2021 RailKing RS-3 Diesel Locomotive Smoke Unit Overheating

February 22, 2022 - The 2021 M.T.H. RailKing RS-3 Diesel Locomotives released in January 2022 were mistakenly programmed with the wrong smoke unit temperature values in the Proto-Sound 3.0 firmware resulting in excessive external smoke unit housing temperatures which could cause the locomotive shell to distort and warp. The issue exists in both conventional or command operating modes. Owners of the locomotives should immediately cease operating the locomotives with the smoke unit on until the firmware in the locomotive is replaced. Revised firmware has been uploaded to the M.T.H. website and is available for free download by visiting the support tab of each affected RS-3 diesel's landing page. The firmware can be replaced by consumers, retailers or service centers using the DCS Consumer Loader Windows software and the DCS TIU. The affected RS-3 models can be found in the list to the left.

See below for more details on obtaining the DCS Consumer Loader software and using the software to reprogram the locomotive's firmware.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE DCS CONSUMER LOADER WINDOWS SOFTWARE

1. Visit the DCS Software Downloads page on the M.T.H. Website located HERE to download the free software.

2. Review the DCS Consumer Loader software installation tutorial video located HERE.

3. Review the DCS Hardware Connection For Firmware Updates tutorial video located HERE. Note: you'll only need to review the section about hooking up the TIU to the computer

4. Review the DCS Loader Program Instructions user manual located HERE.

Should you have any questions about this issue or require assistance in using the DCS hardware and consumer loader software please don't hesitate to contact the M.T.H. Sales Department.

Engines Impacted: