Lionel Berkshires emitting strange sounds

In that video, I didn't hear any noise as it passed over the switches, however, when it went into the curve it seems to be making the same sounds real trains do when they go through curves..."Rail Squeal". Notice that it does the same thing on several other curves on the layout.

That actually sounds more like Lionels " trainsounds"squealing brake sounds. I believe in the case of a "conventional" trainsounds locomotive it is triggered by a sudden drop in transformer voltage and or speed.

I suspect you have a drop in voltage at the switch, first off I'd start by cleaning the rails and see if it helps.

From the Lionel trainsounds owners manual:

Brake squeal
To activate the sound of squealing brakes, operate your locomotive at a rapid rate of speed
for at least ten seconds, and then throttle down to a lower speed. The brake sounds will
discontinue automatically after a few moments.

Sounds more like rail squeal to me, but, who am I to dispute the almighty Lionel?

I don't know for what reason, but to me it sounds like brake squeal.

Does your unit have 'Brake Squealing' capabilities?

Like Big Jim said the sound is prominent into curves, but also RickO said a drop in voltage, like when you activate the 'Braking' feature, the squealing sounds.

A few years ago I called Lionel, when they were still in Michigan, and I spoke to one of the    technicians and he told me when if the 'Braking' feature is properly working and the 'Brake' button is depressed, the voltage drops and the brake squeal sound is activated and the locomotive slows down.

When there 'Brake' button is released, then the locomotive picks up speed.

I would try to contact Lionel via phone.

They, or other more knowledgeable Forum members, would know.

Enjoy the child, enjoying your beautiful layout and trains.

Good Luck,

Ralph 

Break squeal.

-Pete

quote:

From the Lionel trainsounds owners manual:

 

Brake squeal
To activate the sound of squealing brakes, operate your locomotive at a rapid rate of speed
for at least ten seconds, and then throttle down to a lower speed. The brake sounds will
discontinue automatically after a few moments.

I think what is happening in the video is that the train is slowing down when it hits the curves triggering the "Brake Squeal" effect. I don't see any reason to call Lionel as it seems to be doing what it supposed to do.

Being that the train is still going like gang busters through a curve, it sounds like rail squeal. But, that's just me after living with the ear-piercing squeal for forty years. Go out to your favorite tight curve on the RR and just listen for yourself.

Kind of a neat effect, but, I can hear that it could easily grate on one's nerves after a while.

The last time I ever heard a brake squeal like that was back when they still had cast iron brake shoes and then it was only when we were shifting cars at slow speeds. The composite shoes of today don't make those sounds.

BTW, the same sound (but much more intense) is made when cars go through a retarder after being humped.