Lionel Thomas & Friends User manual

Thomas & Friends™

Ready-to-Run Set

Owner’s Manual

73-0069-250

12/07

Thomas & Friends™

Ready-to-Run Set

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; 40 VA

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your purchase of the ready-to-run Thomas & Friends™Train Set! This

set features everything you need to get started—a mighty PowerMax Transformer, a huge

loop of easy-to-assemble FasTrack track, Thomas the Tank Engine™, and his friends Annie and

Clarabel.

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 addition-

al 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.

Please visit www.thomasthetanksengine.com.

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!

Thomas & Friends™Train Set Features

Interchangeable

faces

Moving

eyes

Operating

couplers

Removable roofs

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™, Lockon®, Wireless Tether™,

LionMaster®, FatBoy™, American Flyer®, TrainSounds™, PowerMax™, LEGACY™, PowerMax™Plus

The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.

Thomas & Friends™Train Set Inventory

• Thomas the Tank Engine

• Annie

• Clarabel

• Three removable faces

• Three play figures

• PowerMax Transformer with

accessory wire

• Three straight FasTrack track sections

• Eight curved FasTrack track sections

• One straight FasTrack terminal track section

• Replacement traction tire

• Owner’s Manual

• Lionel RailRoader Club flyer

Table of contents

Creating your layout

Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely 4

Building your Lionel layout 5

Joining the FasTrack track sections 6

Wiring your PowerMax Transformer 7

Running your train

Running your train set 8

Coupling 9

Operating your trains with the PowerMax Transformer 10

Experiencing the features of the PowerMax Transformer 11-12

Attaching three Thomas faces 13

Reverse unit procedure 14

Transformer operation

Powering your layout with the PowerMax Transformer 15

Lubricating your locomotive 16

Advanced connections: powering two isolated blocks with two transformers 17

Troubleshooting 18

Notes 19

Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 20

Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely

Your Lionel PowerMax 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 condi-

tion exists, the transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.

• The PowerMax Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water

is present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.

• Use the PowerMax Transformer only for its intended purpose.

• The PowerMax Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Do not con-

nect this product to any other power supply.

• Do not operate the PowerMax Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case.

• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble the unit. There are no user service-

able parts inside. If damaged, take this product to an authorized Lionel Service Center.

• Do not operate the PowerMax Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed acces-

sories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.

• Always unplug the PowerMax 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.

Creating your layout

Building your Lionel layout

Your set comes with eight curved, three straight, and one 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!

Creating your layout

Figure 1. Track layout ideas

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 to see how to join the track sections.

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

Creating your layout

Rail tab

Wiring your PowerMax Transformer

Creating your layout

Connect your FasTrack terminal section to the PowerMax 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 4.

2. Loosen the red TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-

shaped connector on the red wire 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 spade-

shaped connector on the black wire 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. Plug the PowerMax 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 PowerMax

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. Track connections must be made with 18-gauge wire or heavier.

Larger layouts require a minimum of 16-gauge wire.

Caution!

120/60z

0~18VAC

TRACK

Figure 4. Controller connections

FasTrack terminal section

Notch

Spade-shaped

connector

Running your trains

Running your train set

With track power off, place your train set on the track.

Refer to page 9 for information on coupling the cars.

Power up your locomotive with your transformer.

Your locomotive is designed to operate on 7-15 volts alternating cur-

rent. 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. Each press of the DIRECTION

button or interruption in track power causes the locomotive to advance to the next

operational state.

Adjust track voltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.

Note!

Running your train

Coupling

Your locomotive and coaches feature operating couplers. To open the couplers by hand, slide

the uncoupling tab towards the car. To uncouple the cars using an Uncoupling Track section

(available separately, 6-12020), position the uncoupling trigger over the central magnet and press

UNCOUPLE on the controller.

Keep in mind that it’s easier to couple cars on a straight stretch of track.

Note!

Figure 5. Coupler operation

Uncoupling

trigger

Uncoupling

tab

Coupler

Underside of the couplers

Operating your trains with the PowerMax Transformer

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.

Quickly shutting off or throwing the throttle all the way forward will not result in

an instant change in track voltage.

When operating in the conventional (non-Command) environment, remember that the great-

er 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!

Running your train

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