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

2
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!

3
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™

4
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!

6
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

7
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.

8
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
3
2
3
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.

10
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

11
Refer to Figure 3 on page 12 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.
DIRECTION
The DIRECTION control button interrupts track power to activate the reverse unit in your locomo-
tive. Your locomotive will not respond to this button when the reverse unit switch is in the OFF posi-
tion.
WHISTLE/HORN
The WHISTLE/HORN button will activate your locomotive’s whistle or horn. The sound will con-
tinue until the button is released. No external sound activation buttons are needed.
BELL
The BELL button will activate the bell sounds on locomotives equipped with this feature. 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.
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.
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. The benefit is that the
Transformer will not instantly turn off.
Locomotive Operations
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer
Note!

12
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer
(continued)
Whistle
Activates the whistle or horn sound
effect in your Lionel locomotives.
Press WHISTLE to begin the sound;
release the button to end it.
Bell
Starts or stops the tolling bell in
any RailSounds or RailSounds RTR-
equipped locomotive. Press BELL to
begin the sound, again to stop it.
Direction
Press the DIRECTION button to cycle
through forward, neutral, reverse, neutral,
and so on (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 3. Transformer features
Locomotive Operations

13
Operating the TrainSounds sound system
When you power up the locomotive on the track, you will hear the sounds of the idling diesel motor. As you increase speed, the RPM sounds will ramp up through two levels.
Whistle/Horn
Press the WHISTLE/HORN button on your transformer to sound the horn. The sound will play
for as long as you hold the button.
Bell
Press the BELL button on your transformer to activate the bell sound. Press BELL again to dis-
continue the sound.
Crew dialog
Press the WHISTLE/HORN button on your transformer briefly (for less than a second) to trig-
ger the train dialog. The dialog varies with the state of the locomotive.
Power must be applied to the track for the dialog to play.
• If the locomotive set has been stopped for longer than 15 seconds, a short horn blast triggers a
“cleared outbound” dialog.
• If the locomotive set has started moving within the last seven seconds, a short horn blast will trig-
ger a "train is underway" dialog.
• If the locomotive set has been moving for more than seven seconds, a short horn blast will trigger
a "are we clear?" dialog.
• If the locomotive set has been moving and the bell is ringing, a short horn blast will trigger a "go
to restricted speed" dialog.
Locomotive Operations
Note!

14
Locomotive Operations
Reverse unit procedure
The electronic reverse unit inside your Lionel locomotive acts like the transmission in a car. When you apply power to the track, the locomotive moves in the direction specified by the reverse
unit—or it sits in neutral, awaiting another power interruption. Power interruptions are the signal
that tells the reverse unit to sequence to the next operational state.
To interrupt power and sequence the locomotive’s reverse unit through the forward-neutral-
reverse-neutral-forward sequence, press the direction control button, or briefly bring the throttle
lever all the way back to the Off position, for one to four seconds. Refer to Figure 3 on page 12 for
the location of these controls.
Also, the locomotive can be “locked” into a certain mode of operation by throwing the reverse
unit switch located on the underside of the frame (see Figure 4). When the switch is thrown to the
OFF position (towards the rear of the locomotive), the locomotive will be locked in the next mode of
operation in the sequence. The DIRECTION button will then have no affect on the direction of the
locomotive. If you would like to resume forward-neutral-reverse operation, simply throw the reverse
unit switch back to the ON position.
Additionally, this reverse unit has a “power-up reset” feature. If the locomotive sits without power for
a short period of time, the reverse unit will automatically reset and start in the forward direction when
the transformer is turned on or “powered up,” if the reverse unit switch position is in the ON position.
Figure 4. Switch locations
When the reverse unit switch is in the ON position, your locomotive sequences through a
repeating pattern of operations: forward, neutral, reverse, neutral, and so on. To select a
single operational state for your Lionel locomotive (for example, forward only), you can
deactivate the reverse unit’s sequencing function with the reverse unit switch.
Get your locomotive moving in the desired direction, then slow it down without stopping.
Set the reverse unit switch to OFF. Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the switch. The
locomotive is now “locked” into your chosen direction.
When you no longer want single-direction operation, just slide the switch back to ON.
Your locomotive’s reverse unit will “reset” to forward after any power interruption
lasting five seconds or longer, regardless of the original locked-out direction.
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state
Transformer operations
5
Figure 1. Switch locations
HORN
OFFON
E-UNIT
OFFON
Horn ON/OFF switch
Reverse unit switch
Note!
SMOKE Smoke Switch

15
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Lubricating your locomotive
H
elp your diesel locomotive lead a long and productive life on your railroad by maintaining it
properly.
We recommend that you purchase a Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance Kit (6-62927),
available from your Lionel dealer. Two basic rules to keep in mind: never over-lubricate
(a small amount will do) and avoid getting grease or oil on the locomotive’s wheels, contact
rollers, or your track.
You’ll know your locomotive requires lubrication when visual inspection reveals dryness on the
parts indicated in Figure 5. Remove accumulated dirt and dust before lubricating, and always lubri-
cate any locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
8
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Lubricating your locomotive
Help your Lionel locomotive lead a long and productive life on your railroad by maintaining it properly.
We recommend that you purchase a Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance Kit (6-62927),
available from your Lionel dealer. Two basic rules to keep in mind: never over-lubricate (a
small amount will do), and avoid getting grease or oil on the locomotive’s wheels or your
track. You’ll know your locomotive requires lubrication when visual inspection reveals dryness
on the parts indicated in Figure 4. Remove accumulated dirt and dust before lubricating and
always lubricate any locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
Figure 4. Underside details and lubrication points
HORN
OFFON
E-UNIT
OFFON
Lubricate gears with
Lionel grease
sparingly
Lubricate gears with
Lionel grease
sparingly
Lubricate with Lionel oil
sparingly
Lubricate with Lionel
oil sparingly
Body screws
Body screws
Body screws
Figure 5.Lubrication points

