Does anyone know of a person who converts conventional train to tmcc cheaply but reliable. Or someone who has the parts but a little cheaper for cruise commands.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If you can drill a hole and solder, the cheapest way is do it yourself. It's not hard to do.
...not "hard" to do but soldering experience and attention to detail are good things to have. Also, the docs on the web site are pretty good.
Don
The task appears daunting if you have never done it however this is a relatively simple task, just follow the steps in the instructions, take your time, check your work.
I did a older MTH GP7 and GP9 . The space in the shells of these locomotive make it a tight fit.
@Colin Gipe posted:Does anyone know of a person who converts conventional train to tmcc cheaply but reliable. Or someone who has the parts but a little cheaper for cruise commands.
Yes. I do TMCC upgrades and do so with great quality with a very reasonable labor cost. Email me if you are interested.
Email me at: sidstrains773@gmail.com
Now 81 years old, I'm not as adventurous as I once was for doing a task like a control system switchamaroo from MTH's DCS to Lionel's TMCC. So I turned to GunrunnerJohn - a frequent contributor to the OGR Forum - to do the job for me. That "brain transplant" on a MTH SW-1500 diesel switcher was done expeditiously and returned promptly. It worked perfectly on my Lionel-oriented home layout using a Lionel Cab-1.
My logic behind this transformation -- it's better to have the job done right than to try to do it myself, ruin the loco, and then seek a bailout/repair.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
Enthusiastic collector/operator, although not a credentialed technician
@Macaroni posted:I did a older MTH GP7 and GP9 . The space in the shells of these locomotive make it a tight fit.
Lionel GP7/9’s are a tight fit as well. I’ve had to make mods to the aluminum “U” shaped heat sink on a couple of occasions.
Steve
@Sid's Trains posted:Yes. I do TMCC upgrades and do so with great quality with a very reasonable labor cost. Email me if you are interested.
Email me at: sidstrains773@gmail.com
Sid, I took a look at your YouTubes. You did a nice job on that K-Line Reading Crusader TMCC upgrade with John Will products and making the new bracket for the smoke unit. Very good job combining K-Line, Lionel, and MTH items! Yes, I Liked and Subscribed!
What components are used? Lionel boards or ERR kits?
I have several MTH PS 1 locos that I like but would upgrade if possible.
This fellow performed a commendable job upgrading a non-operational 1990's Lionel for JC Penney issue locomotive with dual vertical flywheel can motors, die-cast power trucks, GP7/GP9 diesel sound board, command control cruise board, front and rear ElectroCouplers and directional lighting. Can't say he gives his talent and effort away cheap, but he is very good. Did have to get in line and wait (almost a year), partly due to his backlog and partly due to the insanity of my request (which he did discourage but accommodate).
Attachments
@Mark Boyce posted:Sid, I took a look at your YouTubes. You did a nice job on that K-Line Reading Crusader TMCC upgrade with John Will products and making the new bracket for the smoke unit. Very good job combining K-Line, Lionel, and MTH items! Yes, I Liked and Subscribed!
Thank you. My skills have improved a lot since then and I am currently doing lots of tmcc upgrades and a fare share of Legacy upgrades.
Colin,
My go to guy for TMCC conversions is Alex M. He has converted several Williams engines to TMCC for my friend and they came out great. GRJ is also a top notch guy as well.
JohnB
Anyone want to do a few of my Lionel Steamer engines for me? I am converting my early LTI T-1's to Can Motors, and I want to install a Can Motor in my Commodore Vanderbilt but keep the original sounds...is it possible?
@ZWPOWER13 posted:Anyone want to do a few of my Lionel Steamer engines for me? I am converting my early LTI T-1's to Can Motors, and I want to install a Can Motor in my Commodore Vanderbilt but keep the original sounds...is it possible?
I believe you might be able to keep the original sounds. The silver CV 18045 has RS2.5, the gray CV 18063 has RS 3. Don't quote me but believe both will work with ERR. If you have 18063 you could find out if you have a Lionel TMCC engine (Not Legacy) with a wireless tether. Just couple your CV tender to the other engine. If you have 18045 with a wired tether you will have to wait until after the upgrade.
