Lionel Area 51 RS-3 User manual

73-0206-250
6/13
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT YEARS OF AGE. AS WITH ALL ELECTRIC
PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING HANDLING AND USE TO PREVENT
ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120-240 VAC 50/60 HZ.
OUTPUT: 18 VDC; 2000 MA.
Area 51 RS-3 Set
Remote Control
Ready-To-Run Set
Owner’s Manual
Area 51 RS-3 Set
Remote Control
Ready-To-Run Set
Owner’s Manual
Featuring: RailSounds
RC™
and

2
Congratulations!
Set Includes:
• RS-3 diesel
• Waffle-sided boxcar
• Flatcar with capsules
• Work Caboose
• Eight O-36 curved FasTrack sections, one 10” straight FasTrack section,
one FasTrack wall-pack terminal section
• Wall-pack power supply
• LionChief remote for locomotive
• Replacement traction tire
• Owner's manual
Welcome to the world of Lionel trains! You’re off to a great start with this ready-to-run LionChief train set. This set features everything you need to get started—a wall-pack power supply, a
huge, easy-to-assemble FasTrack oval, a string of detailed cars, a powerful Lionel locomotive that is
equipped with RailSounds RC sound system, and a LionChief remote that controls all the action..
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 additional FasTrack
track sections, enhance your layout with accessories, lengthen your consist with extra cars, or operate
a new LionChief locomotive at the head end of your train!
Use this Owner’s Manual to learn how to set up, operate, and maintain your train set for years of
reliable operation.

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Table of contents
Safety information
Operating your wall-pack power supply safely 4
LionChief system basics
Model railroading with the LionChief system 5
Installing AAA batteries into the Remote Control 6
Operating your train with LionChief remote 7
LionChief locomotive overview
Locomotive Overview 8
Building your Lionel layout 9
Joining the FasTrack track sections 10
Connecting your wall-pack power supply 11
Operating your train set
Running your train set 12
Operating the sounds with your LionChief remote control 13
Coupling 13
Silencing the sounds 14
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive 15
Replacing your locomotive's traction tire 16
Replacing your locomotive's headlamp 17
Securing the Mercury Capsules 18
LionChief Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 19-20
Expanding your layout
Expanding your Lionel railroad empire 21
FCC Statement 22
Notes 23
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service 24
The following Lionel marks are used throughout this Owner’s Manual and are protected under
law. All rights reserved.
Lionel®, LEGACY™, FasTrack™,TrainMaster®, Odyssey®, RailSounds®, CrewTalk™, TowerCom™,
DynaChuff™, StationSounds™, Pullmor®, ElectroCoupler™, Magne-Traction®, CAB-1®Remote
Controller, American Flyer®, Lionel ZW®, ZW®, MagniVision®, TMCC®, Lionelville®, Wireless
Tether™, Powerhouse™, LionMaster®, Conventional Classics™, Postwar Celebration Series™,
TruRail™, PH-1 Powerhouse®, Powermaster®, Powerstation-Powerhouse®, Accessory Motor
Controller™, AMC™, Accessory Switch Controller™, ASC™, Action Recorder Controller™, ARC™, Track
Power Controller 300™, TPC 300™, Track Power Controller 400™, TPC 400™, Block Power
Controller™, BPC™, Operating Track Controller™, OTC™, FatBoy™, Lionel Lines®, Joshua Lionel
Cowen Series™, Lockon®, TrainSounds™, MultiHorn™, MultiWhistle™, Choo-Choo™

Operating your wall-pack power supply safely
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Your Lionel wall-pack power supply 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 a Factory Trained Authorized Lionel Service Station. In the event that such a condition
exists, the transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
• The wall-pack power supply is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water is
present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• Use the wall-pack power supply only for its intended purpose.
• The wall-pack power supply was designed to operate on 120-240 volt AC, 50/60-Hertz power. Do
not connect this product to any other power supply.
• Do not operate the wall-pack power supply with a damaged cord, plug, or case.
• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble the unit. There are no user serviceable
parts inside. If damaged, take this product to a Factory Trained Authorized Lionel Service Station.
Visit www.lionel.com for a list of authorized Service Centers.
• Do not operate the wall-pack power supply on your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or
stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• Always unplug the wall-pack power supply from the power source when not in use.
• Never insert objects into the ventilation slots on this product. Damage to sensitive
electronic components can result.
Safety information

