Lionel Snap-on RS-3 Diesel Freight 0-27 Train Set - 7/01 Owner's Manual
Lionel Snap-on RS-3 Diesel Freight 0-27 Train Set - 7/01 is capable of developing 1600 horsepower and can work within railroad yards or as freight haulers on the open rails. It has a variety of features, including:
- Realistic diesel horn sound
- Tire-Traction™ for improved traction
- Easy-to-use controller with LED indicator
- Sturdy construction for long-lasting durability
- Compatible with all O-27 track and accessories
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73-1922-250
6/01
RS-3 Diesel Freight
Ready-To-Run O-27 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: 20 V; 54 VA
Congratulations!
Y ou’re now the proud owner of the
Snap-On RS-3 Diesel Freight
Ready-To-Run O-27 Train Set. Everything you need to get started is included. You’re already off to a great start by reading this instruction manual. It has important information on train setup and operation. This
Alco RS-3 diesel engine
T he RS-3 diesel engine was developed by the American Locomotive Company
(Alco) in 1946 as part of the new RS
(roadswitcher) series. These engines could work within railroad yards or as freight haulers on the open rails.
Capable of developing 1600 horsepower,
Table of contents
Track layout
Getting started
Suggested track layouts
Joining the track sections
Attaching the lockon to the track
Controller operations
Stripping the wire
Attaching the controller wires to the lockon
Controller functions
Controller and short circuits
Train operation
Reverse unit procedure
Horn operation
Tire-Traction™
Coupling
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your RS-3 locomotive
Replacing your RS-3’s lamps
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service booklet also covers proper maintenance procedures to help your Lionel trains live long, healthy lives.
If you have any questions after reading this booklet, contact your nearest Lionel
Authorized Service Center or call Lionel
Service at 810-949-4100. And have fun!
the RS-3 was used by dozens of major rail carriers. By the end of the 1960s, the RS units began to disappear from the American railroads.
Your RS-3 engine is designed to operate on a voltage range of 7-15 volts AC, depending on the size of the load.
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2
Track layout
Getting started
B efore you do anything else, we recommend that you check the contents of your set box to ensure that all of the parts of your set have been included and the quantities (when applicable) are correct.
The parts list below will tell you what’s included and the correct quantities. If you find any discrepancies, contact the dealer you purchased your set from for more information or call Lionel Service at 810-949-4100.
• RS-3 locomotive
• Boxcar
• Caboose
• Flat Car with Trailer
• Snap-On Tractor
• Controller
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1
1
1
1
1
• 40-watt power pack
• Lockon
• Straight track
• Curved track
• Service Center list
• Warranty Card
Now comes the fun part—deciding what kind of layout you want. The only rule— let your imagination be your guide.
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8
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Suggested track layouts
Here are some examples of layouts you can build with 8 straight and 8 curved sections of track.
Remember—the more track you own, the more variations you can create in your train layout.
And that means more action and more fun!
Note!
We recommend that you do not set-up your track layout on carpeted surfaces.
Carpet fibers may collect on your engine’s wheels and drive gears, and prevent your engine from operating properly. For best results, place track on a hard surface.
3
Track layout
Joining the track sections
J oin the track sections together by inserting the pins of one track section into the rail openings of another.
For good electrical contact, pins must be carefully inserted and track joints tightly fitted.
If the track is difficult to connect, try this installation tip. You can “break in” O-27 track sections by inserting and withdrawing a track pin into one rail at a time before joining the entire track section.
If the openings become too open (causing the track to fit loosely), pinch the rail together around a track pin with a pair of pliers. If any pins fall out of the track and are missing, replace them with extras available from your
Lionel dealer.
Maintenance tip: The rails should be kept clean, dry, and free from oil and grease. Clean rust and dirt spots with a track eraser. Wipe the track using a cloth dampened with track cleaner from the Lionel maintenance kit
(no. 6-62927), available from your nearest
Lionel Authorized Service Center.
Attaching the lockon to the track
T he lockon connects power from your controller to the track. Attaching the lockon to the track is quick and easy.
First, place the lockon under any straight section of track. Fit the center lip of the lockon onto the edge of an outside rail.
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Press the lockon upward so that the spring contact snaps onto the center rail. The lockon should face outward when
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LIONEL
CTC
LOCKON setting up your track and make sure it is firmly connected. Use the illustrations below as a stepby-step guide.
Once the lockon is securely attached to the track, it’s time to insert the wires from the controller into the two spring clips on the lockon. See page
5 for easy-to-follow steps.
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Snap spring contact to the middle rail
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Hook lip to the outside of the rail
4
Controller operations
Stripping the wire
O nce your track is assembled and the lockon is securely attached, you can connect the wires from the controller to the lockon.
First you’ll want to check the ends of the wires to make sure that the insulation is stripped back about 1⁄4˝ to 3⁄8˝. To strip the wires, use a pair of wire strippers or a sharp knife.
Caution: Only an adult should perform this task! Always use care when stripping wires.
Attaching the controller wires to the lockon
N ow, you’ll need to insert a controller wire into each of the two spring clips on the lockon.