Pete
I’m doing full conversions to the T-‘s. I do have the 18063 black Commodore which I’m going to leave as is, the 18045 is too weak to pull six heavy weight cars. So I want to upgrade it with a can but keep the 2.5 Railsounds
@ZWPOWER13 posted:I’m doing full conversions to the T-‘s. I do have the 18063 black Commodore which I’m going to leave as is, the 18045 is too weak to pull six heavy weight cars. So I want to upgrade it with a can but keep the 2.5 Railsounds
Most anyone doing upgrades can put a Timko motor in your CV but it won't be able to pull many more cars than it does now. Putting a big Pittman in that engine is major undertaking that only few do here. I have done it but frankly don't wish to do another. It might be worth it though as my CV, silver chassis with gray shells, will easily pull 13 18" cars.
https://ogrforum.com/...llmor-hudson-stage-1
Pete
@Norton posted:Most anyone doing upgrades can put a Timko motor in your CV but it won't be able to pull many more cars than it does now. Putting a big Pittman in that engine is major undertaking that only few do here. I have done it but frankly don't wish to do another. It might be worth it though as my CV, silver chassis with gray shells, will easily pull 13 18" cars.
https://ogrforum.com/...llmor-hudson-stage-1
Pete
Well if anyone is willing to put a Pittman in my Commodore I would greatly pay for that service!! Anyone?
I don’t see no prices. How much are we talking here to have someone upgrade one of your locos to tmcc?
Pat @harmonyards is your man for motor upgrades, he's called Mr. Pittman. 
John and Pat do some amazing work. Though I am always willing to do work for people as it is a ease of pace after doing Legacy Upgrades for people 😁. Both the T1 and Commodore Vanderbilt are what I call classic upgrades. Taking the old and making it new. If you are interested in any work from me just email me.
sidstrains773@gmail.com
👍
Sid
Thanks Sid, I sent you an email
@ZWPOWER13 posted:Thanks Sid, I sent you an email
Just sent a message back to you.
@Norton posted:I believe you might be able to keep the original sounds. The silver CV 18045 has RS2.5, the gray CV 18063 has RS 3. Don't quote me but believe both will work with ERR.
I've successfully used both RS 2.5 and RS 3 with AC Commanders and Cruise Commanders. However they were both in diesels. No idea how well the RS 2.5 and RS 3 will work with a Cruise Commander and an IR tether.
@Lou1985 posted:I've successfully used both RS 2.5 and RS 3 with AC Commanders and Cruise Commanders. However they were both in diesels. No idea how well the RS 2.5 and RS 3 will work with a Cruise Commander and an IR tether.
That means they will work with any ERR upgrade. It means they both respond to serial data from an R2LC or ERR R4LC.
Pete
@Norton posted:That means they will work with any ERR upgrade. It means they both respond to serial data from an R2LC or ERR R4LC.
Pete
Ah cool. Good to know going forward.
@ZWPOWER13 posted:Well if anyone is willing to put a Pittman in my Commodore I would greatly pay for that service!! Anyone?
Whatever you do, be sure to insist on a large Pittman swap, .....the Timko swap is way underpowered IMO, Frank’s a super great guy, but his swaps for these large locomotives just don’t cut it, some will argue and say just how wonderful it is, but they haven’t experienced that same engine with a large Pittman that runs so smoothly, so precisely it’ll stop short of spitting out wooden nickels,.....Frank’s stuff is really great for the DIY guy with minimal tools and experience, but these LTI beasts respond very well to a 9000 series Pittman.The gearing is just right for the motor to get into the power band and stay there at a crawl, or at a full gallop,....just can’t get the power out of that little motor that Frank uses in these swaps,......and as Forrest would say, “that’s all I got to say about that......”
Pat
Pat, Will you be willing to install Pittman motors for me? Then I can have the upgrades done at another time.
Let me know, feel free to email me
@ZWPOWER13 posted:Pat, Will you be willing to install Pittman motors for me? Then I can have the upgrades done at another time.
Let me know, feel free to email me
Sure, not a problem, when you’re ready, just shoot me an email and we’ll discuss it ...it can be left in a state of ready to install electronics, or be set up with a temporary rectifier to have the “proven” locomotive be test ran for anybody or yourself that does the electronics, this way, you know you have a known good platform, problem free before expensive electronics go in,.....I’ve sent many a proven locomotive to Lou ( Lou1985) for him to do his PS swaps,.....this proven method gives him assurance he’s ready to install electronics and go,.....no fiddle farting around trying to diag mechanical issues on top of electrical issues,...😉
Pat
Email Sent Pat!
Thanks to Pat and Sid for helping me out! I love this forum, although I have been collecting for over 30 years, and do alot of repairs, when it comes to the electronics...I rather have others do a professional job for me!!