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Model railroading with the LionChief system
Your ready-to-run LionChief train set comes with a DC wall-pack power supply, a LionChief remote control, a LionChief-equipped locomotive, rolling stock, and a FasTrack oval, complete
with a wall-pack terminal section for “plug-and-play” set up.
Your locomotive runs on fixed voltage, which is optimal for the sound system and lamps. The loco-
motive listens to commands from its LionChief remote at a specific frequency to increase or decrease
speed, change directions, or trigger sounds. That’s why the locomotive and remote must be operated
as a matched pair.
The DC wall-pack power supply is capable of running the locomotive and cars that come with
this set, plus a few add-on cars and accessories, depending on the power they require. Keep in mind
that your locomotive can run on AC power, too, so you may choose to upgrade to most Lionel or
Lionel-compatible AC transformers (available separately at your authorized Lionel retailer) when you
expand your layout.
Run only your layout with only the DC wall-pack power supply OR an AC
transformer. Do not run both! Also, keep in mind that most other Lionel
locomotives require AC power specifically; check the instructions included with the
other locomotives.
If you do choose to run your LionChief locomotive with a transformer, set the train voltage to full
(18 volts) and use the remote to run the train and trigger the sounds. The locomotive is not designed
to respond to the transformer’s throttle, direction button, horn button, or bell button; the locomotive
only responds to commands from its LionChief remote.
Keep in mind that the remote that comes with the train set is paired with the locomotive. This
locomotive and remote share a frequency, and your LionChief remote will not communicate with
other locomotives. However, locomotives of the same type, for example a 2-8-4 Berkshire, may share a
frequency. Where the frequency is shared, any locomotive of the same type on the track would respond
together, at the same time, to commands from a remote. To avoid this scenario, you may choose not
to run multiples of the same locomotive type at the same time.
Otherwise, you may run more than one LionChief-equipped locomotive on the track at the same
time. You may also choose to run your LionChief locomotive on a LEGACY Control System-equipped
layout; however, you must use your LionChief remote control to control the LionChief locomotive
(LionChief locomotives do not receive commands from the LEGACY remote).
LionChief system basics
Important!

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Installing AAA batteries into the Remote Control
For safety purposes, you must use a Phillips screwdriver to access the battery compartment. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw that secures the battery compartment hatch and
lift the hatch to access battery compartment (as shown in Figure 1). Insert three AAA batteries
orientating the +/- as shown in the bottom of the battery compartment. Replace the battery door
and snap closed.
Use only Alkaline AAA batteries. Use only new batteries. Never mix new and used
batteries or use different types together.
Figure 1. Opening and closing the battery compartment
REMOVE ALL BATTERIES WHEN THE TRAIN WILL NOT BE USED FOR AN
EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Important!
When you are not operating the train, slide the On/Off switch to the Off
position to conserve the batteries.
Important!
The LionChief remote control overview
Important!
Remove screw and remove
battery compartment hatch

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The LionChief remote control overview
Operating your train with your LionChief remote
ON/OFF SWITCH
To conserve your batteries,
slide the On/Off switch to the
Off position when you are
done operating your train.
SPEED INDICATOR LIGHT
The red light will remain on during
normal operation. The light will begin to
flash when the locomotive is in motion,
and the flashing will vary with the loco-
motive's speed.
BELL
The BELL button will
activate the bell sounds on
locomotives equipped with
this feature. Press the BELL
button to begin the sounds;
press the button again to
turn off the ringing.
HORN
The HORN button will activate
your locomotive’s horn.
ALIEN/SCI-FI SOUNDS
Press the center button for a variety of
announcements that may vary depending on
the train set. See page 13 for more information.
THROTTLE
Turn the throttle knob clockwise to go for-
ward and adjust the speed. Turn the throttle
knob counter-clockwise to go reverse and
adjust the speed. To stop the train, simply
return the throttle knob to the
center position.

