Lionel GP-20 User manual

71-8574-250
5/98
®
featuring and
Lionel GP-20
diesel locomotive
Owner’s Manual

Congratulations!
2
2
Congratulations! You now own one
of the most sophisticated model
trains ever built—the Lionel
TrainMaster Command-equipped G -
20 diesel locomotive.
From the crisp detail and expert dec-
oration on the outside to the advanced
technology and brute power under its
hood, your Lionel G -20 is ready for
duty on your model railroad.
Read this instruction manual thor-
oughly for important tips on operating
and maintaining your G -20 locomo-
tive. When properly cared for, it will
last a lifetime. Experience the superior-
ity of today’s Lionel.
• Powerful Lionel Pullmor®motor
• LiontechCommandTM LCRU2reverseunit
forusewiththeLionelTrainMaster®
CommandTM modelrailroadcontrolsystem
• Magne-Traction®
• RailsoundsTM diesel sound system—
digital samples from a real GP-20
• Die-cast ElectrocouplersTM or die-cast
magnetic uncouplers
• Directional headlights, strobe light, and
interior illumination
• CrewTalk™and TowerCom™
(in command mode)
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running your GP-20 with a Lionel transformer 3
Using your GP-20’s Electrocouplers
TM
4
Using your GP-20’s magnetic uncouplers 4
A note on Magne-Traction 5
Your GP-20’s Railsounds system—the basics 5
Experiencing the range of your GP-20’s Railsounds system 6
Notes on Railsounds 6
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button 7
TrainMaster Command operations
The Command control environment 8
Running your GP-20 in the TrainMaster Command environment 9
CAB-1 commands for your GP-20 9
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your GP-20 10
Tuning your GP-20’s performance 11
Assigning your GP-20 a new ID# 12
Maintaining and servicing your GP-20 diesel locomotive
Lubricating your GP-20 13
Lubricating your GP-20’s Pullmormotor armature 14
Reprogramming LCRU circuit boards to restore features 14
Replacing your GP-20’s lamps 15
Lionel Service 16

Transformer operations
3
3
Running your GP-20 with a Lionel transformer
Place your GP-20 locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-
compatible O gauge track.
• Note the pull of Magne-Traction between your G -20 and the
steel track. Magnetized wheels and axles increase your pulling
power (more than 25 cars on straight and level track) and keep
your G -20 on track while passing swiftly through curves.
2
2Power up your GP-20 with your transformer.
• Your GP-20 is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current
transformers are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster
Command model railroad control system.
• O NOT POWER YOUR GP-20 WITH IRECT CURRENT (DC). Damage to
sensitive electronic components may occur.
• When you first power up your track, the GP-20 will wait
between 3 and 8 seconds as it “listens” for digital language from
the TrainMaster Command Base (available separately). When it’s
determined that it’s on a conventional (nonCommand) railroad,
the G -20’s headlights will illuminate and Railsounds will fire up.
At this point, the locomotive is in neutral. (This occurs when plac-
ing the G -20 on your railroad for the first time. Thereafter, it
starts in forward after every three-second power interrupt.)
Note!
3
3Move ‘em out!
• Get your GP-20 moving. ress the DIR button on your CAB-1
remote or Lionel transformer. This sequences the Lionel
Command reverse unit (LCRU) to the next operating state. The
LCRU alternates between three states: forward, neutral, and
reverse.
• Adjust track voltage until your G -20 moves at your desired
speed. To increase speed, increase track voltage. To decrease
speed, reduce voltage. To stop the locomotive, cut track power.
• To select a single operating state (example: forward only), you
can deactivate the LCRU’s sequencing function. Get your G -20
moving in the desired direction, then slide the reverse unit control
switch on the locomotive’s underside to ROGRAM. See page 12
for the switch location and positioning.
1
1

