Lionel NW2 User manual

Lionel NW-2
diesel locomotive
Owner’s Manual
71-8978-250
1/00
featuring and

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations! You now own one of the most sophisticated model trains ever
built—the Lionel TrainMaster Command-
equipped NW-2 diesel locomotive.
From the crisp detail and expert decora-
tion on the outside to the advanced technol-
ogy and brute power under its hood, your
Lionel NW-2 is ready for duty on your model
railroad.
Read this instruction manual thoroughly
for important tips on operating and main-
taining your NW-2 locomotive. When prop-
erly cared for, it will last a lifetime.
Experience the superiority of today’s Lionel.
• Powerful Lionel Pullmor®motor
• Lionel Command™reverse unit for
use with the Lionel TrainMaster®
Command™model railroad control
system
• Magne-Traction®
• Railsounds™diesel sound system—
digital samples from a real NW-2
• Die-cast Electrocouplers™
• Directional headlights
• CrewTalk and Two Part TowerCom™
(in command mode)
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running your NW-2 with a Lionel transformer 3
Using your NW-2’s Electrocouplers 4
A note on Magne-Traction 4
Your NW-2’s Railsounds system—the basics 5
Experiencing the range of your NW-2’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 NW-2 in the TrainMaster Command environment 9
CAB-1 commands for your NW-2 9
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your NW-2 10
Tuning your NW-2’s performance 11
Assigning your NW-2 a new ID# 12
Maintaining and servicing your NW-2 diesel locomotive
Lubricating your NW-2 13
Lubricating your NW-2’s Pullmor motor armature 14
Replacing your NW-2’s lamps 15
Lionel Service 16

Transformer operations
3
Running your NW-2 with a Lionel transformer
Place your NW-2 locomotive on Lionel or
Lionel-compatible O/O27 gauge track.
•Note the pull of Magne-Traction between your NW-2 and the steel track.
Magnetized wheels and axles increase your pulling power (more than 20 cars on
straight and level track) and keep your NW-2 on track while passing swiftly
through curves.
2Power up your NW-2 with your transformer.
•Your NW-2 is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating cur-
rent. Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current transform-
ers are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster Command model railroad con-
trol system.
•Do not power your NW-2 with direct current (DC). Damage to sensitive
electronic components may occur.
•When you first power up your track, the NW-2 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 con-
ventional (nonCommand) railroad, the NW-2’s headlights will illuminate and
Railsounds will fire up. At this point, the locomotive is in neutral. (This occurs
when placing the NW-2 on your railroad for the first time. Thereafter, it starts in
forward after every three-second power interrupt.)
Note!
3Move ‘em out!
•Get your NW-2 moving. Press 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, neu-
tral, and reverse.
•Adjust track voltage until your NW-2 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 deac-
tivate the LCRU’s sequencing function. Get your NW-2 moving in the desired
direction, then slide the reverse unit control switch on the locomotive’s under-
side to PROGRAM. See page 12 for the switch location and positioning.
1

Transformer operations
4
A note on Magne-Traction
Your NW-2 is equipped with Lionel Magne-Traction, magnetized wheelsets
and axles that help increase tractive effort
during operation. Because the wheelsets are
magnetized, take care to prevent small
metallic objects from attaching to the wheel
sets and working their way into the NW-2’s
motor assembly. They can damage your
locomotive.
Magne-Traction is not effective
on nonferrous track.
Note!
Using your NW-2’s Electrocouplers in the non-Command environ-
ment
To use your NW-2’s Electrocouplers in the non-Command environment, you must
first couple a piece of rolling stock equipped
with Lionel magnetic couplers directly to
your NW-2. The magnetic coupler on the
rolling stock will then react to the magnetic
field generated by a Lionel remote-control
track section (available separately). Place
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 NW-2s Electrocouplers will
NOT open manually or by using a
remote-control track section
Magnetic coupler on the rolling stock
coupled to your NW-2
Note!
Remote-
control track
section
Using your NW-2’s Electrocouplers in the TrainMaster Command
environment
Your Lionel NW-2 is equipped with front and rear Electrocouplers
that respond to the COUPLER F
(front) and COUPLER R (rear) button
on your CAB-1 remote when operated
in the Trainmaster Command envi-
ronment. Simply press either button
on your CAB-1 remote, and that cou-
pler opens.
YourNW-2’s Electrocouplers are NOT designed to be opened manually.
Note!

