Need help

Ok, it's a tmcc but I still have no idea how to get it working

Forgot to add:

 

Here's a link to the owner's manual of that engine you have that provides the instructions on SingalSounds/Conventional running that I described above plus how to do do a TMCC command upgrade to it and how to program and operate it in command.

 

http://www.lionel.com/media/se...ents/72-8065-250.pdf

Ok, what I am really looking to do is get the chuffing as a railsound, smoke and be able to control the speed. I've tried checking the switch under the coal car, as well as making sure it is turned up with a 9v battery in it also. The smoke doesn't seem to work while set on conv though, why is that

Probably because the element doesn't heat up enough at lower voltages to smoke adequately.  That is actually not an uncommon problem with some conventional engines, and with the exception to the last few years, modern Lionel's locomotives have not always been known to be proficient smokers in either command or conventional.  Putting an additional load on the train by making it heavier (ie, adding more cars or adding weights inside the cars) should help as the extra drag will let you run your locomotive at more controllable speeds at higher voltages.  If you're electrically handy you could also wire diodes in parallel with a low value resistor in series to each diode as one way to increase current to the smoke unit.

 

But it's also possible that there's too much smoke fluid in the unit that the unit can't burn off at lower voltages also.  Try using less smoke fluid in the reservoir and see if that helps.

 

 

Or, you can upgrade the engine to TMCC as was already mentioned.

Even if you upgrade to Full TMCC you need a command base.  The Power Master can be controlled by the CAB-1 for basic features.  It is designed to control track power and send bell and whistle signals.  To control a TMCC engine in command mode you need to add a Command Base.  The Cab-1 talks to the Command Base and the Command Base sends those signals to the TMCC engine.

 

When you flip the switch on your Power Master to CMD.  It just sets track voltage to Full Voltage.  G

Ok, Where would be the best / cheapest place to buy what i need. Can't really afford to spend a ton on it...

 

Ok, so CMD is bad lol. The tender does have a speaker etc in it, so I believe it is supposed to make noise. I've seen a few things that I'm wondering if they are what I need, one looks just like my ph-1 and the other looks like a metal box that connects to the side of the track

Ok, the part I feel like I am missing from looking online is 6-12911. However, i have also seen that I have everything needed, if the train was upgraded... What would be easier / cheaper route to go. Knowing that it will probably be a few years before this train has a permanent set up

Ok, took my engine to a local Lionel shop, mostly to play on there set. Determined that I do want to upgrade it, but cannot find a 6-12911 command station... and also, cannot determine which chip is needed for the tender.

I would place a call to Lionel's service folks. They are very knowledgable about what you need as far as parts and the kit you reference is simply the r2lc board I believe and they have a lot of sound boards in stock. They could also do the upgrade. I won a Camelback loco that could be upgraded and after I sort of got it to work then the repair folks at Lionel sorted out what I could not. Runs like a champ.

If it was one of the truly "upgradable" engines, you just need the R2LC and the two RailSounds boards for the full featured TMCC with sound.  If it was "upgradable" in name only, then you'd probably be better off going with the ERR upgrade stuff.