Lionel F3ABA User manual

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Lionel powered and
non-powered F3ABA
diesel locomotive set
Owner’s Manual
®
featuring and
73-8188-250
03/00
LIONEL

Congratulations!
2
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running your F3 set with a Lionel transformer 3
Using your F3’s ElectroCouplers 4
A note on Magne-Traction 4
Your F3’s Railsounds system—the basics 5
Experiencing the range of your F3’s Railsounds system 6
Notes on Railsounds 6
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button 7
TrainMaster Command operations
The Command control environment 8
Running your F3 in the TrainMaster Command environment 9
CAB-1 commands for your F3 9
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your F3 10
Tuning your F3’s performance 11
Assigning your powered and non-powered F3A units a new ID# 12
Maintaining and servicing your powered and non-powered F3ABA set
Replacing your F3A unit’s lamps 13
Lubricating your F3ABA set 14
Lubricating your F3’s Pullmor motor armatures 15
Lionel Service 16
You own one of the most sophisticated
model trains ever built—the Lionel
TrainMaster Command-equipped F3 diesel
locomotive set. From the crisp detail and
expert decoration on the outside to the
advanced technology and brute power under
the hood, the Lionel F3 set is ready for duty
on your model railroad. Experience the
superiority of today’s Lionel.
• Two powerful Lionel Pullmor®motors
(in powered unit)
• Lionel Command™ reverse unit for
use with the Lionel TrainMaster®
Command™ model railroad control
system
• Railsounds™ diesel sound system—
digital samples from a real Electro-
Motive Division F3 (in non-powered
A unit)
• Magne-Traction®(in powered unit)
• Die-cast Electrocouplers™
(cab ends only)
• F3B Unit (non-powered)
• Directional headlights and
illuminated interiors
• CrewTalk™ and Two Part
TowerCom™ (in command mode)

Transformer operations
3
Running your Lionel F3 set with a Lionel transformer
Place your F3 set on Lionel or Lionel-compatible
O gauge track.
• Note the pull of Magne-Traction between your powered F3A and the steel
track. Magnetized wheels and axles increase your pulling power (more than 25
cars on straight and level track) and keep your F3 set on track while passing
swiftly through curves.
Power up your F3 set with your transformer.
Note!
Move ‘em out!
•Get your F3 set moving. Press the DIR button on your CAB-1 remote or
Lionel transformer. This sequences the Lionel Command reverse unit (R2LC) to
the next operating state. The R2LC alternates between three states: forward, neu-
tral, and reverse.
•Adjust track voltage until your F3 set moves at your desired speed. To
increase speed, increase track voltage. To decrease speed, reduce voltage. To stop
the locomotive set, cut track power.
•To select a single operating state (example: forward only), you can deacti-
vate the R2LC’s sequencing function. Get your F3 set moving in the desired direc-
tion, then slide the reverse unit control switch on the powered F3A’s underside to
PROGRAM/LOCK. See page 12 for the switch location and positioning.
1
1
•Your F3 set is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transform-
ers are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster Command model railroad con-
trol system.
•Do not power your F3 set with direct current (DC). Damage to sensitive
electronic components may occur.
•When you first power up your track, the F3 set will wait between 3
and 8 seconds as it “listens” for digital language from the TrainMaster
Command Base (available separately). When it’s determined that it’s on a con-
ventional (nonCommand) railroad, the powered F3A’s headlight and cab light
will illuminate and the non powered F3A’s RailSounds will fire up. At this point,
the F3ABA set is in neutral. (This occurs when placing the F3ABAs on your rail-
road for the first time. Thereafter, they start in forward after every three-second
power interrupt.)
2
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3
3

Transformer operations
4
To use your powered and non-powered F3A Electrocouplers in the non-
Command environment, you must first cou-
ple a piece of rolling stock equipped with
Lionel magnetic couplers directly to your
powered and non-powered F3A units. The
magnetic coupler on the rolling stock will
then react to the magnetic field generated by
a Lionel remote-control track section
(available separately). Place your rolling
stock’s coupler “trigger disc” over the cen-
tral coil of a remote-control track section
and press uncouple on the controller. The
magnetic field pulls the disc downward, and
the coupler opens.
A note on Magne-Traction
Your powered F3A is equipped with Lionel Magne-Traction, magnetized wheelsets
and axles that help increase tractive effort
during operation. Because the wheelsets are
magnetized, take care to prevent small
metallic objects from attaching to the wheel
sets and working their way into the F3’s
motor assembly. They can damage your
locomotive.
Your non-powered A unit also has a mag-
net on the rear truck to trigger the
RailSounds. Care should also be taken to
prevent small objects from attaching to this
magnet and possibly causing damage to
sensitive electronic components.
Magne-Traction is not effective
on nonferrous track.
Note!
Using your powered and non-powered F3A ElectroCouplers in the
non-Command environment
Your powered and non-powered F3A
Electrocouplers will NOT open man-
ually or by using a remote-control
track section
Note!
Remote
control track
section
Using your powered and non-powered F3A ElectroCouplers in the
TrainMaster Command environment
The front of your Lionel powered and non-powered F3A units are each
equipped with an Electrocoupler™ that
responds to either the COUPLER F
(front) or COUPLER 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 F3A units
Your powered and non-powered F3A ElectroCouplers are NOT designed to be opened
manually.
Note!

