Can Motor for Lionel #18045 Commodore

I've had poor luck interfacing RS 2.5 with the ERR Cruise Commander, so I'd probably plan on the upgrade to the new board.

I have a pair of the Reading T-1's with can motors and MTH smoke units here, they're waiting on the installation of electronics to make them into usable locomotives.  I don't have grooves for traction tires, I may regret that...

John, I am sending you an email.

I too would love to hear if it can be done easily.  there seems to be loads of space underneath the shell.  While I don't have pulling issues it would be nice to put cruise in mine.

Bruce

It should be pretty easy, just not cheap. I think Frank Timko's motor is a bolt on job. Then just add the electronics and optionally fan smoke and electro couplers. It can add up. 

5 original Lionel CV cars with silhouettes should be no problem for the new can motor, maybe a few more but 5 newer cars with interiors and figures might be max even for the new motor. It will pull more but start to get hot after a few minutes of running.

Pete

Well, it clearly can be done, I have two with the Timko motors in them.  I still have to cover up the holes left in the cab from the motor brushes protruding out, but that's a minor job.

I'm going to be putting Cruise Commanders, RS Commanders, and a Super-Chuffer to drive the MTH smoke units.  Add some custom lighting and it's a done deal.

I have the original Silver CV and all 10 cars. Besides the engine needing help I wonder how much of a drain on the system the 10 lighted cars put on it. I have thought about converting them to LED and getting a Timko motor installed on the engine. But the engine, even though I love the whistle,  is starting to show it's age compared to the new Legacy engines.

I put a Timko can motor in my "777" Commodore Vanderbilt. Put a cruise Commander in the boiler and hooked it to the original sound system in the tender. Everything works great with the exception that, at certain speeds, I get double chuffing.

Maybe I put the reed switch too close to the magnet on the tender wheel.

The wiring diagram for this loco is on the Lionel website. You can see where to hook up the sound system and how to break into the line from the chuff switch. I did not use the original chuff switch because one chuff per revolution is not enough for me.

Chuffing not synchronized with the drivers is not an issue for me, although I gather that it drives some folks to distraction.

Since I'm doing a break in on my CV right now I'll connect up some extra cars and see how it performs.  Doing fine so far with 2 head end cars and 5 k-line 15 inchers with stream lighting. Got some Lionel HW's to add.

Bruce

Much as expected.  With 4 heavyweights added to the consist it was just on the edge of not starting off without a nudge.  Not bad I guess considering it's one pullmor motor hauling a 15' train.

Bruce

I really haven't decided what to do yet with the Commodore, My Black version Commodore pulls much better, yet its almost identical with the exception of the paint and wireless tether.

My Lionel Reading and Chessie T1's are getting the can motor upgrade, along with the First Mohawk, and the Scale Southern Mikado from 1992, I am also having the tires grooved. I will then Add RS5 and the DC Cruise Commander.

Royboy, thats exactly what I want to do! I sent you an email.

I'm looking at some hall effect sensors for more reliable chuff triggering, I'm hoping to have a smaller component to replace the reed switch.