Lionel Mervyn's Bring Home the Holidays User manual

73-1965-250
8/03
Ready-to-Run T
Ready-to-Run Tr rain Set ain Set
Owner’
Owner’s Manual s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRIC
CAUTION—ELECTRIC T TO OY Y
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT YEARS OF AGE. AS WITH
ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING
HANDLING AND USE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 20 V; 54 VA

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Bring Home the Holidays Train Set! This set features everything you need to get started—a 40-watt transformer, a loop of easy-
to-assemble FasTrack track, a string of detailed cars, and a powerful Lionel 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 addition-
al FasTrack 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!
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®
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.
Bring Home the Holidays Train Set Features
Bright
headlight
Operating
couplers
Opening boxcar
doors
Removable tree
and presents
Forward-Neutral-Reverse
operation

Bring Home the Holidays Train Set Inventory
•ALCo F-A locomotive
•Boxcar
•Gondola with tree and
ten presents
•Square window caboose
•40-watt transformer
•One straight FasTrack track
section
•Eight curved FasTrack track
sections
•One straight FasTrack terminal
track section
•Owner’s Manual
•Service Center list
•Catalog
•Lionel RailRoader Club flyer
3
Table of contents
Track layout
Building your Lionel layout 4
Joining the FasTrack track sections 4
Controller operations
Operating your Transformer safely 5
Connecting your Transformer 6
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 7
Transformer and short circuits 8
Train operation
Running your train set 9
Transformer functions 10
Reverse unit procedure 11
Horn operation 12
Tire-Traction 12
Coupling 12
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive 13
Replacing your locomotive’s headlamp 14
Notes 15
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 16

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 get good electrical contact. 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.
3. Press the sections together until the interlocking roadbed snaps into
place.
Figure 2. Joining the track sections
Building your Lionel layout
Your set comes with eight curved, one straight, and one terminal section of track. Figure 1 provides some examples of layouts that you can build with these track sections.
By adding more FasTrack track sections, you can create an endless number of exciting
track arrangements for more fun, action, and variety. The railroad empire of your dreams can
quickly become a reality!
Track layout
Figure 1. Track layout ideas
4
Rail tab

5
Controller operations
Operating your Transformer safely
Your Lionel 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 Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water is present.
Serious or fatal injuries may result.
•Use the Transformer only for its intended purpose.
•The Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Do not connect this
product to any other power supply.
•Do not operate the 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 Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or
stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
•Always unplug the Transformer from the power source when not in use.
•Never insert objects into the ventilation slots on this product. Damage to sensitive electron-
ic components can result.

Note!
6
Connecting your Transformer
When connecting your transformer, make sure that all power 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.
1. Feed the wires through the notch in the FasTrack terminal section. Refer to
Figure 3.
2. Loosen the orange thumbscrew terminal, then slide the red spade-shaped
connector into position. The thumbscrew post should be positioned between the
“blades” of the spade connector. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
Be sure that the “blades” of the spade connector are in contact with the thumbscrew
post. You may choose to insert one of the blades into the hole in the post to improve
the electrical contact.
3. Loosen the black thumbscrew terminal, then slide the black spade-shaped
connector into position. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
4. Plug the Transformer into the back of the Controller.
5. Plug the Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
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.
•Use 24-gauge wire only when connecting single accessories that require lower
current.
•When wiring multiple accessories (two or more) or accessories that require
higher current, be sure to use 18- to 16-gauge wire.
Caution!
U
120/60z
0~18VAC
AB
U
0~18VAC 
TRACK ACCESSORY
Figure 3. Controller connections
Controller operations
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector

