Lionel 2343c Non-Powered F3 B Unit User manual

Lionel
Non-Powered F3 B Unit
Diesel Locomotive
Owner’s Manual
®
featuring and
71-4518-250
2/01
LIONEL

Congratulations!
2
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Using your F3B’s ElectroCouplers 3
Your F3B’s RailSounds system—the basics 4
Experiencing the range of your F3B’s RailSounds system 5
Notes on RailSounds 5
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button 6
TrainMaster Command operations
The Command control environment 7
Running your F3B in the TrainMaster Command environment 8
CAB-1 commands for your F3B 8
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your F3B 9
Assigning your non-powered F3B unit a new ID# 10
Maintaining and servicing your non-powered F3B
Lubricating your F3B 11
Tuning your F3B’s performance 11
Replacing your F3B unit’s lamp 11
Lionel Service 12
You own one of the most sophisticated model trains ever built—the Lionel
TrainMaster Command-equipped F3 diesel
locomotive B unit. From the crisp detail and
expert decoration on the outside to the
advanced technology under the hood, the
Lionel F3B is ready for duty on your model
railroad. Experience the superiority of
today’s Lionel.
• Die-cast frame
• RailSounds™ diesel sound system
• Die-cast ElectroCouplers™ (on rear only)
• CrewTalk™ and Two Part TowerCom™ (in command mode)

Transformer operations
3
To use your F3B ElectroCoupler in the non-Command environment, you must
first couple a piece of rolling stock equipped
with Lionel magnetic couplers directly to
your non-powered F3B unit. The magnetic
coupler on the rolling stock will then react
to the magnetic field generated by a Lionel
remote-control track section (available sep-
arately). Place your rolling stock’s coupler
“trigger disc” over the central coil of a
remote-control track section and press
uncouple on the controller. The magnetic
field pulls the disc downward, and the cou-
pler opens.
Using your non-powered F3B ElectroCoupler in the non-Command
environment
Your non-powered F3B
ElectroCoupler will NOT open man-
ually or by using a remote-control
track section
Note!
Remote
control track
section
Using your non-powered F3B ElectroCoupler in the TrainMaster
Command environment
The rear of your Lionel non-powered F3B unit is equipped with an
ElectroCoupler™ that responds to
either the COUPLER F (front) or COU-
PLER R (rear) button on your CAB-1
remote when operated in the
Trainmaster Command environment.
Simply press either button on your
CAB-1 remote, and that coupler opens.
Magnetic coupler on the rolling
stock coupled to your F3B unit
Your non-powered F3B ElectroCoupler is NOT designed to be opened manually.
Note!

Transformer operations
4
Your F3B’s RailSounds system—the basics
Lionel RailSounds is the most realistic model railroad sound system in the
world. Your FB3 features digital samples
from an authentic F3 for the ultimate in
realism.
Begin by
installing a 9-volt
alkaline battery in
the non-powered
F3B unit. This
ensures interrup-
tion free operation
of RailSounds.
Remove the front
and rear screws on
the cab ends and
lift the body up off
the frame. Connect
the 9-volt battery
to the battery clip
on the circuit
board. Replace the
body and reinsert the screws.
Although track voltage powers
RailSounds, the battery is
required for uninterrupted opera-
tion and shutdown sequences. Use
only alkaline batteries; do not use
“heavy duty” batteries.
Apply track power and the F3B’s
RailSounds system delivers an authentic
start-up sequence, followed by sounds of the
locomotive at idle. As the F3B’s speed
increases, the
RPMs move
through four lev-
els of roar. Sounds
return to idle only
after the locomo-
tive has come to a
complete halt. To
silence diesel RPM
roar (horn and
bell remain un-
affected), slide the
RailSounds switch
to its SIG (signal)
position before
powering up the
locomotive. See
page 10 for the
non-powered F3B unit’s switch location and
positioning. To return to the diesel RPM
roar, return the switch to the FULL position.
Discontinue locomotive power for
10 seconds before changing the
RailSounds ON/OFF switch.
If RailSounds “drops out” during
track power interrupts, replace
the battery.
Install a 9-volt alkaline battery in your non-powered
F3B unit. Remove the body, and connect the battery to
the circuit board. Then reinstall the body on the frame.
Note!
Note!
Note!

