Dash-8 Diesel Locomotive OPERATOR’S MANUAL Compatibility This locomotive is capable of operating with DC or AC power supplies (See page 29 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.) indoors or outdoors. MTH does not recommend operating the locomotive in inclement weather and strongly suggests that it not be left out in the elements. The locomotive will negotiate an R1 G-Gauge curve track or switch when the pilots are mounted to the trucks.
Table of Contents Set Up Checklis t................................................................................................... 3 Locomotive Coupler Installation........................................................... 3 Lubrication.............................................................................................5 Priming The Smoke Unit....................................................................... 5 Checking The Battery............................................................
Set Up Checklist • • • • • Install the locomotive couplers Lubricate the locomotive Prime the smoke unit Check to see whether the batteries need to be charged for full sound effects Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual Installing The Locomotive Couplers This RailKing One-Gauge locomotive can be equipped with three different types of G-Gauge couplers - an MTH knuckle coupler, an MTH hook & loop coupler or a 1/32nd Kadee coupler.
Installing The Locomotive Couplers (cont’d) If the locomotive is to be mated up with a different scaled G-Gauge locomotive, freight or passenger car, the knuckle coupler assembly may need to be relocated on the coupler armature as seen in Fig. 2 and 3. The second lower location or position “B” is on the bottom of the armature extending from the truck rather than the default top position “A” which is on top of the armature.
Lubrication DO NOT OVER OIL You should lubricate the engine to prevent it 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. L L L Figure 6. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive Priming The Smoke Unit L Running the engine without a primed smoke unit may cause damage When preparing to run this engine, add 30-40 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack. We recommend M.T.H.
Filling The Smoke Unit While MTH does not recommend operating outdoors in inclement weather (in order to prevent possible damage to the electronics), we have included for your convenience, a smoke stack “cap” inside your locomotive packaging. This cap should be inserted on the smoke stack to prevent moisture from entering the Figure 8 Smoke Unit Cap smoke unit chamber. (Ensure that the smoke unit is turned off when the cap is in place.
Installing The Locomotive Pilot Detail Parts A separately supplied snow plow can be snapped onto the leading locomotive pilot. Before snapping the snow plow in place, insert the brake hoses into the pilot as seen in Figure 29.
Basic Operation RailKing One-Gauge locomotives can be operated with AC or DC power output transformers. When using DC output power supplies, the user can only control the lcomotive speed and direction. The locomotive will still make engine sounds but no bell or whistle control is possible when using a DC output power supply unless the user wishes to hook up the power supply to MTH’s separately sold Digital Command System (see below).
Using DCS With DC Power MTH’s revolutionary Digital Command System, or DCS, allows users to control their RailKing One-Gauge locomotives in a command control evironment. User’s can remotely access hundreds of features inside each RailKing One-Gauge locomotive with the wireless remote control. Digital signalling and an easy-to-use interface make using DCS a snap. More information on DCS can be found on page 26 or by visiting www.protosound2.com.
Activating Features Using AC Power Using an AC output transformer equipped with a whistle and bell button will unlock dozens of features inside your RailKing One-Gauge locomotive. Operation is simple by following the simple steps below and on the following pages. Start Up - Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine headlight shines bright. Put the engine into motion by pressing the Direction button on your transformer once.
Manual Volume Adjustment To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control knob located inside the boiler front clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions The following pages contain the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 RailKing One-Gauge locomotives when operated with AC output transfomrers in conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS Remote Control System equipment. These features are only available when using an AC Transformer equipped with a whistle and bell button. Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features (AC Operation Only) Proto-Sound 2.
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) Your engine is equipped with a sound package of freight yard sounds that you can play when you pull into a yard. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is left on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between the button pushes described below to allow the FYS sufficient time to run through each sequence.
Tips on Using FYS • • • • You can terminate FYS at any time by turning off power to the track for 15 seconds. You do not have to be in Forward to use FYS. At the conclusion of the full sequence, the train will pull away from the station in whatever direction you were going when you activated the feature. You can use FYS even if you are double-heading with another engine. If the second engine is not equipped with Proto-Sound 2.
Speed Control 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.
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction 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.
Maintenance Lubricating and Greasing Instructions The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly. You should regularly lubricate all locomotive axles to prevent them from squeaking and enhance operation. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in Fig. 10. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
2. After removing the truck bottom plate mounting screws, liberally apply grease to the gears attached to both the outside axles as seen in Figure 12. Figure 12: Grease Points Inside Power Truck Traction Tire Replacement Instructions Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires on the rear set of flanged drivers on each truck. While these tires are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at some point. 1.
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions 5. Make sure the tire is fully seated inside the groove. Use a razor blade to trim away any excess tire that doesn’t seat itself inside the groove properly. 6. Reinstall the truck sides and operate as usual. One set of replacement tires is packaged with your model. Additional sets are available directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department (order online: www.mth-railking.com, e-mail: parts@mth-railking.
Light Bulb Replacement Instructions 3. Once the body screws have been removed, separate the handrails from the cab area of the body as seen in Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15: Handrail Separation From Cab Figure 16: Handrail Separation From Cab 4. Next, remove the handrails from the pilot area as seen in Figure 17. 5. Once all the handrails are freed from the body around the cab and front of the locomotive, gently lift the body from the chassis to expose the light and smoke unit harnesses.
