Rail King F-3 Passenger Set User manual

AIL ING

By MT H ElectricTrains

F-3 PASSENGER TRAIN SET

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Making the Most of Your Investment

Thank you for purchasing this RailKing Ready-to-Run F-3 Passenger 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 locomotive,

rolling stock, track and transformer, please read all the way through the

Quick Start Basic Operating Instructions you will find on pages 4.

Remember that a little attention to routine maintenance yields a

maximum of trouble-free performance.

RAILKING

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

Table Of Contents

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION( 4

Setting Up The RiteTrax® 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

Passenger Car Lamp Replacement 13

Locomotive Traction Tire Replacement 15

RITETRAX® TRACK LAYOUT PLANS 16

TRANSFORMER COMPATIBILITY CHART 19

EXPLODED PARTS VIEW DIAGRAM 20

SAFTEY & WARNING PRECAUTIONS 22

SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 23

HOW TO GET SERVICE 23

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 23

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

Compatibility

Our designers have sized the engine to operate on any traditional 0-27

or larger O Gauge track system, including RiteTrax using any standard

AC transformer including the Z-750 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 F-3 Passenger Train locomotive

equipped with an operating headlight, electronic horn, and DCRU®

electronic reverse unit. All are simple and fun to operate. In addition

to the locomotive, your set should also include an oval of RiteTrax®

track (8 curved and 4 straight sections), a RiteTrax® lighted lock-on and

wire harness set (for connecting the track to the transformer) and a 75-

watt Z-750 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 the Quick 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: 21VAC, 3.75A, 78VA

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

Quick Start Operating Instructions

Track and Power

Although MTH Electric Trains manufactures its own track and

transformers, you can run your locomotive on 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

RiteTrax® track sections included in the set, see the directions below.

Setting Up the RiteTrax® Oval

Unlike other O Gauge track systems, each RiteTrax® 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

RiteTrax® 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 RiteTrax® 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

RiteTrax® components. We’ve

included just a few later in this

manual for your reference. Each

layout specifies the space required

and the components needed to

Align Quick Connect

Plugs and Gently Push

RiteTrax® Sections Together

Figure 1: Preparing to snap RiteTrax® sections together by

aligning Quick Connect Connectors together.

Figure 2: RiteTrax® sections in proper connected

position.

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

complete the track design. You can purchase additional track

components from any authorized MTH reseller.

The lighted lockon included in

your set snaps into any RiteTrax®

track section roadbed and

functions as the interface

between the track and the

transformer. Each RiteTrax® track

section includes two “knock-out”

tabs in the roadbed (on either end

of the track) that must be removed

to reveal the 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 RiteTrax®

track section and the transformer,

simply plug in the color-coded wire

harness that was included in your

set.

Knock-out

Must Be Removed

Before Lighted Lockon

Can Be Inserted

Figure 3: Top view position of lighted lockon

preparing to enter RiteTrax® section.

Figure 5: Underside view of RiteTrax® 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 RiteTrax® section

with knock-out removed and lighted lockon in

position for insertion.

Figure 6: Top view of RiteTrax® section with

lighted lockon in fully seated position.

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

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 and pick up rollers. 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 in the diagram

in figures 8. 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.

-750

DIRECTION

BELL

HORN

WHISTLE

POWER

AIL ING

By MT H ElectricTrains

T R A NS FOR M E R CONT ROL L E R

OFF

FU LL

POWER

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-750 transformer to the lighted lockon.

Lubricate Gears

Lubricate Pickup Rollers

Figure 8: Lubrication points of RailKing F-3 Passenger

locomotive.

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

Because the locomotives’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(s) 11-12, for detail.

Operating The Engine and Cars

Once the track has been assembled and the transformer wired to the

track lock-on, you are almost ready to begin running your new train set.

Place the engine and cars on the

track and couple each 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. Before turning on the

transformer, it is important to

understand the features of your new

train set.

Electronic Reverse Unit

The locomotive is controlled by a 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).

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 transformer

throttle can be advanced. You will see that only the engine’s lights

come on but that the engine does not run. This is known as the RESET

state and is required when used with after-market MTH ProtoSound®

sound systems. The DCRU® will not power the motor until the

RESET

Neutral

Reverse

Neutral

Forward

Pushing Down

On The Coupler

Armature Opens

The Coupler

Knuckle

Figure 9: Pushing down on the coupler armature

to open up the coupler knuckle.

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

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.

In addition to the DCRU® electronic reverse unit, your new train set

locomotive features an electronic horn that can be activated by

pressing the white Horn/Whistle button on your Z-750 transformer.

Any compatible transformer whistle or horn button will also activate the

horn in your new locomotive. Simply pressing the Horn/Whistle button

whenever the throttle is above the OFF setting should activate the horn.

If the horn doesn’t blow, increase the throttle setting and press the

button again. The horn will blow as long as the button is depressed.

Now, if you’ve lubricated the locomotive friction points as indicated

earlier, you’re almost ready to start running your train set.

Transformer Operation

The Z-750 provides the model railroad enthusiast with an easy to use,

safe power source for AC-powered trains and accessories. Set up is

quick and easy by following the setup diagram below.

Functions:

Bell: Press to activate a digital sound system bell (not found on Amtrak

F-3 Passenger Set model number 30-4018-0), press again to deactivate.

Horn/Whistle: Press to activate.

Direction: Press to stop motion of train and press again to change

direction

-750

DIRECT ION

BELL

HORN

WHISTLE

POWER

AIL ING

By MT H ElectricTrains

T R ANS F OR ME R CONT R OL L E R

OFF

FU L L

POWER

Figure 10: Z-750 Controls

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

Starting to Roll

Advanced the transformer throttle. The locomotive's light will come on

but the engine will not move until you turn the throttle back OFF and

then ON again. 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.

An alternative method to using the throttle to enter the next reverse

unit phase is to press the direction button. When depressed, the

transformer interrupts all power to the track as long as the button is

depressed. Releasing the button reapplies power to the track at

whatever voltage level the transformer throttle is set at.

Press the horn button, the horn should sound.

Note: Pressing the bell button will have no affect on your 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.

Special Reverse Unit Options

Locking Out The Reverse Unit Into One Full-Time

Direction

Your DCRU® electronic reverse unit locomotive 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

Reverse Unit Lock-Out Switch

Figure 11: DCRU® Electronic Reverse Unit Lock-out Switch

location.

F-3 Passenger Train Set Operating Manual

RAILKING

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

out phase.

To lock out 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 chassis (See Figure 11) to

the OFF position. This locks the engine into the desired direction.

Sliding the switch back to the ON position resets the DCRU® reverse

unit into its normal reverse unit cycling phases.

Note: Once the DCRU® reverse unit is locked out and an hour or more of non-use has

passed, the reverse unit may cycle into any of the three directional states. Should this occur,

the ON/OFF switch should be reset to the ON position to regain normal operation. If the

operator desires to lock the engine out in another direction state, repeat the above steps to

do so.

Using the Z-750 With Self-Recharging, Battery

Equipped After-Market Sound Systems

When using the Z-750 transformer with after-market digital sound systems

employing a self-recharging battery backup system, operators should be

aware MTH does not recommend leaving the engine in neutral with the

power on and the throttle above the setting shown in Figure 10 for an

extended period of time. If you are recharging the battery found in these

after-market sound systems with a Z-750 transformer while in the neutral

position, MTH recommends the throttle be positioned as shown in Figure

10 for optimum charging power.

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