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Lionel SD40
Diesel Locomotive
Owner’s Manual
featuring and
71-8585-250
12-98
Y
ou own one of the most sophisticated
model trains ever built—the Lionel
TrainMaster Command-equipped SD40 die-
sel locomotive. From the crisp detail and
expert decoration on the outside to the
advanced technology and brute power
under the hood, the Lionel
SD40 is ready for duty on your model rail-
road. Experience the superiority of today’s
Lionel.
Congratulations! Transformer operations
2
Table of contents
Transformer operations
Running your SD40 with a Lionel transformer 3
Locking your SD40 into a single operational state
4
UsingyourSD40’sElectrocouplerTM
Pluscouplers
4
Your SD40’s Railsounds™system—the basics 5
Experiencing the range of your SD40’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 SD40 in the TrainMaster®Command environ-
ment 9
CAB-1 commands for your SD40 9
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your SD40 10
Tuning your SD40’s performance 11
Assigning your SD40 a new ID# 12
Maintaining and servicing your SD40
Reprogramming LCRU 2 Circuit boards to restore features 12
Lubricating your SD40 13
Lubricating your SD40’s Pullmor motor armatures
• Two powerful Lionel Pullmor®motors
• Lionel Command™reverse unit for use
with the Lionel TrainMaster®Command™
model railroad control system
•Railsounds™diesel sound system—digital
samples from a real SD40
• Magne-Traction®
• Die-cast Electrocouplers™
• Directional headlights and illuminated
interior
• CrewTalk™and TowerCom™
(in command mode)
• Oscillating ditch lights
(in command mode)
Congratulations! Transformer operations
3
Running your Lionel SD40 with a Lionel transformer
Place your SD40 on Lionel or Lionel-
compatible
• Note the pull of Magne-Traction between your SD40 and the steel track.
Magnetized wheels and axles increase your pulling power (more than
25 cars on straight and level track) and keep your SD40 on track while
passing swiftly through curves.
2Power up your SD40 with your transformer.
• Your SD40 is designed to operate on 7-18 volts alternating current.
Virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible alternating-current trans-
formers are suitable; we recommend the TrainMaster Command model
railroad control system.
•
Donot power your SD40 with Direct current
(DC). Damage to sensitive
electronic components may occur.
• When you first power up your track, the SD40 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 SD40’s headlights will illu-
minate and Railsounds will fire up. At this point, the SD40 is in neutral.
(This occurs when placing the SD40 on your railroad for the first time.
Thereafter, it starts in forward after every three-second power inter-
rupt.)
3Move ‘em out!
• Get your SD40 moving. Press the DIR button on your CAB-1 remote or
Lionel transformer. This sequences the Liontech Command reverse unit
(LCRU) to the next operating state. The LCRU alternates between three
states: forward, neutral, and reverse.
• Adjust track voltage until your SD40 moves at your desired speed. To
increase speed, increase track voltage. To decrease speed, reduce volt-
age. 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 SD40 moving in the
desired direction, then slide the reverse unit control switch on the
SD40’s underside to PROGRAM/LOCK. See page 4 for the switch loca-
tion and positioning.
1
4
To select a single operational state for
your Lionel SD40 (example: forward
only), you can deactivate the LCRU2’s
sequencing function with the reverse unit
control switch, located on the underside of
the locomotive.
Get your locomotive moving in the
desired direction, then slow it down with-
out stopping. Set the reverse unit control
switch to PROGRAM/LOCK. The SD40 is
now“locked”into your chosen direction.
When you no longer want single-direc-
tion operation, just slide the reverse unit
control switch back to FORWARD/ RUN.
Your SD40 front and rear Electrocoupler™
will respond to the coupler release but-
tons on your CAB-1 remote when operated
in the TrainMaster Command environment
(see page 9 for button location). During con-
ventional operation, the Electrocouplers will
react to the magnetic field generated by a
Lionel remote-control track section (avail-
able separately).
In TrainMaster Command operation, sim-
ply press the
coupler F (
front) or r (rear) but-
ton on your CAB-1 remote, and the coupler
opens, accompanied by the Railsounds cou-
pler release sound.
In the conventional mode, place the cou-
pler’s “trigger disc”over the remote-control
track’s coil and press
uncouple
on the con-
troller. The magnetic field pulls the disc
downward, and the coupler opens.
