Lionel Legacy a-1 Berkshire Electronics Information Needed

Well, you are going to have a problem running that in Legacy mode using TMCC electronics.  The TMCC RailSounds boards will not recognize the serial data coming from the Legacy locomotive running in Legacy mode.

You do also realize that this is a set that has a wireless IR drawbar, right? 

Would a standard wiring diagram for that vintage tender help?

This diagram is from a pair of documents generated by a forum member, here's a link to the documentation post with the complete documents.

https://ogrforum.com/...47#70411412245343347

This brings up a question that I think is true...

Would any IR drawbar tender with TMCC electronics work with any TMCC IR drawbar engine...say roughly the same vintage?

Usually that is correct.  I'm sure someone will have an example that disproves the rule, but so far I've found that the tenders will work swapped around.  Same can be said for Legacy, though there was a change in the sensor position from below the bar to above the bar.  However, for testing, I've just lined up the dissimilar sensors and successfully used them.

Gunrunnerjohn - Thanks so much for the wiring diagram!  Now, I just have to buy a few connectors and wire, and I will be off to the races.  I purchased all of the new Legacy tender electronics from Lionel's parts department, including the Berkshire-specific Railsound lite board, IR drawbar, the new two speaker setup, etc. So, I shouldn't have any compatibility issues.  The most expensive item on that tender part list is the tender body at around $195!  That's why I bought the Kline tender.  I guess I will just put the old TMCC Railsounds electronics out there on eBay to partially offset the cost.

Also, thanks for the link to the other wiring documents!  I will let you guys know how it goes!

Matt

How did you manage to get Lionel to part with the RS board without a defective turn-in?

i explained where I had purchased it (Trainz) and that it was a shame to have such a nice Lionel loco out of service and that I was a long time customer. I ended up getting approval from the service manager. I am not sure that they would do it again, but they did do it this time.

That was nice of them, it makes a big difference to have the right sound board.

This story is amazing.  Never thought what you are attempting would be possible.  So glad Lionel is willing to work with you.  You will love this engine

When someone at Lionel does you this favor, why do you want to expose that favor and cause them a big problem.  They usually do not do this and would not want that to get out as you can take it to the bank that others will want the same treatment on parts.  

As the folks at Lionel explained it to me, the board swap rule is in place so that folks don't upgrade their own older locomotives to Legacy. I really would hope that this case, finding a way to repair an existing Legacy locomotive when the tender has somehow gotten separated, and there are no tenders readily available (not upgrading a non-Legacy locomotive to Legacy) is an example of great Lionel customer service. I don't think that it goes against the spirit of the rule, and I certainly hope that it doesn't get anybody in trouble.

Superwarp1 - just so you know, the Lionel/Kline A-1 Berkshire is kind of unique, as far as I know, because most of the electronics that control the engine, smoke, lighting are in the engine, and the tender just has sound boards/components. I think that most of my TMCC engines have most of the electronics in the tender. This is a Legacy engine, and so all that I am replacing are the sound components. With other Legacy locomotives, in replacing the tender, I imagine you would be replacing the entire electrical package, or at least most of it, and there is a certain point where the cost of replacing the whole electrical system gets so expensive and complicated that it's not worth it.

Marty - Just so you know, I am very appreciative of how they have been able to help me out at Lionel. I didn't know about the swap rule when I purchased the locomotive.

Although I have the wiring diagram, I have a question.  There is a Track IR transmitter board (not to be confused with the IR Receiver) and its not super clear where its installed.  It looks like it mounts to the rear light bracket, but it could be installed in a number of orientations.  Any recommendations. best practices?

You can install the board anywhere it fits, the IR sender needs to be mounted with the proper orientation on the bottom of the tender.

Hi gunrunnerjohn,

It took a few years, but i did get the Legacy Berkshire fully operational.  My big learn was that the wire harnesses are much more difficult to assemble than I expected.  I had an electrical engineer friend help me out with the harness, after trying on my own for a while.

You were able to provide a wiring diagram which was obviously super helpful.  Do you know if there is one for the older Kline TMCC berkshire?  I have a friend who probably would benefit from having one.

Thanks!

The K-Line wiring diagram for locomotives is as scarce as hen's teeth, I've personally never seen one.     One good thing, I don't really have much trouble working on K-Line stuff as much of it uses Lionel parts and wiring techniques.