locomotive conversion to ps2/ ps3

To upgrade to PS-2 you need an engine with DC motors and a flywheel.

The kit retail for $180 and $150 to club members.  Plus shipping.  G

oh wow. i thought it was much simpler. so i guess you have to get a super deal on the loco , or REALLY love it

You are probably better off buying a new item with the PS2/PS3 already installed, that is if one is available. Especially if a RailKing item that you want is available. You would be getting a brand new item with full warranty and probably save some money too.

Yep, it's not cheap by the time you put the money and labor into the conversion.

Command upgrades make economic sense only in two situations:

-- You have a fairly expensive conventional locomotive that is in excellent condition (a brass engine, or a large steamer such as a Proto-1 Cab Forward

-- You can do the work yourself and you get a great deal on used parts or a donor engine.

I've done both. On the first point, I upgraded an old Weaver brass John Wilkes to PS/2 with an MTH kit. It runs beautifully and was worth every penny of the cost and every minute of the several hours I spent on the conversion. This was a couple of years before Weaver came out with the very similar Black Diamond engine with TMCC. I have a number of older brass 3rd Rail locomotives that I plan to upgrade whenever I have the time.

In the second category, I have upgraded a number of older diesels that are not available in specific roadnames with modern electronics by swapping the body from an older unit onto a newer chassis with modern electronics. If you can get both engines at a good price on the secondary market, this works out well. Among others, I have done this with an MTH Milwaukee Road H10-44 and a Milwaukee Road DL-109. In both cases I was able to put together a second, conventional unit from the leftover parts and sell it for enough that the net cost of the conversion was much less than that of upgrading the older engine with an MTH kit. 

Of course, you can always upgrade a locomotive that you just plain like and it has sentimental value. But that is a decision based on personal value, not economic value. 

I can give you a few more:

You have a Road Name or Engine Type not made very much and that is what you want.

You have another manufacture's engine you like that doesn't have your operating system, which you like.

Your older train is made better and of higher quality.  So you chose it over a newer cheaper made model.

Some of the Korean made engines both for Lionel and MTH are some of the better made engines in my opinion.   G

It's not about "economic sense", unless there is one of the same loco already available

with CC - then get the new one, if possible.

It's about having the control and performance you want in the loco you want. The price

is secondary, if it fits your financial possibilities. I've upgraded many locos to TMCC/etc (not DCS), and I care not at all if it "made sense" if it got me what I wanted that I couldn't get otherwise - it's a hobby, not a commodities market or a used car lot.

This end of the model railroading hobby (yes, that's what we do) has way too much talk

of "value" and "resale". Not the point. So there.

domer94

I will readily admit it's much less costly to upgrade to TMCC than DCS.

It all depends on just what you are after in command control.

I have several TMCC engines and they all work and sound fine.

That said, I run DCS for my main system and control the TMCC engines through it.

This isn't really true.  A basic TMCC upgrade with Sound is just under DCS kit.  If you want TMCC and Cruise it is above the cost of PS-2.  If you want integrated smoke with TMCC it goes even higher.  Sure, you can upgrade a small switch with no sound for about $80, but that really isn't an apple to apple comparison.  G

hi George how do you become a club member to get the boards for ps2 for $150.00 as you mentioned earlier in this thread!

Alan Mancus

Go to www.mthtrains.com  and then click on the tab MTHRRC CLUB

GGG;

I stand corrected, I have only looked at such upgrades lightly and didn't realize you needed all those separate items to get a decent engine up.

I'm still sitting on my PS2 Steam upgrade kit, haven't found a worthy engine to use it on yet.

Was looking for a Big UP or Rio Grande PS1 steamer to put it in. No go so far.

guys, i would just be looking to have motion control capability, not necessarily sounds / couplers etc etc.  is there just a basic thing that exists?

Look at the Electric Railroad Company and see which one you like.

Several of them look interesting depending on what Engine, how much power you need and so on.

GGG is right tho, If you enjoy the full boat, Go DCS PS2 Upgrade, it's got everything in one neat package.

thanks for all your help just joined!!

Alan Mancus

domer94,

I'm not sure what you mean by "motion  control capability", but if you basic forward, reverse and speed control, look at ERR for TMCC products. A basic DC Commander retails for $69.95, and if you want cruise control a Cruise Commander retails for $119.95. They are easy DIY installations and you can buy them from Boxcar Bill (here on the Forum) at a discount.

A number of us do installations as well at various prices. I charge $70 plus shipping for a DC Commander installed and $120 plus shipping for a Cruise Commander installed.

jackson

jackson, yes , thats exactly what i was getting at.  thanks for the info

As for joining MTHRRC, the RailKing or Premier membership is probably the best deal, if there is a car offered that you would like. Membership is about the price of the yearly car offered. That is unless you like tinplate or some other scale, then go with that offering.

If you got the basic membership, you can also upgrade from basic to RK or Premier (or other) for the difference in price. At least they let me do that a couple years ago.

I have the MTCRRC basic membership, I use it to get a discounted price on upgrade kits.  I can't buy them through distribution for what I get them through the RR club for.

thanks for the reply John

alan