Lionel Nickel Plate Road Super Freight User manual

73-1962-250
2/04
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:18V; 80VA
Nickel Plate Road
Super Freight
Ready-to-Run Train Set
Owner’s Manual
featuring

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Nickel Plate Road Super Freight Train Set with the RailSounds sound system! This set features everything you need to get started—a
mighty CW-80 Transformer, a huge loop of FasTrack track, a string of detailed cars, and a powerful
Lionel locomotive. Plus, you get the authentic locomotive sounds of the RailSounds sound system.
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 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.

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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!
Nickel Plate Road Super Freight Train Set Features
Bright
headlight
Operating
couplers
Opening
boxcar doors
Puffing
smoke
RailSounds
sound system
Lighted
caboose
interior
Forward-Neutral-Reverse
operation
Congratulations!

Congratulations!
4
Nickel Plate Road Super Freight Train Set Inventory
• 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive and tender with RailSounds
• Boxcar
• Tank car
• Flatcar with trailer
• Caboose with a replacement lamp
• CW-80 Transformer with accessory wire
• Three straight FasTrack track sections
• Eight curved FasTrack track sections
• One straight FasTrack terminal track section
• Owner’s Manual
• Service Center list
• Instruction video
• Catalog
• Lionel RailRoader Club flyer
• Smoke fluid and replacement traction tires

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Table of contents
Creating your layout
Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely 6
Building your Lionel layout 7
Joining the FasTrack track sections 7
Wiring your CW-80 Transformer 8-9
Running your train
Running your train set 10
Adding smoke fluid to the locomotive’s smoke generator 11
Coupling 12
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer 13-14
Reverse unit procedure 15
RailSounds sound system operations
Your Locomotive’s RailSounds sound system—the basics 16
Experiencing the range of your locomotive’s RailSounds sound system 17
Notes on the RailSounds sound system 17
TowerCom announcements 18
CrewTalk communication 18
Train brakes 18
Wheel flange squeal 18
CW-80 Transformer operation
Powering your layout with the CW-80 Transformer 19
Setting the accessory output 20
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive 21
Replacing your locomotive’s traction tires 22
Replacing your locomotive’s lamp 22
Replacing the caboose’s interior lamp 23
Replacing the caboose’s rear light 24
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 25
Troubleshooting 26
Notes 27
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 28

Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely
6
Your Lionel CW-80 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 CW-80 Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water is
present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose.
• The CW-80 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 CW-80 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 CW-80 Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories
or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• Always unplug the CW-80 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

7
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!
Figure 1. Track layout ideas
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
Creating your layout

Wiring your CW-80 Transformer
8
Connect your FasTrack terminal section to the CW-80 Transformer. Use 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 3 on page 9.
2. Loosen the red TRACK 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 TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the black
spade-shaped connector into position. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the
connection.
4. If you need to power an accessory (available separately at your
authorized Lionel dealer), connect the accessory to the ACCESSORY
thumbscrew terminals. Use the accessory wire included with the CW-80 Transformer.
5. Plug the CW-80 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 CW-80 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. Follow these guidelines:
• Track 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!
Creating your layout

9
Creating your layout
Wiring your CW-80 Transformer (continued)
U120/60z
0~18VAC
AB
U
0~18VAC

TRACK ACCESSORY
Figure 3. Controller connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector

10
Running your train set
With track power off, place your train set on the track.
Refer to page 12 to couple the cars.
33
3
3
2
2
4
4
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 to forward, 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
Connect the drawbar between the locomotive and tender.
See Figure 4.
If the smoke unit switch on the locomotive and caboose are in the ON
position, add smoke fluid to the stacks to prevent damage to the smoke
units. Refer to page 11 for additional information.
Figure 4. Drawbar connection
Caution!
Note!
Running your train