16
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps
Your locomotive is illuminated by three 12-volt lamps, located at the front and rear of the locomotive and in the cab. During the course of normal operations, these lamps may require
replacement. Replacement lamps are available from your authorized Lionel Service Center or
Lionel Service. For more information, see the Lionel Service section on the back page.
To replace the cab interior lamp (part no. 600-8352-311), pinch together the center of the cab
and lift it off the body. The lamp wires will attach the cab to the body. Remove the socket and wires
from the holder, then remove and replace the expired lamp. Replace the socket and reinstall the
cab. Make sure all the wires are inside the body before you snap it into place.
Replacing the headlamps is a bit more tricky, and you may want to consider having them ser-
viced by an authorized Lionel Service Station. If you are proficient with wire splicing and/or solder-
ing—and you don’t mind spending a little time and effort—you may want to try it yourself.
To replace the headlamps, remove the six body screws shown in Figure 5 on page 15. Lift away
the body, making sure that you do not disconnect the wires that attach the body to the frame. Pull
the burned-out headlamp out of the holder and clip the wires of the old lamp. Refer to Figure 7 on
page 17. Splice in the replacement leads, making sure that the two leads are insulated from each
other. (If they touch, they will cause a short circuit.) We suggest wrapping electrical tape around
them to help insulate them. Insert the replacement lamp (part no. 610-8803-009) back into the
holder and make sure all the wires are tucked inside of the cab. Carefully align the six screw posts
on the body and the corresponding openings on the frame, then insert and tighten the screws.
9
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Your locomotive is illuminated by three 12-volt lamps, located at the front and rear of the
locomotive and in the cab. During the course of normal operations, these lamps may
require replacement. Replacement lamps are available from your authorized Lionel Service
Center or Lionel Service. For more information, see the Lionel Service section on the back page.
To replace the cab interior lamp (part no. 600-8352-311), pinch together the center of the
cab and lift it off the body. The lamp wires will attach the cab to the body. Remove the socket
and wires from the holder, then remove and replace the expired lamp. Replace the socket and
reinstall the cab. Make sure all the wires are inside the body before you snap it into place.
Replacing the headlamps is a bit more tricky, and you may want to consider having them
serviced by an authorized Lionel Service Station. If you are proficient with wire splicing and/or
soldering—and you don’t mind spending a little time and effort—you may want to try it
yourself.
To replace the headlamps, remove the six body screws shown in Figure 4 on page 8. Lift
away the body, making sure that you do not disconnect the wires that attach the body to the
frame. Pull the burned-out headlamp out of the holder and clip the wires of the old lamp.
Refer to Figure 6 on page 10. Splice in the replacement leads, making sure that the two leads
are insulated from each other. (If they touch, they will cause a short circuit.) We suggest
wrapping electrical tape around them to help insulate them. Insert the replacement lamp
(part no. 610-8803-009) back into the holder and make sure all the wires are tucked inside of
the cab. Carefully align the six screw posts on the body and the corresponding openings on the
frame, then insert and tighten the screws.
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps
Figure 5. Lamp replacement
Figure 6. Lamp replacement

17
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Replacing your locomotive’s lamps continued
Figure 7. Lamp replacement

18
Replacing the traction tires
Y
our locomotive is equipped with four traction tires. These rubber tires increase the tractive effort
of your locomotive, allowing it to pull more cars at once. During the course of normal opera-
tions, the traction tires may become worn out. Because you must remove the trucks and the side
frames to access the wheels, we recommend that you have the traction tires replaced by your autho-
rized Lionel Service Center.
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive

19
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Troubleshooting
No lights or operation
Be sure that the CW-80 Transformer is plugged in and the wires are connected.
Train runs, but WHISTLE, BELL, and DIRECTION buttons do not work
Check track connections. The track must be connected to the “A” and “U” terminals on the
Transformer.
No change when DIRECTION button is pressed
Be sure that your locomotive’s reverse unit switch is ON. Press the direction button for a duration of
one to four seconds.
Accessory operation is intermittent or absent
Check for loose, shorted, or improper connections. Also, the accessory voltage may have been set too
low for the accessory; refer to page 16 and reset the voltage to a higher level.
Locomotive runs slowly or lights dim at the far end of the track
On larger layouts, additional track resistance may cause reduced track voltage as the trains move
away from the power terminal section. Install additional FasTrack terminal sections around your
layout and connect them to your Transformer to distribute power. Note that locomotives may decrease
speed slightly around curves.
Green light begins to flash
Be sure that all the wheels are properly on the track. Ensure that no metal objects are in contact with
the track to cause a short. Also, be sure that the power limit of the Transformer has not been exceeded;
the unit will gradually reduce power until the problem is corrected. Note that the light will also flash
when you hold down all three buttons to set the accessory voltage.
Bell button blows whistle
Switch the wire connections at the Transformer terminals. The U terminal should be connected to the
outside (common) rail.
Locomotive smoke is light or absent
Be sure that the Smoke Unit switch is in the ON position. Add four to six drops of smoke fluid if you
have not done so already.
We invite you to visit www.lionel.com and click on the Customer Services tab to order parts and access
other important service information.

20
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved 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 no 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 try 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 con-
nected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Statement