Lionel Reading T-1 Upgrades

Howdy. I have the Lionel Reading T-1, and am happy with it's performance. I must add that I am a postwar guy, and am used to open frame motors and mechanical E units. Two friends at our club have MTH Rdg. T-1 locos, different numbers and PFA sounds, and although they are nice, the price premium keeps me from acquiring one. I believe there is a used one available at Fryer's STore in Orwigsburg, if you send me an email I will send you his phone and email address.

I have a Lionel T-1 that I (we) upgraded with TMCC, for just the cost of the electronics, some years ago. Was relatively easy.

Don't know if ERR makes a version that will control the T-1 motor.

Engine runs very well, pulls decently without traction tires. Is noisy (that motor again, I think).

Contact, among others, Frank Timko, Boxcar Bill,  or Weaver for conversion cost. I'd guess it will run in excess of $300.

I had my T-1 upgraded by Frank Timko a few years ago. Frank changed the motor to a canned motor and put grooves into a couple of drivers for traction tires. The T-1 was then sent to Train America Studios for installation of TMCC, Railsounds and a new smoke unit. The Train America work was done by Mike Regan. The cost was around $400. The engine runs great. I highly recommend Frank Timko. As for the TMCC work, Train America Studios is no longer around.

rrvics,

 How would I get in contact with Frank Timko?

 

Thanks!

Henry J

Frank advertises in OGR and CTT. I have had 3 engines (1 Mohawk and 2 t-1s) done by him. He put in the can motor and Mth smoke unit. All 3 are getting DCS upgrades this summer. I have a new T-1 ready to go to him. He sends back the old smoke unit and pull more electronics.

Can you elaborate as to in what way the can motor compares to the pull-mor motor?  Smoother?  Quieter?

 

I'm mostly interested in better slow-speed operation in conventional.

3rdrailMike,

 Let me know how the DCS upgrade goes. How well do they smoke now with the MTH units inside? Does the DCS upgrade use the same sounds used on the MTH T-1's? How smooth do the engines run with just the can motor upgrade?

 

Thanks for the update!

 

Henry J

Wowak. I need the can motor to install DCS. Henry I am anticipating using / downloading the Mth T-1 sound files. We will see butbi am sure that the can motor will run smoother than the pullmore motor.