reset 45 and press the
Horn/Whistle button. The
engine will play a series
of bells. This indicates
the current setting. Each
time the Horn/Whistle is
pressed, Proto-Sound®
will cycle to the next
available setting and
provide the appropriate
bell indicator. The settings for Reset 45 are 1 Bell = On Demand (Enabled
when PFA is activated), 2 Bells = Always On, 3 Bells = Off. When the
desired setting is reached, lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and
cycling the engine into forward.
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
H
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

19
RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation- Reset Feature 25
-(5 Clanks)
Reset Feature 25 allows you
to operate the Horn while the
engine is in the Neutral state.
When ON, pressing the
Horn/Whistle button while in
Neutral, with 10V AC or less
on the track, will cause the
Horn recording to sound. To
use, cycle to Reset 25 and
press the Horn/Whistle button. The engine will play a series of bells. This
indicates the current setting. Each time the Horn/Whistle button is pressed,
Proto-Sound® will cycle to the next available setting and provide the
appropriate bell indicator. The settings for Reset 25 are 1 Bell = OFF, 2
Bells = ON. When the desired setting is reached, lock the changes by
interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward.
Programming For Proto-Coupler® Operation -Reset Feature
10-(2 Clanks)
Reset 10 allows you to turn
the operation of the
Proto-Coupler® on or off.
When OFF, the coupler will
not arm or fire from
Neutral. To use, cycle to
Reset 10 and press the
Horn/Whistle button. The
engine will play a series of
bells. This indicates the
current setting. Each time the Horn/Whistle button is pressed,
Proto-Sound® will cycle to the next available setting and provide the
appropriate bell indicator. The settings for Reset 10 are 1 Bell = ON, 2
Bells = OFF. When the desired setting is reached, lock the changes by
interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine into forward.
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
InterruptTheThrottle
To “Lock-In”
The Horn Setting
H
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
10 Times
Listen For 2 Clank
And 0 Clink Sounds
Push The Whistle Button
Until You Hear
2 Bell Dings
Interrupt The Throttle
To “Lock-In”
The Coupler Setting
H

20
RailKing F-3 AA Set Operating Manual
Programming PFA Operation - Reset Feature 28-(5 Clanks, 3 Clinks)
Reset Feature 28 allows you
to turn the operation of the
PFA sequence on or off.
When OFF, the PFA will
not activate. To use, cycle
to Reset 28 and press the
Horn/Whistle button. The
engine will play a series of
bells. This indicates the
current setting. Each time
the Horn/Whistle button is pressed, Proto-Sound® will cycle to the next
available setting and provide the appropriate bell indicator. The settings for
Reset 28 are 1 Bell = ON, 2 Bells = OFF. When the desired setting is
reached, lock the changes by interrupting the throttle and cycling the engine
into forward.
Activating Remote Lock-Out Control -Reset Feature 40-(8
Clanks, 0 Clinks)
Reset Feature 40 allows you to enable the Reverse Unit Lockout feature of
Proto-Sound®. When enabled, you are able to lock the engine to run in
only one of the directional states (Forward, Neutral or Reverse) whenever
power is applied. The most common use for locking out an engine is in the
use of power blocks on a layout. To use, cycle to Reset 40 and press the
Whistle button. The engine will play a series of bells. This indicates the
current setting. Each time the Whistle button is pressed, Proto-Sound® will
cycle to the next available
setting and provide the
appropriate bell indicator.
The settings for Reset 40
are 1 Bell = OFF, 2 Bells =
ON. When the desired
setting is reached, lock the
changes by interrupting the
throttle and cycling the
engine into forward.
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
40Times
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 Lock-Out Setting
H
In RESET Mode
Move The Throttle
Up & Down From
High Voltage To Low
28Times
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 FYS Setting
H