Transformer operations
5
Your F3’s Railsounds system—the basics
Lionel Railsounds is the most realistic model railroad sound system in the
world. Your F3 features digital samples from
an authentic F3 for the ultimate in realism.
Begin by
installing a 9-volt
alkaline battery in
the non-powered
F3A unit. This
ensures interrup-
tion free operation
of Rail-Sounds.
Remove the front
screw on the
underside of the
frame and lift the
body up slightly,
pulling it forward
to release the two
rear clips from the
frame slots. (see
page 13) Connect
the 9-volt battery to the battery clip on the
circuit board. Replace the body and reinsert
the screw.
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 F3’s Railsounds
system delivers an authentic start-up
sequence, followed by sounds of the locomo-
tive at idle. As the F3’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 unaf-
fected), slide the
RailSounds switch
to its SIG (signal)
position before
powering up the
locomotive. See
page 12 for the
non-powered F3A
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
F3A unit. Remove the body, and connect the battery to
the circuit board. Then reinstall the body on the frame.
Note!
Note!
Note!

Transformer operations
6
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 F3’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 F3 set in neutral
and increase track voltage to maximum.
RPMs will continue to increase as long
as the F3 remains in neutral, eventually
reaching their highest level. Now,
decrease track voltage to the desired
speed level. 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 con-
trollable RPMs—it’s a blast!
• Reverse unit reset sound. Power
down your track, wait for 3-5 seconds,
and listen for the air-release sound—
that’s the F3 set telling you its Liontech
Command reverse unit has just reset to
forward operation.
• 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 F3. If
you’re done with operations, Railsounds
will commence with an authentic F3
shutdown sequence about 2 seconds after
the air-release reset occurs.
Experiencing the range of your F3’s Railsounds system
Notes on Railsounds
• Use the non-powered F3A 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
7
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
To operate the bell and horn sounds when operating your F3 set 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.
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
12
12
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
LIONEL
SOUND
ACTIVATION
BUTTON
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
to 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
Customer’s 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
8
The Command control environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command is the advanced model railroad control system
from Lionel. Your powered F3A is equipped
with the Lionel Command R2LC reverse
unit, and your non-powered F3A unit fea-
tures an R2LC for digital Railsounds con-
trol. TrainMaster Command gives you the
power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track, at
the same time.
To operate in Command, you need
a Command Base and a CAB-1
remote. Find them both at your authorized
Lionel retailer.
Place your F3 set on Lionel or Lionel-compatible
O gauge track.
•Make sure track power is OFF before placing them on the track.
•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 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 F3 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 both your powered F3A unit
(equipped with an R2LC) and non-powered F3A unit (equipped with an
R2LC, designed to control Railsounds digital sound systems), see page 12.
Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your F3 set will respond to
your every command. Read on.
1
1
2
2
3
3

Powered F3A unit
front coupler releases.
Coupler release
sounds.
Non-powered F3A
unit rear coupler
releases. Coupler
release sounds.
TrainMaster Command operations
9
Running your F3 in the TrainMaster Command environment
Press AUX2 to turn
your F3’s headlight on
and off.
Activates keypad.
Diesel air-release
sound.
Press HALT to shut down all
Power-Master electrical out-
put on your railroad. Stops
all Command-equipped Lionels in
operation.
Turn the THROTTLE
to the right to accel-
erate, left to deceler-
ate. Engine RPMs will
increase or decrease with
throttle settings.
Your Command-equipped F3 set comes factory-programmed with
an ID# of “1.” (Both R2LCs are ID#1.)
To get your F3 set 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 F3 set 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 F3
Press WSTL/HRN to acti-
vate the F3 horn, release it
to discontinue. MultiHorn
diesel horn sound.
Press DIR—the locomotive
decelerates to a complete
stop; turn the throttle up, and the
locomotive will accelerate in the
new, opposite direction. There is
no neutral state. Diesel air-
release sound.
Press BELL once to activate
the bell, again to discon-
tinue. Diesel mechanical
bell sound.
Press and hold BRAKE to slow
down or stop. Release BRAKE
and return to the previous speed. Engine RPMs
decrease once stopped. RPMs will increase once
brake is released and train begins moving.
Squealing brake sounds.
Press and hold BOOST for
extra power. Release BOOST and
return to the F3’s previous speed.

TrainMaster Command operations
10
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your F3
0Stops and resets the F3’s. Resets the F3’s direction to FORWARD. Resets
Railsounds to automatic RPM operation.
Horn blows. RPMs return to auto-
matic.
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
F3’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 shut-
down sequence. CrewTalk announce-
ment / 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 announce- ment that includes that engine’s road
number and/or name. Your locomotive fea-
tures 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, press-
ing 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 com-
mand between AUX-1 and 7, you will get the
departure announcement. We suggest
BRAKE, since while stationary, this has no
function.
8Turns cab interior lights off. CrewTalk announcement.
9Turns cab interior lights on. CrewTalk announcement.
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). The CAB-1 keypad
overlays included with your F3 are
designed to help you learn the
auxiliary features specific to this
locomotive. Railsounds
sounds in bold italic.
DIESEL ENGINE
RESET
VOLUME
CAB LIGHT
RPM
S
SHUT
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
DOWN
OFF ON
➠
➠
➠
➠
START-UP
AUX1