Lionel VISIONLINE Big Boy User manual

Featuring
71-1434-250
9/14
Lionel
VISIONLINE Big Boy
Steam Locomotive
Owner’s Manual
Lionel
VISIONLINE Big Boy
Steam Locomotive
Owner’s Manual

2
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel VISION Big Boy! This is one of the most highly detailed and technologically advanced model trains ever produced! Your VISION Big Boy is
ready to enjoy right out of the box. We do highly recommend that you take the time to read through
this manual to familiarize yourself with all of the amazing features this locomotive has to offer and
to learn how to properly care for your model so that it may provide years of enjoyment.
Contents of your locomotive box
1 VISION Big Boy locomotive
1 Tender
1 Shroud for Smoke Stack
1 Smoke fluid funnel
1 Wrench
8 Replacement traction tires
1 Big Boy Owner's manual
1 IR Sensor Track
1 DB9 Starter Cable
1 SensorTrack Manual
1 DB9 Starter Cable Manual
The following Lionel marks are used throughout this Owner’s Manual and are protected under
law. All rights reserved.
Lionel®, LionChief™, LionChief Plus™, 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™, SensorTrack™

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Table of contents
Running your locomotive
LEGACY Control operations 4
TrainMaster Command Control (TMCC/Command Control) operations 5
Conventional transformer operations 6
Locomotive basics
Volume control locations 7
Adding smoke fluid to your locomotive's smoke generator 7
Installing the smoke stack shroud 9
Locomotive switch locations 10
Assigning your locomotive a new ID# (LEGACY and TMCC) 11
Controlling your VISION features
Dual smoke stack features 12
To apply the Whistle Steam effect 12
To apply the Blowdown effect 12
Drift Chuff features 13
Wheel Slip features 13-14
Depleting coal load features
LEGACY Control System operations
The LEGACY CAB-2 Remote Controller 15
The Velocity Throttle 16
The Multi-Controller 16
The Train Brake Slider 16
The Warning Sound Controller 17
The Speed Bar 17
EFX Trim and EFX Bar Graph 18
Leaving the Preset Speed Screen 18
LEGACY RailSounds Sound System operations
LEGACY RailSounds sound system 19
LEGACY RailSounds Sequence Control 20
CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements in the LEGACY environment 21
LEGACY RailSounds sound system dialog on a round trip 22
TrainMaster Command Control operations
CAB-1 Remote Controller commands 23
CAB-1 Remote Controller numeric keypad commands 24-25
Conventional transformer operations
Using the LEGACY RailSounds sound system in the conventional environment 26
Activating CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements 26
Locking your locomotive into a single direction 27
Odyssey II Speed Control system operations
Odyssey II Speed Control operations 28
Odyssey II Speed Control system LEGACY Control operation 28
Odyssey II Speed Control system TrainMaster Command Control operation 28
Odyssey II Speed Control system conventional transformer operation 28
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Reprogramming your locomotive to restore features 29
Lubricating your locomotive 30-31
Servicing your locomotive’s LEDs 32
Replacing the traction tires 32
Locomotive diagnostics 33
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service 34

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Power your VISION Big Boy with an alternating-current (50-60Hz AC) transformer only.
Powering your locomotive with a direct-current (DC) transformer, or in excess of 19 volts
AC, may result in damage to sensitive electronic components.
Your VISION Big Boy requires Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-72 or larger track curves.
1. Turn off track power, and then plug in the
LEGACY Base and connect it to the track.
2. Place your locomotive and tender on the track
and connect the drawbar as shown in Figure 1.
3. Increase track power voltage to full power
(no more than 19 volts AC). If a circuit breaker
trips when you turn on the Lionel power supply, check
the wheels of your locomotive to make sure they are all
securely on the track. Check to make sure the track is free
of all metals that may cause a short circuit.
4. As illustrated in Figure 2, press ENG and 1
(or your selected ENG ID#) to address the
locomotive with your LEGACY CAB-2 Remote
Controller.
5. Press the Start Up key on your LEGACY CAB-2
Remote, shown in Figure 3. Then, throttle up
and move 'em out! Your engine sound will start up,
and the locomotive-specific touch screen buttons will
populate the remote. For more information on operating
your locomotive with the LEGACY system, please refer to
the LEGACY section of this manual. Additional information
is also found in the LEGACY System Manual, available
online at www.lionel.com.
.
Note!
Note!
Running your locomotive
Figure 2. LEGACY engine selection
Figure 3. LEGACY start-up
LEGACY Control operations
Your VISION Big Boy is designed for operation with the Lionel LEGACY system. It will also operate on the original
Lionel Trainmaster System (TMCC1) with limited features and
also on the LEGACY Cab-1L / Base-1L operating system (again
with reduced features.) Using a Lionel LEGACY set (6-14295)
will allow you to access ALL the features this advanced locomo-
tive has to offer.
Your commands are sent by the Remote Controller to
the Command Base, which broadcasts a radio frequency
that is distributed through the outer rails of the track to
your locomotives. Your locomotive will not respond until
it recognizes its unique ID#, so you can operate multiple
Command-equipped locomotives on the same track at the
same time.
Figure 1. Drawbar connection

