Lionel Ready-to-Run Riding the Rails Hobo Train User manual

73-1953-250
4/03
Lionel
Ready-to-Run
Riding the Rails Hobo Train
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
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: 18 V; 80 VA

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Riding the Rails Hobo
Train! This set features everything you need
to get started—a mighty CW-80
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!
Riding the Rails Hobo Train Features
Bright
headlight
Puffing
smoke
Operating
couplers
Opening
boxcar
doors
Interior
lighting in
caboose
Animated
Chase
Gondola
Powered
Handcar
Operating Hobo
Campfire
Air whistle
Forward-Neutral-Reverse
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™
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.

Riding the Rails Hobo Train Inventory
•4-6-4 Hudson locomotive
•Tender with air whistle
•Boxcar with hobo figure
•Animated chase gondola
•Square window caboose
•Powered handcar
•CW-80 Transformer
•Three straight FasTrack track
sections
•Eight curved FasTrack track
sections
•One straight FasTrack terminal
track section
•Hobo Campfire accessory
•Smoke fluid
•Owner’s Manual
•Service Center list
•Instruction video
3
Table of contents
Track layout
Building your Lionel layout 4
Joining the FasTrack track sections 4
Controller operations
Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely 5
Installing your CW-80 Transformer 5
Wiring your CW-80 Transformer 6
Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 7
Operating your trains with the CW-80 Transformer 7
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer 8-9
Setting the accessory output 10
Powering your layout with the CW-80 Transformer 11
Troubleshooting 12
Hobo Campfire operations
Connecting the Hobo Campfire accessory 13
Installing the Hobo Campfire accessory 14
Operating the Hobo Campfire accessory 15
Train operations
Running your locomotive with a Lionel transformer 16
Reverse unit procedure 17
Tire-Traction 18
Coupling 18
Operating your handcar 19
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your steam locomotive 20
Lubricating your handcar 21
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generator 21
Replacing your locomotive’s headlamp 22
Replacing your square window caboose’s lamp 23
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 24

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.
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 power 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 tabs

Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely
5
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
condition 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
serviceable 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.
Installing your CW-80 Transformer
To mount your CW-80 Transformer to your layout or control panel, drive a screw through each of the four mounting holes located at the corners of the base.
Controller operations

Wiring your CW-80 Transformer
6
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
Accessory
terminals
For best performance on large layouts, it is recommended that you use 16-gauge wire to connect your CW-80 Transformer to the track. Connect the spade connectors on the wires from
the FasTrack terminal section. 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. As your layout expands, you may also make power
connections with the stripped ends of the wires, placing no more than two wires on each terminal.
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.
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.
1. Feed the wires through the notch in the FasTrack terminal section. Refer to
Figure 3.
2. Loosen the red TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-shaped
connector at the end of the RED wire into position. The thumbscrew post
should be positioned between the “blades” of the spade connector. Tighten the thumbscrew
to secure the connection.
3. Loosen the black TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-
shaped connector at the end of the BLACK wire into position. Tighten the
thumbscrew to secure the connection.
4. If you need to power an accessory, connect the accessory to the
ACCESSORY thumbscrew terminals.
5. Plug the CW-80 Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).

Operating your trains with the CW-80 Transformer
7
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.
You will notice that the power increases and decreases at a set rate. For example,
quickly throwing the throttle all the way forward will not result in an instant
increase to full power.
When operating in the conventional (non-Command) environment, 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.
Note!
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 you 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
sensitive electronic components.
To be certain that your transformers are in phase, use
a small 18-volt lamp to perform a quick test. Refer to
Figure 4.
1. Attach one lamp wire to the center rail in one block.
2Attach 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.
4See 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
transformers are in phase and should cause not problems.
To bring your transformers into phase, simply swap the positions of the track wires at the A and
U terminals on one of the transformers. If you are using an older transformer that lacks a
polarized plug, 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.
Swapping the wires at the A and U terminals will also reverse the operation of the
BELL and WHISTLE buttons on the transformer.
Figure 4. Testing for proper phasing
Note!

