P/S 3 Upgrade

I have guys send stuff from the far north of WA, to Southern CA.  The key is the original box, and smallest external box.  Sending a 2-3 at once and that eases the shipping.  But I get it, it is an extra cost.  G

Sorry ConrailFan - I am also from N California, have tried a couple of dealers from North Bay, the City and East Bay (none in the South Bay) for MTH repairs and upgrades. Most I have seen are HO and N fans. Unless you know someone from one of the clubs who does all their own benchwork - GGG is the best. That's why I send mine to him on the East Coast - he is thorough, speedy compared to factory (and I have had a couple of RMAs with MTH) and affordable - particularly if you have to keep returning to a local dealer who still does conventional Lionel repairs.

I'm sure there is at least a few good techs in S Calif … anyone have any recommendations?

I am an East Coast person, but ditto, ditto, ditto about GGG's excellent work.

Guys thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

Engines of any sort, steam, diesel or electric are just fascinating pieces of equipment …

So true!

These days, not sure shipping across state vs across the country is a big deal.  GGG is the man.  You will be happy with his work.

Rather than a PS-3 Upgrade kit... Have you considered doing a donor engine conversion?  I am not electronically savvy, but I do know how to remove and replace.  I have done several of these "donor" upgrades to a MTH GG-1, a MTH 2-8-0 and a Williams SW-8.

The key is to find and inexpensive RailKing or Rugged Rails PS3.  If you are doing a Steam Upgrade, buy a Steam Engine.  If you are doing a Diesel or Electric upgrade, buy a Diesel engine.

Once the swap is done, you can sell the donor engines as dummies, or put the old PS1 stuff in them and sell them as conventionals.  Don't expect to sell them for a lot... but it gets some of your investment back.  In my 3 cases, It ended up costing me less to do donors than it did to buy a kit.

Have Fun!

Ron

Actually, a donor locomotive is normally more work as the harnesses typically don't match, and for the RK stuff, you won't have a lot of the extra lighting harnesses for a full upgrade of the Premier locomotives being discussed.  Buying a donor Premier locomotive is bound to be more expensive than just buying the upgrade kit.

We must do donor engines differently.   I take out everything except the motors.  Generally I leave it all connected too.  I have to unsolder the motor leads and disconnect the wires to the pickup rollers and frame.  Then install in desired engine.  It's pretty simple if going MTH to MTH.  You are right if there are extra lights or accessories desired.  But most PS-1 Premiers were pretty simple too.

It works for me and fits what I want my engines to do.

Ron

Ron, if it works for you, that's all that's important here.