Modding/Upgrading for Legacy/Odyssey?

Most of the scale K-Line engines will run on 031 including the Hudson and Mikado. If you find one with the TMCC, the addition of an ERR Cruise M will give you constant speed.

The trick is to install the longer drawbar included with these engines. They don't look good on 031 but they will negotiate it.

Pete

Yes, you can enjoy the great sound with legacy control, you just have to hold off on the engines with bigger wheel arangements.

If you like sound, go with a NYC legacy Ten wheeler. Run great and sound fantastic.

Also here are a few other that have great details and sounds are better than nice:

Legacy and TMCC 0-8-0

Legacy 4-4-2 Atlantic

TMCC 2-6-0 Mogule

Weaver's 2-8-0

Legacy Pacific 4-6-2

Legacy Pennsy K4

I know the Mikado is for an 0-42, but you may get lucky,

Also you could pick up a scale set of A-B-A F3 or F7's

sounds are great and so are the details.

Thank you for the list. A few of them were already on my list candidates and a few were not. I'll keep my eyes peeled for them but this thread is more about exploring the idea of modifying existing models.

I took a look at the Cruise Master and that's a pretty cool product! I had no idea that there were already pre-made kits for speed control. Thank you for the heads up on that!

Holiday Trains,

   Most all the old K-Line stuff runs on 031 and I also suggest you look at the Tin Plate 263E it also runs on 031 and 027 track also.  Lots of people like to use the MTH RealTrax with these engines and rolling stock, especially those who move a lot.  Also if you like the Electrics, the original Williams GG1 & E44 run on 031 also.

PCRR/Dave

You can modify a lot of Lionel engines for cruise control with the ERR cruise commander or cruise commander lite. They will also interface with railsounds boards. The railsounds upgrade boards are 4.0 boards I believe. The only requirement for a cruise upgrade is the must have DC can motors. Pullmore motors can't be upgraded to cruise.

Ron

I believe all the LionMaster offerings were designed to negotiate 031, have cruise and some are traditional sized versions of articulated power.   Some even had Legacy.   The line is no longer offered but I'm sure there's still lots of new stock floating around.

Bruce

As Raifan Ron said above modifying anything with a DC can motor (Williams, Kline, MTH and recent Lionel) is the way to go using the ERR Cruise Commander. It's a pretty easy DIY install if you can solder and aren't afraid to open an engine. In fact i have two i'm doing for customers on the bench right now.

jackson

Given that the K-Line scale Mikado will negotiate 031 with a longer draw bar means the Lionel remake with Legacy will also do 031 if you lengthen the drawbar. The catch is its a little harder adding some metal to the wireless drawbar than it is to take some steel or brass stock and drilling a couple of holes in it. It can be done though. I shorten wireless drawbars all the time. The metal is easy to solder to. The splice can be hidden with shrink wrap like what is used on the sensor. If it were my engine I would buy a new tender drawbar from Lionel and modify it and save the original one for when you have more room for bigger curves.

Pete

Jackson is right on the money. I'm getting ready to do a Williams FM trainmaster (sounds and cruise) and a Lionel baby Polar Express 1225 (cruise only with 2 different tenders). Both run on 036 I know for sure.

Ron