Lionel Union Pacific RS-3 Diesel Freight Set Owner's Manual
73-1924-250
10/01
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
Union Pacic RS-3
Diesel Freight Set
Owner’s Manual
Congratulations!
2
Y
ou’re now the proud owner of the
Union Pacific 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
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 586-949-4100. And have fun!
Table of contents
Track layout
Getting started 3
Suggested track layouts 3
Joining the track sections 4
Attaching the Lock-On to the track 4
Supplying power
Stripping the wire 5
Attaching the controller wires to the Lock-On 5
Controller and short circuits 6
Train operation
Controller functions 7
Reverse unit procedure 8
Horn operation 9
Tire-Traction 9
Coupling 9
Maintaining and servicing your set
Lubricating your RS-3 locomotive 10
Replacing your RS-3’s lamps 11
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 12
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 (road
switcher) series. These engines could work
within railroad yards or as freight haulers
on the open rails.
Capable of developing 1600 horsepower,
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.
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
®
Suggested track layouts
Track layout
3
Getting started
B
efore you do anything else, we recom-
mend that all of the parts of your set
have been included and that the quantities
(when applicable) are correct.
The parts list below will tell you what’s
included and the correct quantities. If you
nd any discrepancies, contact the dealer you
purchased your set from for more information or call Lionel Service at 586-949-4100.
Now comes the fun part—deciding what kind of layout you want. The only rule is that
you let your imagination be your guide. Figure 1 shows some examples of layouts you can
build with eight straight and eight curved sections of track. Remember—the more track you
own, the more variations you can create in your train layout. That means more action and
more fun!
• Union Pacific RS-3 locomotive
• U.P. three dome tankcar
• U.P. Boxcar
• U.P. Caboose
• Controller
• 40-watt power pack
• Lock-On
• Eight pieces of straight track (O-27)
• Eight pieces of curved track (O-27)
• Service Center list
• Railroader Club application
• Warranty Card
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.
Note!
Contents of the RS-3 Set
Figure 1. Track layout suggestions
Attaching the Lock-On to the track
T
he Lock-On connects power from your
controller to the track. Attaching the
Lock-On to the track is quick and easy. First,
place the Lock-On under any straight section
of track. Fit the center lip of the Lock-On
onto the edge of an outside rail. Press the
Lock-On upward so that the spring contact
snaps onto the center rail. The Lock-On
should face outward when setting up your
track and make sure it is firmly connected.
Use the illustrations in Figure 3 as a step-bystep guide.
Once the Lock-On is securely attached to
the track, it’s time to insert the wires from
the controller into the two spring clips on
the Lock-On. See page 5 for easy-to-follow
steps.
2
1
LI
O
N
E
L
C
TC
LO
C
K
O
N
2 Snap spring contact to
the middle rail
1 Hook lip to the
outside of the rail
Track layout
4
Joining the track sections
J
oin the track sections together by insert-
ing 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 (refer to
Figure 2).
If the openings become too large (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 avail-
able 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 Value
Added Dealer or
Lionel Service.
Figure 2.
Fitting track together
Figure 3. Attaching your track Lock-On
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