Converting to Legacy

Possible?  Sure.  Practical?  That's another question.  What functionality do you hope to gain with that very expensive conversion?

Unless you plan on "lashing up" with another Legacy locomotive, I think that's a waste of time and money...IMHO.  Obviously, opinions vary.

Personally, I'd put that money into a nice, Like New TMCC Locomotive that was made in Korea.

You can "improve" the existing locomotive in various ways to add many of the Legacy Like features.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You can "improve" the existing locomotive in various ways to add many of the Legacy Like features.

Where do I look for information as to what can be done?

@RixTrack posted:

Where do I look for information as to what can be done?

You are in a bit of uncharted territory due to the size of your engine. If you had a TMCC engine that was later done with Legacy components then expect that could be done to yours like smoke effects and swinging bells.
There are a number of threads here on Legacy conversions. Search the forum for them and then contact those who did them to see if what you want is possible.

Pete

@Berkshire President posted:

Unless you plan on "lashing up" with another Legacy locomotive, I think that's a waste of time and money...IMHO.  Obviously, opinions vary.

Personally, I'd put that money into a nice, Like New TMCC Locomotive that was made in Korea.

That’s what I have.  It’s the Lionmaster Hudson from 2002. It’s TMCC from Korea.

As mentioned by Pete & others, your Hudson is in the “traditional size” of 3 rail O gauge, I’d think it’s going to be difficult to cram all of that legacy stuff inside that smaller sized locomotive,…..not saying it’s impossible, just difficult….and difficulty adds to expense, IMO,….just out of curiosity what’s driving your decision to opt for Legacy?…..if Cruise is your desire, far more less invasive, and a lot less expensive ways to achieve that,……however, I can’t speak for the Legacy Dr.’s  Bruk & Sid, perhaps they’ll see this post and weigh in with their recommendations..

Pat

I was thinking the ERR CC-M and the Super-Chuffer/Chuff-Generator.  This gives you a lot of the Legacy-like features, 100 step cruise, chuffing smoke, smoke at idle, Rule-17 headlight, automatic cab light control...

@harmonyards posted:

As mentioned by Pete & others, your Hudson is in the “traditional size” of 3 rail O gauge, I’d think it’s going to be difficult to cram all of that legacy stuff inside that smaller sized locomotive,…..not saying it’s impossible, just difficult….and difficulty adds to expense, IMO,….just out of curiosity what’s driving your decision to opt for Legacy?…..if Cruise is your desire, far more less invasive, and a lot less expensive ways to achieve that,……however, I can’t speak for the Legacy Dr.’s  Bruk & Sid, perhaps they’ll see this post and weigh in with their recommendations..

Pat

I believe this and it’s sister the Lionmaster  Pennsylvania T-1 were reissued as a legacy locomotives. I not so much interest in the sound as the speed steps.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I was thinking the ERR CC-M and the Super-Chuffer/Chuff-Generator.  This gives you a lot of the Legacy-like features, 100 step cruise, chuffing smoke, smoke at idle, Rule-17 headlight, automatic cab light control...

I was thinking the same thing John, …however, I have not received my commission check for my shop’s promotion and good will ambassador for your product,……especially since I’ve trademarked “ Chuff Stuff” …..with out your permission of course…..🤪

Pat

@RixTrack posted:

I believe this and it’s sister the Lionmaster  Pennsylvania T-1 were reissued as a legacy locomotives. I not so much interest in the sound as the speed steps.

In all seriousness, as mentioned by John, an ERR Cruise M will remedy that issue, and give you 100 speed steps ….personally, I do not see a whole heck of a lot of difference in 100 speed steps VS. whatever Legacy has,….200-250….ish??….somebody correct me??..

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

In all seriousness, as mentioned by John, an ERR Cruise M will remedy that issue, and give you 100 speed steps ….personally, I do not see a whole heck of a lot of difference in 100 speed steps VS. whatever Legacy has,….200-250….ish??….somebody correct me??..

Pat

I must have missed John’s post I must review the thread thank you.

For what I'm pretty sure will be cheaper than a full upgrade to Legacy, you can have 100 speed steps and better low speed control, chuffing smoke, smoke at idle, Rule-17 LED headlight with automatic dimming, automatic cab light control, and 4-chuffs/rev of the drivers.

Being one of the two guys that does Legacy conversions, I'll give my two cents on this. Legacy is a possibility. However unnecessary. This being a semi scale model I find that it just wouldn't be worth the time and effort. I personally would say no if you were to ask me to do it. Instead I would recommend you  install a ERR Cruise Commander M, Fan driven smoke, GRJ super chuffer, and GRJ chuff generator, and all LED lighting. That will give you the great speed control, smoke, and lighting features you could expect for a legacy locomotive. The sounds can be left alone and all together it would be a very nice model. Legacy would take this engine way beyond what it was ever intended to be.

@Sid's Trains posted:

I personally would say no if you were to ask me to do it. Instead I would recommend you  install a ERR Cruise Commander M, Fan driven smoke, GRJ super chuffer, and GRJ chuff generator, and all LED lighting. That will give you the great speed control, smoke, and lighting features you could expect for a legacy locomotive.

This model already has fan driven smoke, so that saves a chunk of upgrade cash.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

This model already has fan driven smoke, so that saves a chunk of upgrade cash.

Even better 👌

Just a quick question for future reference, I thought that Lionel didn't offer legacy components for upgrading engines. When doing a legacy upgrade do you buy the boards and such as a replacement part from Lionel or does someone scrounge them from no longer running units?

@bigkid posted:

Just a quick question for future reference, I thought that Lionel didn't offer legacy components for upgrading engines. When doing a legacy upgrade do you buy the boards and such as a replacement part from Lionel or does someone scrounge them from no longer running units?

Myself and a fellow forum member do them. They are complete customs. Lionel boards, but all custom mounts, wiring, and smoke unit parts. Not an easy job.

@bigkid posted:

Just a quick question for future reference, I thought that Lionel didn't offer legacy components for upgrading engines. When doing a legacy upgrade do you buy the boards and such as a replacement part from Lionel or does someone scrounge them from no longer running units?

Lionel has been selling boards outright for a few years now. Before you had to return an old board to get a replacement but not now.

Pete

@bigkid posted:

Just a quick question for future reference, I thought that Lionel didn't offer legacy components for upgrading engines. When doing a legacy upgrade do you buy the boards and such as a replacement part from Lionel or does someone scrounge them from no longer running units?

As Pete stated, Lionel sells the boards.  I've had Bruk convert one MTH engine, plan on doing two others.  For me it's only worth it purchasing the parts during the 50%  off parts sale they have once a year.  Even with that, labor, shipping really ad to the cost.

@superwarp1 posted:

As Pete stated, Lionel sells the boards.  I've had Bruk convert one MTH engine, plan on doing two others.  For me it's only worth it purchasing the parts during the 50%  off parts sale they have once a year.  Even with that, labor, shipping really ad to the cost.

It would help if Bruk would move to the East Coast with most of the train nuts.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It would help if Bruk would move to the East Coast with most of the train nuts.

Agreed  The next engine a MTH Mohawk is getting weathered by Harry Heike as we speak.  Guessing 80-90 bucks to ship it to Bruk.