Lionel 153C User manual

72-4101-250
2/04
Lionel
Mainline
Color Position Signal
Owner’s Manual

Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel Mainline Color Position Signal. Place the signal next to the track on your Lionel railroad, and passing trains will automatically
cause the lights to change from green to red. Once the train has cleared the signal, the lights
will change to yellow to indicate that a train is moving through the block.
The 153C Contactor was designed for use with traditional O and O-27 gauge track
only. To activate the signal on a FasTrack layout, we recommend using the 153IR
Controller (available separately, 6-14111) or O Gauge Transition sections (available
separately, 6-12040) to connect with traditional O gauge track.
2
Table of contents
Installing the 153C Contactor 3
Wiring yourMainline Color Position Signal toa power source 4
Adjusting the Contactor 5
Operating the Mainline Color Position Signal 5
Connecting your Mainline Color Position Signal toa 153IR Controller 6
Replacing your Mainline Color Position Signal’slamps 7
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 8
The following Lionel marks may be used throughout this instruction manual and are protected under law.
All rights reserved.
Lionel®, TrainMaster®, Odyssey®, RailSounds®, CrewTalk™, TowerCom™, DynaChuff™,
StationSounds™, Pullmor®, ElectroCoupler™, Magne-Traction®, CAB-1 Remote Controller®,
PowerMaster®, Lionel ZW®, ZW®, PowerHouse®, TMCC®, Lionelville™, Lockon®
Note!

Installing the 153C Contactor
The 153C Contactor is activated by the weight of a passing train. Place the Contactor under the track, as shown in Figure 1.
One of the track ties should rest firmly upon the top of the pressure plate. If your layout is
fastened to a board, loosen several sections on either side of the Contactor so that the track is
able to bend under the weight of the train.
3
3
Adjustment nut
Track tie
153C Contactor pressure plate
12
Figure 1. 153C Contactor

Wiring your Mainline Color Position Signal to a power source
Your Mainline Color Position Signal operates best at 12-18 volts (AC). Have an adult strip 1⁄4" of insulation from both ends of the four wires attached to the Mainline Color Position
Signal, if they have not already been stripped.
Only an adult should perform this task. Always use care when stripping wires.
Connect the other wires to the #153C Contactor and transformer as shown in Figure 2 below.
Note that a separate wire connects the U terminal on the power supply to the #3 Lockon
terminal.
To connect a wire to the Contactor’s spring clips, press down the upper half of the spring clip
terminal until the lower part projects through the slot. Insert the bare wire end into the loop,
then release the upper part of the clip. Spring tension will hold the wire tight.
4
Figure 2. Accessory connections
Caution!
A
U
Bottom of the
Mainline Color Position
Signal
Power
Supply
Green
Green
Yellow
Black
32
1

Adjusting the Contactor
After all the connections are made and your layout is powered up, the Contactor must be adjusted so that the train will properly trigger the accessory.
1. Stop the train several sections away from the Contactor so that it does not press on the
Contactor plate.
2. Turn the adjustment nut either up or down until the accessory’s lights change from green to
red. Refer to Figure 1 on page 3 for the location of the adjustment nut.
3. Back up the adjustment nut just enough to cause the lights to change from red to yellow.
Operating the Mainline Color Position Signal
When properly adjusted, the 153C Contactor will respond to light pressure on the track. The lights will change from green to red as long as any part of the train is passing over the
Contactor plate. After the train has cleared the Contactor, the signal will change from red to
yellow for a few seconds to indicate that a train is in the block ahead.
To adjust the length of time that the yellow lights are illuminated, use a small flat-head
screwdriver to rotate the internal adjustment screw on the side of the base. Rotate the screw
clockwise to increase the duration or counter-clockwise to decrease the duration. Refer to Figure 3.
5
Figure 3. Adjustment screw location
Adjustment screw

Connecting your Mainline Color Position Signal to a
153IR Controller
The 153IR Controller (available separately, 6-14111) is designed as an alternative to the 153C Contactor. While the 153C Contactor relies on the weight of the train to activate the
signal, the 153IR Controller is triggered by an Infrared motion sensor. The 153IR Controller
also allows you to set the length of time that the accessory remains on. Connect the accessory to
the 153IR Controller as shown in Figure 4 below. Consult the 153IR Controller’s instructions for
more information.
6
Figure 4. 153IR connections
ACC
PWR ACC GND NO NC
COM2 COM 1
Bottom of
the
Mainline
Color
Position
Signal
Green
Yellow
Black

Replacing your Mainline Color Position Signal’s lamps
Your Mainline Color Position Signal is illuminated by several lamps. During the course of normal operations, you may find that these lamps require replacement. We recommend
that you have the lamps replaced at your authorized Lionel Service Center.
7

Limited Warranty/Lionel Service
This Lionel product, including all mechanical and electrical components, moving parts, motors and
structural components, except for light bulbs, is warranted to the original consumer-purchaser, for one
year against original defects in materials or workmanship when purchased through an authorized Lionel
merchant.
This warranty does NOT cover normal wear and tear, light bulbs, defects appearing in the course of
commercial use, or damage resulting from abuse or misuse of the product by the purchaser. Transfer of this
product by the original consumer-purchaser to another person voids this warranty. Modification of this product
voids this warranty.
Any warranted product which is defective in original materials or workmanship and is delivered by the
original consumer-purchaser to Lionel L.L.C. or an authorized Lionel L.L.C. Service Center, together with proof of
original purchase will, at the option of Lionel L.L.C., be repaired or replaced, without charge for parts or labor. In
the event the defective product cannot be repaired, and a replacement is not available, a refund of the original
purchase price will be granted. Any products on which warranty service is sought must be sent freight or postage
prepaid, as transportation and shipping charges are not covered by the warranty.
In no event shall Lionel L.L.C. be liable for incidental or consequential damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
exclusion may not apply to you.
This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state
to state.
Instructions for Obtaining Service
If service for this Lionel L.L.C. product is required, bring the item, along with your dated sales receipt and
completed warranty information to the nearest Authorized Lionel Service Center. Your nearest Lionel Service
Center can be found by calling 1-800-4-Lionel, or by accessing our Website at www.lionel.com.
If you prefer to send your product back to Lionel L.L.C. for repair in Michigan, you must first call
586-949-4100 or FAX [phone], or write to Customer Service, P.O. Box 748, New Baltimore, MI
48047-0748, stating what the item is, when it was purchased and what seems to be the problem. You will be sent
a return authorization letter and label to ensure your merchandise will be properly handled upon receipt.
Once you have received your return authorization and label, make sure that the item is packed to prevent
damage during shipping and handling. We suggest that you use the product’s original packaging. This
shipment must be prepaid and we recommend that it be insured.
Please make sure you have followed all of the above instructions carefully before returning any
merchandise for service. You may choose to have your product repaired by one of our Authorized Lionel Service
Centers after its warranty has expired. A reasonable service fee will be charged.
Warranty Information
Please complete the information below and keep it, along with your dated sales receipt. You must present
this and your dated sales receipt when requesting warranty service.
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Place of Purchase ________________________________________________________________
Date of Purchase ________________________________________________________________
Product Number ________________________________________________________________
Product Description ______________________________________________________________
©2004 LIONEL L.L.C., CHESTERFIELD, MI 48051-2493
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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