Rail King 4-8-8-4 Operator's Manual
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Rail King 4-8-8-4 Operator's Manual

Big boy steam locomotive
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RailKing 4-8-8-4
Big Boy Steam Locomotive
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional O-
31Gauge track system, including M.T.H.'s
RealTrax® or ScaleTrax™ or traditional
tubular track. It is also compatible with most
standard AC transformers. (See pages 46 and
47 for a complete list of compatible
transformers, power packs, and wiring
instructions.)
Freight Yard Sound
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE
www.mthtrains.com

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  • Page 1 RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Locomotive OPERATOR’S MANUAL Compatibility This engine will operate on any traditional O- 31Gauge track system, including M.T.H.’s RealTrax® or ScaleTrax™ or traditional tubular track. It is also compatible with most standard AC transformers. (See pages 46 and...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Do not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case. This product may be protected by one or more of the following patents: 6,019,289; 6,280,278; 6,281,606; 6,291,263; 6,457,681; 6,491,263; 6,604,641; 6,619,594; 6,624,537; 6,655,640. Rev: _RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy 5/2/2013 ©2012, M.T.H. Electric Trains®, Columbia, MD 21046...

  • Page 3: Before You Begin

    Counter Clockwise position. Failure either to add fluid to the smoke unit or to turn it off may damage the smoke unit heating element and/or wicking material. See the "ProtoSmoke Unit Operation" section of this book for more information on smoke un it maintenance. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 4: Placing Engine On Track

    Now using your fingers, push the connectors together. The connector will make a slight click when it is properly seated. At this point you are ready to begin operating your engine. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 5 If the drawbar is not properly connected your engine may exhibit erratic or no operation. If this happens turn off the track power and make sure that the drawbar connectors are properly seated. Then reapply power to the track and continue operation. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 6: Ps 3.0 Enhancements

    7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532 CAUTION: Do not apply DCS signals and DCC signals to the same track simultaneously. The signals are not compatible, mixing the DCS and DCC signals will damage the DCS TIU unit. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 7: Programming Track (For Dcc Operation)

    Below is an overview of the 4 different systems. NOTE: You’ll need to have the DCC/DCS switch set correctly if your using one of those two modes. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 8: Conventional Ac Operation

    By using combinations of button presses, different commands besides blowing the whistle and ringing the bell can be initiated. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 9: Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional Ac Operating Instructions

    The engine is programmed to restart in neutral each time the track voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or more. Cycle Phases Neutral Reverse Forward Neutral RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 10: Manual Volume Control

    Marker Lights (On/Off) (if equipped) By default your Marker Lights are set to ON. To toggle the Marker Lights, perform the following sequence on your AC transformer: Place Marker Lights Bell Horn Engine in (On/Off) Neutral RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 11 Once the bell turns off, the operator regains control of the transformer's bell and Horn buttons and can ring the bell or blow the Horn as usual. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 12: Proto-Coupler Operation

    Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion will play, and the knuckle will be released. Fire Bell Horn Horn Horn Horn Front Coupler RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 13: Speed Control

    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. Direction Lock Place Two Horn Blasts Engine into Horn Horn Bell Bell Bell (indicates change is made) Desired Repeat to Return Direction to Normal Condition RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 14: Reset To Factory Default

    8 VDC. To get your locomotive moving, after the startup sounds have finished and the locomotive is idling, slowly increase the track voltage until the locomotive is traveling at the desired speed. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 15: Dcs Operation

    (if equipped). Just set the model on the rails, apply DCC power and hit F3 on your DCC handheld controller and you're off and running. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 16: Basic Dcc Operation

    As long as there is DCC power still on the track the engine can be started up again by pressing the F3 button twice. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 17: Sounds

    The bell will shut off automatically. Lights F0 – Headlight/Taillight This toggles your headlight/taillight on and off. F5 – Lights This toggles your firebox and cab interior light on and off. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 18: Master Volume

    For example, if you are currently at the High smoke output level, pressing F13 twice (toggling it on then off) will set the smoke volume to Low. Pressing F13 twice again will set it to Medium and so on. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 19: Engine Sounds

    Doppler Effect perfectly. Press the F21 button again (disable F21) to shut off the Doppler Effect. With a little practice in timing and speed you can make this happen right in front of you. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 20 Pressing the F27 button (enable F27) will disable the Cab Chatter. Pressing the F27 button again (disable F27) will enable Cab Chatter. Cab Chatter is On by default. F28 – Feature Reset Resets Features to defaults. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 21: Function Chart

    Labor Chuff Drift Chuff One Shot Doppler Coupler Slack Coupler Close Single Horn Blast Engine Sounds Brake Sounds On/Off Cab Chatter On/Off Feature Reset *Refer to pages 25-27 for CV Data and Function ID RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 22: Cv29

    3. Hit Enter twice so the LCD displays “Adr” 4. Type in the new Short Address (1-127) that you want and hit Enter 5. The engine will give you a two whistle/horn blast response RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 23: Feature/Factory Resetting

    Send a decimal 128 to reset only address values back to factory default l This is the same as writing 55 to CV55 to engine address 55 Note: The engine address has to be something other than address 55 RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 24 55 on your DCC handheld and sending a value of 55 to CV55. Again, MTH engine's will listen to the 55-55-55 reset command even though the engine's address isn't actually 55 (and it can't be for the 55-55-55 reset to work). RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 25: Proto-Sound 3.0 Expanded Dcc Functionality

    User ID #1 – General Purpose use for customer Cv106 User ID #2 – General Purpose use for customer Cv115- MTH Function Assignments – See table of supported CV’s and manual Cv170 section on how to re-arrange them for further information RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 26 Cab Chatter On/Off High Byte User ID #1 Cab Chatter On/Off Low Byte User ID #2 Feature Reset High Byte Function - Bell High Byte Feature Reset Low Byte Function - Bell Low Byte RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 27 Idle Sequence 4 Lights Labor Chuff Master Volume Short Horn One Shot Doppler Reverse Signal SCRIPTS Extended Shut Down Extended Start Up Start Up/Shut Down Train Wreck Trolley Manual Mode Trolley Learn Mode Trolley Auto Mode RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 28 3. Write a value of 18 to CV25. Your engine will now use the speed curve #18 below 4. If you want to create your own speed table using CV's 67-94 then write a value of 0 or 1 to CV25 RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 29: Advanced Consisting

    Setting CV21 and CV22 determine which F Functions the consist responds to See diagram below for example Engine 3 - Rear Engine 1 - Front Engine 2 - Middle Normal Forward Direction of Travel RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 30 10. Ensure F5 and F0 are toggled OFF. You may have to toggle F5 on/off a couple times to get the lights in sync with the DCC command station. This will depend upon your DCC system RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 31 CV21's bits are shown in the table below – the decimal value is shown in parenthesis: (Decimal 7 (128) 6 (64) 5 (32) 4 (16) 3 (8) 2 (4) 1 (2) 0 (1) Value) Function RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 32: Programming Track

    5 (32) 4 (16) 3 (8) 2 (4) 1 (2) 0 (1) Value) Binary 1 (on) 1 (on) 1 (on) 0 (off) 1 (on) 1 (on) 0 (off) 0 (off) 1 (on) Example Decimal Value RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 33 128) for the engine you want to reverse. To do this - take 128 (the new bit you want to set) + 5 (the existing bit that you do not want to alter) = 133. You would then write a value of 133 to CV19. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 34: Maintenance

    5. Replace the screws and reassemble the boiler. You should also grease the leading and trailing locomotive truck tongues to enhance their ability to slide on the chassis. Follow the grease points shown on Fig. 9. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 35: Cleaning The Wheels, Tires And Track

    . Durably constructed from (30-50051) ABS plastic, the block includes a built-in cleaning pad. For really stubborn track, you can insert sandpaper Track Cleaning into the block in just a few quick steps. Block (40-1099) RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 36: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

    The smoke is then forced out of the stack by a small electric fan. With a few easy maintenance steps, you should enjoy trouble-free smoke unit operation for years. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 37: Headlight Replacement Instructions

    LEDs that require a lot less power and generate a lot less heat than incandescent bulbs, resulting in extremely long Wick in Wick in life compared to the incandescent bulbs. The LEDs are not Poor Good Condition Condition user serviceable. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 38: Troubleshooting Proto-Sound 3.0 Problems

    The coupler does not fire or stay denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) and coupled. let dry. Cab Chatter Solution Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds Cab Chatter plays only in neutral at random don't play. intervals. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 39 PFA cycle. Wait at least 30 play or the engine does not come out of seconds in each PFA sound clip before PFA after fourth press of the direction pressing the direction button. button. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 40 DCC set the smoke back to High. It'll remember what you last set it as when you run it again in Conventional DC Check for an obstruction in the smoke stack Add 10-12 drops of smoke fluid RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 41 New engines even after they are lubricated may take a little bit to get everything run in. Be a little patient and let it run for a bit. It should clear up shortly after lubricating and running. RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 42 27 to move the smoke volume into an F Function that exists on your controller Check for an obstruction in the smoke stack Add 10-12 drops of smoke fluid RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 43 Try to get a hold of the engine on its last known long address Place the engine on the Programming Track output on your DCC system and write a value of 3 to CV1 RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 44 This is normal. You will need to press the Doppler shift but then the engine sounds Doppler button again to turn Doppler off. Your fade out and I can't get them back engine sounds will now return to normal RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...
  • Page 45 I can't call up my engine on the address Delete the engine from your DCS remote, I believe it to be set at and attempt to re-add it. On the DCS Remote, hit Menu System Engine Setup Recover Engine RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 46: Transformer Compatibility And Wiring Chart

    9-19v 110-Watt Standard Lionel SW Unknown 130-Watt Standard Lionel TW 8-18v 175-Watt Standard Lionel ZW A,B,C or D 8-20v 275-Watt Standard Lionel Post-War A,B,C or D Common 0-20v 135/190 Watt Electronic Celebration Series ZW RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 47: Dc Power Supply Chart

    Controller CRE-55401 Controller PWM Output from this power supply DAMAGE Will the TIU * Use 22 volts maximum track voltage when operating a MTH locomotive equipped with Proto-Sound, Loco-Sound, Proto-Sound 2.0, or Proto-Sound 3.0 RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 48: Additional Features Accessible Of Dcs Remote Control System

    Direction Control Set Up-User can set initial individual start-up direction (start in forward or reverse) for double- heading operations •Locomotive Consist Set-up-User can determine locomotive values for consist make-ups, allowing multiple locomotives belonging to a consist to operate together RailKing 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine...

  • Page 49: Service & Warranty Information

    Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty When you suspect an item is defective, please check the operator's manual for standard operation and trouble- shooting techniques that may correct the problem. Additional information may be found on the M.T.H. Website. Should you still require service, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service.

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