Transformer operations
5
Your NW-2’s Railsounds system—the basics
Note! Discontinue locomotive power for 10 seconds before changing the Railsounds
on/off switch.
Lionel Railsounds is the most realistic model railroad sound system in the world. Your NW- 2 features digital samples from an authentic NW-2 for the ultimate in realism.
Apply track power and the NW-2’s Railsounds system delivers an authentic start-up
sequence, followed by sounds of the locomotive at idle. As the NW-2’s speed increases, the
RPMs move through four levels of roar. Sounds return to idle only after the locomotive has
come to a complete halt. To silence diesel RPM 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 RPM roar, return the switch to
the FULL position before powering up the locomotive.

Transformer operations
6
Experiencing the range of your NW-2’s Railsounds system
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 NW-2’s speed determines the level of diesel RPM roar—
automatically, if you prefer: idle, slow, medium, or full-speed output.
•MultiHorn™.A different horn sound every time—a Railsounds exclusive.
•Mechanical bell. Press BELL on your CAB-1 or transformer to begin the effect; again to
discontinue.
•Full control of RPMs. Prefer hands-on control of diesel RPM roar? Want to “ramp up”
RPMs before pulling out, just like real diesels do? It’s easy with Railsounds. Place your NW-
2 in neutral and increase track voltage to maximum. RPMs will continue to increase as
long as the NW-2 remains in neutral, eventually 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 NW-2 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 controllable RPMs—it’s a blast!
Notes on Railsounds
• Use the volume control knob in the radio wheel of the NW-2 to adjust sound output. (See
page 11 for its location.)
• Listen for incidental locomotive sounds during Railsounds operation. They’re automatic
and, of course, authentic.
• For even more authentic Railsounds effects, operate in the TrainMaster Command
environment.

Transformer operations
7
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
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 activation
button (for horn)
Lionel no.
610-5906-001
sound activation
button (for bell)
Black wire
Red wire
Red wire Attach to ground terminal
Attach to power 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.
attach to ground terminal
attach to power 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
Note!

TrainMaster Command operations
8
The Command control environment
Lionel TrainMaster Command is the advanced model railroad control system
from Lionel. Your NW-2 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 Command, you need
a Command Base and a CAB-1
remote. Find them both at your authorized
Lionel retailer.
Place your NW-2 locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-
compatible O/O27 gauge track.
•Make sure track power is OFF before placing your NW-2 on the
track.
•Make sure your Lionel Command Base is ON and its communications
wire is connected to the COMMON post on your Lionel transformer or the U post
on any of your installed PowerMasters.
• Once positioned on the track, increase track voltage to FULL (on
PowerMaster, slide the CMD/CONV switch to CMD).
Address your NW-2 locomotive using CAB-1.
•Press ENG and 1 on the numeric keypad of your CAB-1 remote. This com-
mand is sent by CAB-1 to the Command Base, which then translates your com-
mand 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
communication, 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—con-
trols the actions of Command-equipped Lionels. Track power is simply like gaso-
line 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
ID# of “1.” To change the ID# of your NW-2, see page 12.
Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your NW-2 locomotive will
respond to your every command. Read on.
2
3
1

TrainMaster Command operations
9
Running your NW-2 in the TrainMaster Command environment
Press AUX2 to turn
your NW-2’s head-
light on and off.
Activates keypad
(see page 10).
Press HALT to shut
down all Power-
Master electrical out-
put on your railroad. Stops all
Command-equipped Lionels in
operation.
Turn the
THROTTLE to
the right to
accelerate, left to
decelerate.
Your Command-equipped NW-2 locomotive comes factory-pro-
grammed with an ID# of “1.” To get
your NW-2 locomotive in action, set
PowerMasters to CMD or set all power
supplies on full. Press ENG and “1”
on CAB-1. Turn the throttle or press
any command button; your NW-2
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 NW-2
Press WSTL/HRN to
activate the NW-2 horn,
release it to discontinue.
MultiHorn diesel horn
sound.
Press DIR—the locomo-
tive decelerates to a com-
plete stop; turn the throttle up,
and the locomotive will acceler-
ate in the new, opposite direction.
There is no neutral state. Diesel
air-release sound.
Press BELL once to
activate the bell, again to
discontinue. Diesel
mechanical bell sound.
Press and hold BOOST for
extra power. Release
BOOST and return to the NW-2’s
previous speed.
Press and hold BRAKE to
slow down or stop.
Release BRAKE and return to the
previous speed. Squealing
brake sounds.
NW-2 Railsounds effects in bold italic
Rear coupler
releases. Coupler
release sounds.
Front coupler
releases. Coupler
release sounds.

