MTHTrains RAILKING GS-4 Operating Instructions Manual

RK

AIL ING

By MTH Electric Trains

®

RAILKING GS-4 STEAM ENGINE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing the RailKing die-cast Gs-4 steam locomotive.
The engine’s die-cast body and tender are traditionally sized for operation

on any O-27 or larger layout. The engine is compatible with any standard
AC transformer and is completely compatible with most other 3-rail

locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

The locomotive and tender are equipped with an electronic whistle and
electronic reverse unit that are simple and fun to operate. Each feature is

described among the following pages which should be read before the
engine is operated.

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RailKing Gs-4 Operating Manual

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION

The RailKing Gs-4 contains state-of-the art electronics for incredibly
realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the Gs-4 is easy to
operate with any compatible standard AC transformer. All models are

equipped with an operating smoke system that should be primed with
smoke fluid before operating. Adding 15 -20 drops of fluid through the
smoke stack should be sufficient. If you choose to not prime the units with

fluid, turn the smoke unit switch located under the trailing truck to the
OFF position. (See Figure 1) This will prevent any damage from

occurring to the smoke unit when running the engine without a primed
smoke unit. For more information see the section on page 4 on Smoke Unit
operation.

The Gs-4 is controlled by a
ProtoSound® 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. Before the
engine can be operated however, the

reverse unit plug that extends out of
the tender must be inserted into the
receptacle at the back of the boiler

cab as seen in Figure 1. Once the

plug is inserted, the throttle on the transformer can be advanced. You will
see that only the engine’s lights come on. The engine does not run. This is
known as the RESET state. The ProtoSound® DCRU® will not power the
motor 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.

Plug Tender Plug Into
Boiler Socket At Back Of Cab

Use First Hole For O-72 Operation

Use 2nd Hole For Display and 96 Inch

or larger diameter curves

Figure 1: Pluggin in the tender harness

RESET

Neutral

Reverse

Neutral

Forward

Figure 2: ProtoSound® DCRU® Cycle Phases

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RailKing Gs-4 Operating Manual

PROTOSMOKE™ UNIT OPERATION

The Gs-4 contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs a steady stream
of smoke through the smoke stack on the roof of the engine. The ON/OFF
switch located next to the trailing truck must be in the ON position in order

for the smoke unit to function. See Fig. 2 below.

The smoke unit is essentially a small
heating element and wick which soaks up

and then “cooks" a mineral oil-based fluid
that omits a harmless smoke. The smoke

is then forced out of the stack via a small
electric fan which runs at a constant
speed. However, the smoke intensity can

be varied by increasing the transformer
voltage setting. The higher the setting,
the more intense the smoke output.

For best results, we recommend that you add 15 - 20 drops of
ProtoSmoke™, Seuthe, LGB or LVTS fluid before you run the engine. If
you don’t choose to add the fluid, then the smoke unit switch should be
turned off. Failure to either add the fluid or turn the switch off could lead to
damage to the smoke unit heating element and or wicking. Add the fluid
through the smoke stack hole as indicated in Figure 3. After adding the
fluid, gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles. Do not
overfill the unit as overfilling can cause the fluid to leak out and coat the
interior engine components. When the smoke output begins to diminish

while running the engine, an additional 10-15 drops of smoke fluid should
be added or the smoke unit switch should be turned off.

When storing the engine for long periods of time, you may want to add at
least 15 drops of fluid to keep the wick soaked with fluid and prevent it

from drying out. After removing the engine from storage, it is advisable to
add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick soak up the fluid for 15
minutes prior to operation.

SMOKE UNIT MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Operating the engine without smoke fluid and with the smoke
unit switch in the ON position can damage your smoke unit wick, causing
the wick to become hard, blackened and unabsorbant around the heating

Smoke Unit

On/Off Switch Location

Figure 3: Smoke Unit Switch