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Locomotive 0verview
Your LionChief locomotive is designed to operate with commands from its corresponding LionChief remote. You may choose to power it with the wall-pack power supply included with
this ready-to-run train set, or you may choose to expand and upgrade to essentially any Lionel or
Lionel-compatible AC transformer. Even DC transformers will work for this particular locomotive!
LionChief RC sound system
Your locomotive features a wide range of sounds to make operation even more realistic and impres-
sive! The diesel sounds increase with the speed of the locomotive. You may choose to turn the diesel
sounds off by sliding the sound switch to the off position. See page 16.
Use the HORN, BELL, and ANNOUNCEMENT buttons on the LionChief remote control to trigger
those sounds. See page 7 for more information.
Care and maintenance
To ensure a long life for the locomotive, lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks
and wear. See page 15 for complete details.
LionChief locomotive Overview

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Getting ready to run your trains
Building your Lionel layout
Your set comes with eight curved sections, one 10" straight section, and one wall-pack terminal section of track. Figure 2 shows the oval layout that you can build with these track sections.
You may choose to add more FasTrack track sections to create an endless number of exciting track
arrangements for more fun, action, and variety.
Figure 2. Track layout

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Getting ready to run your trains
Joining the FasTrack track sections
FasTrack track sections join together easily. With interlocking roadbed sections and large rail tabs, the track fits together securely so you always have good electrical contact. Take a look at Figure 3
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.
3. Press the sections together until the interlocking roadbed snaps into place.
Figure 3. Joining the track sections
Rail tab

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Connecting your wall-pack power supply
Your trains are powered by a DC wall-pack power supply. To power the track, simply plug the wall-pack into an outlet and plug the jack into the terminal section as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Wall-pack power supply connection
Jack on wall-pack
power supply
Terminal track section
Getting ready to run your trains

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Operating your train set
Running your train set
With track power unplugged, place your train set on the track.
Refer to the following section for information on coupling the cars.
2
3
Plug in your wall-pack power supply, connect
it to the track, and switch on the remote.
Move ‘em out!
Use your remote to run your train. You can adjust the speed
in forward or reverse, blow the horn, sound the bell, or trigger an
announcement. Refer to page 13 for complete details.
1
4Unplug the wall-pack power supply when you are done running
your trains.
Switch off your remote control to conserve the batteries.

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Operating your train set
Operating the sounds with your LionChief remote control
The HORN and BELL buttons trigger standard diesel horn and bell sounds while the diesel back- ground sounds are playing.
To change to “alien sound” mode, press the middle sound button. The alien background sounds
play continuously, and the HORN and BELL buttons trigger special alien sound effects. To go back to
normal diesel sounds, simply press the center button again.
Coupling
When coupling your cars, at least one of the mating couplers must be open as shown at the left in Figure 5. Press down on the lock release to open the coupler, then push the cars toward
each other until they lock together.
Keep in mind that it’s easier to couple cars on a straight section of track.
Lock release
Figure 5. Coupler operation
Note!

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Operating your train set
Silencing the sounds
To silence the background sounds, slide the SOUND switch to the OFF position inside the cab. See Figure 6. Turn off track power for about two seconds, and then the background sound will
be silenced when the track power is restored. The horn, alien sounds, and bell sounds can still be
triggered at any time using the remote. To restore the background sounds, simply slide the SOUNDS
switch to the ON position and then turn off track power for two or more seconds.
Always turn off track power for about two seconds after you slide the switch. The
background sounds will be reset according to the new switch position when the
track power is switched on again.
Note!
OFF
ON
SOUND
Figure 6. Switch locations
SOUND On/Off switch
Rear
Front

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Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive
H
elp your diesel 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, contact
rollers, or your track.
You’ll know your locomotive requires lubrication when visual inspection reveals dryness on the
parts indicated in Figure 8. Remove accumulated dirt and dust before lubricating, and always lubri-
cate any locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
Figure 7. Lubricating points
OFF
ON
SOUND
Lubricate gears with
Lionel grease
sparingly
Lubricate gears with
Lionel grease
sparingly
Lubricate with Lionel oil
sparingly
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Location of the body
screws on the under-
side of the frame.
Location of the body
screws on the underside
of the frame.
REAR

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Maintaining and servicing your set
Replacing your locomotive’s traction tire
Your locomotive is equipped with two traction tires. These rubber tires increase the tractive effort of your locomotive, allowing it to pull more cars at once. During the course of normal
operations, the traction tires may become worn out. Because you must remove the trucks and the
side frames to access the wheels, we recommend that you have the traction tires replaced by your
Factory Trained Authorized Lionel Service Center. Should you ever need additional traction tires
(Lionel part no. 6000222108) for servicing your locomotive, you can locate your nearest Service
Station at www.lionel.com in the Customer Services section.