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Running your locomotive
Power your VISION Big Boy with an alternating-current (50-60Hz AC) transformer only.
Powering your locomotive with a direct-current (DC) transformer, or in excess of
19 volts AC, may result in damage to sensitive electronic components.
Your VISION Big Boy requires Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-72 or larger track curves.
TrainMaster Command Control (TMCC/Command Control) operations
For operation in the TrainMaster Command Control environment, you need a TrainMaster Command Base (6-12911) and a CAB-1 Remote Controller (6-12868). Refer to your TMCC
System Manual for complete information. To access all the VISION Big Boy's features,
you must operate in the LEGACY environment, as discussed on the previous page.
Your commands are sent by the CAB-1 Remote Controller to the Command Base, which
translates the command into digital code. That code is sent through the outside rails to your
locomotive, which will not respond until it recognizes its unique ID#. TrainMaster Command
Control gives you the power to operate multiple Command-equipped locomotives on the same track
at the same time.
1. Turn off track power, and then plug in the Command Base and connect it to the
track.
2. Place your locomotive and tender on the track and connect the drawbar as
shown in Figure 1 on page 4.
3. Increase track voltage to full power (no more than 19 volts AC). If a circuit
breaker trips when you turn on the Lionel power supply, check the wheels of your locomotive to
make sure they are all securely on the track. Check to make sure the track is free of all metals
that may cause a short circuit.
4. Press ENG and 1 to address your locomotive with your CAB-1 Remote
Controller.
5. Throttle up and move ‘em out.
For more information, please refer to the TrainMaster Command Control operations section of
this manual or the TMCC System Manual, available online at www.lionel.com.
Note!
Note!

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Running your locomotive
Conventional transformer operations
For Conventional operation, a Command Base must not be powered up
anywhere in the area, even if it is not connected to the track. If a base is detected,
your locomotive will default to Command mode.
Power your VISION Big Boy with an alternating-current (50-60Hz AC) transformer only.
Powering your locomotive with a direct-current (DC) transformer, or in excess of 19 volts
AC, may result in damage to sensitive electronic components.
Your VISION Big Boy requires Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-72 or larger track
curves.
To access ALL of the features of your VISION Big Boy you must operate in the LEGACY
environment as described on page 4.
1. With track power off, place your locomotive and tender on the track. Connect
the drawbar as shown in Figure 1 on page 4.
2. Power up the track. If a circuit breaker trips when you turn on the Lionel power supply,
check the wheels of your locomotive to make sure they are all securely on the track. Check to
make sure the track is free of all metals that may cause a short circuit.
3. Move ‘em out! When the VISION Big Boy's headlight illuminates and the LEGACY
RailSounds sound system starts, press the DIRECTION button on your transformer to sequence
your locomotive through the repeating pattern of operations: neutral, forward, neutral, reverse,
neutral, and so on. You may also briefly turn off track power to advance the locomotive to the
next operating state. Adjust the throttle until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.
When placing your locomotive on your layout for the first time and after power
interruptions lasting longer than five seconds, it will start out in neutral.
We recommend that you operate your VISION Big Boy with The Odyssey II
Speed Control System turned on. You may choose to operate your locomotive without speed
control by placing the Odyssey II Speed Control System switch to the NO ODY (OFF) position. See
Figure 9 on page 10 for the location of this switch.
Use the Whistle and BELL buttons on your transformer to activate those features. Adjust the
volume using the volume control knob, which is located under the hatch on the deck of the tender.
Refer to Figure 4 on page 7. For more information, please refer to the Conventional transformer
operations section of this manual.
Note!
Note!
Note!
Note!
Note!

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Locomotive basics
Your VISION Big Boy is equipped with three speakers. Located in the tender and the locomotive, these speakers work together to provide unparalleled sound quality. In addition to controlling
the volume with your LEGACY or TMCC cab, you can also set the volume manually with two controls.
Separate controls are located beneath the sandbox on the locomotive and under the tender water
hatches as shown.
Volume control locations
Figure 4. Volume control location
Your VISION Big Boy is equipped with four smoke generators that produce safe, clean, white smoke during operation. The
smoke generators for this locomotive supply the dual stack, whistle
and blow-down effects. Reservoirs within the boiler contain the
fluid and wicks which, once saturated, supply the heating
elements with the right amount of fluid.
For best performance, we recommend using only
6-37841 Lionel Premium Smoke Fluid.
Stack Smoke
Load smoke fluid into each smoke stack. When adding
fluid DO NOT EXCEED 20 DROPS per stack as this can
cause your smoke unit to become oversaturated allowing leakage
onto the electronics. Note that operating your VISION Big Boy's
smoke unit without smoke fluid will cause damage to the heating
element. Add 20 drops initially and 10 to 20 thereafter, as required to maintain desired smoke.
Synchronizing Stack Smoke: Your VISION Big Boy is designed to give
independent smoke chuffs from each stack in relation to each set of drive wheels.
This feature can be turned off to provide a simultaneous chuff from both stacks. See
page 12 for details. Either way, it is important to put fluid in both stacks.
Your VISION Big Boy's smoke fluid consumption will vary depending on the smoke
level setting you have selected and the labor of the locomotive.
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generators
Note!
Note!
Note!
VOLUME
CONTROL
Tender
Switch
Locomotive
Switch
VOLUME
CONTROL
Figure 5. Stack smoke locations

