Rail sound upgrade

Bill, if you're OK with the crew talk probably not matching the locomotive, there are two drop-in options still available on the Lionel site.

If those don't float your boat, the ERR RS Commander upgrade will require some wiring to replace the RS4 setup.

And it is going to be interesting to see how it integrates to the mother board. G

Do the lionel parts just plug in place of the rs4 boards?

The two RS5 boards I indicated are drop-in replacements, just remove the RS4 board and plug in the RS5 board.

The ERR upgrade will require more work and custom wiring.

Thanks Bill

I've done many swap outs of old tired RS 4.0 boards with new RS 5.0 boards.  I've been happy with all of them.  I have yet to install a RS 5.0 board, power supply with a ERR setup.  You need the real estate for a RS motherboard.  Should be easy for s steamer.

I've done a few upgrades with the powered motherboard and the ERR Cruise Commander or AC Commander.

Thanks to all who responded and especially to gunrunnerjohn, the new rs5 board came yesterday and installed and what a difference. I have a new locomotive.  can these rs5 boards be used in the old err systems with rs4?

Yep, just drop the board in.  That's a common "upgrade" if you can find the suitable RS5 board.