Converting KLine GG1 to tmcc

There was a kit which I think is not available any longer. I looked into that engine with the same situation and ended up selling it and finding one with the K Line TMCC factory installed. If you keep it, ERR is the best option.

I had to laugh just a little.  I once bought a K-Line GG-1 that said it was TMCC upgradeable, what a joke!   It was upgradeable all right, just put everything needed for TMCC into it and it was upgraded!  The one concession was that the pantographs were insulated and had a connection terminal, made it easy to add the antenna.

Lionel used to have TMCC upgradeable stuff that was just a drop-in of the right boards to go from conventional to TMCC, a horse of a totally different color!

Upgrading this to TMCC with the ERR Cruise Commander will certainly improve the low speed performance, and there's room for sound.  ERR also has the ERR EP-5/GG-1 RailSounds Commander board for this model.

I have to agree with GRJ as to that "upgradeable" wording on the box. I have 3 K-Line units from customers right now that i'm doing ERR Cruise Commander conversions on. They were sold as upgradeable by one hobby shop, then taken to another for help and then sent over to me for upgrades. They're pretty straight forward to do. You should have no trouble doing them. Using "upgradeable" in the description on the box stretches the meaning of truth in advertising a bit.

I bought one of these new from K-Line  in 2001ish.  I ordered and installed the TMCC upgrade when they released it shortly after.  I did the upgrade on my kitchen counter one evening in our apartment before we bought our first house.

IIRC, it involved removing ALL the electronics and replacing them, but the directions were well done, and all wiring connections were with mini crimp connectors - no soldering.  Worked great, very cool Railsounds, but has been in the box for 15+ years with only an hour or so of run time.   Might be interested in parting with it for a reasonable offer.  (and perhaps a 7 car set of PRR MTH RK cars).  Contact info in profile.

Jim

ERR Cruise Commander and Sound Commander. That's what will work the best. Some folks liked the old K-Line cruise, but mine seemed to be jerky and always hunting for the right speed.

I think they chose "upgradeable" well.

  Your forgetting that Pulmors were still made, but to much for many boards to handle back then. So even though k-line didn't use those,  that "upgradable" note fit in well for the time imo.

My K-line GG does have some plugs that go nowhere. (no sounds or command)

The real GG-1s didn't creep off the line either. They launched hard enough to break the drivetrain at times   So it's prototypical.... and way better than the old pulmor GG-1s for low speeds imo. ..just sayin', not trying to discourage improving it to your liking so much as to console you if you decide against it

Adriatic posted:

I think they chose "upgradeable" well.

  Your forgetting that Pulmors were still made, but to much for many boards to handle back then. So even though k-line didn't use those,  that "upgradable" note fit in well for the time imo.

When you compare them to the similar vintage Lionel "upgradeable" models, I think they overstated the case.  I've upgraded some of the Lionel "upgradeable" models in about 10 minutes.  Remember, Lionel was the standard that was set for that term, if you use that yardstick, the K-Line was hardly justified in calling it "upgradeable".

Thanks all for your replies.  If I upgrade I will do ERR cruise. I have upgraded several engines mostly with the AC pullmor  motor.  Never done cruise.  As a side note this engine starts at very low voltage and was a speedster with no cars.  I decided to use TMCC  conventional with High momentum and was able to make it crawl but the headlight was so dim  could barely see it.

If I upgrade I will use LEDs.  Interesting project but probably better to just buy a used unit with TMCC or Proto 2/3. Parts would be about $200.  

Again Thanks

I posted my K-line GG1 w/ TMCC for sale on the forum here: 

K-Line GG1 w/TMCC

-Jim