Lionel 71-3008-250 User manual

71-3008-250
3/02
Rev. 1
®
featuring and
Standard Gauge
Commodore Vanderbilt
Steam Locomotive,
Tender & Passenger Cars
Owner’s Manual
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Locomotive features:
2
• Dual Pittman®motors
• Command reverse unit for use with the
TrainMaster Command Control system
• RailSounds sound system
• CrewTalk communication (in Command)
• TowerCom announcement (in Command)
• Illuminated firebox glow
• Fan-driven smoke unit
• Die-cast metal construction
Passenger car features:
• Opening doors and roofs
• Interior illumination • Stamped metal construction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel Standard Gauge Commodore
Vanderbilt Set! Three tinplate Pullman
heavyweight cars follow the famous stream-
lined locomotive, equipped with TrainMaster
Command Control and the RailSounds
sound system.
“Standard of the World”
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®

Table of contents
3
Transformer operations
Running your steam locomotive with a Lionel transformer 4
“Latch” couplers 5
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state 6
Your locomotive’s RailSounds system—the basics/Battery installation 7-8
Notes on RailSounds 9
Experiencing the range of your locomotive’s RailSounds 9
Installing a Lionel sound activation button 10
TrainMaster Command operations
The Command Control environment 11
Running your locomotive in the TrainMaster Command environment 12
CAB-1 commands for your locomotive 13
RailSounds in the Command environment 14
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your locomotive 15
Tuning your locomotive’s performance 16
Assigning your locomotive a new ID# 17
Reprogramming Command reverse unit circuit boards to restore features 18
Maintaining your locomotive’s handrail antenna 18
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive and passenger cars
Lubricating your steam locomotive 19
Lubricating your passenger cars 20
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generator 21
Servicing your locomotive’s lamps 22
Servicing your passenger car lamps 23
Lionel Service 24

Transformer operations
Place your steam locomotive on 42˝ diameter or larger
Standard Gauge track.
•With track power OFF, connect the drawbar between the locomotive and tender.
as illustrated in Figure 1 below.
1
1
Running your steam locomotive with a Lionel transformer
Note: Before running your new Standard Gauge Commodore Vanderbilt set, it is important
that you lubricate all the wheels and axle assemblies of the passenger cars in order to provide
the best possible operation. See the illustration on page 20 for more information.
While this set will operate on 42” diameter track, we recommend using track with a
diameter of 72” for the best appearance and performance.
Note!
2
2
3
3
Power up your locomotive with your transformer.
• Your locomotive is designed to operate on 8-18 volts alternating
current. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current trans-
formers are suitable.
•When you first power up your track, the locomotive will wait
between three and eight seconds as it “listens” for digital language from
the TrainMaster Command Base (available separately). When it’s determined that
it’s on a conventional (non-Command) railroad, the locomotive headlight will
illuminate and RailSounds will start up. At this point, the locomotive is in neutral.
(This occurs when placing the locomotive on your railroad for the first time.
Thereafter, it starts in forward after every three-second power interruption.)
•To experience all of your locomotive’s features, we recommend using
TrainMaster Command Control, available at your authorized Lionel dealer.
Do not power your locomotive with direct current (DC). Damage to
sensitive electronic components may occur.
Move ‘em out!
•Get your locomotive moving. Press the DIR button on your CAB-1 remote or
Lionel transformer. This sequences the Command reverse unit to the next operating
state.
•Adjust track voltage until your locomotive moves at your desired speed.
Note!
Figure 1. Drawbar connection
4

5
Transformer operations
“Latch” Couplers
Your Lionel Standard Gauge set utilizes “latch” couplers in order to be
compatible with previously manufactured
Lionel Standard Gauge products.
In order to couple the tender and cars
together with this latch sytstem, it is neces-
sary to lift the coupler arm on BOTH couplers
at the same time and then push cars together.
Refer to Figure 2 below.
Figure 2. Latch couplers

Transformer operations
To select a single operational state for your Lionel locomotive (example: forward
only), you can deactivate the Command
reverse unit’s sequencing function with the
reverse unit control switch, located on the
right hand side, underneath the cab. Refer to
Figure 3 for the switch location.
Get your locomotive moving in the desired
direction, then slow it down without stopping.
Set the Reverse unit control switch to PROG
while the engine is in motion. The locomotive
is now “locked” into your chosen direction.
When you no longer want single-direction
operation, just slide the Reverse unit control
switch back to RUN.
When powered down, the Command
reverse unit will reset to forward
after approximately five seconds, regardless
of the locked-out direction.
Locking your locomotive into a single operational state
6
Note!
SMOKE
ONOFF RAILSIGNAL
SMOKE
+
-
ONOFF
RAIL SIGNAL
RUN PROG
Reverse unit control switch
RAIL/SIGNAL
switch
Smoke Unit Switch
(see page 21 for details)
Volume Control Knob
Front
Rear
Figure 3. Switch location

