Lionel 6-18903 Command equipped or not?

The model number you listed is for a double a alco set from 1989. The manual is for a steam loc. I think you typed something wrong.

You are correct, correct model number is 18093.

Unless someone has already done it, that engine is "upgradeable". Meaning that it has the holes and plugs for the TMCC and better sounds, but it's not in the engine. The further issue with this program was that the upgrade kits were not generally available very long.

That is what I was afraid of.  I am sure the upgrade part is not avaialbe.  The wording on the box was not that clear.

You may be able to upgrade this with TMCC from 3rd Rail, that is if you want the locomotive.

Ray

Yes, I have done an ERR upgrade recently, so that is an option, but not sure if I want to spend another $100+/-.

It would be a LOT easier, and probably cheaper, to just pick up the three boards needed for the TMCC upgrade, less than $100.  If you want cruise, you could later add the Cruise Commander M to replace the DCDR.

The bonus of this method is for around the price of the full ERR upgrade you get upgraded with minimal work.

Are those boards according to the upgrade engine manual available from Lionel? Maybe separately? It does look like they may be.

I have one of these, that i upgraded years ago.  It has logged many miles pulling the "Polar Express" around the Christmas Tree.

The upgrade "kit" is still available from Lionel, as are the individual boards.

STEAM RAILSOUNDS 4.0 UPGRADE KIT

  Simple plug & play with the 3 boards.  Good luck.

-Jim

John, that is what I was hoping to do, but I don’t know if those boards are around.  Does Hennings have any in stock?  I would be ok even if I could not get the coupler board.

These are the Railsounds upgrade boards...

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...390-B145F8BDE903F71E

And this is the radio board...

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...amp;CFTOKEN=94314955

Chuck, thanks.  I did not know the real part #.  So both of these are just plug n play into the board that is there now?

Jim Harrington posted:

I have one of these, that i upgraded years ago.  It has logged many miles pulling the "Polar Express" around the Christmas Tree.

The upgrade "kit" is still available from Lionel, as are the individual boards.

STEAM RAILSOUNDS 4.0 UPGRADE KIT

  Simple plug & play with the 3 boards.  Good luck.

-Jim

Jim, so this upgrade kit has all three boards?  I would guess so since it basically the same price as the two that Chuck listed above.  Not knowing the real part numbers has me at a lost.

Tony H posted:

Chuck, thanks.  I did not know the real part #.  So both of these are just plug n play into the board that is there now?

 

Reading the manual, you replace the one board in the tender with the two new boards. And install the radio board in the engine after you move the jumpers.

Tony H posted:

Jim Harrington posted:

I have one of these, that i upgraded years ago.  It has logged many miles pulling the "Polar Express" around the Christmas Tree.

The upgrade "kit" is still available from Lionel, as are the individual boards.

STEAM RAILSOUNDS 4.0 UPGRADE KIT

  Simple plug & play with the 3 boards.  Good luck.

-Jim

Jim, so this upgrade kit has all three boards?  I would guess so since it basically the same price as the two that Chuck listed above.  Not knowing the real part numbers has me at a lost.

No, that's just the two boards for the tender. You still need the radio board.

I think I get it now,  Two boards for sound, sold in one kit, and one for control.  Three boards in total, two part #s.

And a coupler, but I have not found that according to the part number in the manual.

I have all the boards you'd need, and I can give you a better price for three than for two from Lionel.

Tony, if you are buying the one listed on the popular auction I believe it should already have the boards.  Boxes labeled "Command Equipped" have the boards.  Boxes labeled "Command Ready" are for when they leave without them.   Buy it and then test it or open it up and look.  If not there then GRJ will set you up nicely.

I certainly agree with the previous post, if you buy it, find out what you have first!

That is what I had planned to do.  My confusion was with the box description vs instructions.  Would they have sent instructions that did not match with the actual engine?  That might be a stupid question.

Not a stupid question because this is a point of confusion.   The instruction manual is generic to the 4-6-2 and 4-6-4 whether yours came with the boards or not.  They apply either way.  So if your loco came with the boards you didn't need steps on how to install them but needed instructions on when the TMCC functions were and how to activate them.  On the other hand, if the loco came without the boards the customer could use the instructions to upgrade. 

