Lionel American Flyer User manual

Dockside Switcher
Steam Locomotive
Owner’s Manual
74-8039-250
5/05

2
You purchased a tough, durable locomotive—the American Flyer Dockside Switcher steam locomotive. From the crisp detail and expert decoration on the outside to the brute power
inside the boiler, the American Flyer Dockside Switcher steam locomotive is ready for duty on your
model railroad.
Congratulations!
Features of this locomotive
• Transformer controlled forward, neutral, and reverse operation
• Powerful maintenance-free motor
• Choo-Choo mechanical chuffing sounds
• Directional lighting including headlight and back-up light
• Front and rear operating couplers
• Puffing smoke unit
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®, American Flyer®, TrainSounds™, Choo-Choo®
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.

3
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running the locomotive with your transformer 4
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state 5
Coupler operation
Using your locomotive’s couplers 6
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke stack 7
Lubricating your locomotive 8
Replacing the traction tires 9
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps 10
Notes 11
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 12

4
3
3Move ‘em out!
Get your locomotive moving. Press the DIRECTION button on your
transformer. 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.
See page 5 for information on locking your locomotive into a single
operational state.
Place your locomotive on American Flyer or S gauge
2-rail track.
The curves must have a radius of at least 20”.
2
2Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Your locomotive is designed to operate on 6-18 volts alternating
current. 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
1
Running the locomotive with your transformer
Transformer operations
Caution!
Note!
Note!

5
To select a single operational state for your locomotive (for example, forward only), you can deactivate the reverse unit’s sequencing function with the DIRECTION CONTROL
switch.
Get your locomotive moving in the desired direction, then slow it down without stopping.
Set the DIRECTION CONTROL switch to OFF. Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the switch.
The locomotive is now “locked” into your chosen direction.
When you no longer want single-direction operation, just slide the switch back to ON.
Your locomotive’s reverse unit will “reset” to forward after any power interruption
lasting five seconds or longer, regardless of the original locked-out direction.
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state
Transformer operations
Figure 1. Switch and volume control knob locations
Note!
Smoke ON/OFF
switch
Direction control
switch

6
Coupler operation
Push up on the uncoupling weight located directly under the coupler to open the coupler. Refer to Figure 2. 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 2. Coupler operation
Uncoupling weight
Bottom of the coupler

7
Maintaining and servicing your set
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke stack
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
function. 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 locomotive operation, move the SMOKE switch located under the cab to
the OFF position, and your locomotive will stop smoking. Refer to Figure 1 on page 5 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!

8
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Lubricating your locomotive
Help your locomotive lead a long and productive life on your railroad by maintaining it properly.
We recommend that you purchase a Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance Kit (6-62927),
available from your Lionel dealer. Two basic rules to keep in mind: never over-lubricate
(a small amount will do), and avoid getting grease or oil on the locomotive’s wheels or your
track. You’ll know your locomotive requires lubrication when visual inspection reveals dryness
on the parts indicated in Figure 3. Remove accumulated dirt and dust before lubricating, and
always lubricate any locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
Figure 3. Underside details and lubrication points
Lubricate both
sides with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Body screw
Body screws
Underside of the locomotive

9
Replacing the traction tires
Your locomotive is equipped with two traction tires (Lionel part no. 640-8039-206). During the course of normal operations, the traction tires may become worn out. To replace the
traction tires, use a 3/16” nut driver to remove the drive rod nut. Slip off the worn tire and
position the replacement tire around the wheel. Carefully fit the tire into the groove. If you are
uncomfortable with this operation, you may choose to have the traction tires replaced by your
authorized Lionel Service Center.
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive

10
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps
Your locomotive is illuminated by two light emitting diodes, or LEDs. The LEDs are expected to last for the life of this product and should not require replacement. The LEDs
should be serviced only by an authorized Lionel Service Center.
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive