Lionel Metro-North Railroad 25th Anniversary M-7 Commuter Train... User manual

Metro-North Railroad
25th Anniversary M-7
Commuter Train Set
Owner’s Manual
73-0085-250
9/08
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE. AS WITH ALL ELECTRIC
PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING HANDLING AND USE TO REDUCE
THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. —INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 VAC; 40 VA
“MTA,” “Metro-North Railroad” and associated terms
and images are trademarks of the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority.
Metro-North Railroad
25th Anniversary M-7
Commuter Train Set
Owner’s Manual

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Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run MTA Metro-North Railroad Anniversary M-7 Commuter Train Set! This set features everything you need to get started—a mighty PowerMax
Plus Transformer, a huge loop of easy-to-assemble FasTrack track, a string of detailed commuter
cars, and one powered car.
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, or expand your consist with extra cars! 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
or replaced.
Parents!
FCC Statement
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user authority to operate the equipment.
Notes: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea-
sonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipement off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
• Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
• Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiver
is connected.
• Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.

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Table of contents
Creating your layout
Operating your PowerMax Plus Transformer safely 5
Building your Lionel layout 6
Joining the FasTrack track sections 7
Wiring your PowerMax Plus Transformer 8
Running your train
Connecting the cars 9
Running your train set 10
Experiencing the features of the PowerMax Plus Transformer 11-12
Powering your layout with the PowerMax Plus Transformer 13
Reverse unit procedure 14
Operating the commuter train horn 15
Opening and closing the commuter train set doors 15
Additional features 16
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your powered commuter car 17
Replacing your locomotive’s traction tire 18
Replacing your locomotive’s lamp 18
Troubleshooting 18
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 19
LimitedWarranty/LionelService 20
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®, FatBoy™, American Flyer®,
TrainSounds™, PowerMax™, LEGACY™, PowerMax™Plus, Odyssey II™, LEGACY RailSounds™
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.
“MTA,” “Metro-North Railroad” and associated terms
and images are trademarks of the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority.

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M-7 car features:
•Transformercontrolledforward,neutralandreverseoperation
•Powerfulmaintenance-freemotoronpoweredcar
•Tractiontires
•Electronichornonpoweredcar
•Operatingheadlightsonpoweredcar
•Manuallyopeningdoors
•Illuminatedinteriorsinpoweredandnon-poweredcars
Lionel M-7 Commuter Train Set Includes:
One M-7 Powered car
Three M-7 Non-powered cars
Twelve Signs
Six Figures
One Signage customization kit
One PowerMax Plus Transformer
40 inch (102 cm) x 60 inch (152 cm) oval of FasTrack®
•EightCurvedSections
•ThreeStraightSections
•OnePowerTerminalSection

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Operating your PowerMax Plus Transformer safely
Your Lionel PowerMax Plus 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.
• 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
electronic components can result.
Creating your layout

Building your Lionel layout
Your set comes with eight curved, three 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!
Creating your layout
Figure 1. Track layout ideas
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FasTrack Add-on Track Packs make it easy to expand your railroad. Each Track Pack
includes all the track sections you need to create a more advanced layout using the sections
included with this set. Refer to Figure 2 to explore the possibilities.
Figure 2. Add-on Track Pack layouts
Inner Passing Loop Add-on Track Pack
6-12028
Figure 8 Add-on Track Pack
6-12030
Outer Passing Loop Add-on Track Pack
6-12031
Siding Track Add-on Track Pack
6-12044
Track Packs available separately.

Creating your layout
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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 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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Wiring your PowerMax Plus Transformer
Creating your layout
Connect your FasTrack terminal section to the PowerMax Plus Transformer by using the wires that are already attached to the terminal section. Make sure that all 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 4.
2. Loosen the red TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-
shaped connector on the red wire into position. The thumbscrew post should
be positioned between the “blades” of the spade connector. Be sure that the blades are
touching the metal post. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
3. Loosen the black TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-
shaped connector on the black wire into position. The thumbscrew post should
be positioned between the “blades” of the spade connector. Be sure that the blades are
touching the metal post. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
4. Plug the PowerMax Plus Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
As your layout expands, you may also make power connections with the stripped ends
of wires, placing no more than two wires on each terminal. For best performance on large
layouts, it is recommended that you use 16-gauge wire to connect your PowerMax Plus
Transformer to the track. On larger layouts where several track connections are required,
theuseofseparatejunctions/terminalstrips(availableatyourlocalelectronicsstore)is
recommended to prevent voltage drops.
To prevent the excessive build up of heat, be sure to select the proper wire gauge
for your layout. Track connections must be made with 18-gauge wire or heavier.
Larger layouts require a minimum of 16-gauge wire.
Caution!
U
120/60z
A
0~18VAC
TRACK
Figure 4. Controller connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector

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Connecting the cars
Your M-7 Commuter Set contains two matched pairs of cars. They are designed to be operated in the following order:
1. Place the powered car #4135 in the lead position on the track and connect it to the silver end of
car #4145. Connect the drawbar on one car to the pin on the other car (see Figure 5).
2. Connect the silver end of #4150 to the silver end of #4155.
3. Connect the blue end of the first matched pair to the blue end of the second matched pair.
You now have four cars connected on your track.
Figure 5. Connecting the drawbar on one car to the pin on another car
Running your train

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Running your train
Running your train set
With track power off, place your train set on the track.
See page 9 for connecting cars.
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Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Your powered car is designed to operate on 7-15 volts alternating
current.
Donotpoweryourtrainsetwithadirect-current(DC)transformer.
The powered car was designed for use with an alternating-current (AC)
transformer only.
Move ‘em out!
Get your commuter set moving. Your powered car 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.
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Note!