One operating technique favored by
Lionel railroaders is the “moving uncouple.”
Press the
coupler
R button on your CAB-1
remote or, in the conventional mode, press
the
uncouple
button as the SD40 passes over
a remote-control section. The coupler will
open and the consist will remain behind as
the locomotive moves on.
But be careful when uncoupling—the
speed of a newly uncoupled and moving
locomotive can increase dramatically.
Locking your SD40 into a single operational state
UsingyourSD40’sElectrocouplerTTM Pluscouplers
program/lock
Use this setting to
choose a single
operational state
like“forward.”
Reverse unit control switch
Railsounds
on/oFF
switch
Front oF engine
Transformer operations
ForwarD/run
Use this setting for
normal operations.
FOR
PGM
OFF
ON
Lionel Railsounds is the most realistic
model railroad sound system in the
world. Your SD40 features digital sam-
ples from an authentic SD40 for the ulti-
mate in realism.
Begin by in-
stalling a 9-volt
alkaline battery
in your SD40.
This ensures int-
eruption free
operation of
Railsounds. Lift
off the access
panel as shown
in the illustra-
tion. Connect
the 9-volt alka-
line battery to
the battery clip
down inside on
the chassis.
Then replace
t h e a c c e s s
panel.
When you first apply track power, the
SD40’s Railsounds system delivers an
authentic start-up sequence, followed
by the sounds of the locomotive at idle.
As the SD40’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 s i l e n c e
the diesel
r o a r ( h o r n
and bell
remain unaf-
fected), slide
the Rail-
sounds switch,
located under-
n e a t h t h e
locomotive, to
the
oFF
posi-
t i o n b e f o r e
powering up
the locomotive.
See page 4 for
the switch location and positioning.
Your SD40’s Railsounds system—the basics
Install a 9-volt alkaline battery in your SD40. Lift off the
access panel, connect the battery to the power cord,
andplacethebatteryintothecavity.
Volume set screw
5
Transformer operations
Note!
Note!
Although Railsounds is pow-
ered by track voltage, the
battery is required for unin-
terrupted operation. Use only
alkaline batteries.
Discontinue locomotive
power for 10 seconds before
changing the
Railsounds
on /oFF
switch
Note!
If Railsounds “drops out”
during track power inter-
rupts (direction change),
replace the battery.
6
Transformer operations
W
ith 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.
• Four diesel-roar levels. Your SD40’s speed
determines the level of diesel RPM roar—
automatically, if you prefer: idle, medium, or
full-speed output.
• MultiHorn™. A different horn sound at dif-
ferent speeds—a Railsounds exclusive.
• Mechanical bell. Press BELLon your CAB-1
or transformer to begin the effect, again to
discontinue.
• Full control of RPMs. Prefer hands-on con-
trol of diesel RPM roar? Want to “ramp
up”RPMs before pulling out, just like real die-
sels do? It’s easy with Railsounds. Place your
SD40 in neutral and increase track voltage to
maximum. RPMs will continue to increase as
long as the SD40 remains in neutral, eventu-
ally reaching their highest level.
Now, decrease track voltage to the desired
speed level, press DIR on your CAB-1 remote
or transformer, and head out, your SD40 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!
• Reverse unit reset sound. Power down your
track, wait for 3-5 seconds, and listen for the
air-release sound—that’s the SD40 telling
you its Lionel Command reverse unit has just
reset to forward operation.
• Shutdown sequence. No other model rail-
road sound system shuts down like
Railsounds. Turn off track power, and after
the air-release reset sound, you have two
seconds to restart your SD40. If you’re done
with operations, Railsounds will commence
with an authentic SD40 shutdown sequence
about two seconds after the air-release reset
occurs.
Experiencing the range of your SD40’s Railsounds system
Notes on Railsounds
• Turn the volume set screw clockwise or
counter clockwise in the location shown to
adjust sound output.
• Listen for incidental locomotive sounds
during Railsounds operation. They’re auto-
matic and, of course, authentic.
• The 9-volt alkaline battery you installed
ensures continuous SD40 diesel roar.
• Longer track-power interruptions (includ-
ing locomotive derailments) cause
Railsounds to shut down after about 7 sec-
onds.
• For even more authentic Railsounds effects,
operate in the TrainMaster Command envi-
ronment.
