Lionel GP9 6-18565 coupler upgrade

According to the parts diagram, it already has electro couplers?

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...b0-9707-445778f88ebf

If not, you can follow along here on installing the 610-8855-550 electro couplers here:

https://ogrforum.com/...ped-6-18563-nyc-gp-9

Also, the Lionel Website has this awful scanned copy of a GP9 manual available: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...1718562250NYC014.pdf

According to the parts breakdown, it already has electrocouplers.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...b0-9707-445778f88ebf

gunrunnerjohn posted:

According to the parts breakdown, it already has electrocouplers.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...b0-9707-445778f88ebf

Jinx! You owe me a Coke! 

Excellent, thanks. Like I said I don’t have my hands on it yet and I had conflicting information about the couplers. You folks pulled through on the manual too!

Are you guys sure the MR version actually comes with electrocouplers out of the box? (since the parts are all the same, I'm pretty sure the same exploded diagram is used to represent all of these engines, whether they came with electrocouplers originally or not)

I'd trust the scanned manual, I think that's more likely correct for this model's vintage.

My memory may be slightly off (since it's been almost 23 years now ), but the very first few GP9s of this series did not come with electrocouplers, but they did have the ability to add them via the kit. 

The first few were NYC and Southern Pacific (part of the freight sets that included the CAB-1 remote, and possibly available separately later), the Pennsy, and this Milwaukee (maybe another I am forgetting).  I think some of these earlier ones didn't come with electrocouplers out of the box.

Then there was the Canadian Pacific, the Lionel Centennial, A CB&Q, and some others (like the UP in the ore car set - which may be the one pictured in the diagram).  These later ones I believe were cataloged to have the electrocouplers.  The Centennial one specifically, I know they goofed and did not include them, but Lionel made good and sent electrocoupler kits to those who purchased the engine at no charge since they didn't ship them that way.

I have a Milwaukee Engine somewhere, but can't check it right now.  (There's also no guarantee I'm going to have time to go look for it in the near future - sorry! )

Food for thought.  If you aren't making your purchase decision specifically based on whether electrocouplers come with the engine right out of the box, then it doesn't matter much.  It sounds like you would be OK with it if you have to add them yourself.  It's also quite possible a previous owner added the kit already(if my memory is correct and MR didn't have them straight out of the box).

-Dave

I know some didn't have couplers, I put them on a couple myself.  In any case, it's an easy install, I believe the LCRU2 has plugs for them.

My SP and MR geeps were not equipped with electros.  I do remember the MR had no brake blister part which irritated many customers so my dealer said, and he or Lionel provided the piece at no charge.  Great sound system too.  RICH

Well, either way I'm still stoked. Got a great deal on one, and I'll know by Saturday if I need to add the coupler kit. I'll be sure to update this post with my findings. I appreciate all the response!

All you need to do is buy the couplers from ERR or Lionel. there easy to install. And if I'm thinking what your talking about, you don't need the kit. the kit just adds more cost to you. 

Trust me if I can do it you can, as I'm electrical challenged. 

Drumroll please.... it does NOT have electro couplers. Glad we got that figured out :-).  It wasn't the smoothest runner either, so I pulled the motor, and the worm gear on the motor shaft is kinda gummed up and crusty. Thinking Labelle 106 for the worm gear then a light oil for the exposed gears?

WebNerdNick posted:

Thinking Labelle 106 for the worm gear then a light oil for the exposed gears?

You are thinking right!

The earliest of this series of classic TMCC/RS equipped Geeps, six of them, including the 15565, were not equipped with electrocouplers. Below is an article from the old Coil Couplers web site which sets out the differences.  As shown in the article, additional features were gradually added to the engines as production continued. The Lionel parts diagram is generic, so it may show things that weren't present on certain models. Note the parts diagram also says Postwar Celebration, which none of the engines shown on the Coil Couplers article were, except the Burlington. There were some additional Geeps of this type produced after the article was published, that were part of the PWC series.

I have the No. 18866 (cab no. 2383) later version of the Milwaukee Geep. It's an improvement over the 15565, because it came with electrocouplers, and also came with diecast pilots and a diecast fuel tank, which gives it added weight. The pilots and fuel tank on the 18565 are plastic. Lionel also had refreshed the mold, so the body details are slightly crisper on the later engines including the 18866, although it's not something a casual observer would notice. Below is a photo of my 18866, with the electocouplers (I added the Milwaukee Road lettering). My no. 2383, like the other five TMCC/RS Geeps I have from this era, runs very well, without any issues at all. Bulletproof engines, with great sounds.

Electrocouplers are very easy to add if a person has one of the six early versions of this engine that came without them. Diecast fuel tanks are also available at Lionel parts if one has an earlier version with a plastic fuel tank (like the OP's 18565) and wants to replace it. 

Lionel's Command Equipped Geeps Roll On

Evolution of the Trainmaster Command Geeps

by Clyde Coil

In 1996, LIONEL introduced the first Command equipped Geeps, the 2380 Southern Pacific and the 2380 New York Central. Today's Geeps have evolved in a way that tells a story. One of the stories of today's LIONEL.

A list of released GP-7s and GP-9s with relevant feature information follows.

These Geeps tell a story, Lionel is constantly striving to improve the classic designs from the postwar era, and has produced the most innovative and fun versions ever of the Classic Lionel Geep.

Those MR Geeps are great engines.  Especially in tandem.   I remember the one horn has a double chime to it.  It is very easy to change to electrocouplers and is a fun project.  Once you do one it is a piece of cake.  Go for it.

At one time I had every TMCC Geep on the list.  They never made the GT or the Army one.  I agree that the changes of features in these engines does tell the story of the evolution of TMCC.  Great engines.  I have my favorites.  The custom series ones with the drag racing sounds were a blast to play with.

I know this is an old thread....I just purchased TWO of the Lionel 6-18565 #2338 GP-9s that need the electrocouplers. Apparently there are 2 different sets with different part numbers that will work.... 610-8855-550 AND LIONEL ELECTROCOUPLER UPGRADE KIT FOR PRE-1999 GP-9 DIESEL ENGINE Lionel 22919.

So what's the difference....I can find the 22919 coupler kits new in the box but NOT 610-8855-550 sets.

One of the kits for the GP9 was for unpowered units and included an LCRX board for the TMCC coupler control.  In looking, both of the numbers you posted appear to just be the bare 2" couplers with the "B" mount, either one will do the trick.

Here they are for $18: https://www.salesgarland.com/l...uplers-kit-for-gp-9/