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How to Adjust a Lionel Tender's Sound

The tender car that rides behind the engine of a Lionel train holds the sound mechanism. Newer Lionel train set sounds are actual recordings of locomotives that include more than the bells and whistles of older sets. These Lionel tenders play chuff noises in sequence with the speed of the toy train along with slowing down sound effects and noises of the train engine at rest when it stops. A new Lionel tender also plays radio transmission dialog between railroad crew members.

Things You'll Need

9-volt battery
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Install a 9-volt battery in the Lionel tender car by loosening the four screws under the car that hold the body to the frame. Gently raise the body away from the frame without damaging the connected wires. Take the cover off the battery harness. Clip the harness onto the battery caps and slide the battery under the holder sideways. Replace the body and secure the screws.
- 2
  Lift open the hatches on top of Lionel tenders for some of the sound controls. Adjust the volume higher or lower by turning the volume control knob under the hatch.
- 3
  Initiate the engine chuffing sounds by turning on the transformer power with the train on the track. The chuff noise increases as the train moves faster. Shut off the chuff noises by pushing the "Railsounds" switch under the hatch to the side marked "Signalsounds."
- 4
  Play the bell sound by pushing the "Bell" button on the Lionel train transformer. Stop the bell noises by pushing the button a second time.
- 5
  Play whistle sounds by pressing the "Whistle" button on the transformer. Play a short whistle toot to activate a dialog sequence between the crew members.
- 6
  Turn off the power at the transformer to automatically trigger the shut-down sounds.

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