Engine upgrade advice requested

I'm guessing they are all Rail King locomotives? If so they can be upgraded. Each PS1 locomotive would need a PS3 upgrade kit,which is around $200 per locomotive. The PS2 locomotive would probably need a PS32 board with 5V connectors (assuming it's a 5V PS2 model), which is around $200 from a tech. So before labor it's about $200 per locomotive, then figure about $100 in labor to upgrade each locomotive. So it's about $300 per locomotive to upgrade. You might be money ahead finding PS3 versions, unless you can do the upgrades yourself. 

You might have luck buying a different railroad and then swap the shells.

Where are you located?  Shipping back and forth for three locomotives will add significantly to the upgrade costs, so I'd consider trying to find someone close enough to drop them off.

If the Y6b is a 3-volt board, GGG might be able to repair it.  Given the price of that engine, an upgrade probably is worth it.

Buy a kit and try upgrading one yourself. The kits were originally designed to upgrade older MTH sngines specifically. The old engines likely have smoke units. You may have to drill some holes to mount switches but the directions are pretty explicit. For three engines it may be worth it to join the MTH club and then get a discount on the kits.  Of course this means waiting until everyone gets back to work.

Pete

Tim B posted:

I have several MTH engines that can't make it thru switches because MTH didn't put pickup rollers on the tender. I solved this by modifying a work car and aux tender to send power up to the engine/tenders. Works well and looks decent enough.

 

 

I have put pickups on a number of MTH tenders and just wired them through the tether to share the power.  I just add a PTC in series with the power lead to protect against a derailment cooking the wire in the tether.  I have also gotten some MTH switchers with pickups just on the tender and added a roller to the locomotive.

MTH Switcher Reliability Upgrade

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Where are you located?  Shipping back and forth for three locomotives will add significantly to the upgrade costs, so I'd consider trying to find someone close enough to drop them off.

Hunkered down in Boulder, CO. We (Colorado) lost all our good retailers and repair shops years ago - Mizell, Caboose. So def would have to ship. If there IS a close certified shop, love to know.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Tim B posted:

I have several MTH engines that can't make it thru switches because MTH didn't put pickup rollers on the tender. I solved this by modifying a work car and aux tender to send power up to the engine/tenders. Works well and looks decent enough.

 

 

I have put pickups on a number of MTH tenders and just wired them through the tether to share the power.  I just add a PTC in series with the power lead to protect against a derailment cooking the wire in the tether.  I have also gotten some MTH switchers with pickups just on the tender and added a roller to the locomotive.

MTH Switcher Reliability Upgrade

Link to suitable PTC please. Again, I build software but I had to google what a PTC might be. I'll assume put in series means splice it in the "hot" side.

Littlefuse RXEF075 is a suitable one.  Keep in mind it only carries current briefly as a rule.  99% of the time the tender and locomotive have rollers in contact with the track.  So, I tend to rate them lower, but this one will carry several amps for seconds before it trips.  If you're drawing that much current with a typical steamer, you're really working it.

I do repairs and upgrades.  In VA, e-mail in the profile.  Are you sure your Reading has both pickups working?  Could be only one working.  Eitherway all your trains are repairable or upgradeable.  G

There is a member in Denver that may be able to help.  Shout out to @Chuck Sartor    Denver Trains

Chuck is a good choice, and it's an easy drive from Bolder to Denver.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Chuck is a good choice, and it's an easy drive from Bolder to Denver.

I believe that Chuck may be in Westminster which is closer yet. He was the repair/parts guy for Mizell. He would be an excellent choice.  Very experienced and knowledgeable.

I encourage you to try the upgrade on your own, if you're comfortable with soldering and have an anti static mat. You'll be removing all the wiring and replacing it with the kit wiring. Takes about 4 hours (mine take more as I go with all LED lighting). I've done 3 steam PS3 upgrades for myself and several steam and diesel PS3 upgrades for friends. Here's an example of one of mine, in a Premier Santa Fe Hudson. 

I'd recommend tackling the YB3 first if you do an upgrade (lot's of space) but if a 3-volt board, I'd first verify with a competent tech that it can't be repaired.  Some techs have more than the basic MTH course qualifications and can do deeper repairs.

Many faults in the 3V board can be repaired, it's just a question of what is actually wrong with it.