Transformer operations
4
4
Using your GP-20’s Electrocoupler in the non-Command environment
If your G -20 is equipped with
Electrocouplers, then in the non-
Command environment, you must first
couple a piece of rolling stock equipped
with Lionel magnetic couplers directly
to your G -20. The magnetic coupler on
the rolling stock will then react to the
magnetic field generated by a Lionel
remote-control track section (available
separately). lace your rolling stock’s
coupler “trigger disc” over the central
coil of a remote-control track section
and press uncouple on the controller. The
magnetic field pulls the disc downward,
and the coupler opens.
Your GP-20s Electrocoupler will NOT
open manually or by using a remote-con-
trol track section
Magnetic coupler on the rolling
stock coupled to your G -20
Note!
Remote-control track section
Usingyour GP-20’sElectrocoupler intheTrainMaster Commandenvironment
If your Lionel G -20 is equipped with
front and rear Electrocouplers it
responds to the COU LER F (front)
and COU LER R (rear) button on
your CAB-1 remote when operat-
ed in the Trainmaster Command
environment. Simply press either
button on your CAB-1 remote, and that
coupler opens.
YourGP-20 s
Electrocoupler is NOT
designed to be opened
manually.
Note!
Using your GP-20’s magnetic couplers
If your Lionel G -20 is equipped with
magnetic die-cast knuckle couplers,
they react to the
magnetic field
generated by a
Lionel remote-
control track
section (avail-
able separately).
lace your
locomotive’s coupler trigger disc over
the central coil of a remote-control track
section and press
“uncouple” on
the controller. The
magnetic field
pulls the disc
downward, and
the knuckle
opens.
Position your GP-20's trigger disc over the remote-con-
trol track section, then press “uncouple.” The coupler
opens.
Remote-control
track section
Coupler trigger disc
Central coil

Your GP-20’s Railsounds system—the basics
Lionel Railsounds is the most realis-
tic model railroad sound system in
the world. Your G -20 features digital
samples from an authentic G -20 for
the ultimate in
realism.
Begin by
installing a
9-volt alkaline
battery. This
ensures
interuption free
operation of
Railsounds.
Remove the
four cab
mounting
screws (see the
illustration on
page 13 for their
location), lift off
the G -20’s
body. Connect
the 9-volt battery to the battery clip and
place the battery into the holder. Replace
the body and reinsert the four screws.
Although track voltage
powers Railsounds, the
battery is required for uninter-
rupted operation and shut-
down sequences. Use only
alkaline batteries; do not use
“heavy duty” batteries.
Apply track power and the G -20’s
Railsounds system delivers an authentic
start-up sequence, followed by sounds of the
locomotive at idle. As the G -20’s speed
increases, the
R Ms move
through four lev-
els of roar. Sounds
return to idle only
after the locomo-
tive has come to a
complete halt. To
silence diesel
R M roar (horn
and bell remain
unaffected), slide
the Railsounds
switch to its
SIGNAL position
before powering up
the locomotive. See
page 12 for the
switch location
and positioning. To return to the diesel R M
roar, return the switch to the FULL position
before powering up the locomotive.
Discontinue locomotive
power for 10 seconds before
changing the Railsounds
on/off switch.
If Railsounds “drops out”
during track power inter-
rupts, replace the battery.
Install a 9-volt alkaline battery in your GP-20. Remove the
four mounting crews, lift off the body, connect the battery
to the power cord, and place the battery into the holder.
Note!
Note!
Note!
LIONEL
LIONEL
LIONEL
5
5
A note on Magne-Traction
Your G -20 is equipped with
Lionel Magne-Traction, magne-
tized wheelsets and axles that help
increase tractive effort during opera-
tion. Because the wheelsets are mag-
netized, take care to prevent small
metallic objects from attaching to the
wheel sets and working their way
into the G -20’s motor assembly.
They can damage your locomotive.
Magne-Traction is not effective
on nonferrous track.
Note!

