Lionel VisionLine 3GS21B, VisionLine 3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER Owner's Manual
72-8314-250
07/10
Featuring
Lionel VISION™ Line
3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER
Owner’s Manual
Lionel VISION
™
Line
3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER
Owner’s Manual
Congratulations!
A
s a VISION Line™ locomotive, the 3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER is the most technically
advanced and realistic O Gauge diesel locomotive ever made. On the outside, this
gold standard engine features more realistic interior detail, exterior detail and decoration
than ever before. Inside the body you'll find the highest caliber electronics and sounds to
give you unprecedented operational realism. In addition to all the great features found
on Lionel Standard O locomotives, your 3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER is equipped with an
array of other realistic and dramatic effects including a removable cab roof for viewing a
highly detailed interior with illuminated gauges, 2 opening doors on the locomotives cab,
opening doors below the brakeman's window showing scale details underneath. Prototypical
features include 3 exhaust stacks that open at random and emit smoke. Smoke output is
synchronized to the diesel RPM of the Legacy RailSounds sound system. More than ever,
you are in control of the realistic effects and operation of your locomotive. The VISION Line
3GS21B GENSET SWITCHER locomotive is ready for duty on your layout.
Unpacking Your VISION Line locomotive
B
ecause of all the fine details and special features on your VISION Line locomotive, we
thought it best to really pack it tight, even better than our normal sturdy packing. This
VISION Line locomotive is the first ever packaged with ECO-friendly material, and also
includes a baseplate used to secure the locomotive while in transit. Both the container
and the baseplate are held together with velcro straps. Carefully remove the container and
baseplate from the box and set it on a flat surface. Remove the velcro straps and carefully
remove the shell and wrapping. Look at the bottom of the baseplate to locate the screws
that fasten the baseplate to the locomotive. With a Phillips screwdriver, remove the screws
while keeping the locomotive level. CAUTION: The handrails of your locomotive are the
antennas for the LEGACY system. The stanchions are plastic to insulate the handrails from
the die-cast body. The stanchions are very fragile, so do not squeeze them or the handrails
when unpacking the locomotive. Your VISION locomotive is now ready to place on the track.
PLEASE see the smoke fluid section Fig. 8, page 35 before you run your locomotive.
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The following Lionel marks are used throughout this catalog and are protected
under law. All rights reserved.
Lionel®, LEGACY™, TrainMaster®, Odyssey®, RailSounds®, CrewTalk™, TowerCom™, DynaChuff™,
StationSounds™, Pullmor®, ElectroCoupler™, Magne-Traction®, CAB-1® Remote Controller,
American Flyer®, Lionel ZW®, ZW®, MagniVision®, TMCC®, Lionelville®, Wireless Tether™,
Powerhouse™, LionMaster®, Conventional Classics™, Postwar Celebration Series™, TruRail™, PH-1
Powerhouse®, Powermaster®, Powerstation-Powerhouse®, Accessory Motor Controller™, AMC™,
Accessory Switch Controller™, ASC™, Action Recorder Controller™, ARC™, Track Power Controller
300™, TPC 300™, Track Power Controller 400™, TPC 400™, Block Power Controller™, BPC™,
Operating Track Controller™, OTC™, FatBoy™, Lionel Lines®, Joshua Lionel Cowen Series™, Lockon®,
TrainSounds™, MultiHorn™, Choo-Choo™
3
VISION Line™ features of this locomotive
New Lighting Features
• Rule 17 lighting for both headlight and rear light
• Enhanced realistic lighting in cab interior with illuminated panel details
Unparalleled Detailing
• Movable cab details
• Opening door on the brakeman’s side of cab and two hinged covers below the cab open to
reveal realistic details
Opening side doors
reveals interior detail
Front of Locomotive
Rear of Locomotive
Brakeman's side
of Locomotive
4
VISION Line™ features of this locomotive
Unparalleled Detailing
• Removable cab roof reveals the decorated cab interior
Prototypical Genset locomotive three diesel engines feature: Engines on the real locomotive
cycle on and off automatically to provide variable pulling power. To simplify maintenance, different
engines are used at different times, so that the total number of hours on each is kept relatively
equal. Your Lionel model reproduces this unique feature. Notice that the smoke output from each of
the three stacks changes, depending on which engine is operating.