7
Controller operations
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two
transformers
As you expand your layout, you may decide to create two isolated blocks of track. Trains in each block
are controlled by separate transformers.
Before you operate your trains on this type of layout,
be sure that your transformers are in phase. Operating
your trains on a layout with two transformers that are
out of phase may cause damage to the locomotive’s sen-
sitive electronic components.
To be certain that your transformers are in phase, use
a small 18-volt lamp with leads (available at your local
electronics supply store) to perform a quick test. Refer to
Figure 4.
1. Attach one lamp wire to the center rail in one block.
2. Attach the second lamp wire to the center rail in the other block.
3. Power up both blocks of track. Both transformers should be set to full power.
4. See if the lamp illuminates.
If the lamp illuminates brightly, your transformers are not in phase. Do not operate your
trains on the layout until you change the wiring. If the lamp does not illuminate, your trans-
formers are in phase and should not cause problems.
To bring your transformers into phase, simply swap the track wires at the Red/A and
Black/U terminals on one of the transformers. If you are using an older transformer that
lacks a polarized plug, you may reverse the plug at the outlet so that the prongs are inserted
into the opposite openings. Repeat the procedure described above, and you should find that
the lamp does not illuminate.
This will also reverse the operation of the BELL and WHISTLE buttons on the
transformer with the switched wires.
Figure 4. Testing for proper phasing
Note!

Controller operations
8
Your Lionel power pack is listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and has been carefully designed and tested to ensure peak performance. The Transformer is equipped with a
built-in electronic circuit breaker that alternately cuts off and restores the flow of power to the
track whenever a short circuit exists—for example, when the train derails. The circuit break-
er’s action continues until the cause of the short circuit is eliminated. This circuit breaker is
incorporated into the Transformer to protect it from possible damage. It will not protect the
locomotive or electrically operated accessories, so it’s important to eliminate short circuits as
soon as possible.
The power pack must be unplugged from the wall socket when a short circuit is
noticed, and the short circuit must be corrected.
A short circuit is caused by a direct connection between the center rail and one of the out-
side rails or by a direct connection between bare wires. The axles of a derailed car or locomo-
tive are the most frequent cause of short circuits, so make sure that all wheels are properly set
on the rails. Some other causes of short circuits might be staples, nails, paper clips, or other
metallic objects lying across the rails, or two bare wires touching each other.
If too many cars or accessories are used, your Transformer will exceed its power limit and
begin to cycle on and off. To correct this problem, cars or accessories must be removed before
normal operation can resume. For more power, see the line of Lionel high-output transform-
ers at your authorized Lionel Dealer.
The same condition can occur if the power is turned up too quickly. This also could cause
your train to move too fast and derail.
After your power pack has been operating for a while, you will find it warm to the touch. It
is the nature of all electrical power equipment to become warm when in use. If your power
pack is loaded to capacity, it is a good idea to let it cool down after an hour or two of continu-
ous use. Unplug the power pack from the wall when the Transformer is not in use.
Transformer and short circuits
Note!
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!

9
Train operation
Running your train set
With track power off, place your train set on the track.
Refer to page 12 for information on coupling the cars.
33
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2
3
3
Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Your locomotive is designed to operate on 7-15 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transformers
are suitable.
Do not power your locomotive with direct current (DC) transformers.
The locomotive was designed for use with alternating current (AC)
transformers only.
Move ‘em out!
Get your locomotive moving. Your locomotive goes through a repeating pattern
of operations: forward, neutral, reverse, neutral, and so on. To sequence the reverse
unit, press the DIRECTION button on your transformer, or briefly bring the throttle
all the way back to the OFF position and then forward. Each press of the DIRECTION
button or interruption in track power causes the locomotive to advance to the next
operational state.
Adjust track voltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.
1
1
Note!

10
Train operation
Transformer functions
As you turn the throttle control knob to the right, power to the track is increased. Figure 5 illustrates the throttle control knob settings. When the indicator reaches the green band,
there should be sufficient power to operate the locomotive. The farther into the green area the
knob is turned, the faster your train will go. Remember that the greater the load on the engine
(adding more cars for the engine to pull, for example), the farther into the green area the
knob must be turned before it will operate the locomotive.
The yellow band indicates the average power range that the train will be operating in. The
red band represents maximum power output.
FULLFULL
SPEEDSPEED
OFFOFF
R
FULL
SPEED
OFF
FULL
SPEED
OFF
Press the HORN button to
produce a realistic diesel
horn sound.
Press the DIRECTION button
to go forward or reverse, or to
place the locomotive in neu-
tral (no movement, headlight
is on).
Turn the throttle control knob
to the right for more power.
The LED indicator
shows when your
controller is ON.
Green band
Yellow band
Red band
A slight increase in speed
during horn operation is
normal.
Figure 5. Transformer operation