Volume
set screw
7
Transformer operations
Installing the Lionel no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
T
o operate the bell and horn sounds when
operating your SD40 with conventional
transformers, you’ll need to install the Lionel
no. 610-5906-001 sound activation button
(available separately). Connect the button(s)
as shown below.
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 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.
Note!
attach to grounD terminal
attach to power terminal
Red wire
to your tranSFormer
cuStomer’Swire
Black wire
Note!
All track power must feed
through“Sound Activation
Button”
Do not bypass button
For AC transformers with a horn/whistle button
The Command control environment
Lionel T rainMaster Command is the
advanced model railroad control system
from Lionel. Your SD40 is equipped with a
Liontech Command reverse unit.
TrainMaster Command gives you the
power to operate multiple Command-
equipped locomotives on the same track, at
the same time.
tooperate in commanD, you neeD a
commanD BaSe anD acaB-1 remote.
Find
them both at your authorized Lionel retail-
er.
8
TrainMaster Command operations
Place your SD40 on Lionel or Lionel-
compatible
• Make sure track power is OFF before placing 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 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).
2Address your SD40 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 trans-
lates 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 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—
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 ID#
of“1.”To change the ID# of your SD40, see page 12.
3Move ‘em out!
• Throttle up or press any command button on CAB-1. Your SD40 will
respond to your every command. Read on.
1
Running your SD40 in the TrainMaster Command environment
Press AUX2 to turn
your SD40’s head-
light on and off.
Activates keypad.
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 accel-
erate, left to deceler-
ate.
Your Command-equipped SD40
comes factory-programmed with
an ID# of “1.” To get your SD40 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 SD40
is ready for Command operations.
address Locomotive #1
PowerMasters set to
CMD or traditional
power supplies ON FULL
Press ENG
Press 1 (the ID#)
CAB-1 commands for your SD40
9
Press WSTL/HRN to activate
the SD40 horn & oscillating
ditch lights. release it to dis-
continue.
multihorn DieSel
horn SounD. Front oScillat
-
ing Ditch lightS in pilot.
Press DIR—the locomotive
decelerates to a complete stop;
turn the throttle up, and the
locomotive will accelerate 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 BOOSTfor extra
power. Release BOOST and
return to the SD40’s previous
speed.
Press and hold BRAKE to slow
down or stop. Release
BRAKEand return to the previ-
ous speed.
Squealing Brake
SounDS.
TrainMaster Command operations
Rear coupler releases.
coupler releaSe
SounDS.
Front coupler
releases.
coupler releaSe
When you press AUX1 on
CAB-1, you turn the
numeric keypad into 10 com-
mand buttons. The keypad lets
you control extra command fea-
tures (until you press any top-
row button like SW, ACC, RTE,
TR, or ENG). The CAB-1 keypad
overlays included with your
SD40 are designed to help
you learn the auxiliary fea-
tures specific to this locomo-
tive.
railSounDS SounDS in BolD
italic.
CAB-1 numeric keypad commands for your SD40
10
TrainMaster Command operations
0
 Stops and resets the SD40’s. .
Resets the SD40’s direction to
FORWARD. Resets Railsounds to auto-
matic RPM operation.
horn BlowS. rpmS
return to automatic.
1
 R ai se s the vo lu me o f R ai l-
sounds.
SounD Volume increaSeS.
2 CrewTalk™ is the .sound
of inaudible walkie-talkie
communication.
3  Raises Railsounds RPM level.
Starts up Railsounds.
rpmSincreaSe.
Startup Sequence commenceS.
4   Lowers the volume of Rail-
sounds.
SounD Volume DecreaSeS.
5  Activates the Railsounds shut-
down sequence. Just like the real
thing, your SD40’s RPMs must be at idle for
shutdown to occur. Press 6 repeatedly to
lower RPMs until they won’t descend further.
Your locomotive is now at idle. Press 5 to ini-
tiate the shutdown sequence.
DieSel Shut
-
Down commenceS.
Remember, the horn, bell,
and RPMs will not sound until you restart
Railsounds.
6 Lowers Railsounds RPM level.
rpmSDecreaSe.
7 TowerCom™is an audi-
ble announcement that
includes that engine’s road
number and/or name. There is
a Four second delay in this
function.
➠
➠
➠
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