Adding E-unit and sound

Basic sounds could be finding a Lionel whistle module, the 691-CSND-E for diesel I would expect would be a closer match than the steam version.  Those show up used regularly, and you can buy them as new parts as well.  They're pretty inexpensive as I recall, and four wires will get them working, track pickups and speaker.

Don't know about smoke, I never wanted my GG-1 to smoke, I thought it was electric.   I know, there was steam generator that emitted visible steam, I see the Vision line one has it.  Is there room for a smoke generator?

The smoke for the GG1 isn't that important, like you mentioned I've seen it in the new Lionel but I could live without it.

I do remember that MRC, Dallee and maybe ERR have sound boards but I'm not to sure how difficult it would be to install.  although space wise the GG1's should have room.  I'll open one of the Lionels tonight and see.

None of the boards will be at all difficult to install, most are just track pickups and find a place for the speaker.  I don't think ERR has a horn-only board, they have the RailSounds Commander that works with conventional, but it's a lot more money than some of the other options.

I installed an ERR sound board in a Williams diesel, and it was a piece of cake. When they were still in business, ERR had a GG1 sound board that was quite authentic and unique to anything else I've heard. 

ERR is still alive and well.  I have the GG1 sound set in my K-Line PARR GG1 that I upgraded with the Cruise Commander and RailSounds.  Lionel bought ERR, but it's business as usual there as far as I can see.

I think what Jumijo meant was that ERR used to sell their own version of a sound board called a sound commander. It was about half price of railsounds. The ERR sound commander was discontinued when one of the major chips in it went obsolete.

OK, I'll buy that.  I tried to find some of those Sound Commander boards, but no luck.  It would be nice to have a single board solution to decent sounds.

Roy has it right. 

Bill

The Lionel postwar/conventional/reissue GG1 has just a horn and bell.

Sound is very clear and expect sound board to be small.

I wonder if one can get the pn of the sound board with out too much effort. I have the engine in my office. Will look for owners manual if interested. Perhaps Lionel

parts dept would have some stock. Maybe a forum member has been through process.

Floyd

Lionel 6-31790 Conventional Classics GG-1 Parts

Horn/bell board part number is: 691-ISND-108, $35.00

This is not useful for TMCC control.

Thanks John, I ordered it.  I spent some time today searching Lionel parts on-line for E-units, most are "unavailable.  I'll pick one up at York.

Are you looking for conventional E-Units or electronic reverse boards?

Electronic, I need two for older Williams GG1's and don't want to have to take the shell off to move the lever when I want them to just go forward.

Dallee has a nice unit, the Model 400.  I've used this one, and it handles two motors without issues.  If you're really going for a load, they have an even larger one, but I never needed that.