Transformer operations
5
With RailSounds, you experience the sounds of real railroading like never
before. Simply put, it’s the most sophisticat-
ed, authentic model railroad sound system
in the world.
• Four diesel-roar levels. Your F3B’s
speed determines the level of diesel RPM
roar—automatically, if you prefer:
idle, slow, medium, or full-speed output.
• MultiHornTM. A different horn sound
every time—a RailSounds exclusive.
• Mechanical bell. Press BELL on your
CAB-1 or transformer to begin the effect;
again to discontinue.
• Full control of RPMs. Prefer hands-
on control of diesel RPM roar? Want to
“ramp up” RPMs before pulling out, just
like real diesels do? It’s easy with
RailSounds. Place your F3B on the track
and increase track voltage to maximum.
RPMs will continue to increase, eventu-
ally reaching their highest level. Now,
decrease track voltage to the desired
speed level. Hook your F3B unit to a
powered locomotive, press DIR on your
CAB-1 remote or transformer, and head
out with your F3 at full churn, just like
the real thing. RPMs will remain at
that level until the locomotive has
come to a complete halt. Experiment
with controllable RPMs—it’s a blast!
• Shutdown sequence. No other model
railroad sound system shuts down like
RailSounds. Turn off track power, and
after the air-release reset sound, you
have 2 seconds to restart your F3B. If
you’re done with operations, RailSounds
will commence with an authentic F3B
shutdown sequence about 2 seconds after
the air-release reset occurs.
Experiencing the range of your F3B’s RailSounds system
Notes on RailSounds
• Use the non-powered F3B unit’s roof-
mounted “radiator fan” volume control
to adjust sound output. (See page 11 for
its location.)
• Listen for incidental locomotive sounds
during RailSounds operation. They’re
automatic and, of course, authentic.
• The 9-volt alkaline battery you installed
ensures continuous F3 diesel roar.
• Longer track-power interruptions
(including locomotive derailments)
cause RailSounds to shut down after
about 7 seconds.
• For even more authentic RailSounds
effects, operate in the TrainMaster
Command environment.
Battery must be installed for shutdown sequence.
Note!

Transformer operations
6
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
To operate the bell and horn sounds when operating your F3 with conventional
transformers, you’ll need to install the Lionel
no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
(available separately). Connect the button(s)
as shown below.
12
12
For AC transformers lacking a horn/whistle button (two no. 5906s required)
Lionel no. 610-5906-001
sound activation button for
activating the bell
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound
activation button
(for horn)
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activation
button (for bell)
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire attach to ground terminal
attach to power terminal
of your transformer
The no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button (available separately) works with
any Lionel AC transformer except no. 6-4690 Type MW. Transformers made by
other manufacturers may not be compatible with RailSounds.
Note!
attach to ground terminal
attach to power terminal
Red wire
to your transformer
Existing wire
Black wire
Note!
All track power must feed
through “Sound Activation
Button.”
Do not bypass button.
For AC transformers with a horn/whistle button

TrainMaster Command operations
7
The Command control environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command is the advanced model railroad control system
from Lionel. Your non-powered F3B unit
features an R2LC for digital RailSounds
control. TrainMaster Command gives you
the power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track, at
the same time.
To operate in Command mode, you
need a Command Base and a CAB-1
remote. Find them both at your authorized
Lionel retailer.
Place your F3B unit on Lionel or Lionel-compatible
O gauge track.
•Make sure track power is OFF before placing it on the track. Couple
to A unit with ElectroCoupler of B to rear of train.
•Make sure your Lionel Command Base is ON and its communications
wire is connected to the COMMON post on your Lionel transformer or the U post
on any of your installed PowerMasters.
• Once positioned on the track, increase track voltage to FULL (on
PowerMaster, slide the CMD/CONV switch to CMD).
Address your F3B set using CAB-1.
•Press ENG and 1 on the numeric keypad of your CAB-1 remote. This
command is sent by CAB-1 to the Command Base, which then translates
your command into digital code. That code is sent around your railroad’s
outside rails in the form of a digital “halo.” All Command-equipped
Lionels listen to this digital communication, but they do not respond until
they hear their individual ID number—in this case, “1.”
• The digital language of TrainMaster Command—and not track power—
controls the actions of Command-equipped Lionels. Track power is simply
like gasoline in the tank of your car—it gives you the power to go places,
but it doesn’t tell you where to go or how fast to get there.
•All Command-equipped Lionels come factory-programmed
with an ID# of “1.” To change the ID#s of your non-powered F3B unit
(equipped with an R2LC, designed to control RailSounds digital sound sys-
tems), see page 10.
Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your F3B will respond to
your every command. Read on.
1
1
2
2
3
3

