Lionel 18056 Hudson Overhaul - FINISHED

The best would be a PS2 upgrade. JDS limited does it. They can change it to a can motor and add PS2. It is not cheap but it does work out great.

No PS2 for me, I want to stick with the TMCC and Railsounds that already come in the locomotive and tender. Just want to drop cruise and 4 chuffs on top of it and I'm assuming the ERR kits would be the choice there.

The real unknown for me is what's available for can motor upgrades. If JDS can just do that then I would look into it.

Before you go to the expense of changing the motor make sure there are no issues with the main drivers.  While that is a well done casting there were a lot of complaints about the engines main drive wheels causing operational issues.  Something to do with the traction tires not allowing the wheels to sit well on the track and actually causing traction and tracking issues instead of improving them.

Regarding the electronics, ERR boards can use a reed switch for the chuff counter.  The loco used a cam and the IR tether to provide chuff pulses.  You would have to abandon the wireless tether or disconnect the cam switch and substitute a reed switch and the small disk magnets on the actual loco.

Frank Timko will convert that one to a DC motor, and they install TMCC as well if you want the whole package.

The locomotive is factory-equipped with TMCC, but that was the name I've heard in regard to upgrading the motor. Looked him up and gave him a call, he told me it's a simple one screw swap and the motor is only $45. He did mention that he would need to know the type of coupling on the motor to procede.

For the DC motor, you will have to swap the ADCR for a DCDR if it's a Lionel package.  If it's something else, we'd have to know who's TMCC is installed in there.  For ERR, that would have to be the AC Commander, which would have to be replaced with a DC Commander or Cruise Commander.

It's Lionel's TMCC lol. Like I said, it is a factory-equipped model. But I did figure the switch from AC to DC would necessitate some additional component swaps. Thanks for the info.

In that case, the DCDR will be what's required at a minimum.  Of course, some wiring changes will occur, but very simple.  Basically, the motor wiring changes.  Of course, you could take this opportunity to upgrade to cruise control with the ERR Cruise Commander M.

Yep, that's the plan. I'm waiting to hear back from JDS in regard to which of the upgrade services they provide that I need. If they can do it all within the budget I'll likely just go that route.

This would be the ideal upgrade configuration:

-DC can motor

-ERR Cruise on top of factory TMCC

-4 chuffs per revolution

-Fan driven smoke unit while we're at it.

These upgrades are pretty straightward, aside from the fan driven smoke unit, which may be straightforward but having never done one, I cannot comment.  My experience shipping large steam locomotives is that it is dicey business, even if well-packed, and I would avoid shipping if you can -- do as much yourself as possible.  I know it can seem daunting but it really isn't and then if (and when) something goes wrong you will know how to handle the repair as well.

Well, the Cruise Commander M is easy, the chuffs and the fan aren't that difficult if the fan fit easily.

If the chuff rate and fan-driven unit turn out to be a hassle then I can skip those. The chuff rate never did bother me and I don't use smoke much more these days anyway; I'll admit those upgrades are almost more for the purpose of just saying the locomotive has "the works".

I like the fan driven smoke and 4-chuff upgrade, and I've done a couple of my older ones.  I'm sure it's possible, but without peeking inside the boiler, I just don't know how much room there is without a lot of work to mount the fan driven smoke.

The 4-chuff mod can come close with two magnets on the rear pilot wheels or the tender wheels with a reed switch.

Whelp, JDS got back to me flatly saying they don't deal with TMCC, so looks like I'll be doing the motor and cruise myself. Will have to leave the 4 chuffs and fan unit for when I'm feeling more adventurous.

be sure to take some photos and post them as you go...there are those of us out here who would like to do the same and learn from the pioneering of others on this blog...thanks for venturing out there...

The cruise is a bolt-in with the exception of one wire.  Obviously, you'll have to disconnect the wires from the AC motor and connect them to the new DC motor.

Got back home tonight, here are the photos that inspired me to do the project:

Here is a sloppy mock-up using K-Line's Scale Hudson 5343 and the Lionel Niagara's PT Tender. Of course on the proper Lionel engine the drivers will be scullen, the cab numbering will be the later font, and the paint and proportions of the engine will be better matched to the tender than what is shown below:

One thing I was wondering - Lionel put those plastic sleeves over the front of the handrails as something to do with the TMCC signal. They do look rather odd, what happens if you take them off?

If the handrail shorts to the boiler, TMCC stops working.

Well we don't want that now do we. Guess I'll have to slip them back on after I bead blast and blacken the handrails.

I can't say, maybe you like to see the TMCC locomotive rocket off when you put 18V on the rails.

Correct, as long as the handrails don't touch the shell. 

I wonder if some really tiny heat shrink tubing that I have would look better than the original tubing. Since I'll be blackening the handrails and all.

If they run real close to the shell, or something connected to it, the heat shrink might be a good idea.  The only thing to insure, is that it's not electrically connected to the shell.

Bob, Do you have a pic of the engine showing the inside of the cab? It looks like that motor would extend well into the cab if not extend over the end.

Pete

Do you actually own this engine or are you just fantasizing?

Does it matter if its a fantasy? He has got me caught up in it! keep it up...

Why would you even ask that question?

I was in the planning phase of the project, getting a list of materials and upgrades together and making sure what I wanted to do was even possible. Now that I've got the green light in that regard I've started actually buying the materials. Just got the tender from Grzyboski's and am on the lookout for the engine. You'll see my wanted ad in the WTB forum.

Because he first posted on the 3 rail board as if he had the engine and then posts on the WTB board looking for it. It seemed to me that a lot of people responded with help for a project that may never happen if he can't find the engine at the right price.

So, if someone is considering a project, they're not worthy of help and ideas?  ****, I've posted about a number of potential projects, I'm glad other folks don't have that mindset.  Sometimes it's nice to get a number of opinions to see if you've overlooked something significant in your planning.

Precisely.

I neither claimed nor implied I had the engine in the original thread. I was only establishing the project could even be done before I started spending money. And even if I don't go through with it, and I've explicitly stated I am, the info is still very useful to all who read.

It's as if you think there's some sort of foul play in my questions and research.....

I'm sorry but I think you misinterpreted my post. I was merely stating that it appeared to me you had the engine. After all you posted photos of the engine so what was one to think. I think it would have been more appropriate to simply state in the very beginning that you do not own the engine but were considering purchasing it if " what you were proposing could be done".

All you needed to do was simply state "I do not own this engine but will try to find it to purchase if I can do what I want".

I'm still not following your grievance here. Why would it matter whether or not I have the engine? What silly rule is this that I'm required to state whether or not I own it before I can ask questions?

None.

BTW: I'm planning on building a 200x 300 foot layout. Could everyone please send me your layout plans? Include wiring details, several hundred switches, eight turntables, a live steam section and several transfer tables. Minimum curve 108.

Thanks.

Boggles the mind, you really don't get it, do you?

So is this guy for real or are we just getting trolled now?

In any case, even though your scenario is exaggerated, the general practice for prospective layout builders is indeed to research track plans and construction and wiring techniques before diving in. So I'm not sure how any of that was supposed back up your argument. Are you saying now we have to have our layouts completely built too before we're qualified to ask questions about them? 

We're getting trolled now.  That happens when you refuse to admit you were wrong.

Just prudence and good planning.  I learned several things from the discussion and found it informative.  Thanks to all.  Pat B.