TrainMaster Command operations
10
0Stops and resets the NW-2. Resets the NW-2’s direction to FORWARD. Resets
Railsounds to automatic RPM operation.
Horn blows. RPMs return to auto-
matic.
1Raises the volume of Railsounds. Sound volume increases.
2CrewTalk™is the sound of unintelliga- ble walkie-talkie communication.
Crewtalk announcement.
3Raises Railsounds RPM level. Starts up Railsounds. RPMs increase.
Startup sequence commences.
4Lowers the volume of Railsounds. Sound volume decreases.
5Activates the Railsounds shutdown sequence. Just like the real thing, your
NW-2’s RPMs must be at idle for shutdown
to occur. Press 6 repeatedly to lower RPMs
until they won’t descend further. Your loco-
motive is now at idle. Press 5 to initiate the
shutdown sequence. Crewtalk
announcement / Diesel shutdown
commences. Remember, the horn, bell,
and RPMs will not sound until you restart
Railsounds.
6Lowers Railsounds RPM level. RPMs decrease.
7TowerCom™is an audible announce- ment that includes that engine’s road
number and/or name. Your locomotive fea-
tures the NEW TWO PART TowerCom
announcement. By following these simple
steps you will trigger a unique standby or
departure message. There will be a 4 second
delay before the message plays. This allows
for interactive audio between two TowerCom
equipped units. After pressing AUX-1, press-
ing 7 produces the standby announcement.
If you press 7 a second time, you will get the
departure announcement. Also, by inserting
any command between AUX-1 and 7, you
will get the departure announcement. We
suggest BRAKE, since while stationary, this
has no function.
When you press AUX1 on CAB-1, you turn the numeric keypad
into 10 command 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
overlays included with your NW-2 are
designed to help you learn the aux-
iliary features specific to this loco-
motive. Railsounds sounds
in bold italic.
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your NW-2
DIESEL ENGINE
RESET
VOLUME RPM
S
SHUT
CREW
TALK
TOWER
COM
DOWN
➠
➠
➠
➠
START-UP
AUX1

TrainMaster Command operations
11
Tuning your NW-2’s 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, medi-
um, or heavy momentum. The LCRU2
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
buttons for incremental control of speed
and a superior method for handling grades,
stops-and-starts, and more. Plus, using
BRAKE in the Command environment gives
you a bonus Railsounds effect—the ultra-
realistic sound of squealing brakes.
STALL
Make your NW-2 feel more responsive by
setting a “stall” voltage. Get your locomo-
tive moving, then press SET; the NW-2 will
stop. The headlight will flash, indicating it’s
in the SET mode. Turn the throttle clock-
wise to get the engine moving, then
decrease speed until the locomotive just
stops. Then press SET again; the LCRU
remembers the stall setting until you
change it. To clear stall, press SET twice,
holding it for one second each time.
HIGH VOLTAGE SETTING
Press SET, headlight will flash. Get your
locomotive moving to the maximum speed
you want it to run, press BOOST. Use this to
keep your locomotive from excess-speed
derailing. Turn off the high voltage setting
by pressing SET, then BOOST, holding each
for one second.
SOUND QUALITY
To achieve your preferred Rail-sounds
master volume level, use the volume radio
wheel (see picture below for its location).
Turn the knob left or right to adjust the vol-
ume to your liking.
For quick remote-control of volume below
the master setting—like muting—use the
CAB-1 numeric keypad’s volume control.
Pressing AUX1 and then 4 on the numeric
keypad lowers overall Railsounds output.
Volume
RadioWheel
Note! These settings will be lost when you assign new engine ID#.

TrainMaster Command operations
12
Assigning your NW-2 a new ID# As your fleet of Command-equipped
Lionels grows, give your NW-2 locomo-
tive its own ID#. Choose from any between 1
and 99. To make things easy, use a portion of
your NW-2’s cab number.
Turn the Command Base on and place the
NW-2 locomotive on track. Power up, then
slide the locomotive’s reverse unit control
switch to PROGRAM.
Using CAB-1, press ENG, the locomotive
ID# (# you select), then press the SET button
located under CAB-1’s removable panel. See
the NW-2’s headlight flash; that’s your signal
that the programming has been accepted.
Slide the control switch to RUN. Your NW-2
locomotive is now the number you select.
Assign a new I D# to
your Command-equipped
NW-2 locomotive
Command Base ON
Place the NW-2 locomotive on track
PowerMasters set to CMD or
traditional power supplies on full
Set the NW-2’s reverse unit control
switch to PROGRAM
Turn track power on
(PowerMasters):
Press BOOST
Program the NW-2 with an
ID#:
Press ENG
Press a number you
choose (the ID#)
Press SET
Set the reverse unit control
switch to RUN
Your NW-2 locomotive remembers
its ID# forever; change it any time
with these steps
Example
SET
Set the NW-2’s reverse unit program switch
to PROGRAM. When you’ve finished pro-
gramming the ID#, set the switch to RUN.
Birds eye view of cab end of frame.