Non-powered F3B
unit rear coupler
releases. Coupler
release sounds.
TrainMaster Command operations
8
Running your F3B in the TrainMaster Command environment
Activates keypad.
Diesel air-release
sound.
Press HALT to shut
down all Power-
Master electrical
output on your railroad.
Stops all Command-
equipped Lionels in
operation.
Your Command-equipped F3B comes factory-programmed with
an ID# of “1.” To get your F3B in
action, set PowerMasters to CMD or set
all power supplies on full. Press ENG
and “1” on CAB-1. Turn the throttle or
press any command button; your F3B
is ready for Command operations.
address Locomotive #1
PowerMasters set to CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL
Press ENG
Press 1 (the ID#)
Throttle up/press any command button
Example
CAB-1 commands for your F3B
Press WSTL/HRN to acti-
vate the F3 horn, release it
to discontinue. MultiHorn
diesel horn sound.
Press BELL once to activate
the bell, again to discon-
tinue. Diesel mechanical
bell sound.

TrainMaster Command operations
9
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your F3B
0Resets RailSounds to automatic RPM operation. Horn blows.
RPMs return to automatic.
1Raises the volume of RailSounds. Sound volume
increases.
2CrewTalk™ is the sound of inaudible walkie-talkie communication. CrewTalk
announcement.
3Raises RailSounds RPM level. Starts up RailSounds. RPMs increase. Startup
sequence commences.
4Lowers the volume of RailSounds. Sound volume decreases.
5Activates the RailSounds shutdown sequence. Just like the real thing, your
F3B’s RPMs must be at idle for shutdown to
occur. Press 6 repeatedly to lower RPMs until
they won’t descend further. Your locomotive is
now at idle. Press 5 to initiate the shutdown
sequence. CrewTalk announcement /
Diesel shutdown com-
mences. Remember, the horn,
bell, and RPMs will not sound until
you restart RailSounds.
6Lowers RailSounds RPM level. RPMs decrease.
7TowerCom™ is an audible announcement that includes that engine’s road number
and/or name. Your locomotive features the
NEW TWO PART TowerCom announcement.
By following these simple steps you will trigger a
unique standby or departure message. There will
be a 4 second delay before the message plays.
This allows for interactive audio between two
TowerCom equipped units. After pressing AUX-1,
pressing 7 produces the standby announcement,
followed by inaudible crew talk. If you press 7 a
second time, you will get the departure
announcement. Also, by inserting any command
between AUX-1 and 7, you will get the departure
announcement. We suggest BRAKE, since while
stationary, this has no function.
When you press AUX1 on CAB-1, you turn the numeric keypad
into 10 command buttons. The
keypad lets you control extra com-
mand features (until you press any
top-row button like SW, ACC, RTE,
TR, or ENG). RailSounds
sounds in bold italic.
DIESEL ENGINE
RESET
VOLUME
CAB LIGHT
RPM
S
SHUT
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
DOWN
OFF ON
➠
➠
➠
➠
START-UP
AUX1

TrainMaster Command operations
10
Assigning your non-powered F3B unit a new ID#
Assign a new ID# to
your Command-
equipped F3B
Command Base ON
Set the non-powered F3B unit con-
trol switch to PROGRAM
Place the F3B on track
PowerMasters set to CMD or
traditional power supplies ON FULL
Turn track power on
(PowerMasters):
Press BOOST
Program the non-powered F3B unit
with a new ID#:
Press ENG
Press a number you
choose (the ID#)
Press SET
Set unit control switch to
FORWARD/RUN. Your F3B remem-
bers its ID# forever; change it any
time with these steps
Example
Non-powered F3B
sound switch
Non-powered F3B
program switch
RUN FULL
PROG SIG
Using CAB-1, press ENG, the locomotive
ID#, then press the SET button located under
CAB-1’s removable panel. Hear the non-pow-
ered F3B’s horn honk; that’s your signal that
the programming has been accepted. Slide
the control switch to FORWARD/RUN. Your F3
is now programmed to respond to the number
you entered.
We recommend that you choose an easy to
remember ID# for your engine. Some possi-
bilities are part of the engine road number,
your age, any two digit number that is not
used by another engine. Write the
number on a small piece of tape and put this
on the bottom of the fuel tank to aid in
remembering.
As your fleet of Command-equipped Lionels grows, give your F3B its own ID#.
Choose from any between 1 and 99. Give the
non-powered F3B unit the same ID# as the A
unit so sounds will operate.
Slide the non-powered F3B reverse unit
control switch to PROGRAM. Turn the
Command Base. Then place the F3 on the
track. Turn track power on.