Refer to Figure 5 on page 9 for the location of the Transformer features listed in this section.
THROTTLE
Push the throttle forward to increase track power. The markings on the throttle
approximate the percentage of full power. For more realism, push the throttle slowly to
gradually increase or decrease the speed of the locomotive. Slowing or stopping the locomotive
with the throttle instead of the DIRECTION button will allow you to continue in the same
direction when you increase the throttle again. To achieve this effect, reduce the throttle to the
point that the locomotive stops moving, but don’t completely turn off the throttle. That way,
your train won’t sequence into neutral.
POWER-ON INDICATOR
The green light will remain on during normal operation. The green light will begin to
flash if you exceed the power limit of the Transformer. The unit will allow you to momentarily
exceed the power limit, but power will be gradually reduced until the problem is corrected.
This safety feature replaces the circuit breaker. The benefit is that the Transformer will not
instantly turn off.
DIRECTION
The DIRECTION control button interrupts track power to activate the reverse unit in your
locomotive. Your locomotive will not respond to this button when the reverse unit switch is in
the OFF position.
WHISTLE/HORN
The WHISTLE/HORN button will activate your locomotive’s whistle. The sound will
continue until the button is released. No external sound activation buttons are needed. This
button will also activate the horn and whistle sounds on locomotives equipped with the digital
RailSounds sound system.
BELL
When you purchase an advanced locomotive equipped with the RailSounds sound system,
the BELL button will activate the bell sound. Press and hold the BELL button for two to three
seconds to begin the sounds; press and hold the button again to turn off the ringing.
One thing to keep in mind when you purchase a RailSounds-equipped locomotive:
Do not activate horns, whistles, or bells on RailSounds-equipped locomotives until
track power has been turned on for a few moments, or a continuous horn/whistle or
bell sound may occur. To correct this problem, simply turn off the CW-80
Transformer, then turn it back on.
The CW-80 Transformer may cause random whistles in the Lionel Mighty Sounds of
SteamTM tenders with a three-pin connector. We recommend that you a purchase a
RailSounds-equipped tender to solve this problem.
Note!
Note!
Controller operations
8
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer

Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer
(continued)
9
Whistle/Horn
Activates the whistle or horn sound
effect in your Lionel locomotives.
Press WHISTLE/HORN to begin the
sound; release the button to end it.
Bell
Starts or stops the tolling bell in any
Railsounds-equipped locomotive.
Press the BELL button to begin the
sound, again to stop it.
Direction
Press the DIRECTION button to go forward
or reverse, or to place the locomotive in
“neutral” (no movement, headlight is on).
Throttle
Controls your locomotive’s speed. Throw the throttle
forward to increase locomotive speed, backward to slow
it down.
Power-on indicator
The green light
illuminates when the
CW-80 is on.
Figure 5. Transformer features
Controller operations

Take control of your Lionel empire with your CW-80 Transformer! You choose how much power your accessories need. Your CW-80 Transformer features a programmable accessory
output. The ability to control the voltage allows you to set the speed of your accessory motors
and the intensity of your lights. Follow these steps to set the voltage.
The accessory voltage was set to 12 volts at the factory.
1. Connect your accessory to the CW-80 Transformer as discussed on page 9.
2. Bring the throttle all the way back to turn off the power.
3. Press and hold down the DIRECTION, WHISTLE/HORN, and BELL buttons
on the Controller. Refer to Figure 5 on page 9 for the location of these
buttons.
The green light on the Transformer will flash, and track power will turn off.
4. With all three buttons held down, raise the throttle slowly until you reach
your desired accessory voltage.
5. Release the buttons once you have reached your desired voltage.
The accessory turns off, and the solid green light indicates that you have set the accessory
voltage.
6. Bring the throttle all the way back to turn off the power.
The voltage will momentarily increase, briefly causing the lights to shine brighter or the
motors to operate faster, before returning to the set level. At this point, increasing the
throttle again will control track power.
Setting the accessory output
10
Note!
Controller operations