Lionel FT AA Diesel Locomotives User manual

78-2293-250
7/15
FT AA
Diesel Locomotives
Owner’s Manual
FT AA
Diesel Locomotives
Owner’s Manual

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Congratulations!
Locomotive Features:
• Electric locomotive with user-selected operational modes: Conventional AC transformer control
mode or LionChief wireless remote control with AC or DC power
• Non-Powered diesel locomotive
• Front ElectroCoupler on both units (compatible with LionChief Plus remote only)
• Operating headlights
• Fan-driven smoke
• RailSounds RC sound system (Powered A unit only) with diesel revving and background
sounds, horn, bell, and user-activated announcements
• On/off switches for smoke and background diesel sounds (Powered A unit only)
• Lighted cab interior
• Powerful maintenance-free motors (Powered A unit only)
• Die-cast metal trucks, pilots and fuel tank
• Metal frame
• Traction tires
• Constant speed control
Remote Features:
• Forward and reverse speed control knob
• Buttons for horn sound, bell, and special freight crew announcements
• Requires three AAA alkaline batteries (not included)
• Allows activation of the ElectroCouplers
Congratulations on your purchase of these LionChief Plus FT AA Diesel locomotives! Equipped with the RailSounds RC sound system and two electrocouplers, these LionChief Plus locomotives
can be operated with the LionChief remote or the controls on a standard three-rail AC transformer.
This set features both powered and non-powered units equipped with smoke. You may also purchase
separate powered FT B-Units to expand your set and apply more power. Connect as many units as you
wish (A-B-A, A-B-B-A, etc), power them up, and move ‘em on out!
The following Lionel marks are used throughout this Owner’s Manual and are protected under
law. All rights reserved.
Lionel®, LionChief™, LionChief Plus™, 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™, SensorTrack™, Plug-n-Play™

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Table of contents
LionChief Plus system features
Locomotive Control 4
Smoke 4
LionChief RC sound system 4
ElectroCouplers 5
Switch locations 5
The LionChief Plus remote
Installing AAA batteries into the remote control 6
Operating your locomotive set with your LionChief remote 7
Remote operations
Running your locomotive set with the LionChief remote 8
Operating the ElectroCouplers with the LionChief remote 9
Operating multiple LionChief Plus locomotives 9
Triggering sounds and announcements with the LionChief remote 10
Transformer operations
Running your locomotive set with your transformer 11
Triggering sounds and announcements with your transformer 12
Locomotive operation and maintenance
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotives’ smoke units 13
Adjusting the volume using the LionChief remote 14
Lubricating your locomotives 15
Servicing your locomotives’ LEDs 16
Replacing the traction tires 16
FCC statement 17
Troubleshooting 18-19
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service 20

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Locomotive control
You may choose to control your LionChief Plus locomotives with the included LionChief remote (using a transformer or power supply capable of supplying a constant 18 VAC or 18 VDC to the
track) or using a conventional three-rail AC transformer with a throttle and whistle/horn and bell
button. Use the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE control switch to select between LionChief remote opera-
tion or conventional three-rail AC transformer operation.
If you choose to run your locomotives in LionChief mode, slide the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE
switch to the REMOTE position. Your powered locomotive runs on fixed 18 VAC or 18 VDC voltage,
which is optimal for the sound system and smoke system. The locomotive listens to commands from
its LionChief remote at a specific frequency to increase or decrease speed, change directions, trigger
sounds, or operate the ElectroCouplers. That’s why the locomotive and remote must be operated as a
matched pair.
If you choose to run your LionChief locomotives with a transformer, slide the TRANSFORMER/
REMOTE switch to TRANSFORMER position with the track power off. The powered locomotive
responds to the transformer’s throttle, direction, horn, and bell buttons.
Smoke
Both locomotives feature operating smoke units that produce safe, clean, white smoke. Always keep a small amount of smoke fluid in each smoke unit when you are running your locomo-
tive set with the SMOKE switches in the ON position. Slide the SMOKE switches to the OFF position if
you do not want to operate the locomotives with smoke. We recommend using only Lionel Premium
Smoke Fluid (6-37841, available from your authorized Lionel dealer).
LionChief RC sound system
Your powered locomotive features a wide range of sounds to make operation even more realistic and interactive! The diesel revving sounds are synchronized with the speed of the locomotive. You
may choose to turn the diesel sounds off by sliding the RPM/SOUND switch to the OFF position. See
page 5 for switch locations.
LionChief Plus system features

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LionChief Plus system features
ElectroCouplers
The ElectroCouplers can only be activated when the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE switches are in the REMOTE position. For more information on activating the ElectroCouplers, see page 9.
Note that in Transformer mode, you should open the coupler on the car when coupling to your
train as you will not have remote control of each locomotive’s ElectroCoupler. Press the bell button
twice to operate the powered unit’s front coupler. Press the horn button twice to operate the non-
powered unit’s front coupler.
Switch locations
Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the switches on the underside of the locomotive’s cab.
RPM/SND switch: Turns background sounds on and off. Horn, bell, and announcement are not
affected.
TRANSFORMER/REMOTE switch: Toggles between remote control mode and transformer con-
trol mode.
SMOKE switch: Turns the smoke unit on and off.
Figure 1. Switch locations
REAR REAR
FRONT
RPM/SND
OFF ON
TRANSFORMER/
REMOTE
TRANSFORMER/
REMOTE
SMOKE
OFF ON
SMOKE
OFF ON
FRONT
Powered Unit Non-Powered Unit