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Maintaining and servicing your set
Your locomotive is illuminated by one 18-volt lamp, located in the cab, and two 18-volt lamps, which illuminate the front and rear headlights. During the course of normal
operations, these lamps may require replacement. Replacement lamps are available from your
authorized Lionel Service Center or Lionel Service. For more information, see the Lionel Service
section on the back page.
Replacing the head lamps (part no. 8185015009) is more difficult, and we recommend having
them serviced by an authorized Lionel Service Station. You can locate your nearest Factory Trained
Authorized Service Station at www.lionel.com in the Customer Services section.
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps

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Maintaining and servicing your set
Securing the Mercury Capsules
As illustrated in Figure 8, each elastic band is looped around four tabs on the sides of the car. A wire bar is used to secure the elastic band at the nose of the capsules. Follow these steps to secure
the Mercury Capsules to the car.
1. Place the capsules in the holes.
2. Drop an elastic band over each capsule.
3. Insert the ends of the wire bar into the top of each capsule.
4. Holding the wire bar in position, position one of the elastic bands at the bend in the wire bar,
then loop it around four tabs on the end of the car.
5. Repeat step four, positioning the other elastic band.
Figure 8. Securing the Mercury Capsules
Mercury
Capsules
Elastic Band Elastic Band
Wire Bar

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LionChief Troubleshooting
Problem: The power indicator LED on the terminal track is not illuminated.
Resolution:
If any of the wheels of the train are not properly positioned on the rails, a short circuit will occur and
the circuit breaker inside the transformer will prevent power from being applied to the track until that
short circuit is removed.
Remove the locomotive and all cars from the track. With no trains on the track check to see if the LED
is illuminated. If it is not illuminated, disconnect the track one piece at a time until the LED comes
on. If the problem is a section of track, the LED will illuminate when that section of track is removed
from the layout.
Now disconnect the barrel jack from the terminal section and place only one car on the track once
the car is on the track reconnect the barrel jack into the terminal section. The LED should be illu-
minated. If it does illuminate, disconnect it again and place another car on the track. Repeat this
process until the entire train, including the locomotive, is on the track.
Problem: One or more of the illuminated cars will not light.
Resolution:
The lamps in your trains are designed for easy replacement in the event they burn out over time. It is
possible that a lamp can become disconnected in transit; as such we suggest you first check the lamp
in its socket to ensure it is seated properly.
The lamps inside the cars and locomotive get their power from the rails. There are two wires con-
nected to the trucks on each illuminated car. One wire connects to the center rail collector (roller),
and one wire attaches to a contact for the axles that ride on the outside rails. Because the trucks are
able to pivot back and forth, it is possible that one or both of these wires may become disconnected
from these contacts and short out when they touch one another. The wires can be reconnected by hav-
ing an adult solder them to their contacts. You may want to take the item to a local Factory Trained
Authorized Lionel Service Station for this repair.
Problem: The train cars will not stay coupled to one another.
Resolution:
The couplers on each car come equipped with an uncoupling plunger, which allows you to uncouple
the cars using an Uncoupling Section. These plungers have a pin which holds the knuckle closed,
sometimes the plunger will need to be bent upwards slightly to ensure the pin holds the knuckle shut.
Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to bend the plunger upwards slightly. This operation is shown in the
illustration on page 209.

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Problem: The LionChief Remote will not control the locomotive.
Resolution:
First, ensure the remote you are using to control the locomotive is the proper one, mated to that loco-
motive. Reference the road name and road number printed on the remote with the road name and
road number of the locomotive you are trying to control. Second, ensure you have installed three new
Alkaline AAA batteries into the remote and the on/off switch is set to the “on” position.
The red LED at the top of the remote should be on steady when the speed dial is in the top dead center
position.
The LED will begin to blink when the throttle knob is turned in either direction, slowly to quickly,
mimicking the speed you set for the locomotive. The sounds in the locomotive should be on when
you are attempting to make the train go. If your locomotive will not move, you will need to take both
the wireless LionChief remote and the locomotive to a local Factory Trained Authorized Lionel Service
Station or contact Lionel Customer Service for further assistance.
LionChief Troubleshooting (continued)