Skip to main content

All, after looking carefully at all the posts for PS3 upgrades I have decided that this is not for me. I know there are a lot of people on this board who do upgrades, but can anyone recommend someone in the Northern CA area? Yes experience and quality beat out a low price. So far the the three people I know on this board are located on the East Coast, i think if I read their profiles right. if at all possible I would rather not have to send my trains clear across the country and back, but if that is my only option  I will. Once again Quality beats a cheap price. I have three that I will need to upgrade, Conrail GG1 P/S 1 20-5502-1 Conrail E33 P/S 1 20-5509-1 and Conrail SD80 P/S1 20-2190-1. I know these work and are in excellent shape so no It will not be cheaper for me to sell these, go through the hassle of purchasing one with P/S 2 or greater only to find it does not work as advertised,  haggle with the seller,  be accused that I swapped out the units, get the CC involved, send it back, wait for refund. Been there done that, I only have one T-shirt in that size and I don't want anymore. My e-mail is in my profile. Also what is the average rate for the entire upgrade? Parts and labor?  I really like running in CC and these are the three that I would like to run. I have a whole bunch of PW Lionel and some other P/S1 conventional but those are not worth the price to upgrade and really are for display only. Thanks!

 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

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?

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

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

Add Reply

Post
The DCS Forum is sponsored by

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×