Lionel American Flyer User manual

74-9621-250
6/09
Ready-to-Run
Christmas Set
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE. AS
WITH ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING
HANDLING AND USE TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 V; 30 VA

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Christmas Set! This set features every- thing you need to get started—a PowerMax Transformer, a huge loop of easy-to-assemble
American Flyer track, a string of detailed cars, and a powerful American Flyer locomotive.
Have fun growing with this complete train set! Start with the set components, then follow
your imagination into your own miniature world. Expand your railroad empire with addi-
tional American Flyer track sections, enhance your layout with accessories, lengthen your
consist with extra cars, or operate a new locomotive at the head end of your train! Explore the
possibilities at your authorized Lionel dealer.
Use this Owner’s Manual to learn how to set up, operate, and maintain your train set for
years of reliable operation.
The transformer included with this set should be periodically
examined for conditions that may result in the risk of fire,
electric shock, or injury to persons (such as damage to the
output cord, blades, housing, or other parts). In the event that
such conditions exist, the transformer should not be used until
properly repaired.
Parents!
Rolling Stock Features
• Interior illumination in caboose
• Present load in gondola
• Opening refrigerator car doors
• Operating couplers
• Refrigerator car plays Christmas music
Locomotive Features
• Directional lighting
• Puffing smoke
• Powerful maintenance-free motor with momentum flywheel
• Transformer controlled Forward-Neutral-Reverse operation

3
FCC Statement
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user authority to operate the equipment.
Notes: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea-
sonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipement off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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®, Wireless Tether™, LionMaster®, FatBoy™, American Flyer®,
TrainSounds™, PowerMax™, LEGACY™, PowerMax™ Plus, Odyssey II™, LEGACY RailSounds™
The name FasTrack® is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.
Christmas Set Inventory
• 0-6-0 Dockside Switcher
• Gondola with presents
• Christmas music refrigerator car
• Caboose
• PowerMax Transformer
• Four 10” straight track sections
• Twelve 54” diameter curved track sections
• One Lock-On
• Smoke fluid
• Replacement traction tire
• Owner’s Manual

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Table of contents
Creating your layout
Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely 5
Building your Lionel layout 6
Joining the American Flyer track sections 6
Wiring your PowerMax Transformer 7-8
Running your train
Running your train set with your transformer 9
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive’s smoke stack 10
Using your locomotive’s couplers 10
Experiencing the features of the PowerMax Transformer 11-12
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state 13
PowerMax Transformer operation
Powering your layout with the PowerMax Transformer 14
Troubleshooting 15
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive 16
Replacing the traction tires 17
Replacing your locomotive’s lamp 17
Replacing your caboose's lamp 18
Operating your Christmas Music Refrigerator Car 19
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 20

5
Creating your layout
Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely
Your Lionel PowerMax Transformer is listed by Underwriter’s Laboratory Inc. and has been carefully designed to ensure peak performance. When using electrical products, basic
safety precautions should be maintained.
Be sure to observe the following guidelines:
• Read the manual thoroughly before using this device.
• This device is not recommended for children under eight years of age.
• Parents should periodically inspect this product for potential hazards and, if necessary,
have them repaired by an authorized Lionel Service Center. In the event that such a condi-
tion exists, the transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
• The PowerMax Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water
is present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• Use the PowerMax Transformer only for its intended purpose.
• The PowerMax Transformer was designed to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Do not
connect this product to any other power supply.
• Do not operate the PowerMax Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case.
• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble the unit. There are no user service-
able parts inside. If damaged, take this product to an authorized Lionel Service Center. A
list of authorized Service Centers is packed with this unit.
• Do not operate the PowerMax Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed acces-
sories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• Always unplug the PowerMax Transformer from the power source when not in use.
• Never insert objects into the ventilation slots on this product. Damage to sensitive elec-
tronic components can result.

