User Manual

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Caution: This locomotive is a very delicate model. Please be
careful when handling it and placing it on the track.
Your new Athearn N-Scale Challenger Locomotive
comes factory equipped with a state-of-the-art Dual
Function decoder. This means your locomotive will run
on any NMRA compatible DCC system or on any regu-
lar DC Train Control (HO power pack).
ATTENTION D.C. POWERPACK USERS
To avoid damaging the decoder in this locomotive, we rec-
ommend that once bringing the locomotive to it’s idle set-
ting, [approx. 50% throttle], wait at least 3 seconds before
running the loco at it’s maximum recommended voltage
level. Older power packs can exhibit a “no-load” voltage
spike for a few seconds which can damage the circuitry in
the decoder.
Caution: Do not run your new Athearn N-Scale Challenger
Locomotive on any G scale or high power HO power pack.
You may damage the locomotive circuitry.
When running on a DC power pack, this locomotive fea-
tures a wireless radio control. This makes accessing the
sound functions and running the locomotive more conve-
nient when following your train around the layout.
The transmitter (battery not included) that comes with
your locomotive has the following functions:
1. Button 1 will start or stop the bell sounds.
2. Button 2 will operate the steam whistle.
3. Button STP will bring the locomotive to a gradual
stop. This is a built in safety feature. Press Button STP
while the locomotive is stopped and you will hear the
water injector sound.
4. Button 4 will accelerate the locomotive. When the
locomotive has reached its maximum speed, pressing
Button 4 will activate the sound of the fire box door
opening and closing.
5. Button 3 will decelerate the locomotive. Press Button
3 when the locomotive is stopped and you will hear an
air release sound.
6. Button 5 (pressed while the locomotive is moving) will
slow the locomotive down, change its direction and
speed it up. This is also a built in safety feature. Press
Button 5 when the locomotive is in idle (25%—35%
throttle setting) to activate the blower hiss sound.
Note: There are two idle settings that enable various
sounds to be controlled while the engine is standing
still. To activate "Idle #1" set the power pack's throttle
setting at the 25%—35% position, being sure to keep the
transmitter's speed regulator setting off. In "Idle #1"
the following sounds can be activated: bell, whistle,
water injector, air release, blower hiss and fire box
door. To access the "Idle #2" setting, set the power
pack's throttle to 100% (again, keeping the transmit-
ter's speed regulator off). While in "Idle #2" the same
sounds can be activated with the transmitter, with the
exception of the fire box door.
DC Operation-Analog Mode
To set up your Hand Held Controller and operate you
locomotive with a DC power pack, follow these easy
directions:
1. Install the battery in the transmitter.
2. Connect the wires from your DC power pack's "vari-
able track terminals" to your track.
3. Place the locomotive on the track making sure all
wheels are aligned correctly to avoid short circuits,
which can possibly damage your locomotive circuitry
and power pack.
4. Turn the switch on the power pack to ON.
5. Slowly adjust the throttle until you hear the locomo-
tive begin to idle. Only during idle can you use the
direction switch on the power pack to change the
locomotive’s direction. Either the headlight or back-up
light will illuminate to indicate the locomotive’s direc-
tion. Once the locomotive begins moving, you cannot
use the direction switch on the power pack to change
direction. You can only use transmitter to change the
locomotive direction while it is moving. This feature
allows you to control another analog locomotive on
the same track.
6. Your new Athearn N-Scale Challenger Locomotive
will always remember its last direction of operation
regardless of the position of the direction switch on the
power pack.
7. When you use the power pack's throttle to control the
locomotive’s speed, the top speed will be limited by
the transmitter’s speed setting.
8. When you use the transmitter to control the locomo-
tive’s speed, the top speed will be limited by the power
pack's throttle setting.
9. If the locomotive's top speed is too low, do not set the
power pack's throttle to maximum. We recommend
you set the throttle to 60%-70% and use the transmitter
to control the locomotive speed. This will give you the
best operation range.
10. Never exceed 18 volts D.C. to the track in analog
operation. Excessive track voltage may damage the
locomotive’s circuitry. Never try to operate the loco-
motive on A.C. power.
11. If the transmitter’s range begins to decrease, the bat-
tery needs to be replaced.
12. We recommend you always use the power pack's
throttle to control the locomotive speed. Not only will
you get a smoother speed control, but the battery life