When idling at RPM level 1 for an extended period, the Genset will enter standby mode. The diesel
engines will automatically turn off and every 30 seconds an electronic alert beep will sound to
warn working crew that the locomotive is in standby. To maintain uid and temperature levels, the
locomotive will automatically re-start one of its engines when necessary.
NOTE: Carefully slip the
cab roof on to avoid paint
damage
To remove roof, lift up a little,
then pull away
Illuminated cab interior
with back-lit gauges
Front of Locomotive
5
VISION Line™ features of this locomotive continued
New Smoke Features
• TruRail Exhaust, a new cab-controlled, variable-intensity smoke effect
• 3 fan-driven smoke units with adjustable smoke output and multiple stacks delivers varying
intensities of smoke
• All smoke effects are synchronized to the RailSounds sound system
Note: TruRail Exhaust models the prototypical behavior of the GENSET switcher locomotive.
The GENSET is unique in that it cycles through the 3 diesel engines as load is applied. In
addition, engines are brought online in a manner to evenly balance the wear and optimize
serviceability. Like the actual switcher, this locomotive is capable of producing smoke from
any of the three smoke stacks simultaneously in accordance with the number of engines
that are currently operating. The engines cycle on and off automatically to provide variable
pulling power. The overall volume of smoke can be controlled through the cab and set to off,
low, medium or high depending on your preference.
In an effort to reproduce this prototypical behavior, at each start up (Power on/off), your
Vision locomotive will start up with a different engine - cycling through the three available.
To bring more engines (i.e., smoke units) online, simply increase the RPM level by pushing
the RPM (UP) button, or increase the rail speed that will cause an increase in the RPM level.
Once you reach a predetermined RPM level, another engine will be activated.
To decrease the number of operating smoke units, simply push the RPM (DOWN) button, or
decrease the rail speed that will cause a decrease in the RPM level. Once a certain RPM
level is achieved, a another engine will be deactivated.
CAUTION: DO NOT PLACE FLUID IN THE SMOKE STACKS!
The movable covers on the stacks are very fragile! Please refer to Figure 8 on page 35 as
to where to ll the unit with smoke uid.
Upgraded Sound Features
• The LEGACY RailSounds sound system synchronized realistic sounds to nearly all aspects
of locomotive operation
• The independently adjustable volume control allows you to use the Remote Controller to
lower the level of background effects (such as RPM levels) while keeping operator
controlled effects (such as the horn) at full volume
• TruRail Dialog – Activate our upgraded dialog features which boast the most
authentic railroad terminology possible. Also, dialog scenarios can change with engine
operation and user control
• TruRail Signals – Activate the “quilling” horn and user-playable bell. The GENSET's
electronic bell plays a recording of a real locomotive bell. It is used on this and other
modern locomotives to simplify inspection and maintenance regulations. There is a dedicated CAB-2 slide lever control for both horn and bell functions
Have fun experimenting with the prototypical behavior of your 3GS21B GENSET locomotive.
