Walthers RAILKING EP-5 Operating Instructions Manual

RAILKING EP-5 ELECTRIC ENGINE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing the RailKing® EP-5 electric engine. This
reproduction of the famous EP-5 engine measures just over 14” in length

and weighs almost 4 ¼ pounds. The engine’s durable ABS body and
die-cast trucks are traditionally sized for operation on most O-27 Gauge

track. The engine should operate for years with most compatible AC
transformers (see the chart on page 31 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, the Quick Start

Basic Operating Instructions found on Pages 3 and 4 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 EP-5 Operating Manual

Table Of Contents

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION 3

PROTO SOUNDS® OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 4

Proto sound® ECRU® Reverse Unit Operation(All 3-Rail Models) 5
Horn Operation 5
Bell Operation 5
ProtoCoupler™ Operation 6
Squeaking Brake Sounds 7
Tips On Using Squeaking Brakes 8
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 9
Tips On Using The Freight Yard Sounds 14
Self-Charging Battery Backup System 15
Replacing The Battery 15
Proto sound® Volume Adjustment 16

OPERATING AND PROGRAMMING PROTO-SOUND® FEATURES 17

Entering RESET Options 18
Setting The Engine Volume 19

Programming For Squeaking Brake Operation 19
Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation 20

Programming For ProtoCoupler™ Operation 20
Programming For FYS Operation 21

Resetting All Proto sound® Options To Factory Defaults 22
Programming For Cab Chatter Sounds 22

OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS 23
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS 24
LIGHT BULB REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT 25
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTO SOUND™ PROBLEMS 26

Proto sound® RESET Feature Chart 30
Transformer Wiring Chart 31

EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS LIST 32
O-27 OPERATION 34
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 36
HOW TO GET SERVICE 36

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY 36

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION

The RailKing EP-5 contains state-of-the art electronics with several
built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these
advanced features, the EP-5 is easy to operate with any compatible standard

AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 31).

All models are controlled by a Proto sound® ECRU® 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 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 and is explained in more

detail beginning on Page 4. The
Proto sound® ECRU® 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.

DRCU® Electronic Reverse

Unit Lockout Switch

Figure 1: Proto sound® DCRU® Lockout Switch

RESET

Neutral

Reverse

Neutral

Forward

Figure 2: ECRU™ Cycle Phases

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

PROTO SOUNDS® 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 * Freight

Yard Sounds * Operating Remote Controlled ProtoCoupler™ *
Self-Recharging 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 ProtoSound® 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.

ProtoSounds® 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, ProtoSounds® 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,

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

transformer and engine are operating correctly. This takes approximately 5
seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds begin. In
order for ProtoSounds® 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.

ProtoSounds® comes with several programmable functions, including
Engine Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation

(pre-programmed at the factory), Cab Chatter On/Off Control, ProtoCoupler
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 EP-5 ProtoSound® 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 17 for information on horn programming in the Using

RESET To Program ProtoSounds® section of this manual.

BELL OPERATION

Your RailKing EP-5 ProtoSound® equipped engine is equipped with a
digital recording of an actual diesel bell. Unlike previous versions of
ProtoSounds®, the bell can be turned on or off with any separate bell
button, like the Lionel® Railsounds® No. 5906 Bell Button, by simply

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

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
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 (any higher voltage will arm the ProtoCoupler™) 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.

PROTO-COUPLER™ OPERATION

Your RailKing EP-5 ProtoSound® equipped locomotive has two
coil-wound ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. The couplers

are mounted on the power trucks. Because the ProtoCoupler™ is controlled
through ProtoSounds® microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling

track section or modification to your layout to function. The three simple
steps below are required to operate the coupler.

1. Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the
way up.

2. Press the transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler.
(You will hear a “Clank")

3. After arming the coupler, press the whistle button again to
open the coupler.

H

H

Put Engine In Neutral
At Full Power

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Press & Release

The Whistle Button

Listen For The

Ca-Clunk Sound

See The Coupler Open

And Listen For The

Cha-Chusshh Sound

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

When the knuckle fires open you will hear the buzzing of the coil
energizing and the sound of the air lines coming apart. It can best be
described as a CHA-CHUSHHH sound. The coupler doesn’t have to be
fired in NEUTRAL. Once the
coupler is armed it can be fired
in Forward, Neutral or Reverse.
However, you may find that the
coupler doesn’t open when

firing the coupler at high
speeds. Reduce the voltage

setting on your transformer if
this occurs and run your engine

at a slower speed before firing
the coupler. If the coupler

continues to open erratically, try
lubricating the knuckle with
light oil as indicated in Fig. 3.

For multiple heading purposes, only one of the two ProtoCouplers™ will
function at any one time. Use the coupler direction switch as shown in Fig.
5 on page 16 to select either the front or rear coupler. Simply slide the
switch toward the direction of the coupler you want to make active.

SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS

ProtoSound® 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 Freight Yard Sounds” section found later in this manual. The
sound itself is a stored record on the ProtoSounds® software chip and will

always play the same brake sound for the same three second length each

Lubricate Coupler Knuckle

Figure 3: Lubricating The ProtoCouplers

Throttle Down From
High Voltage To Low

Listen For The

Squeaking Brake Sounds

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

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 annoying 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.

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

Operating Proto-Sound Freight Yard Sound
Effects

Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)

Proto-Sound® is equipped with operator controlled Freight Yard Sounds,
referred to as FYS. The FYS sequence is designed to simulate the arrival,

unloading, loading and departure of a freight train in a freight yard. This
easy-to-use feature allows you to play digitally recorded sounds of freight
yard operations 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 FYS is enabled.

Quick Overview- FYS Sounds

The following is a quick over view on how you can operate FYS.

The train on track moving Forward or Reverse direction.

B

Press and Hold Bell Button For 3+
Seconds, Listen For a Horn Blast or
Air Release, then Remove your Finger
from the Button.

B

Press Bell Button Again Quickly to
Stop Bell Chime.

Your train is now ready for you to play the FYS.

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

d

Bell

Horn

Whistle

Direction

OR

To Play FYS, Stop Train Direction.
This Can Be Done by Pressing the
DIRECTION Button or Cycling the
Transformer Handle.

At This Time the Train Will Stop in
Neutral.

In a Few Seconds, A Man Whistling
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,
A Man Whistling 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 Engine Departs in the

Direction the Engine First Stopped.

For more detailed FYS instructions, read the following.

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RailKing EP-5 Operating Manual

Activating Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) - Detailed Instructions

Arming The Freight Yard 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

Option 1: If you are using the Z-750™ 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
whistle blast or air release.
Once the whistle 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 FYS will only play

in the first Neutral after it is armed. You cannot interrupt the power twice
to enter another direction and still have the FYS active.) You can now

trigger the sounds to begin playing when you next enter Neutral.

Option 2: If you do not have a separate bell button available, you can
activate the FYS using your transformer’s whistle button control. To arm

the FYS, turn on the transformer throttle and cycle your engine into Neutral
(not RESET). Once in neutral, set the transformer throttle to 8 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
whistle blast. Once the whistle blast or air release is heard, the whistle
button can be released. The bell will continue to chime, so it 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 FYS will only play in the first Neutral after

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