Over the past months we have had threads complaining and praising Frank Timko. I will admit I have complained about his lack of communication but when I received the yellow belly this past week and to see it run as smooth as it does is something to see.
He changed the motor to a can motor, added PS2 and marker lights front and back. Although I waited 10 months it was worth the wait IMO. A very neat job concerning the wiring and motor placement.
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Now that's a majestic loco you have there. Nice scenery and cars as well. 
WOW!
By the way, did I say WOW?
Great looking model and excellent looking layout. But I have to ask; Why are you posting such great looking modeling on the 3-Rail "Toy Trains" Forum?
I did a similar mod to my 777 Commodore Vanderbilt - can motor from Timko and TMCC from electric railroad. It's a great runner now, while it was a dog in its original configuration.
Well I never thought my modeling was up to 3RS standards but I am getting better. I will start posting over there also.
Hi Dave,
Wow that ran nice and smooth, beautiful engine. Enjoy it !!!!!!!!
Alex
Very nice David....I have always liked that locomotive but never got one....
Alan
Does Timko offer to do this WITHOUT changing the sound and control system?
I've been told the Timko motors are not up to the task of powering these heavy locomotives. But judging by your video it appears to perform just fine. So much conflicting info regarding Timko.
Does Timko offer to do this WITHOUT changing the sound and control system?
Yes he will only change the motor if you wish.
Does Timko offer to do this WITHOUT changing the sound and control system?
Yes he will only change the motor if you wish.
Good, because I prefer Lionel sounds, but also prefer maintenance free motors if I ever get some of my engines upgraded.
That's really nice Dave, and yes, your scenery sills are becoming formidable!
Does Timko offer to do this WITHOUT changing the sound and control system?
Yes he will only change the motor if you wish.
You have to change the control system, at least the motor drive system. The engines came with universal motors, sometimes called AC motors, but the can motor from Timko is a DC motor. That means the motor driver system must be changed.
I put a cruise commander in mine and was able to hook that to the original sound system, because the Commodore Vanderbilt had the pre - modular sound system. It had inputs for chuff, so I powered those from a magnet on the tender wheel and that gave two chuffs per revolution..
I've been told the Timko motors are not up to the task of powering these heavy locomotives.
I thought so, too, when I saw the motor. However, the gear ratio in the Lionel scale Hudson is around 18:1 and that allows the relatively small can motor to do the job just fine. I even mounted a fan blowing on my motor, but the opposite side of the motor does not even get warm when I haul a 8 heavyweight cars and three express reefers.
Congratulations on your upgrades to this wonderful engine. It has been one of my favorites since Lionel introduced theirs many years ago. Besides the color yellow is my favorite color.
Glad to see you got it Dave. I have one of them (PS2 by Timko) and it is a joy.
Gerry
Thanks guys, it runs great. Really nice job by Frank Timko.
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