6
Building your American Flyer layout
Your set comes with twelve curved and four straight sections of track. Figure 1 provides some examples of layouts that you can build with these track sections.
By adding more American Flyer track sections, you can create an endless number of excit-
ing track arrangements for more fun, action, and variety. The railroad empire of your dreams
can quickly become a reality!
Creating your layout
Figure 1. Track layout ideas
Joining the American Flyer track sections
American Flyer track sections join together easily. Take a look at Figure 2 to see how to join the track sections.
1. Line up your two sections of track.
2. Insert the rail tabs into the openings at the ends of the corresponding
rails and press the sections together.
Figure 2. Joining the track sections

7
Creating your layout
Wiring your PowerMax Transformer
For best performance on large layouts, it is recommended that you use 16-gauge wire to con- nect your PowerMax Transformer to the track. Use the stripped ends of the wires, or spade-
shaped connectors on all PowerMax Transformer connections, with no more than two wires on
each terminal. Terminal strips (available at your local electronics supply store) allow you to
connect multiple wires to evenly distribute power to your layout.
Make sure that all connections are secure. Loose connections can produce extremely high
temperatures. For this reason, do not touch the terminals or track connections during use.
Also, do not locate scenery materials such as lichen or ground foam near the terminals.
To prevent the excessive build up of heat, be sure to select the proper wire gauge
for your layout. Follow these guidelines:
• Track connections (or Lockon connections) must be made with 18-gauge wire
or heavier. Larger layouts require a minimum of 16-gauge wire.
1. Attach a Lionel Lockon to your track.
As illustrated in Figure 3, slide the bottom edge of the outside rail into the metal lip on the
Lockon. Press the clip at the end of the Lockon over the bottom edge of the inside rail.
2
1
LIONEL
CTC
LOCKON
Figure 3. Lockon attachment
Caution!

Creating your layout
8
Wiring your PowerMax Transformer (continued)
2. Attach one wire to the Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “1” and connect
it to the power terminal labeled “A”. All Controller connections are illus-
trated in Figure 4.
To attach the wire to the Lockon, press down on the top of the terminal clip so that a metal
loop is formed. Slide the bare end of the wire into the exposed loop. Release pressure on the
terminal clip, allowing the crimped metal to pinch the end of the wire in the metal loop.
Give a little tug on the wire to check if the hold is secure.
To attach the wire to the Transformer terminal, loosen the thumbscrew to expose the
hole in the terminal shaft, then insert the bare end of the wire into the hole. Tighten the
thumbscrew, making sure that the bare wire is in contact with the terminal shaft.
3. Attach a second wire to the Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “2” and
connect it to the power terminal labeled “U”.
4. Plug the PowerMax Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
U
A
0~18VAC
TRACK
Figure 4. Controller connections
0-18 VAC
Variable voltage
to track

9
Running your train
3Move ‘em out!
Get your locomotive moving. Press the DIRECTION button on your transform-
er. This sequences the reverse unit to the next operating state.
Adjust track voltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed. To
increase speed, increase track voltage. To decrease speed, reduce voltage. To stop the
locomotive, turn off track power.
Listen for the Choo-Choo mechanical chuffing sounds.
With track power OFF, place your locomotive on
American Flyer or S gauge 2-rail track.
The curves must have a radius of at least 20”.
2Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Your locomotive is designed to operate on 6-18 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all American Flyer or Lionel alternating-current transformers are
suitable.
Do not power your locomotive with direct current (DC).
Damage to sensitive electronic components may occur.
If the locomotive has been powered down for ten seconds or longer, there
will be a two second delay after you throttle up.
1
Running your train set with your transformer
Caution!
Note!
Note!

Running your train
10
Your locomotive is equipped with a smoke generator that produces safe, clean, white smoke during operation.
The smoke generator requires the periodic addition of Lionel smoke fluid in order to func-
tion. Pierce the tube end with a pin, then add four to eight drops of fluid directly into the
locomotive’s stack. Smoke production will commence momentarily, faster if you run your
locomotive at speed. When smoke production decreases, add more fluid (four to eight drops).
If you prefer smoke-free loco motive operation, move the SMOKE switch located under the cab
to the OFF position, and your locomotive will stop smoking. Refer to Figure 7 on page 13 for the
location of the switch.
When the smoke unit is on, always keep a small amount of smoke fluid in the locomotive’s
smoke generator; the generator’s element can become damaged if operated without fluid.
Smoke production is greater at higher voltages and when the locomotive is pulling a heavy
load or long consist.
Always keep a small amount of smoke fluid in the smoke unit when the smoke
unit is on.
Caution!
Push up on the uncoupling weight located directly under the coupler to open the coupler. Refer to Figure 5. To couple two cars together, place them on the track with at least one of
the couplers open, then slide them together. The couplers will close automatically.
Using your locomotive’s couplers
Figure 5. Coupler operation
Uncoupling weight
Bottom of the coupler
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive’s smoke stack