Lionel Union Pacific RS-3 User manual

71-8753-250
12/14
Lionel RS-3
Owner’s Manual
Lionel RS-3
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE. AS
WITH ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING
HANDLING AND USE TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 V; 80 VA

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Congratulations!
Set Includes:
• Transformer controlled forward, neutral and reverse operation
• Operating diesel horn
• Operating headlights
• Dual operating couplers
• Powerful maintenance-free motor
• Two traction tires
• Cab interior lighting
• Engineer figures
Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel RS-3 diesel locomotive! On the outside, this detailed locomotive features expert decoration in your favorite livery. Inside the body, this loco-
motive is equipped with a powerful maintenance-free motor and TrainSounds.
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!

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Table of contents
Transformer Operations
Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely 4
Connecting your CW-80 Transformer 5-6
Locomotive Operations
Powering your layout with the CW-80 Transformer 7
Setting the accessory output 8
Running your locomotive 9
Diesel exhaust 9
Coupling 10
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer 11-12
Operating the TrainSounds sound system 13
Reverse unit procedure 14
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Lubricating your locomotive 15
Replacing your locomotive's lamps 16-17
Replacing the traction tires 18
Troubleshooting 19
FCC Statement 20
Notes 21
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service 22
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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Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely
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 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 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. Visit www.lionel.
com for a list of authorized Service Centers.
• 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.
Transformer Operations

5
Connecting your CW-80 Transformer
Transformer Operations
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 1 on page 6.
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.
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!

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Transformer Operations
Connecting your CW-80 Transformer (continued)
U
120/60z
0~18VAC
AB
U
0~18VAC
TRACK ACCESSORY
Figure 1. Controller connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector

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Transformer Operations
Powering your layout with the CW-80 Transformer
Your CW-80 Transformer provides a total output of five amps. The track outputs will deliver all of this power to the track when no accessories are connected to the Transformer. Keep in mind that
connected accessories borrow some of this power. For example, if the accessories require two amps of
the total five-amp capacity of the Transformer, you have three amps available for track power. This
built-in flexibility will provide power for virtually any small- to medium-sized railroad. Also, available
voltage depends on how much load is on the two outputs. Generally, track voltage and accessory volt-
age are 0-18 volts (AC) each.
This Transformer is capable of operating trains up to and including dual-motored AC
locomotives. To operate at this level of track power, it may be necessary to disconnect any accessories.
You may also attempt to lower the accessory voltage settings. Refer to the “Setting the accessory
output” section on page 8.
You may momentarily approach or exceed the five-amp limit of the CW-80 Transformer when
pulling illuminated cars, fighting over grades with heavy loads, or operating accessories. When
you reach five amps, the green light on the Transformer will begin to flash. This indicates that the
Transformer is in “fold-back mode.” In fold-back mode, the Transformer is automatically reducing,
or folding back, power. This gradual reduction in power provides interruption-free operation while
you bring the amperage back down to a safe level.

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Lionel offers accessories of all shapes and sizes — from crossing signals to coal and lumber loaders — available at your authorized Lionel dealer. When you are ready to operate your new
accessory, the CW-80 Transformer allows you to choose how much power your accessory receives
with 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. Accessories connected to the accessory output
terminals receive constant voltage whenever the transformer is plugged in, regardless of the throttle
position. Follow these steps to set the voltage.
The accessory output voltage was set to 12 volts at the factory.
1. Connect your accessory to the CW-80 Transformer as discussed on pages 5-6.
2. Bring the throttle all the way back to the OFF position.
3. Press and hold down the DIRECTION, WHISTLE, and BELL buttons on the
Transformer. Refer to Figure 3 on page 12 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 only.
Setting the accessory output
Note!
Transformer Operations

9
Locomotive Operations
Running your locomotive
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2
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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 briefly 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 to advances to the next operational state.
Adjust track voltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.
1
Note!
With track power off, place your train on the track.
Refer to the following section for information on coupling.
If the smoke unit switch is in the ON position, add smoke fluid to your
locomotive’s stack to prevent damage to the smoke unit. Refer to the
Diesel exhaust section below for additional information.
Caution!
Diesel exhaust
Your locomotive is equipped with a smoke unit that produces white smoke. When the smoke unit switch is in the On position, always be sure that a few drops of smoke fluid have been placed
down the locomotive's stack/exhaust duct.
To turn the smoke unit off, slide the Smoke switch on the underside of the locomotive to the Off
position. Refer to Figure 4 on page 14 for the location of this switch.

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Coupling
When coupling your cars, at least one of the mating couplers must be open as shown at the left in Figure 2. 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 2. Coupler operation
Note!
Locomotive Operations