“Jack of All Trades” Lionel GP9 product review in OGR Run 306

What is the product number? Maybe we’re talking two different units. Also please check the program/run switch for conventional. It locks the direction if desired. 

Watch his video to get more accurate info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfHF5E52GP8

Stu

I'd guess if it has a volume pot there is no sound on/off switch. 

Have you done a reset for the direction issue?

Dave - I'm sure you will find (if you haven't already) Eric Siegel's 'video' review of this engine helpful.

Thanks to all for your advice. The video is very helpful and shows that his unit is configured exactly as mine is. This is in conflict with Eric’s description in the OGR review, however (as noted in my original post here on the Forum). 

As to running problem in Conventional, I tried switching the Run/program switch in various ways to see if I could get a reset but nothing I did would allow the unit to run in other than just the one direction.

So while Charles Ro kindly offered to replace the unit, I opted to just lock it in the one direction and run it that way.

My thinking is that I only run it in one direction anyway, so what the heck. Plus, it probably runs fine in the various other remote control modes, so if I ever go to sell it, it is doubtful that the buyer would care about Conventional running anyway. After all, who in their right mind would pay the price for features they will not use; most folks are not a dumb as yours truly...

I must say, however, that the only two Legacy engines I have bought this year both had problems running conventionally: an Atlantic steamer would not whistle when run in conventional with the smoke unit On . My dealer sent the unit back to Lionel and it took a couple of months, but they did correct the problem.  

And then this direction snafu. I wonder if Lionel sort of attaches less importance to conventional operation than the other modes? I dunno.

I like LionChief Plus much better for my operational needs. Obviously a better fit for me.

Again, thank you for your advice!

As a point of continuing education...

There are no dashes in EMD model numbers, other than the “Dash 2” series. It’s a GP9, not a GP-9.

By “Dash 2” I’m talking about models like an SD40-2, GP40-2, etc.

Here endeth the lesson... 

Dave Warburton posted:

As to running problem in Conventional, I tried switching the Run/program switch in various ways to see if I could get a reset but nothing I did would allow the unit to run in other than just the one direction.

My thinking is that I only run it in one direction anyway, so what the heck. Plus, it probably runs fine in the various other remote control modes, so if I ever go to sell it, it is doubtful that the buyer would care about Conventional running anyway. After all, who in their right mind would pay the price for features they will not use; most folks are not a dumb as yours truly...

And then this direction snafu. I wonder if Lionel sort of attaches less importance to conventional operation than the other modes? I dunno.

Again, thank you for your advice!

 

 

 

Check and see if the run/prog is in the RUN position. Historically, the run/prog switch is a directional lockout switch in conventional which would act as you have described.

Santa Fe 3751 posted:

Dave Warburton posted:

As to running problem in Conventional, I tried switching the Run/program switch in various ways to see if I could get a reset but nothing I did would allow the unit to run in other than just the one direction.

My thinking is that I only run it in one direction anyway, so what the heck. Plus, it probably runs fine in the various other remote control modes, so if I ever go to sell it, it is doubtful that the buyer would care about Conventional running anyway. After all, who in their right mind would pay the price for features they will not use; most folks are not a dumb as yours truly...

And then this direction snafu. I wonder if Lionel sort of attaches less importance to conventional operation than the other modes? I dunno.

Again, thank you for your advice!

 

 

 

Check and see if the run/prog is in the RUN position. Historically, the run/prog switch is a directional lockout switch in conventional which would act as you have described.

Yes, thanks. Did that right away but no luck. In fact, I decided to just lock it in PGM mode in the one direction it goes in so to eliminate the neutral altogether. 

I was just reading Eric’s review in the new OGR Run 307 for the new Lionel SD45 Norfolk & Western, and he describes the location of the controls for THAT diesel exactly as he described them for the GP9. Except that the description for the SD45 unit is exactly correct as evidenced by a photograph of the placement in the article itself, and differs from the true placement in the GP9.

Perhaps Eric wrote the two articles around the same time and this particular portion of the text got conflated by accident. That would seem to make sense to me, anyway. The you tube video he posted of the GP9 clearly shows the control switches on the bottom of that  engine and not under the roof, so obviously Eric knew which positioning was correct.

All’s well that ends well!