Lionel North Pole Express User manual

73-0194-250
6/12
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE. AS
WITH ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DUR-
ING HANDLING AND USE TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 V; 40 VA
North Pole Express
Ready-to-Run Train Set
Owner’s Manual
North Pole Express
Ready-to-Run Train Set
Owner’s Manual
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North Pole Express Train Set Inventory
Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel North Pole Express Ready-To-Run Train Set! This set features everything you need to get started—a PowerMax 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 additional 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!
• 0-8-0Locomotive
• Tender
• Christmasmusicboxcar
• Gondolawithtrees
• Caboose
• PowerMaxtransformer
• ThreestraightFasTracktracksections
• EightcurvedFasTracktracksections
• OneFasTrackterminaltracksection
• Smokeuid
• Replacementtractiontire
• LionelInstructionalDVD
• Owner’sManual
The following Lionel marks are used throughout this Owner’s Manual and are protected under
law. All rights reserved.
Lionel®, 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™
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3
Table of contents
Creating your layout
Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely 4
Building your Lionel layout 5
Joining the FasTrack track sections 6
Connecting your PowerMax Transformer 6-7
Running your train
Running your train set 8
Operating your train with the PowerMax Transformer 9
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generator 9
Coupling 10
Operating your Christmas music boxcar 10
Experiencing the features of the PowerMax Transformer 11-12
Reverse unit procedure 13
PowerMax Transformer operation
Powering your layout with the PowerMax Transformer 14
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your locomotive 15
Replacing your locomotive’s traction tire 16
Replacing your locomotive’s headlamp 16
Replacing your caboose's lamp 17
Troubleshooting 18
FCC Statement 19
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service 20
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Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely
4
Your Lionel PowerMax 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fourteen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 condition exists, the
transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
• ThePowerMaxTransformerisintendedtobeusedindoors.Donotusethisdeviceifwaterispres-
ent. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• UsethePowerMaxTransformeronlyforitsintendedpurpose.
• ThePowerMax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PowerMax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. Visit
www.lionel.com for a list of authorized Service Centers.
• DonotoperatethePowerMaxTransformeronyourlayoutunattended.Obstructedaccessoriesor
stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• AlwaysunplugthePowerMax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
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5
Building your Lionel layout
Your set comes with eight curved sections, three 10" straight sections, and one terminal section of track. Figure 1 provides some examples of layouts that you can build with these track sections.
You may choose to add more FasTrack track sections to create an endless number of exciting track
arrangements for more fun, action, and variety.
Creating your layout
Figure 1. Track layout ideas
FasTrack Add-on Track Packs (available separately) 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 sec-
tions 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 are shown in darker shading (available separately).
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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 have 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
Creating your layout
6
Rail tab
Connecting your PowerMax Transformer
Connect your FasTrack terminal section to the PowerMax 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 4 on page 7.
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. Be sure that the blades are touching the metal post. Tighten the thumbscrew to
secure the connection.
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U
120/60z
A
0~18VAC
TRACK
Connecting your PowerMax Transformer (continued)
Creating your layout
4.PlugthePowerMax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 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!
Figure 4. Controller connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector
7
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8
Running your train
Running your train set
With track power off, place your train set on the track.
Refer to page 10 for information on coupling the cars.
3
3
2
4
Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
Yourlocomotiveisdesignedtooperateon7-15voltsalternatingcurrent.
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brieybringthethrottleallthewayback
to the OFF position and then forward, for one to four seconds. When track power is inter-
rupted, the locomotive advances to the next operational state.
Adjusttrackvoltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.
1
Connect the drawbar between the locomotive and tender.
See Figure 5.
If the smoke unit switch is in the ON position, add smoke fluid to your loco-
motive’s stack to prevent damage to the smoke unit. Refer to
page 9 for additional information.
Caution!
Note!
Figure5.Drawbarconnection
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Running your train
9
Operating your train with the PowerMax Transformer
You’re clear for departure! Move the throttle control handle forward to increase power to the track. The farther forward you push the handle, the faster your train will go.
Note! Quickly shutting off or throwing the throttle all the way forward will not result in an
instant change in track voltage.
Remember that the greater the load on the engine (adding more cars for the engine to pull, for
example), the farther forward the handle must be pushed before it will operate the locomotive.
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generator
Y
our locomotive is equipped with a smoke generator that produces safe, clean white smoke dur-
ing operation if the smoke unit switch is in the ON position. Refer to Figure 9 on page 13 for the
location of the switch.
The smoke generator requires the periodic addition of Lionel smoke fluid in order to function.
A small bottle of smoke fluid is included with this set. Press down and unscrew the cap. Pierce the
tip on the nozzle. Add about four drops of fluid directly into the locomotive’s stack. Smoke pro-
duction commences momentarily. It will start faster if you run your locomotive at higher speeds.
When smoke production decreases, add more fluid (about four drops). An idle locomotive will
not smoke.
Smoke production is greater at higher voltages and when the locomotive is pulling a heavy load or
a long consist.
Caution! When the smoke unit switch is in the ON position, always keep a small amount of
smoke fluid in the locomotive’s smoke generator; the generator’s element can become
damaged if operated without smoke fluid. This is particularly true if your locomotive
sits in neutral for an extended period of time without smoke fluid in the generator.
If you prefer to operate the locomotive without smoke or you do not want to add smoke
fluid, slide the smoke unit switch to the OFF position.
Note!
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10
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 6. 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 6. Coupler operation
Note!
Your Musical Boxcar requires one nine-volt alkaline battery. To install the battery (not included), simply pull away the sides of the body and lift it off the frame. Attach the battery
harness to the battery, then slide the battery into the holder. Replace the body onto the frame
To play the Christmas music, throw the switch on the bottom of the car to the ON position.
Operating your Christmas music boxcar
1. Gently pull the sides away from the
body so that the slots on the side of
the boxcar release the frame
2. Attach the connector
located inside the doors
and place the battery in
the holder
To play, slide the switch on
the bottom of the car to the
ON position
Figure 8. Battery installation and switch location
Battery
holder Battery
harness
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