Light Bulb Replacement Instructions 6. Lights are located at the front and rear of the cab as seen in Figure 20 and 21. Burned out bulbs can be removed by unplugging the light and replacing. Additional bulbs are installed under the cab roof of the body. Figure 21 shows the low number board bulb location. Engines utilizing high number boards will have a set of connectors in place of the bulbs.
Self Charging Battery Back-Up Test: Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 10-12 volts (high enough for the lights to shine brightly and the engine to move steadily) for 15 minutes. Recharge: If the sounds are improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, the battery charge has run down and can be recharged.
ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation This RailKing One-Gauge steam locomotive contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs smoke through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced out of the stack by a small electric fan. Smoke volume is controlled by the Proto-Sound 2.0 system.
ProtoSmoke® Unit Maintenance If you experience poor or no smoke output when the smoke unit is on and has fluid, check the wick to see if it has become hard, blackened, and unabsorbent around the heating element. To inspect the smoke unit you will need to remove the body from the chassis in order to gain access to the unit. Follow the body removal instructions found earlier in this manual.
Installing The Fixed Locomotive Pilot Installing The Fixed Pilot Once the floating pilot has been removed, slide the fixed pilot into position between the truck and the chassis. The pilot will seat itself onto a set of screw bosses as seen in Figure 27. Once in place, use the screws that held the floating pilot in place to secure the fixed pilot to the chassis as seen in Figure 28.
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for assistance (telephone: 410-381-2580; fax: 410-423-0009; service@mth-railking.com, 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Cab Chatter Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds don’t play. Lock-out Remedy Cab Chatter plays only in neutral at random intervals. Remedy I can’t get the engine to run after I power up the transformer. It sits still with the engine sounds running. The engine is locked into the neutral position. Follow the procedure in the “Lock into a Direction” section. The engine won’t lock into forward, neutral, or reverse. Engine speed must be below 10 scale mph (approx. 10 volts or less in conventional mode).
FYS Remedy Once in FYS, the engine doesn’t go into reverse. So that FYS effects can be as realistic as possible, Proto-Sound 2.0 disables the reversing unit whenever FYS is enabled. This way the engine remains still at its stop as the operator cycles through the FYS sequences. When the FYS enters its last sequence the bell automatically comes on. FYS is programmed to start ringing the bell at that point. After approximately 12 rings of the bell, it will automatically turn off.
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard DC power supplies and AC transformers. The following charts lists the recommended DC and AC transformers. Note that many of the AC operational commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your AC transformer does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit of the system.
Recommended AC Transformers Transformer Model Center Rail Outside Rail Min/Max.
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS Remote Control System (Additional equipment required) While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound 2.0 engine yields wonderfully realistic sound and several train control features, command mode operation allows the user to access a world of command functions never before available to G Gauge railroaders.
Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty For warranty repair, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service. First, e-mail, write, call or fax an Authorized M.T.H. Service Center in your area or M.T.H. Electric Trains to obtain Repair Authorization. You can find the list of Authorized Service Centers on the M.T.H. website, www.mth-railking.com.
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. - Columbia, MD 21046 Information: 410-381-2580 Fax: 410-381-6122 www.mth-railking.com PARTICIPATING A.S.C. RETAILER LIST ALABAMA COLORADO ILLINOIS SOUTHERLAND STATION HUNTSVILLE 256-533-4720 CUSTOM RAILWAY SUPPLY COLORADO SPRINGS 719-634-4616 BERWYN'S TOY TRAINS & MODELS BERWYN 708-484-4384 ARIZONA CABOOSE HOBBIES, INC.
LOUISIANA MINNESOTA AMERICA'S TRAIN YARD BATON ROUGE 225-926-5592 DON'S HOBBY CO. MANKATO 507-387-1330 MAINE MISSOURIS WHEELS, WINGS & THINGS LUDLOW 207-532-6277 SWITCH STAND SAINT LOUIS 314-781-4458 MARYLAND MARK TWAIN HOBBY CENTER ST.
NORTH CAROLINA THE ROUNDHOUSE & BACKSHOP CARY 919-465-0810 DRY BRIDGE STATION MOUNT AIRY 336-786-9811 THE FREIGHT YARD SMITHFIELD 919-934-6229 LITTLE CHOO CHOO SHOP INC.
TRAIN DEPOT MANASSAS 703-335-2216 WASHINGTON EASTSIDE TRAINS KIRKLAND 425-828-4098 CHESTERFIELD HOBBIES MIDLOTHIAN 804-379-9091 DAVIS HOBBY SUPPLIES PORTSMOUTH 757-397-1983 TOY TRAIN CENTER RICHMOND 804-288-4475 WEST VIRGINIA PATRICK'S TRAINS WHEELING 304-232-0714 WISCONSIN WOODCRAFTERS SHOP BURLINGTON 262-763-5239 SOMMERFELD'S TRAINS BUTLER 262-783-7797 T S G HOBBIES WARRENTON 540-347-9212 HOBBY OUTLET FOND DU LAC 920-924-3770 NORGE STATION WILLIAMSBURG 757-564-7623 G B T V & TRAINS GREEN BAY 920-4