Standard Features for this locomotive:
• LEGACY Control System – You can run the engine in LEGACY Control mode, in TrainMaster
Command Control mode, or in Conventional mode with a standard transformer
• Odyssey II Speed Control with ON/OFF switch
• High-torque motor with momentum ywheel
6
Standard Features for this locomotive continued:
• Front and rear ElectroCouplers
• Die-cast metal locomotive body, frame, and truck sides
• Traction tires
• Accurate separately-applied builder’s plates
• Engineer and brakeman gures
• Opening roof on cab
• Sliding cab window glass
• Enhanced realistic lighting in cab interior with backlit gauges
• Directional lighting including operating headlight and back-up light
• Illuminated number boards
• Ground lights
• Oscillating ditch lights on both ends
• Fan-driven smoke units with ON/OFF switch
• User-adjustable smoke output
Table of contents
Quick Start
LEGACY Control operations 8
TrainMaster Command Control operations 8
Transformer operations 8
Locomotive switch function overview
Locomotive switch location 9-10
LEGACY RailSounds sound system operations
Installing the battery 11
LEGACY Control System operations
Get ready to run 12
Start ‘Er Up 12
The LEGACY CAB-2 Remote Controller 13
The Velocity Throttle 14
The Multi-Controller 14-15
The Train Brake Slider 15
The Warning Sound Controller 16
The Speed Bar 17
Ground Light Control 18
Rule 17 Lighting Control 18
LEGACY RailSounds 19
Activating the CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements 20
Assigning your locomotive a new ID# 21
Reprogramming your locomotive to restore features 21
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Contents of your locomotive box
1 Locomotive
1 Smoke fluid bottle and pipette
2 Replacement traction tires
1 Owner's manual
1 Engine memory module
1 VISION Line Locomotive Warranty Card
VISION Line Enhancements
VISION Line features will be described in each section where it is relevant to the
operation of your locomotive and the system you use. Some LEGACY and VISION Line
features may not be available in the conventional or TMCC environment.
Table of contents continued
TrainMaster Command Control operations
Operating your locomotive in the Command Control environment 22
Using LEGACY RailSounds in the TMCC environment 23
CAB-1 Remote Controller commands 24
CAB-1 Remote Controller numeric keypad commands 25
Activating CrewTalk and TowerCom announcements 26
Assigning your locomotive a new ID# 27
Reprogramming your locomotive to restore features 27
Conventional transformer operations
Operating your locomotive in the conventional environment 28-29
Using the LEGACY Railsounds sound system in the conventional environment 30
Activating CrewTalk and TowerCom announcements 31
Locking your locomotive into a single direction 31
Uncoupling your locomotive in the conventional environment 32
Odyssey II Speed Control system operations
Odyssey II Speed Control system performance 33
Odyssey II Speed Control system LEGACY Control operation 33
Odyssey II Speed Control system TrainMaster Command Control operation 33
Odyssey II Speed Control system conventional transformer operation 33
Conventional RailSounds operations
Installing a Lionel Sound Activation Button for conventional operation 34
Maintaining and servicing your locomotive
Adding fluid to your locomotive’s smoke generator 35
Lubricating your locomotive 36
Maintaining your locomotive’s handrail antenna 37
Servicing your locomotive’s lamps 37
Tire-Traction 38
Notes 39
Lionel VISION Line Locomotive Warranty 40
Quick Start
Power your locomotive with an alternating-current (50-60Hz AC) transformer only.
Powering your locomotive with a direct-current (DC) transformer, or in excess of 19
volts AC, may result in damage to sensitive electronic components.
LEGACY Control operations
F
or the finest operating experience, your locomotive is fully compatible with the new
LEGACY Control System.
To operate in LEGACY mode, you need a LEGACY Command Base and LEGACY CAB-2
Remote Controller. Both products are offered together in the LEGACY Command Set,
6-14295.
1. Turn off track power and plug in the LEGACY Base.
2. Place your locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-42 (O-54 recommended) track.
3. Increase track power voltage to full power (no more than 19 volts AC).
4. Press ENG and 1 to address your locomotive with your LEGACY CAB-2 Remote Controller.
5. Throttle up and move ‘em out.
TrainMaster Command Control operations
T
o operate your locomotive in the Command Control environment, you need a Command
Base (available separately, 6-12911) and a CAB-1 Remote Controller (available separately,
6-12868).
1. Turn off track power and plug in the Command Base.
2. Place your locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-42 (O-54 recommended) track.
3. Increase track voltage to full power (no more than 19 volts AC).
4. Press ENG and 1 to address your locomotive with your CAB-1 Remote Controller.
5. Throttle up and move ‘em out.
Transformer operations
1. Turn off track power.
2. Place your locomotive on Lionel or Lionel-compatible O-42 (O-54 recommended) track.
3. Power your locomotive at 12-18 volts with your alternating current (AC)
transformer.
4. Wait three to eight seconds until the locomotive’s headlight illuminates and the
LEGACY RailSounds sound system starts up.