7
Transformer operations
Your locomotive’s RailSounds system—the basics
Lionel RailSounds is the most realistic model railroad sound system in the
world. Your locomotive’s RailSounds features
digital samples for the ultimate in realism.
Begin by installing a 9-volt alkaline battery
in your locomotive. This ensures interrup-
tion-free operation of RailSounds. Access to
the battery holder in the locomotive is
achieved as follows:
• Turn the locomotive over onto a soft sur-
face to prevent any damage to the finish.
• Remove the four cab screws holding the
chassis to the cab. See Figure 5 on page 19.
• Set the chassis onto the drive wheels,
being careful of the wiring still connected
to the cab.
• Connect the 9-volt alkaline battery to the bat-
tery clip and place the battery into the holder
inside of the locomotive. (See Figure 4 on
page 8).
• Carefully reassemble the locomotive in
the opposite order of above, being careful
not to pinch any wires between the chassis
and the cab.
When you first apply track power, the loco-
motive’s RailSounds system produces sounds
of the locomotive at rest. As the locomotive
starts to move, chuffing begins and increases
with the locomotive’s speed.
To silence the steam chuff (whistle and bell
remain unaffected), slide the RAIL/SIGNAL
switch, located underneath the cab of the
locomotive, to the SIGNAL position before
powering up the locomotive. (See Figure 3 on
page 6.) The whistle is activated by using the
whistle lever or button on your transformer or
CAB-1. The volume control knob to raise or
lower the level of sound is located underneath
the rear truck near the Smoke Unit switch
(See Figure 3 on page 6).

REAR OF LOCOMOTIVE
Transformer operations
8
Your locomotive’s RailSounds system—the basics
Note!
Note!
Note!
Note!
Please remove the protective cover from the battery clip before installing the battery.
Although RailSounds is powered by track voltage, the battery is required for unin-
terrupted operation and shutdown sequences. Use only alkaline batteries.
Discontinue locomotive power for 10 seconds before changing the RAIL/SIGNAL
switch position.
If RailSounds “drops out” during track power interruptions (during direction
changes, switches, crossings, etc), replace the battery.
Figure 4. Battery installation

Transformer operations
9
Notes on RailSounds
• Listen for incidental locomotive sounds
during RailSounds operation. They’re
automatic and, of course, authentic.
• The 9-volt alkaline battery you installed
ensures continuous sounds, even during
short track-power interruptions.
• Longer track-power interruptions
(including locomotive derailments)
cause RailSounds to shut down after
about 7 seconds.
• For even more authentic RailSounds
effects, operate your locomotive in the
TrainMaster Command environment. See
pages 11-18 for details.
With RailSounds, you experience the sounds of real railroading like never
before. Simply put, it’s the most sophisticat-
ed, authentic model railroad sound system in
the world.
• Variable chuff rate. The speed of
your locomotive determines the steam
chuff rate.
• MultiWhistle. Different whistles
for different speeds—a RailSounds
exclusive.
• Authentic bell. Press BELL on your
CAB-1 or transformer to begin the effect,
again to discontinue. Even the final “hit”
is muted like the real thing.
• Reverse unit reset sound. Power
down your track, wait for 3-5 seconds,
and listen for the air-release sound—
that’s the locomotive telling you its
Command reverse unit has just reset to
forward operation.
• Shutdown sequence. No other model
railroad sound system shuts down like
RailSounds. Turn off track power, and
after the air-release reset sound, you have
two seconds to restart your locomotive. If
you’re done with operations, RailSounds
will commence with an authentic shut-
down sequence about two seconds after
the air-release reset occurs.
Experiencing the range of your locomotive’s RailSounds system
Note! A 9-volt alkaline battery must be
installed for the shutdown
sequence.