It’s easy! Depress the spring clip with your finger and insert the bare end of the wire into the exposed opening. Release the spring clip. Give the wire a little tug to make sure it’s secure. Repeat these steps with the other spring clip. Next, insert the small plug end of the power pack into the back of your controller, and plug the other end into a standard outlet.
Note!
If the horn fails to operate when you press the horn button on your controller (see page 6), remove the wires from the lockon and reinsert each one into the opposite clip to reverse polarity.
Plug power pack into standard wall outlet
Make sure that the bare end of each wire is securely attached to the spring clip.
5
R
OFF
FULL
SPEED
Plug this end into back of controller.
Controller operations
Controller functions
A s you turn the throttle control knob to the right, power to the track is increased. When the indicator reaches the green band, there should be sufficient power to operate the locomotive. The further into the green area the knob is turned, the faster your train will go. Remember that the greater the load on the engine (adding more cars for the engine to pull, for example), the farther into the green the knob must be turned before it will operate the locomotive.
The yellow band indicates the average power range that the train will be operating in. The red band represents maximum power output.
Press this button to produce a realistic diesel horn sound.
Note!
Slight reduction in speed during horn operation is normal
OFF
Press this button to go forward or reverse, or to
“neutral” (no movement, headlight is on).
Turn the throttle control knob to the right for more power.
OFF FULL
SPEED
FULL
SPEED
FULL
SPEED
R
The LED indicator shows when your controller is ON.
Green band
Yellow band
Red band
OFF FULL
SPEED
6
Controller operations
Controller and short circuits
Y our Lionel power pack is listed by
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and has been carefully designed and tested to ensure peak performance. The controller is equipped with a built-in electronic circuit breaker that alternately cuts off and restores the flow of power to the track whenever a short circuit exists—for example, when the train derails. The circuit breaker’s action continues until the cause of the short circuit is eliminated. This circuit breaker is incorporated into the controller to protect it from possible damage. It will not protect the locomotive or electrically operated accessories, so it’s important to eliminate short circuits as soon as possible.
Note!
The power pack must be unplugged from the wall socket when a short circuit is noticed, and the short circuit must be corrected.
A short circuit is caused by a direct connection between the center rail and one of the outside rails or by a direct connection between bare wires. The axles of a derailed car or locomotive are the most frequent cause of short circuits, so make sure that all wheels are properly set on the rails. Some other causes of short circuits might be staples, nails, paper clips, or other metallic objects lying across the rails, or two bare wires touching each other.
If too many cars or accessories are used, your controller will exceed its power limit and begin to cycle on and off. To correct this problem, cars or accessories must be removed before normal operation can resume. For more power, see the line of
Lionel high-output transformers at your
Authorized Lionel Value Added Dealer.
The same condition can occur if the power is turned up too quickly. This also could cause your train to move too fast and derail.
After your power pack has been operating for a while, you will find it warm to the touch. It is the nature of all electrical power equipment to become warm when in use. If your controller is loaded to capacity, it is a good idea to let it cool down after an hour or two of continuous use. Unplug the power pack from the wall when the controller is not in use.
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Train operation
Reverse unit procedure
T he reverse unit (E-Unit) inside your
Lionel locomotive is an electronic device that acts like the transmission in your 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, press the direction control button or turn the throttle to the
OFF position and ON again. The reverse unit alternates between three states: forward, neutral, and reverse.
Also, the locomotive can be “locked” into a single direction by throwing the switch located on the underside of the frame (see illustration below). When the switch is thrown to the
OFF position, the locomotive will be locked in the next mode of operation in the sequence.
For instance, if the locomotive is moving forward, then is stopped and the switch is thrown back, the locomotive will be “locked” in neutral. If the switch is thrown back while the locomotive is under power, the locomotive will remain in the mode it was in when the switch was thrown. The controller direction control will then have no effect on the direction of the locomotive.
Additionally, this reverse unit has a
“power-up reset” feature, which means that should the locomotive sit 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,” regardless of the locking switch position. If the locking switch is in the Off position, the locomotive will start in the forward direction and be “locked” there.
Diesel horn control button
R
OFF
FU
LL
SP
EE
D
Direction control button
Move the horn switch to the “off” position to deactivate the horn sound.
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E-UNIT
ON OFF
HORN
ON OFF
Switch position information on the frame underside.
Train operation
Horn operation
T he engine’s horn is activated by the horn/whistle button on your transformer. The horn will sound as long as the button is depressed (See page 8 for button and switch location).
If the horn doesn’t sound, reverse the leads to the track. Please make sure that the horn switch located on the underside of the frame is switched to the ON position.
Tire-Traction™
Y our locomotive is equipped with Tire-
Traction. This means that two of the engine drive wheels on the motor truck are fitted with rubber traction tires to enhance tractive effort so your locomotive can pull
Coupling
A fter you have assembled the track, place the locomotive and rolling stock on the track. Before coupling the cars, make sure the wheels are properly set on the rails.
When coupling your cars, at least one of
Sometimes dirt or grease on the track, wheels, and rollers will accumulate and cause the horn to sound intermittently. Cleaning the wheels and track should eliminate this problem. We suggest using the Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance kit (no. 6-62927), available at your local Lionel Authorized Value-Added
Dealer.
many cars at once.