6
6
Transformer operations
With Railsounds, you experience
the sounds of real railroading
like never before. Simply put, it’s the
most sophisticated, authentic model
railroad sound system in the world.
•Four diesel-roar levels. Your G -20’s
speed determines the level of diesel R M
roar—automatically, if you prefer: idle,
slow, medium, or full-speed output.
• MultiHornTM. A different horn sound
every time—a Railsounds exclusive.
• Mechanical bell. ress BELL on your
CAB-1 or transformer to begin the
effect; again to discontinue.
• Full control of RPMs. refer hands-on
control of diesel R M roar? Want to
“ramp up” R Ms before pulling out, just
like real diesels do? It’s easy with
Railsounds. lace your G -20 in neutral
and increase track voltage to maximum.
R Ms will continue to increase as long
as the G -20 remains in neutral, eventu-
ally reaching their highest level. Now,
within 3 seconds, decrease track voltage
to the desired speed level, press DIR on
your CAB-1 remote or transformer, and
head out with your G -20 at full churn,
just like the real thing. RPMs will remain
at that level until the locomotive has come to
a complete halt. Experiment with control-
lable R Ms—it’s a blast!
• Reverse unit reset sound. ower
down your track, wait for 3.5 seconds,
and listen for the air-release sound—
that’s the G -20 telling you its Lionel
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 2 seconds to restart
your G -20. If you’re done with opera-
tions, Railsounds will commence with
an authentic G -20 shutdown
sequence about 2 seconds after the air-
release reset occurs.
Experiencing the range of your GP-20’s Railsounds system
Notes on Railsounds
• Use the volume control knob on the
underside of the G -20 to adjust sound
output. (See page 13 for its location.)
• Listen for incidental locomotive
sounds during Railsounds operation.
They’re automatic and, of course,
authentic.
• The 9-volt alkaline battery you
installed ensures continuous G -20
diesel roar, even during short track-
power interrupts.
• Longer track-power interruptions
(including locomotive derailments)
cause Railsounds to shut down after
about 7 seconds.
• For even more authentic Railsounds
effects, operate in the TrainMaster
Command environment.

LIONEL
12
12
LIONEL
LIONEL
For AC transformers with a horn/whistle button
For AC transformers lacking a horn/whistle button (two no. 5906s required)
Lionel no. 610-5906-001
sound activation button
for activating the bell
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activa-
tion button
(for horn)
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activa-
tion button
(for bell)
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire
ATTACH TO GROUND TERMINAL
ATTACH TO OWER TERMINAL
TO YOUR TRANSFORMER
The no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button (available separately)
works with any Lionel AC transformer except no. 6-4690 Type MW.
Transformers made by other manufacturers may not be compatible with
Railsounds.
Note!
7
7
ATTACH TO GROUND TERMINAL
ATTACH TO OWER TERMINAL
Red wire
TO YOUR TRANSFORMER
CUSTOMER’S WIRE
BLACK WIRE
Note!
All track power must
feed through “Sound
Activation Button”
Do not bypass button
T
o operate the bell and whistle sounds
when operating your G -20 with con-
ventional transformers, you’ll need to
install the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound
activation button (available separately).
Connect the button(s) as shown below.
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button

The Command control environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command is the
advanced model railroad control
system from Lionel. Your G -20 is
equipped with the Lionel Command
reverse unit and features digital
Railsounds control.
TrainMaster Command gives you the
power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track,
at the same time.
TO OPERATE IN COMMAN , YOU NEE
ACOMMAN BASE AN A CAB-1
REMOTE. Find them both at your autho-
rized Lionel retailer.
8
8
TrainMaster Command operations
Place your GP-20 locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-
compatible O gauge track.
• Make sure track power is OFF before placing your GP-20 on the
track.
• Make sure your Lionel Command Base is ON and its communi-
cations wire is connected to the COMMON post on your Lionel
transformer or the U post on any of your installed owerMasters.
• Once positioned on the track, increase track voltage to FULL (on
owerMaster, slide the CMD/CONV switch to CMD).
2
2Address your GP-20 locomotive using 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 command into digital code. That code is sent
around your railroad’s outside rails in the form of a digital “halo.”
All Command-equipped Lionels listen to this digital communica-
tion, but they do not respond until they hear their individual ID
number—in this case, “1.”
• The digital language of TrainMaster Command—and not track
power—controls the actions of Command-equipped Lionels.
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 Lionels come factory-programmed with
an I # of “1.” To change the ID# of your G -20, see page 12.
3
3Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your G -20
locomotive will respond to your every command. Read on.
1
1

