Battery required for Lionel Burlington 2328

[Anonymous]

I inherited my Grandfather's Lionel Burlington GP7 #2328 with the matching coaches.  Everything works great and is in fantastic condition (original boxes, tissue, etc).  On the bottom of the GP7, there is a battery door and an assembly for a battery inside.  What was the battery for?  What size was it?  Thanks, John

[chuck]

probably the bicycle horn inside the shell.  Should be a "D" 

http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2328

[Anonymous]

UJT,

Welcome to the Forum!

Chuck is right. For an exploded view and more info generally try this link:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/2328.htm

Be thankful that your grandfather didn't leave the battery in the locomotive. By now, it would have leaked and probably ruined this very nice loco. Sounds like he took very good care of his train. It probably needs lubrication, about which there are many posts on this and the OGR forum.

[Anonymous]

Wolverine49,

Thanks for the info.  Your link not only confirmed the D size battery, but also instructions on how to install it.  I messed around with it for about an hour last night before posting on the forum.  My grandfather took great care of this unit and the 3 coaches.  I don't recall him ever using the horn so it'll be a really nice to hear how it sounds 50 years later.  Thanks again, John

[Anonymous]

UJT,

You're quite welcome. I meant to mention  that whereas the D-cell actually powers the horn, between the transformer and the horn is a special relay that turns the horn on and off. The relay is activated by a cleverly engineered shot of direct current (known as the "DC offset") that, when you push the horn/whistle button, the transformer puts out on top of the normal alternating current that goes to the track. Problems with the horn are usually caused by some electro-mechanical problem with the relay.

With luck you won't have any problem, BUT you need to know that with the engine upright (as when on the track) the relay "closes" (sounds the horn) on the up-stroke, and then returns to the open position (horn shuts off) soley due to  the force of  gravity. The ramification of this is that once a battery is installed, if you turn the locomotive upside down, the horn will sound unexpectedly.  Knowing this, and being mentally prepared for it, should help you avoid a startle-reflex that might cause you to drop the engine -- and you don't  want to do that!

After more than 56 years of playing with trains with battery-powered horns, I still jump when one goes off when I least expect iit. Yikes!

[Anonymous]

Shameless bump to the top, due to the fact that I am concerned that John will install the battery, the horn will blow, and he'll drop his locomotive. Be a bad way to start out. Maybe this way he will read my most recent post and be forewarned.

 O.K., O.K., so I'm nervous. Even a rattlesnake gives a little warning....

[Anonymous]

Well.....I started the battery install before checking the forum again and yes, the GP7 did honk at me.  No, I didn't get startled or drop the chassis.  Thanks for the heads up!!

[Roger Bielen]

I'm glad you brought this up  I have one sitting on the shelve that was part of a trade I made a year ago and I never opened it to see if there was a battery inside.  Guess that'll be on my to do list for tomorrow after work.

[RR Redneck]

See there, you learn somethin new ery day. LOL

[Chris F]

John,

Two more items -

After sitting for many years, the horn's internal parts may have stiffened up.  There is an adjustment screw on the horn body that you can turn in and out to "tune" the horn.

Your grandfather's set was either the 1534W from 1955 or the 1562W from 1956.  The 1955 set included 3 silver cars with red printing, while the 1956 set included 4 silver cars with red printing and a horizontal red stripe across the window area.

[ChristieB]

Hi.  I just recently acquired my dad's Burlington, and to say the least, it has the battery in it.  A couple of questions for you.  I reviewed the exploded views of your link and I cannot get the compartment door off.  I did notice there is a small lever that seems to slide--is this a lock of some sort?  Any tricks to removing the compartment door.  I can remove the screw and pry the area where the screw is, up only a little bit.  I would love to, obviously, remove the decaying battery and take stock of the damage.  Which brings me to my next question, do you know anyone who restores these?  I live in Cincinnati.  Thank you in advance for your time.  Now I need to assess the rest of the collection.  Hopeful to find less of a mess.

[ADCX Rob]

ChristieB

...Any tricks to removing the compartment door...

[ChristieB]

Thanks Rob!  I was afraid to put muscle into the removal of the cover. I was definitely on the right track, but was unsure of the mechanics behind the removal.  Now to find out if there are any other items in the boxes that have battery compartments that may have batteries still in. I certainly hope not.