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Locomotive basics
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generators continued
Refer to Figure 5 as you add the smoke fluid. If you prefer to operate your VISION Big Boy
without smoke, locate the smoke unit switch inside the sand dome on top of the boiler and slide it to
the OFF position. Refer to Figure 9 on page 10 for the location of the switch. The stack smoke switch
controls both stack smoke units. Whistle and blowdown smoke have their own control switches.
Whistle Smoke
Load smoke fluid into the whistle as shown in figure 6.
When adding fluid DO NOT EXCEED 20 DROPS
as
this can cause your smoke unit to become oversaturated
allowing leakage onto the electronics. Note that operating
your locomotive's smoke unit without smoke fluid will cause
damage to the heating element. Add 20 drops initially and 10
to 20 thereafter, as required to maintain desired smoke.
Your locomotive's smoke fluid consumption will vary
depending on the smoke level setting you have selected
and your use of the whistle.
Refer to Figure 6 as you add the smoke fluid. If you prefer to operate your VISION Big Boy
without whistle smoke, locate the smoke unit switch inside the sand dome on top of the boiler and
slide it to the OFF position. Refer to Figure 9 on page 10 for the location of the switch.
Blowdown Smoke
Load smoke fluid into the access point as shown in Figure
7. It is very important to add smoke fluid to the blowdown unit
slowly. Add fluid one drop at a time to prevent clogging or spills.
When adding fluid DO NOT EXCEED 20 DROPS
as
this can cause your smoke unit to become oversaturated
allowing leakage onto the electronics. Note that operating your
locomotive's smoke unit without smoke fluid will cause
damage to the heating element. Add 20 drops initially and 10
to 20 thereafter, as required to maintain desired smoke.
Refer to Figure 7 as you add the smoke fluid. If you prefer to operate your VISION Big Boy
without smoke, locate the smoke unit switch inside the sand dome on top of the boiler and slide it to
the OFF position. Refer to Figure 9 on page 10 for the location of the switch.
Blowdown smoke is not available in conventional operation. If you are operating
conventionally, turn off the blowdown smoke as shown to prevent damage.
Note!
Figure 6. Whistle smoke location
Figure 7. Blowdown smoke
location
Note!

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Locomotive basics
Installing the smoke stack shroud
Asmoke deflector shroud is included with your VISION Big Boy that can be placed over the two main stacks. This shroud is held in place by a small magnet between the two stacks. Simply
place the shroud over the stacks as shown in Figure 8. To prevent the system from overheating,
when the shroud is in place the VISION Big Boy will automatically shut off the forward stack gen-
erator. The rear stack unit will then adjust it's smoke output accordingly, the rear stack will chuff
in time with BOTH sets of drive wheels to maintain the same timing as the smoke emerges from
the shroud.
Note!
Figure 8. Smoke stack shroud
If you plan to run the VISION Big Boy with the shroud in place for an extended
period of time, it is not necessary to put additional smoke fluid in the front stack.
Continue to put no more than 20 drops of smoke fluid in the rear stack at one time
to prevent overfilling..
Underside
of shroud
STACK SHROUD
MAGNET

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The functions of your VISION Big Boy's switches are outlined below. Refer to Figure 9 for the location of the switches. The instructions below are specific to this particular
locomotive; note that available features (and switches) may differ from other
locomotives and sets.
Figure 9. Locomotive switch locations
Locomotive basics
Locomotive switch locations
Stack Smoke Switch
Used to turn the smoke unit on and off. This switch controls both the stack and whistle
smoke.
Whistle Switch
Used to turn the whistle smoke feature in the engine on and off.
Blow Down Switch
Used to turn the blowdown feature in the engine on and off.
Program / Run Switch
Used to assign an ID# and reprogram the locomotive in LEGACY and Command operation when
the switch is in the PROG position. Also used to “lock” your locomotive in a single direction, or
neutral, in conventional operation when the switch is placed in the PROG position.
Odyssey II Speed Control System Switch
Used to turn the Odyssey II Speed Control System on and off.
Coal Load Switch
Used to turn the depleting coal load feature in the tender on and off.
PROGRAM/RUN
COAL LOAD
LOCOMOTIVE CONTROL SWITCHES TENDER CONTROL SWITCHES
STACK SMOKE
BLOWDOWN
SMOKE UNIT
ON OFF
WHISTLE
SMOKE UNIT
VOLUME
CONTROL
ODYSSEY II
SPEED CONROL