Running your GP-20 in the TrainMaster Command environment
ress AUX2 to
turn your G -20’s
headlight on and
off.
Activates keypad
(see page 10).
ress HALT to shut
down all ower-
Master electrical out-
put on your railroad.
Stops all Command-
equipped Lionels in
operation.
Turn the THROT-
TLE to the right to
accelerate, left to
decelerate.
Your Command-equipped G -20
locomotive comes factory-pro-
grammed with an ID# of “1.” To get
your G -20 locomotive in action, set
owerMasters to CMD or set all
power supplies on full. ress ENG
and “1” on CAB-1. Turn the throttle
or press any command button; your
G -20 locomotive is ready for
Command operations.
address Locomotive #1
PowerMasters set to CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL
Press ENG
Press 1 (the ID#)
Throttle up/press any command button
Example
CAB-1 commands for your GP-20
9
9
ress WSTL/HRN to acti-
vate the G -20 horn,
release it to discontinue.
M ULTI H ORN DIESEL HORN SOUND .
ress DIR—the locomotive
decelerates to a complete
stop; turn the throttle up, and
the locomotive will accelerate
in the new, opposite direc-
tion. THERE IS NO NEUTRAL
STATE.
D IESEL AIR - RELEASE SOUND .
ress BELL once to activate
the bell, again to discontin-
ue. D IESEL MECHANICAL BELL SOUND .
ress and hold BOOST for
extra power. Release BOOST
and return to the G -20’s
previous speed.
ress and hold BRAKE to
slow down or stop. Release
BRAKE and return to the
previous speed. S QUEALING BRAKE
SOUNDS
.
GP-20 RAILSOUNDS EFFECTS
IN BOLD ITALIC
NOTE: IF YOUR GP-20 HAS
ELECTRO COUPLERS
Rear coupler releases.
C
OUPLER RELEASE SOUNDS .
Front coupler releases.
C OUPLER RELEASE SOUNDS .

0
Stops and resets the G -20. Resets
the G -20’s direction to FOR-
WARD. Resets Railsounds to automatic
R M operation.
H ORN BLOWS . RPM S RETURN TO
AUTOMATIC
.
1
Raises the volume of Rail-
sounds.
S
OUND VOLUME INCREASES .
2
CrewTalk™ is the sound of inaudible
walkie-talkie communication.
3
Raises Railsounds R M level.
Starts up Railsounds.
RPM S INCREASE .
S
TARTUP SEQUENCE COMMENCES .
4
Lowers the volume of Rail-
sounds.
S OUND VOLUME DECREASES .
5
Activates the Railsounds shut-
down sequence. Just like the real
thing, your GP-20 s RPMs must be at idle for
shutdown to occur. ress 6 repeatedly to
lower R Ms until they won’t descend
further. Your locomotive is now at idle.
ress 5 to initiate the shutdown sequence.
D
IESEL SHUTDOWN COMMENCES
.
Remember, the
horn, bell, and R Ms will not sound until
you restart Railsounds.
6
Lowers Railsounds R M level.
RPM S DECREASE .
7
TowerCom™is an audible
announcement that includes that
engine’s road number and/or name.
8
Turns strobe light off.
9
Turns strobe light on.
When you press AUX1 on
CAB-1, you turn the
numeric keypad into 10 com-
mand buttons. The keypad
lets you control extra com-
mand features (until you
press any top-row button
like SW, ACC, RTE, TR, or ENG).
The CAB-1 keypad overlay
included with your G -20
are designed to help you
learn the auxiliary features
specific to this locomotive.
R AILSOUNDS SOUNDS IN BOLD ITALIC
.
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your GP-20
10
10
TrainMaster Command operations
DIESEL ENGINE
RESET
VOLUME RPM
S
SHUT
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
DOWN
➠
➠
➠
➠
START-UP
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
AUX1