Maintaining and servicing your NW-2 locomotive
13
Lubricating your NW-2 locomotive
Help your Lionel NW-2 locomotive lead a long and productive life on your rail-
road by maintaining it properly.
We recommend you purchase a Lionel 929
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 NW-2’s
wheels, contact rollers, or your track.
You’ll know your NW-2 requires lubrica-
tion when visual inspection reveals dryness
on the parts indicated in the illustration.
Remove accumulated dirt and dust before
lubricating, and always lubricate any loco-
motive emerging from prolonged storage.
Lubricate with Lionel oil
sparingly
Cab mounting twist
screw lock
Lubricate with Lionel
oil sparingly
Underside of NW-2
Cab mounting twist
screw lock
Lubricate with Lionel
oil sparingly
Lubricate with Lionel
grease sparingly

Maintaining and servicing your NW-2 locomotive
14
Lubricating your NW-2’s Pullmor motor armature
Your NW-2 locomotive will require occa- sional lubrication of its Pullmor motor
armature. If you hear excess noise during
operation, or if the locomotive slows down
intermittently, you may need to oil the top
armature bearing.
Start by separating the body shell from the
frame; (see illustration on page 13). Apply a
small amount of Lionel oil (two drops) in
the armature shaft hole.
Finish the job by reinstalling and locking
down body shell by turning cab mounting
twist screw locks clockwise. See page 13 for
location of screw locks.
The Lionel Command reverse unit
is a sophisticated electronic device
and is extremely sensitive to static
electricity. Please avoid all physi-
cal contact with the LCRU.
Note: To remove cab
shell, you must first
turn cab mounting
screw lock counter
clock wise. Located
underneath frame,
near the front and rear.
See page 13 for exact
location on frame.
Note!

Maintaining and servicing your NW-2 locomotive
15
Replacing your NW-2’s Lamp Harness
Your NW-2 locomotive is illuminated by two 14-volt long life lamps. One
illuminates the rear light and the other
illuminates the front light. During the
course of normal operation, they may
require replacement.
Start by separating the plastic body shell;
see the previous section on motor lubrica-
tion for detailed shell-removal information.
Carefully lift the shell away from the frame.
Take care with the various wiring assemblies
connected to the shell.
Locate the Wire Harness Assembly
containing the expired bulb or bulbs. Note:
If one bulb is burned out the whole Light
Harness needs to be replaced. It’s held in
position by a retaining clip inside engine
cab and a light bracket at the front of the
engine frame. Carefully remove the Lamp
Harness assembly and discard. Replace with
new Light Harness Lionel part no. 6-10-
8959-326, available from your local
authorized Lionel Service Center or Lionel
Service (See below illustration for further
instruction).
Remove whole Light Harness to replace the expired bulb or bulbs. Then Re-insert new first light
(shorter wired light) of the Light Harness into the lamp bracket located at the front of the engine
frame. Then Re-insert new second light (longer wired light) of the Light Harness into Light Clip
inside roof of the engine cab as shown. Plug the 5 pin Light Harness Plug into the 5 pin socket as
shown.
Light Harness
Lionel Part No.
6-10-8959-326
Press Aux2 to make sure headlamp was not accidently turned off,
before replacing bulb
Note!

Lionel Service
This product is built with pride by Lionel and carries a limited warranty to support
continued reliable operation. If service is
required, contact your local Authorized
Lionel Service Center. To find the nearest
Service Center, simply call 1-800-4-LIONEL
or visit our website: www.lionel.com.
If you prefer a Lionel factory repair, call
810-949-4100, fax [phone], or write
Lionel Service, P.O. Box 748, New Baltimore,
MI 48047-0748. State the problem and the
product’s purchase date. We’ll send a return
authorization letter to assure proper han-
dling while at Lionel. You may choose to
have your product repaired by one of our
authorized Lionel Service Centers after its
warranty has expired. A reasonable service
fee will be charged. CAUTION: Make sure
your product is properly packed to prevent
shipping damage. The shipment must be
prepaid and we recommend it be insured.
Please follow the instructions carefully. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights. You
may have other rights that vary from state to
state.
© 2000 Lionel LLC, Chesterfield MI 48051-2493
United States of America