I am wondering how straightfoward it is to retrofit TMCC to any of the Lionel Conventional Classics engines;e.g., F-3, Berkshire, GG1. Did Lionel build these engines so that owners could add TMCC themselves with a simple module?
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Go to the Electric Railroad website, http://www.electricrr.com they make the TMCC products and are a subsidiary of Lionel. They have all the information you need there. Read it all and come back here for help or ask ERR direct.
I'd guess not, but if you open one up and snap a couple of pictures of the boards inside, one of us can tell you for sure.
Originally Posted by cwp_ogr:
I am wondering how straightfoward it is to retrofit TMCC to any of the Lionel Conventional Classics engines;e.g., F-3, Berkshire, GG1. Did Lionel build these engines so that owners could add TMCC themselves with a simple module?
The Berkshires are set up to allow you to use the handrails on the engine as the antenna. It appears that there is enough room inside to install the R2LC and Motor driver boards. You will need to check the rating on the smoke unit resister to make sure that it will be compatible.
The circuit board inside the engine would be removed for any upgrade since it is not a modular design.
Not sure about the other engines but you could use the pantograph on the GG1's for the antenna and the F3's have plastic bodies so you would just install the copper strip to the roof to serve as the antenna. You would still have to install an R2LC and a motor driver board in addition to any sound boards you might wish to install.
However, the overall cost might be prohibitive.
The GG1 will be the most difficult to fit everything due to the larger motors. I have done installs on Williams GG1s but its tight even with the smaller can motors. The F3s would work if you moved the sound boards and speaker to the dummy unit. No one makes a plug and play option yet so it won't be a simple drop in. If you wanted a TMCC GG1 your best bet is get a Williams. That will allow you to install cruise as well which is not possible with AC motors yet.
Pete
Weaver Trains also does TMCC Conversions. Check them out!
FREDSTRAINS
Getting someone else to do the work will almost surely make the cost prohibitive! You might as well just buy a TMCC version and sell the conventional model.
Don;t these engines have the ac pullmor motors and you can;t use odessy with them can you?
Correct, many of the PW Classics have Pulmor motors and would not be compatible with cruise control.
You can figure the cost for parts only to convert to TMCC to be around $ 210. Whether that is cost prohibitive is up to you. It is a fun and easy project. The GG1 would be a challenge for most. I have an originally TMCC equipped Lionel dual motor GG1 and the components are jammed into the shell and it is prone to overheating. An F3 is piece of cake by comparison and the ERR F diesel sounds are quite good. It really depends on if it makes with all things considered.
Actually, that's a bit high for the AC motored units. Boxcar Bill offers the ERR Cruise Commander and RailSounds Commander combo for $185, and the AC Commander & RailSounds Commander pair would be cheaper by around $30-40 I would imagine. Other than that, you need some minor lab supplies.
It will get a bit warm in there I suspect with dual AC motors. 
