Lionel Zenith Express Owner's Manual

71-1826-250

Rev. 9/96

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 VA; 54 VA

O-27 set

Owner’s Manual

2

2

Y

ou’re now the proud owner of the

Zenith Express 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 using the list included in a sep­arate flier in this set or call Lionel
Service at 810-949-4100. And have fun!

Table of contents

Track layout

Getting started 3
Joining the track sections 4
Suggested track layouts 5
Grade crossing 5
Attaching the lockon to the track 6

Controller operations

Stripping the wire 7
Attaching the controller wires to the lockon 7
Controller functions 8
Controller and short circuits 9

Train operation

Reverse unit procedure 10
Tire-Traction

™

11

Coupling 11

Maintaining and servicing your set

Lubricating your 4-4-2 locomotive 12
Adding smoke fluid to your 4-4-2’s smoke generator 13
Replacing your 4-4-2’s headlamp 14
Assembling your flatcar with bulkhead and stakes 15
Lionel Service 15

Congratulations!

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3

Getting started

B

efore you do anything else, we

recommend you check the contents
of your set box to ensure 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 find any discrepancies,
contact the dealer you purchased
your set from for more information or
call Lionel Service at 810-949-4100.

Now comes the fun part—decid-

ing what kind of layout you want.

The only rule—let your imagina­tion be your guide.

• 4-4-2 locomotive 1

• Tender w/whistle 1

• Boxcar 1

• Flatcar w/bulkheads and
10 stakes 1

• Caboose 1

• Tractor/trailer 1

• Smoke fluid 1

• Grade crossing 2

• Crate load 2

• Controller 1

• 40-watt power pack 1

• Lockon 1

• Straight track 8

• Curved track 8

• Service Center list 1

• Railroader Club application 1

• Warranty Card 1

Track layout

Track layout

Joining the track sections

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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 Value

Added Dealer or Lionel Service.

Grade crossing

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5

I

ncluded in your set are two pieces of

grade crossing.
These can be used
on any straight
section of track
and will allow
you to drive your
Lionel tractor­trailer as well as
other toy cars and
trucks over the rails of your layout.

To install, simply place the grade

crossings under a
section of straight
track lining up the
rails with the
grooves in the
crossing.

You may install
two crossings on the
same section of

track or on separate sections.

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!