Lionel locomotives with Tire-Traction grip the track, enabling them to pull heavy loads at higher speeds. the mating couplers must be open as shown below at the left. Now, simply push the cars toward each other until they lock together.
You’re ready to pull out of the station. All aboard!
Push down the lock release to open the coupler.
Keep in mind that it’s easier to couple cars on a straight stretch of track.
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Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your RS-3 locomotive
H elp your RS-3 lead a long and productive life on your railroad by maintaining it properly.
We recommend that you purchase a
Lionel Lubrication and Maintenance Kit
(no. 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
RS-3’s wheels, contact rollers, or your track.
You’ll know your RS-3 requires lubrication when visual inspection reveals dryness on the parts indicated in the illustration.
Remove accumulated dirt and dust before lubricating, and always lubricate any locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
Lubricate with
Lionel oil sparingly
Location of the screws on the underside of the frame
Lubricate with
Lionel oil sparingly
Location of the screws on the underside of the frame
Lubricate gears with
Lionel grease sparingly
Lubricate with
Lionel oil sparingly
Location of the screws on the underside of the frame
Location of the screws on the underside of the frame
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Maintaining and servicing your set
Replacing your RS-3’s lamps
T he cab section of your RS-3 is illuminated by a 12 volt lamp which is clipped into a bracket in the upper interior of the cab. Refer to the illustration at the right for its location. During the course of normal operation, it may require replacement.
Begin by removing the six screws that secure the RS-3’s
Headlamp
610-8803-009 shell. They are located on the underside of the frame in the areas shown at right.
Carefully lift the shell away from the frame. Take care with the various wiring assemblies connected to the shell.
Locate the assembly containing the expired lamp.
It’s held in position by a retaining clip; carefully remove the target lamp assembly from the retaining clip, then gently pull the expired lamp from the socket. Replace it with a Lionel no. 600-8352-311 lamp, available from your
Authorized Lionel Service
Center or Lionel Service. See the section on servicing
Headlamp
610-8803-009 your Lionel product for more information.
Replacing the headlamps is a bit more tricky and you may want to consider having them serviced by an Lionel Authorized
Service Station. If you are proficient with wire splicing and/or soldering and don't
Lamp no.
600-8352-311 mind spending a little time and effort, you may want to try it yourself. Here is what you do: Pull the burned out headlamp out of the holder, and clip the leads of the old lamp. 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
(Lionel 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 over the corresponding openings on the frame. Insert and tighten all six screws.
Mounting Screws
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Limited Warranty/Lionel Service
T his Lionel product, including all mechanical and electrical components, moving parts, motors and structural components, except for light bulbs, is warranted to the original consumer-purchaser, for one year against original defects in materials or workmanship when purchased through an authorized Lionel dealer.
This warranty does NOT cover normal wear and tear, light bulbs, defects appearing in the course of commercial use, or damage resulting from abuse or misuse of the product by the purchaser. Transfer of this product by the original consumer-purchaser to another person voids this warranty. Modification of this product voids this warranty.
Any warranted product which is defective in original materials or workmanship and is delivered by the original consumer-purchaser to
Lionel L.L.C. or an authorized Lionel L.L.C. Service
Station, together with proof of original purchase will, at the option of Lionel L.L.C., be repaired or replaced, without charge for parts or labor. In the event the defective product cannot be repaired, and a replacement is not available, a refund of the original purchase price will be granted. Any products on which warranty service is sought must be sent freight or postage prepaid, as transportation and shipping charges are not covered by the warranty.
In no event shall Lionel L.L.C. be liable for incidental or consequential damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.
This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.
Instructions for Obtaining Service
If service for this Lionel L.L.C. product is required, bring the item, along with your dated sales receipt and completed warranty information to the nearest Authorized Lionel Service Station.
Your nearest Lionel Service Station can be found by calling 1-800-4-Lionel, or by accessing our
Website at www.lionel.com.
If you prefer to send your product back to
Lionel L.L.C. for factory repair, you must first call
810-949-4100 or FAX 810-949-5429, or write to
Customer Service, P.O. Box 748, New Baltimore,
MI 48047-0748, stating what the item is, when it was purchased and what seems to be the problem.
You will be sent a return authorization letter and label to ensure your merchandise will be properly handled upon receipt.
Once you have received your return authorization and label, make sure that the item is packed to prevent damage during shipping and handling. We suggest that you use the product’s original packaging. This shipment must be prepaid and we recommend that it be insured.
Please make sure you have followed all of the above instructions carefully before returning any merchandise for service.
Warranty Information
Please complete the information below and keep it, along with your dated sales receipt. You must present this and your dated sales receipt when requesting warranty service.
Name ____________________________
Address ____________________________
Place of Purchase ____________________
Date of Purchase ____________________
Product Number ______________________
Product Description____________________
_________________________________
©2001 L
IONEL
LLC, C
HESTERFIELD
, MI 48051-1956
U NITED S TATES OF A MERICA
P
RINTED IN
C
HINA

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