Transformer operations
Installing a Lionel Sound Activation Button
12
POWER
SUPPLY
A
POWER
SUPPLY
A
For AC transformers with a horn/whistle button
For AC transformers lacking a horn/whistle button
Existing wire Common/Ground/U
Power/A
Black wire
Red wire
Lionel no. 610-5906-001
SoundActivation Button for
activating the bell
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
SoundActivation
Button for whistle Lionel no. 610-5906-001
SoundActivation Button for bell
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire
The no. 610-5906-001 button works with any Lionel AC transformer except
no. 6-4690 Type MW. Transformers made by other manufacturers may not be
compatible with RailSounds.
Note!
To operate the bell and horn sounds when operating your locomotive with conven-
tional transformers, you’ll need to install a
Lionel no. 610-5906-001 Sound Activation
Button (available separately). Connect the
button(s) as shown below.
All track power must feed through
the Sound Activation Button. Do not
bypass the button.
Note!
Existing wire Common/Ground/U
Power/A
10

11
Your locomotive in the TrainMaster Command Control environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command Control is the fun and sophisticated model railroad
control system from Lionel.
TrainMaster Command Control gives you
the power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track, at
the same time.
To operate in Command mode, you
need a Command Base and a CAB-1
remote. Find them both at your authorized
Lionel retailer.
Place your locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-compatible 42”
diameter or larger Standard Gauge track (72” recommended)
• Make sure track power is OFF before placing it on track.
• Make sure your Lionel Command Base is plugged-in and its commu-
nications wire is connected to the COMMON post on your Lionel transformer or
the U terminal on any of your installed PowerMasters.
• Once positioned on the track, increase track voltage to FULL (or a maxi-
mum of 20 volts). If you are using any PowerMaster units, slide the
CMD/CONV switch to CMD on the units.
Address your locomotive with CAB-1.
•Press ENG and 1 on the numeric keypad of your CAB-1 remote. This command
is sent by CAB-1 to the Command Base, which then translates your commands into
digital code. That code is sent around your railroad’s outside rails in the form of a
digital “halo.” All Command-equipped Lionel locomotives listen to this digital
communication, but they do not respond until they hear their own ID number.
•The digital language of TrainMaster Command control—not track
power—controls the actions of Command-equipped Lionel loco-
motives. Track power is simply like gasoline in the tank of your car—it gives
you the power to go places, but it doesn’t tell you where to go or how fast to get
there.
All Command-equipped Lionel locomotives come factory-pro-
grammed with an ID# of “1.” To change your locomotive ID#, see page 17.
Move ‘em out!
•Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your locomo-
tive will respond to your every command. Read on.
1
1
2
2
3
3
TrainMaster Command operations
Note!

12
Running your locomotive in the TrainMaster
Command environment
Your Command-equipped loco- motive comes factory-pro-
grammed with an ID# of “1.” To get
your locomotive into action, set
PowerMasters to CMD or set all power
supplies on full or a maximum of 20
volts. Press ENG and “1” on CAB-1.
Turn the throttle or press any com-
mand button; your locomotive is
ready for Command operations.
TrainMaster Command operations
Address Locomotive #1
PowerMasters set to CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL (no more than 20
volts)
Press ENG
Press 1 (the ID#)
Throttle up/press any command button
Example

13
Coupler release
sounds.
Press AUX2 to turn
your locomotive’s
headlight on and off.
Press WSTL/HRN to
activate the locomo-
tive’s whistle, release to
discontinue. Multi-Whistle
steam whistle sound.
Press DIR—the loco-
motive decelerates to a
complete stop; turn
the throttle up, and the locomo-
tive moves in the opposite direc-
tion. There is no neutral. Steam
air-release sound.
Press BELL once to
activate the bell,
again to discontinue.
Traditional bell sound.
PressHALT to shut down all
PowerMaster electrical out-
put on your railroad.
Stops all Command-equipped Lionels in operation.
Use HALT only in emergency situations.
Turn the THROTTLE
to the right to accel-
erate, left to deceler-
ate. Speed-depen-
dent variable steam chuff-
ing. DynaChuff dynamic
chuffing effect.
CAB-1 commands for your locomotive
Press and hold BOOST
for extra power.
Release BOOST and
return to the locomotive’s previous
speed. Labored chuff.
Press and hold BRAKE
to slow down or stop.
ReleaseBRAKE and
return to the previous speed.
Squealing brake sounds.
Locomotive RailSounds effects in bold italic.
TrainMaster Command operations
Coupler release
sounds.
Note!
Activates the
keypad.
SET L M H
Beneath this panel

