QUESTION: Is there a way that a Lionel Conventional Train can be modified internally to be able to use Lionel Legacy components?
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no. Lionel will not sell Legacy parts. but if they did it could be done.
You can do either TMCC with the ERR stuff or PS/2 with a PS/2 upgrade kit. People have done Legacy conversions by using parts from a Legacy locomotive, but it doesn't sound cost effective. 
If you purchased say a new locomotive that was conventional like the new Mogul 2-6-0 , K4, or an 0-8-0, and would like to upgrade the electronics, it would be interesting to see if they would entertain that upgrade.... it may be a simple plug and play upgrade.
You have nothing to lose by giving them a call.
I will be amazed if they will sell you the electronics. I'm almost positive their solution will be the ERR TMCC upgrade.
I am fairly certain Lionel service won't do the upgrade. Lionel will sell you the parts for Legacy drive including the radio board, motor driver, motor speed sensor plus the smoke circuits and fan unit. You will get no instructions but have to be familiar with how it all goes together. If they don't have a speed sensor for your particular motor you have to modify one to fit. It usually involves pulling the flywheel and pressing on the tone wheel.
What they won't sell you is any of the audio boards. You can drive RS4 or RS5 with Legacy but you won't get all of the effects.
My Legacy engines do run a tad slower than those with ERR cruise but both are every bit as smooth and constant as each other. Given that Legacy components you can buy are 2-3 times the cost of ERR cruise there isn't much point in pursuing Legacy.
Pete
A major reason for upgrading to Legacy, at least for me, would be the vastly improved sounds. If I was going to be left with RS4, I'd also go with the ERR stuff. Also, mounting the motor speed sensor on your motor will be tricky, so you'll probably have to find a Legacy locomotive motor that has the same gears as your upgrade candidate.
This is just not a practical or cost effective upgrade IMO. One of the reasons I started doing the PS/2 upgrades is they have better sounds than RailSounds 4. Not as good as Legacy, but since I can't buy those...
I did here that Albracht from Germany had upgraded some of his troublesome older TMCC engines that were not 50Hz compatible to Legacy.
How he has acquired the parts to do this I am not sure as I thought Lionel would only supply new parts if you returned the faulty Legacy component.
Regards
Nick
Originally Posted by Nick12DMC:
I did here that Albracht from Germany had upgraded some of his troublesome older TMCC engines that were not 50Hz compatible to Legacy.
How he has acquired the parts to do this I am not sure as I thought Lionel would only supply new parts if you returned the faulty Legacy component.
Regards
Nick
Early Legacy used a modular system similar to previous TMCC and Odyssey. Look up one of the early Legacy engines like a GP7 and you will see what you can purchase and what you can't ("must contact Lionel....."). Current Legacy uses a combo receiver-driver board. These newer boards are not for sale. No audio boards have ever been available other than to repair an existing board with an exchange.
Pete