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The LionChief Plus remote
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 the battery compartment (as shown in Figure 2). Insert three AAA alkaline batteries
orienting the +/- as shown in the bottom of the battery compartment. Replace the battery door and
tighten the Philips head screw. Be careful to avoid overtightening the screw.
Use only Alkaline AAA batteries. Use only new batteries. Never mix new and used
batteries or use different types together.
Figure 2. Opening and closing the battery compartment
When you are not operating the train, move the On/Off switch to the
Off position to conserve the battery life.
Important!
Important!
Remove screw and remove
battery compartment hatch
REMOVE ALL BATTERIES WHEN THE TRAIN WILL NOT BE USED FOR AN
EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. LIONEL'S LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT
COVER DAMAGE TO YOUR REMOTE CAUSED FROM LEAKING BATTERIES.
Important!

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The LionChief Plus remote
Operating your locomotive set with your LionChief remote
ON/OFF SWITCH
To conserve your batteries,
move 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
locomotive'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 bell. Press
two times within
ONE second to
trigger the
front ElectroCoupler
on the powered unit.
HORN
The HORN button will activate
your locomotive’s horn. Press two
times within ONE second to
trigger the rear ElectroCoupler on the
powered unit.
COUPLER
The COUPLER button will activate
your locomotive’s couplers. Press
two times within ONE second to trigger
the front ElectroCoupler on the non-
powered unit.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Press the center button for a variety of
announcements. See page 10 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 posi-
tion.

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Running your locomotive set with the LionChief remote
Slide the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE switches to the REMOTE position.
Refer to Figure 1 on page 5 for the location of these switches.
With track power turned off, place your locomotives on the track.
Power up the track to 18 volts (AC or DC) and move the remote power
switch to ON. When the locomotives are powered up, the powered unit will beep
until it syncs with the remote. When the locomotive is synced up with the remote, the
locomotive start-up sounds will begin to play.
If both smoke units switches are in the ON position, add smoke fluid to
the stacks to prevent damage to the smoke units. Refer to page 13 for
additional information.
When in remote mode and powered up on the track, the pow-
ered locomotive will continue to beep until it is synced up with
its remote. If the locomotive beeps during operation, be sure
that fresh batteries are installed properly in the remote and
the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE switch is in the REMOTE position.
Move ‘em out! Use your remote to run your train. You can adjust the speed in for-
ward or reverse, blow the whistle, sound the bell, or trigger an announcement. Refer to
page 14 for complete details.
Turn off the power supply when you are done running your trains.
Switch off your remote control to conserve the batteries.
Remote operations
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4
1
5
2
Caution!
Note!

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Remote operations
Operating the ElectroCouplers with the LionChief remote
In LionChief remote mode, press the HORN/ElectroCoupler button two times within one second to open the non-powered unit’s ElectroCoupler. Press the BELL/ElectroCoupler button two times within
one second to open the powered unit’s ElectroCoupler. The buttons must be pressed quickly and then
released in the period of one second to activate the ElectroCouplers.
Keep in mind that it’s easier to couple cars on a straight stretch of track.
Note!
Operating multiple LionChief Plus locomotives
You may choose to operate more than one LionChief Plus locomotive at the same time—includ- ing locomotives of the same type (e.g., two FT AAs with different road names and/or road num-
bers). Each locomotive is paired with a unique remote. A locomotive will only respond to commands
from its corresponding remote.
If you attempt to operate two of the exact same locomotives (same type, roadname, and Lionel part
number), then one remote will control both locomotives simultaneously. If you purchase a separate
B-Unit with the same roadname, the remote will control it as well.

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Remote operations
When the locomotive is… The announcement states…
Sitting still less than 30 seconds “Stand by” announcement #1
Response #1
“Stand by” announcement #2
Response #2
Sitting still longer than 30 seconds “Cleared out bound” announcement
Response
Running less than 30 seconds “Departed” announcement #1
Response #1
“Departed” announcement #2
Response #2
Running more than 30 seconds “All clear ahead” announcement
Response
Triggering sounds and announcements with the LionChief remote
Press the announcement on the LionChief remote to trigger the corresponding sounds. In addi- tion, your powered locomotive plays a variety of announcements that are designed to match the
way you operate the locomotive set. You can trigger an announcement that corresponds to each part
of the journey. See page 14 to silence the sounds or adjust the volume level.
Note that the dialog is different between locomotive types (e.g., between GP7s and FT AAs.) As
such, the actual announcements are not listed out in the table above.