Lionel The Polar Express User manual

71-1022-250
4/09
Owner's Manual
Lionel G-gauge
Adult assembly required

Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of The Polar Express Train Set. This set features everything you need to get started – a wireless remote control, a huge loop of easy-to-
assemble track, a string of detailed cars, a tender and locomotive.
Read this instruction manual thoroughly for important tips on operating and
maintaining your ‘G’ Gauge set.
The Polar Express Set Inventory
• 1 The Polar Express steam locomotive with head lamp and sounds
• 1 Tender
• 1 Passenger car
• 1 Observation car with disappearing hobo
• 12 curved tracks
• 4 straight tracks
• 1 Wireless remote controller
• 2 articulated figures with snow stand
• 2 ‘AA’ batteries for the wireless remote
• 6 ‘C’ batteries for the tender
• 1 Christmas bell
• 1 Owners manual
(s09)
(s09)
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions.
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received. Including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly aproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's 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 reasonable
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 accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is not 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 trip 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.
FCC Statement

3
Table of contents
Track assembly and layout
Joining the track sections 4
Layouts 5
Battery installation and options
Installation and options
Installing 'AA' batteries into the wireless controller 6
Installing 'C' batteries into the tender 7
Operating your train
Connecting the engine and coal tender 8
Power switches on the wireless controller 9
Power activation button on the engine 10
Operating your wireless controller 11
Maintenance and operations
Disappearing hobo feature on the Observation car 12
Using 9.6 volt rechargeable batteries (not included) 13
Battery Warning 14
Cleaning the track 14
Troubleshooting 15
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 16
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.

4
Track assembly and layout
Joining the track sections
Join the track sections together by placing them on a flat surface and inserting the plastic tabs of each track section into the corresponding openings of the next section. Press or
squeeze the ties together to connect. This may require the help of an adult. Recheck all track
connection points upon completing your layout to be sure they are secure.
To disassemble the track just lift one of the track sections slightly at an angle where they
join together and they will snap apart. See Figure 1.
The rails should be kept clean, dry, and free from oil, grease, and dirt. Clean the track
periodically with a clean soft cloth.
Figure 1. Assembling and disassembling the track

5
Track assembly and layout
Layouts
These are three possible layouts you can make with the track provided. See Figure 2.
Circle
• Connect all curved track
Extended Circle
• Make 4 ninety degree curve sections by joining 3 curved sections each
• Connect each ninety degree curve section by using 1 section of straight to join each 3
section curve.
Oval
• Make 2 half circle using 6 curve tracks for each. Make 2 long straight tracks using 2
sections each. Join the curves using the 2 long straight sections.
Figure 2. Possible track layouts

6
Battery installation and options
Installing ‘AA’ batteries into the wireless controller
Push the tab toward the door and lift to open battery compartment (as shown in Figure 5).
Insert two ‘AA’ batteries orientating the +/- as shown in the bottom of the battery
compartment. Replace the battery door by first inserting the two tabs at the top of the door
into the notches in the top of the battery compartment. Then close the door being sure the tab
lock closes securely. See Figure 3.
When replacing the original batteries use Alkaline ‘AA’ batteries. Use only new batteries.
Never mix new and used batteries or use different types together.
Figure 3. Opening and closing the battery compartment
Remove all batteries when the train will not be used for an
extended period of time.
Important!

7
Battery installation and options
Installing ‘C’ batteries into the tender
Open the battery compartment by sliding the locking tab forward on the top rear of the tender. Then lift tender lid by curved angled rib and pulling backward. Install 6 ‘C’ size
alkaline batteries into the battery compartment. Please be sure the +/- of each battery is
positioned as shown in the battery compartment. See Figure 4
When replacing the original batteries use Alkaline ‘C’ batteries. Use only new batteries.
Never mix new and used batteries or use different types together.
Close the battery compartment by inserting the slot on the front end of the tender lid onto
the retaining rib. Then lower the back end of the lid and secure by sliding the locking tab
forward.
Figure 4. Installing the batteries in the tender
FRONT
REAR
Locking tab
FRONT
REAR
Remove all batteries when the train will not be used for an
extended period of time.
Important!

8
Operating your train
Connecting the engine and coal tender
Place the engine on the track first. Be sure that all wheels are within the track rails. Next insert the power plug into the receptacle in the center back of the engine platform. See
Figure 5.
The engine will not run without this power plug inserted into the engine.
Place the Coal Tender on the track behind the Engine and connect the couplers. Be sure all
the Coal Tenders wheels are all on the track rails.
Figure 5. Connecting the engine and the coal tender
Note!
Connecting the
couplers
Remove all batteries when the train will not be used for an
extended period of time.
Important!

9
Operating your train
Power switches on the wireless controller
Turn the power switch on the side of the wireless remote to the up or ON position. The red light at the top of the speed dial will illuminate to tell you the controller is on.
Turn the power switch on the Wireless Controller to the down position or OFF when not in
use. The light at the top of the dial will go out to indicate the power is off. See Figure 6.
Leaving the Wireless Controller power ON when not in use will drain the controller’s
battery.
Figure 6. Using the wireless controller
Note!
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Power on light

10
Operating your train
Power activation button on the engine
Press the grey Power Activation button located on top of the boiler just in front of the cab area of the engine. The light in the front of the engine and stationary sounds will come
on to indicate the train is operational. See Figure 7.
The engine power automatically turns off if not used after 10 minutes. When the
engine automatically time out into the off mode the light and stationary sounds
shut down off.
Just press the start button again to continue to play. Pressing the start button again will not shut the
train off. You can either let it time out for 10 minutes or if required, disconnect the power cord from
the back of the engine. Note the engine was designed to use the auto shut off to turn the engine
off. Very little power is used during the time out period if Wireless Controller is not activating any
operations. The stationary sounds and light will continue during this time out period until the engine
shuts off at the end of the ten minutes.
Note!
Figure 7. Power Activation Button