RailSounds in the Command environment
Your locomotive’s RailSounds system gives you even more in the
TrainMaster Command environment.
•DynaChuff. Real steam locomotive
chuffing depends on the locomotive’s
load. DynaChuff simulates both labored
and relaxed chuffing sounds. Highball
down the mainline and hear the labored
chuffing of a locomotive battling inertia.
Reduce your throttle setting, and chuff-
ing relaxes to a more sedate sound, as
though the load placed on the locomo-
tive has decreased. Experience DynaChuff
on steep grades, at yard crawls, and at
speed. Another RailSounds exclusive.
• Bonus sounds like squealing brakes
with the CAB-1 BRAKE command.
• Incidental sounds you control with
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands, like
steam let-off and steam release effects.
TrainMaster Command operations
14

15
When you press AUX1 on CAB-1, you turn the numeric keypad into 10 command buttons. The keypad lets you control extra
command features (until you press any top-row button like SW, ACC,
RTE, TR, or ENG). The CAB-1 keypad overlay included with your
locomotive is designed to help you learn the auxiliary features specif-
ic to this classic locomotive.
Locomotive RailSounds effects in bold italic.
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your locomotive
0Stops and resets the locomotive to FORWARD. Headlight flickers.
1Raises the volume of RailSounds. Sound volume increases.
2CrewTalk is the sound of unintelligi- ble walkie-talkie communication.
3Starts-up RailSounds. Start-up sequence commences. Steam
blowoff sound.
4Lowers the volume of RailSounds. Sound volume decreases.
5Activates the RailSounds steam shut- down sequence. Just like the real thing,
your locomotive must be idle for shut-
down to occur. Steam shutdown com-
mences. Remember, the whistle and bell
will not sound until you restart RailSounds.
CrewTalk sounds*.
6Steam release sound*.
7TowerCom is two audible announce- ments that include that engine’s name.
Press AUX1, 7 for stand-by announcement.
Press 7 again, and you will hear that you
locomotive is clear for departure. There is a
four second delay in this function.
8Turns off the smoke generator. Steam release sound*.
9Turns on the smoke generator. Press and hold 9 (10 seconds maximum) to initi-
ate Smoke Boost—this superheats the smoke
generator and enhances smoke output when
you start running your locomotive. Steam
blowoff sound*.
TrainMaster Command operations
*Hearing the Steam release sound, Blowoff sound
or the CrewTalk sounds lets you know that the
locomotive has received these commands.
Note! AUX1, 8 and 9 only work if the
smoke unit switch is in the ON
position. The CAB-1 Remote
Controller will not operate the
smoke unit when the switch is in
the OFF position.

16
Tuning your locomotive performance
MOMENTUM
Simulate the labored performance of a
locomotive pulling a heavy load with
momentum. Press L, M, or H (located under
CAB-1’s removable panel) for light, medium
or heavy momentum. The Command reverse
unit remembers the setting until you change
it. For delayed response, use H. For quick
response, choose L.
BOOSTING AND BRAKING
Use the BOOST and BRAKE command but-
tons for incremental control of speed and a
superior method for handling stops and
starts. Plus, using BRAKE in the Command
environment gives you a bonus RailSounds
effect—the ultra-realistic sound of squealing
brakes.
STALL
Make your locomotive feel more responsive
by setting a “stall” voltage. Get your locomo-
tive moving, then press SET; the locomotive
will stop. The headlight will flash, indicating
it’s in the SET mode. Turn the throttle clock-
wise to get the locomotive moving, then
decrease speed until the locomotive just
stops. Press SET again; the Command reverse
unit remembers the stall setting until you
change it. To clear the stall setting, press SET
twice, holding it for one second each time.
HIGH VOLTAGE SETTING
Press ENG, the locomotive ID#, and then
SET; the locomotive’s headlight will flash. Get
your locomotive moving to the maximum
speed you want it to run, then press BOOST.
Use this to keep your locomotive from acci-
dentally being derailed at high speed.
To clear the setting, press ENG,
the ID#, then immediately
press BOOST.
SOUND QUALITY
To achieve your preferred RailSounds mas-
ter volume level, use the volume control dial
located on the bottom of the locomotive (see
page 6). Turn the dial left or right to adjust
the volume to your liking.
For quick remote-control of volume below
the master setting—like muting—use the
CAB-1 numeric keypad’s volume control.
Press AUX1 and then 4 on the keypad to
lower overall RailSounds output.
These settings will be lost when you
assign a new engine ID number.
Note!
Note!
TrainMaster Command operations

