Lionel Midwest FreightReady-to-Run Set User manual

73-1984-250
5/04
Midwest Freight
Ready-to-Run Set
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRICTOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT YEARS OF AGE. AS WITH
ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING
HANDLINGAND USETO REDUCETHE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT:120VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT:20V; 54VA

Bright
headlight
Operating
couplers
Opening boxcar
doors Diesel horn
Forward-Neutral-Reverse
operation
Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Midwest Freight Train Set! This set features everything you need to get started—a powerful 40-watt Transformer, a huge 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!
Midwest Freight Train Set Features
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™
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.

Midwest Freight Train Set Inventory
• RS-3 diesel locomotive
• Boxcar
• Tank Car
• Caboose
• 40-Watt Transformer
• Three straight FasTrack track
sections
• One straight FasTrack terminal track section
• Eight curved FasTrack track
sections
• Owner’s Manual
• Service Center list
• Lionel RailRoader Club flyer
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Table of contents
Creating your layout
Operating your Transformer safely 4
Building your Lionel layout 5
Joining the FasTrack track sections 5
Wiring your Transformer 6
Running your train
Running your train set 7
Coupling 8
Transformer functions 9
Horn operation 10
Reverse unit procedure 11
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your RS-3 locomotive 12
Tire-Traction 13
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps 14
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 15
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 16

Operating your Transformer safely
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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
electronic components can result.
Creating your layout

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, 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
5
Rail tab

6
Creating your layout
Wiring 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. Be sure that the blades are touching the metal post.
Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
3. Loosen the black thumbscrew terminal, then slide the black spade-shaped
connector into position. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection. The
thumbscrew post should be positioned between the “blades” of the spade connector. Be sure
that the blades are touching the metal post.
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!
Figure 3. Controller connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector

7
Running your trains
Running your train set
With track power off, place your train set on the track.
Refer to page 8 for information on coupling your cars.
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2
3
3
Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Your locomotive is designed to operate on 10-16 volts alternating
current. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transform-
ers are suitable.
Do not power your locomotive with direct current (DC) transformers.
Damage to sensitive electronic components may occur.
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 turn the throttle to
the OFF position and then increase power again. Refer to Figure 5 on page 9 for the
location of these controls. 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
Caution!

8
Running your train
Coupling
When coupling your cars, at least one of the mating couplers must be open as shown at the left in Figure 4. 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 stretch of track.
Lock release
Figure 4. Coupler operation
Note!

Running your train
9
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 further 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

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Running your train
Horn operation
The engine’s horn is activated by the HORN button on your transformer. The horn will sound as long as the button is depressed. See Figure 5 on page 9 for the location of the
HORN button.
If the horn doesn’t sound, reverse track wires at the Transformer. Please make sure that the
horn switch located on the underside of the frame is switched to the ON position. See Figure 6
on page 11.
Dirt and grease may accumulate on the track, wheels, and rollers. The horn may sound
intermittently as a result of this build-up. Cleaning the wheels and track should eliminate this
problem. We suggest using the Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance Kit (6-62927), available
at your authorized Lionel Dealer.