5. Move ‘em out! Press the DIRECTION button on your controller, then throttle up.
For conventional operation, there must not be a Command Base powered up
anywhere in the area. The locomotive receives its signals through the airwaves. If
a base is detected your locomotive will default to command mode.
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Note!
Note!
9
The switches that control the features and programing of your locomotive are located under the
drop down door section under the cab on the engineer's side of the locomotive (see Figure 2, page
10). When you drop down the door these switches are visible with their icons. Icons on the right
hand side show the ON or RUN positions. Icons on the left hand side show the OFF or PROGRAM
positions. On the inside of the drop down door, there is also a legend with words that help describe
the function of each switch.
Looking at the switches from left to right they are as follows:
Smoke Unit Switch
Used to turn the main smoke stack unit function “ON” and “OFF”.
This switch is "read" by your engine at start-up. Switching it after start-up will
have no effect.
Odyssey II Speed Control System Switch
Used to turn the Odyssey II Speed Control System “ON” and “OFF”.
Program Run Switch
Used to assign an ID# and reprogram the locomotive in LEGACY and Command
operation when the switch is in the “PROG” position. Also used to “lock” your
locomotive in a single direction, or neutral, in conventional operation when the
switch is placed in the “PROG” position. See pages 21, 27, and 31.
Figure 1. Locomotive switch functions
PROGRAM
-
ON
RUN
SWITCH
+
OFF
Sound controls
Volume UP/DOWN Control
Used to turn the maximum volume up or down.
Locomotive switch function overview
Locomotive switch location
ONOFF
RailSounds ON/OFF Switch
Used to turn off all sounds except horn and bell.
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
SWITCH
-+
10
Front of LocomotiveRear of Locomotive
Figure 2. Locomotive switch locations
Locomotive switch function overview
Locomotive switch location continued
11
Figure 3. Installing the battery in the locomotive
LEGACY RailSounds sound system operations
Installing the battery
A
lthough the LEGACY RailSounds sound system is powered through the track, we
recommend that you install a nine-volt alkaline battery in the locomotive to prevent
the sound system from shutting down during track power interruptions (for example,
at a switch or a dirty section of track). Follow these steps and see below as you install
the battery.
If the RailSounds sound system turns off during interruptions in track power,
you may need to replace the battery.
1. Remove the hatch from the front nose of the locomotive by lifting upthen away. See
Figure 3 below.
2. Remove the protective cover from the battery harness.
3. Snap the battery harness onto the nine-volt alkaline battery’s terminals.
4. Slide the battery into the battery well in the nose cavity.
5. Replace the hatch on the nose of the locomotive. See Figure 3 below.
Note!
12
G
et your engine running now by following the instructions in this guide. We'll power up
the track, "address the engine" so it can be controlled by your CAB-2 remote, and learn
to use the Velocity Throttle, Horn, Bell, Brake and Direction commands.
Power Up The Track
If using a PowerMaster, TPC or ZW, refer to the proper manual for the correct method
to power up. With your locomotive on the track and ready to roll, power up your track to a
constant 18 volts. If a circuit breaker trips when you turn on the Lionel power supply, check
the wheels of your locomotive to make sure they are all securely on the track. Check to
make sure the track is free of all metals that may cause a short circuit.
Address Your Engine
First, you must address the engine. This "tells" your CAB-2 which locomotive you want
to control. This is important when you have more than one engine on your layout.
To address an engine:
1. Press ENG
2. Press 1
LEGACY Control System operations
This section is a brief overview of the LEGACY Control System. For a more in-depth
explanation of the LEGACY Control System features, please see your LEGACY Control
System Operations Manual.
GET READY TO RUN
See reference numbers 1, 2, and 3
Start 'Er Up
Now it is time to start up your engine's sound system.
3. Press Startup
Your engine sound system will start up and the Touch-screen Control Panel will appear.
Startup dialog. Pressing and holding the startup key while the engine is off triggers a
conversation between the dispatcher and locomotive crew, prior to the prime mover sounds
coming on. Tapping the same button while the engine is shutdown starts the prime mover
sounds without dialog.
Note!
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