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[Anonymous]

Hi:
This is my first post, and I am trying to set up my Dad's Lionel 0-27 set. Unfortunately, Dad passed away without showing me how to set it up. The kids are 2 and 4 and I'm going to risk setting it up under the tree. I bought Riddle's book on setting up a layout, but all I want to do is set up a simple loop around the tree. I have a 1033 transformer and a 2 clips with 1 and 2 marked on them. To make the whistle work I was wondering if I can use the A to 1 and U to 2 hookups with one clip. I'll worry about the lights and switches next year. Right now I just want the simple loop. Can anyone help me wth that?

 

[NeO6874]

if its the 3-rail Lionel, hook up is pretty simple (to get the train running, I'm none too sure about the whistle...)

 

• Take the track clip and clip it so that the posts (to connect wires to) are on the OUTSIDE of the track.  the clip will then be around the center and outer rails.
  
• get about 6" of wire (Speaker wire would work well), and connect one end to the terminals on the back of the transformer (might be labelled "track "), connect the other end of the wires to the terminals on the track clip.
  
• put locomotive on the track, apply power 
• if I remember correctly Lionel has a Forward -> Neutral -> Reverse -> Neutral type relay in their locos.
  
• if it doesn't move right away, crank the transformer to full (slowly).  If the loco still doesn't move try rocking the tender or the loco (I forget where the power pickups are) to break/reapply power kinda quickly.  The sudden jolts of power will usually free a stuck relay.
• if that doesn't work, you'll need to find a switch on the loco (usually on top, near the domes), it is the "lock" switch - move it the other way (the loco might be "locked" in Neutral or something)
• if THAT doesn't work, you're going to need to take apart the loco, and manually free up the relay by (GENTLY) moving it back and forth (there's a metal bit on one side that moves)

[Anonymous]

Hi
I tried it and it seems to work, still no whistle though, but I am getting the smoke. Do 2 clips give more power assuming that I stick to the same configuration U-1 and A-2.

[ndbprr]

Most hobby shops recognize that bringing a newbie into the fold yields future sales.   Try visiting one or two and either they or one of the customers should be willing to get you started and answer all your questions.  If they don't try another one.  There are some snobs and elitists around but they are generally in the monority.  Don't go to a place like Hobby Lobby as there will be no one there who knows much if anything other than how to stock the shelves.  You need to find a genuine hobby shop that deals in trains, airplanes, rockets and plastic models.  The back of Model Railroader magazine lists many throughout the country that are true hobby shops.  Look first for one that say's either Lionel or O gauge and you may even find someone who will  help you set your train  up.  There is no sense in reinventing the wheel when someone can solve your problems in a matter of minutes.

[Anonymous]

That would work if we were near bigger towns, unfortunately I'm not. So, the question remains does it make sence to put two power clips on the tracks from the same transformer.