is it possible to put lionchief control system in a Sunset 3rd rail brass steamer

Anything is possible but I'd call that a downgrade. Not sure if you'll have issues with speed control due to the tach setup and low speed step count. You'll get much beter sound out of an ERR tmcc setup

Buying an old TMCC 1 set up would be the cheapest (probably under $100). Another option would be to buy either of the newer legacy setups (cab1L or the full legacy system). It really wouldn't make much sense to go to all the trouble to put the lion cheif electronics in it which I imagine would be somewhat complex to do if it could be done at all. 

As far as I know Lionel is still not selling Lionchief electronics so the only way to do this is to buy a Lionchief engine and remove its electronics.

Pete

Matt Makens posted:

Anything is possible but I'd call that a downgrade. Not sure if you'll have issues with speed control due to the tach setup and low speed step count. You'll get much beter sound out of an ERR tmcc setup

Hello MATT MAKENS

It does have small flywheel but no tech tape on it.  The flywheel is pretty small for the Pittman motor that's in the engine.

Tiffany

The best bet is an ERR Cruise Commander. If the loco already has TMCC, then you can install a Cruise M.

Are you sure the loco doesn't already have a Cruise Commander in it? I would think a high end loco like this would.

RoyBoy posted:

The best bet is an ERR Cruise Commander. If the loco already has TMCC, then you can install a Cruise M.

Are you sure the loco doesn't already have a Cruise Commander in it? I would think a high end loco like this would.

hello RoyBoy

I believe it does have TMCC in it but is railsounds 4.0 system and this system is working well just wished I can use a hand remote control for it. Does the ERR Cruise Commander work with the hand remote control ?

Tiffany

Not sure I understand the question. Every loco with TMCC works with the CAB-1, CAB1L, or Cab-2 hand held remotes, if you have the proper command base.

Since the LC or even LC+ electronics are for small units, they'd never power a full sized scale steamer, at least not for long before the magic smoke escapes!

A TMCC or PS/3 upgrade is the logical choice here.

Ya know, it may be a product idea to make a remote that physically looks and acts like the Lionchief+ remote, but has a "run/program button" where you can assign it a TMCC/Legacy engine ID. Once the remote is assigned an engine id, it can then be handed off to a child or anyone to use the remote to control only that TMCC/Legacy engine, just like a Lionchief+ locomotive...

P.S. Lionel - you can take and use this idea royalty free!

If this is 2012 and has Railsounds are you sure it is not already TMCC ERR Cruise with Railsounds?  I just worked some 2012 3rd rail e-7 and they are ERR cruise from the factory.  G

RoyBoy posted:

Not sure I understand the question. Every loco with TMCC works with the CAB-1, CAB1L, or Cab-2 hand held remotes, if you have the proper command base.

I see........... what and who has CAB-1 or CAB1L or CAB-2 so what's the differences ? Tell me more about it and what do I have to buy to get the remote system for it ?   Is the system # 12969 CAB-1 work ?  I just have one engine that has the railsounds 4.0 that is the Sunset 3rd brass engine that I bought 4 years ago. I was not sure which system will work with that so I put it off for last 4 years.

Tiffany

GGG posted:

If this is 2012 and has Railsounds are you sure it is not already TMCC ERR Cruise with Railsounds?  I just worked some 2012 3rd rail e-7 and they are ERR cruise from the factory.  G

the engine I have (Sunset 3rd S.F. 5011) was made in 2002 but Mr. Scott Mann told me that it has railsounds 4.0 in it when we bought it in 2012 so I took the owner's manual and on page 4 and you are so right !!!!  it does have the Electric railroad cruise commander !!!!  I just remembered now that when we went down to pick up the engine, Mr. Mann explain this to us but we didn't understand a word he said !!!!   That time the system was like 300 dollars for it and seems a lot for remote control but  I see the prices have dropped lately and now there is CAB-1L and CAB-2 so its bit confusing.   Will the CAB-1 #12969 system work or is there a cheaper system for that ?  Its not easy for me to pick up the heavy fragile engine so the remote control would help.   See the photo of the system in the 5011's tender.  It has been up-graded with a better speaker but didn't take photo of it.

Tiffany

Tiffany this is what you need to run your 3rd rail engine.

chessie1971 posted:

Tiffany this is what you need to run your 3rd rail engine.

Hello chessie1971........

Would you like to sell the bottom one #12969 ?

Tiffany

Sorry Tiffany i sold my old one 2 years ago but still have the picture for reference.

chessie1971 posted:

Sorry Tiffany i sold my old one 2 years ago but still have the picture for reference.

Oh bummer...........

Tiffany

Here's one on eBay  buy it now is a sure thing, and still a decent price

Here's another one  these two are auctions, which may or may not result in a better price

and a third

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Here's one on eBay  buy it now is a sure thing, and still a decent price

Here's another one  these two are auctions, which may or may not result in a better price

and a third

hello Big Boy 4005

Thanks, I saw that but how to tell what the true condition is it on E-bay as the seller might lie about it.

Tiffany

I'd just buy the 6-37147 and move on.  If you're worried about the condition of the 6-12969 or whether it will work when you get it, the Cab 1Ls (6-37147) are current products (last few years) so you can get a brand new one.  They are available from the forum sponsors.  They maybe a few bucks more than the original TMCC but it will have a warranty and won't have previous owner issues.

Another vote for purchasing a new, retailer sold (rather than used, warrantee-less) cab-1L/base.  Not all that expensive compared with other solutions.  Strikingly cheaper (by hundreds of dollars) than installing PS3 and purchasing DCS, for one thing.  Charles Ro's price is about $215.

Furthermore, I know of no one who has modified an existing locomotive to install LionChief or LionChief Plus electronics, probably because Lionel has not encouraged sales of separate locomotive innards and the corresponding remotes. 

JohnGaltLines has worked on a method for using both TMCC/Legacy and LionChief simultaneously from one remote, but to my knowledge he is not providing that as a commercial product as yet.

Norton posted:

As far as I know Lionel is still not selling Lionchief electronics so the only way to do this is to buy a Lionchief engine and remove its electronics.

Pete

I did that in order to assemble a Polar Express 0-8-0. I agree with Matt that it would constitute a downgrade. The sound set does not even approach what you get with RailSounds plus you would lose the speed control. A lose-lose in my book. The final thing to consider, I cannot comment on how well the Lionchief electronics would hold up to the motor load. You almost certainly cannot reuse the Lionel motor like I did.

I would suggest getting a new Cab-1L. It is new, currently supported (aka you can still get it fixed), and will give you the opportunity to run Legacy engines in the future. 

Gilly