Add Trainsounds to a Lionel General

While getting a set-breakup engine and tender might be cheaper and faster in the long run, another way to go would be to wait until Lionel's service department is back up and running (I don't remember when that is supposed to be since they moved to NC), and maybe even wait until they have a sale on parts, and buy just the "guts" of the TrainSounds tender.

If you go to Lionel's web page and go to the replacement parts section and search "4-4-0", you will get a list of "Generals", just pick one with TrainSounds and click on the "View Parts" button for its tender to get a list of what you need (pretty much everything except the shell and wood load).  The down-side to this method is that you will have to assemble and wire it yourself.

Another option would be to get an ERR RailSounds Commander and install it.

Andy

I do not know how you would do it.  I've taken the General apart, there just is not much room inside.  And the tender?  Same story.  A speaker, the sound boards, recitfier and all, have to go somewhere.  

Have you thought about a Lionel steam sounds boxcar?  I think they were last made in 2005-2006 timeframe.    You ought to be able to find on an auction site or at some retailer if you look hard enough.

Lee,

the W&ARR General has trainsound in the tender. Unfortunately, the tenderShell is not screwed to the chassis, so you have to bend a tab to open it.

Albrecht

This set is on Special and the General has full sound. It would be cheaper to buy this set and use the parts and sell of the unwanted items.

Thanks

Pat

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$209.99	Lone Ranger™ Wild West Set (4-4-0 General #1887) http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 6-30116 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Lionel Product Type: Sets Availability: In Stock

The factory can definitely do what the hobbyist can't.  Patstrains has the right idea.  It would be cheaper (and better) to just buy one with Trainsounds.

I would pass on the above mentioned set. True, it does have sounds, but the volume is so low you can barely hear them, and the volume can't be adjusted.

The new ERR RailSounds Commander should fit in that tender, it's not much bigger than the TrainSounds board.  It'll give you better sound by a bunch.  From the page on the one that Pat posted, they just use the generic steam board for this set.  If you want good sound, that would be the way I'd go.

Here's the sound board that's in the Lone Ranger set.

I think that General would be great with the ERR Small Steam board with the nice tooter whistle.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

X2000