No stupid questions, only stupid answers.   If you don't know, ask.  If someone doesn't feel like the question merits answering, they should just keep their trap shut.   Too many people denigrate someone for asking a seemingly stupid question.  It's not a stupid question if you don't know the answer.

Just as a comparison to my early reply, here is a box label for same locomotive series but it is only command ready. 

Ok, that all makes sense now.  I might be fine then, but thanks for,the help everyone.

There were also a lot of variation in parts used on the Hudson/Pacifics.  Some are easier to upgrade then others.  Some had DCDR others a modular reverse board.  Interesting period for Lionel pushing that stuff out.  G

Ok, recieved the enging and it is command equipped.  I was able to add it to my legacy remote, tested most of the functions and they worked, Bell, Horn, Coupler and the sounds, but it does not to move.  I removed the shell and the motor freely turns both ways.  It was after 9:00 pm so I did not spend a ton of time seeing what might be wrong.  When I increase the speed via the red dial, the sound of the motor does sound different, more labored?  WHen I get it to speed step 13is it tries to move, maybe less than 1/4 of an inch, then nothing.  I did not test smoke, but I can, it was late.

I am open to any suggestions.  Do I try to reset boards?  I will 

One other thing, the rail sound board in the tender is held in place by velcro.  Would the factory have done it this way?  

Thanks

Tony

First off, try rotating the motors through a full rotation of the wheels for each truck.  It sounds like you may have some binding in the gears, could be crap in the truck gears.

No, the factory doesn't use Velcro.

Here is the programming reset for your locomotive from your manual.  Always try this when a function doesn't work properly.  I also provided a link to the overall list of reset code numbers for Lionel.  Interesting is the 43 code in your manual is not listed on the master list.  So just incase 43 doesn't work, just maybe you should try 34 which is on the master list.

Lionel TMCC and Legacy Reset Code List

Ok, for some reason, it will work when it is set to CAB1 or R100, but not TMCC.  Not sure why, but I guess I don’t care, should I.  Last night I only had it set for TMCC.  I am using a legacy base and remote.

does the above make sense?

tony

I agree with Steims.  When TMCC first came out in the mid-90's, you could order some engines either conventional/without TMCC or with TMCC for about $100 more.  For example, I ordered my Platinum Ghost with TMCC and the end flap of the box for the F3A Powered Clear Cab says Command Equipped and the end flap for the F3A Non-Powered Clear Cab says RailSounds Equipped; the ones without TMCC say Command Upgradeable and RailSounds Upgradeable.

Janet (TCA and LCCA member)

S

Here you can see the Railsound board attached via Velcro.  Seems to work fine.

No reason it wouldn't work, but the question was if the factory did them that way, that answer is still no.

John, that is what i thought.  Any idea on the cab1 vs tmcc vs r100?

Not really, I don't have any issue with any of the modes, not sure what the issue is.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

No reason it wouldn't work, but the question was if the factory did them that way, that answer is still no.

This is a first for me to publicly disagree with GRJ but.....I'm going to say YES, Lionel used Velcro.  Take a look at the picture below of the exploded view.  It shows no mounting of this "newly produced" TMCC board.  Just some flat looking something to sit under the motherboard just like Tony's pic.  There is no depiction of a bracket, hardware, etc. that we all have grown accustomed to. 

Tony you scored a good loco.  It's all good! 

Hudson Tender Exploded View Parts 

Since it was advertised as command equipped, I did not think it was upgraded by someone.  I was not sure about the Velcro, but looking at this I would say you are correct it came from the factory that way.

GRJ has helped me too much to disagree with him, so I will just agree with you.  I would put a smiley face here if I knew how.

The engine looks great and works fine now, just can't use TMCC mode via the CAB2, but the other two modes work fine.  

Tony

Maybe the velcro was a home spun save for the dreaded deteriorating double sided foam mounting tape they used to use.  If it came with foam, you don't want it to be 100% original. The components ended up shorting on the frames of many as the foam turned to dust.

Flip me over and call me a flapjack!  I never knew that Lionel actually used Velcro, especially that long ago!