17
TrainMaster Command operations
Assign a new ID# to your
Command-equipped locomotive
Set the locomotive reverse unit control
switch to PROG
Command Base plugged in
Place the locomotive on track
PowerMasters set to CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL (no more than
20 volts)
Turn track power on (PowerMasters):
Press BOOST
Program the locomotive with a new ID#:
Press ENG
Press a number you choose
(the ID#)
Press SET
Set the reverse unit control switch to
RUN
Your locomotive remembers its ID#
forever; change it any time with these
steps
Example
We recommend that you choose an easy to
remember ID# for your engine. Some possi-
bilities are part of the engine road number,
your age, or any two digit number that is not
used by another engine. Write the number on
a small piece of tape and put this on the bot-
tom of the fuel tank to aid in remembering.
As your fleet of Command-equipped Lionel locomotives grows, you’ll want
to give your locomotive a more individual-
ized number. Choose from any between 1
and 99. To make things easy, use a portion
of your locomotive’s cab number.
Set the locomotive’s reverse unit control
switch to PROG (see the illustration on
page 5). Plug in the Command Base and
place the locomotive on track, then power
up. Using CAB-1, press ENG, the locomotive
ID# that you select and then press the SET
button located under CAB-1’s removable
panel. Hear the whistle blow (or see the
headlight flash if RailSounds is off); that’s
the Command reverse unit confirming the
new ID#. Set the reverse unit control switch
to RUN. Your locomotive is ready for opera-
tions with its all-new ID#.
Assigning your locomotive a new ID#

TrainMaster Command operations
18
Maintaining your locomotive’s handrail antenna
Your locomotive handrails are more than just model grab irons—they’re the
Command reverse unit’s antenna for receiv-
ing Command Base digital communications.
Please handle the locomotive carefully to
avoid handrail damage. To ensure opti-
mum reception, both handrails are insulated
from the die-cast shell. If your locomotive
experiences difficulty receiving Base commu-
nications, check the handrail ends in the cab
and pilot for the presence of insulating mate-
rial. Ensure that each insulator is present and
enjoys a proper fit. Finally, prevent the
handrails from touching any part of the die-
cast locomotive cab.
Reprogramming the Command reverse unit circuit board
to restore features
Due to the inevitable derailments and sta- tic, it is possible that your Command
reverse unit could someday lose its setup pro-
gram. The symptom of this condition would
be unresponsiveness in Command mode.
This can be easily remedied by “reprogram-
ming” your Command reverse unit using the
following steps.
STEP 1: Move the switch on your locomo-
tive from RUN to PROG.
STEP 2: Plug in your Command Base.
STEP 3: Place the locomotive on track,
then turn on power to your track.
STEP 4: Press “ENG” then input the loco-
motive’s ID#. Press “SET.”
STEP 5: Press “ENG,” the ID#, “AUX1,”
then press 8 for your locomotive.
STEP 6: Turn off power to your track and
wait ten seconds.
STEP 7: Remove the locomotive from your
track, and move the switch from PROG to
RUN.
STEP 8: Place the locomotive back on
track, then turn power on to the track.
STEP 9: Press “ENG” and the ID#, then
operate as normal.

Lubricating your steam locomotive
19
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive and
passenger cars
Help your Lionel steam locomotive lead a long and productive life on your rail-
road by maintaining it properly.
We recommend 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
steam locomotive’s wheels, contact rollers,
or your track.
You’ll know your steam locomotive
requires lubrication when visual inspection
reveals dryness on the parts indicated in
Figure 5. Remove accumulated dirt and dust
before lubricating, and always lubricate any
locomotive emerging from prolonged storage.
Also, lightly lubricate the steam locomotive’s
side rods after each 25 hours of operation.
Do not lubricate your locomotive’s electric
motors. They have been pretested and all the
necessary moving parts have been sufficient-
ly lubricated for life at the factory and
should run smoothly for many years to
come. If you have any difficulty in the oper-
ation of your engine, see the Warranty and
Service section at the end of this instruction
sheet for more information.
Figure 5. Screw locations and lubrication points
SMOKE
+
-
ONOFF
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Cab screws
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Cab screws
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly

Before running your passenger cars, lubricate all axle ends and wheels as
shown below in Figure 6. Remove dirt and
dust before lubricating. Always lubricate after
prolonged storage and after every 25 hours of
operation.
Lubricating your passenger cars
20
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive and
passenger cars
Lubricate with
Lionel oil
sparingly
Figure 6. Lubrication points