I have a RailSounds 4 board 691-PCB1-04C can I put a RailSounds 5.5 Chip (691RS55045) in it? I would really like to do this but I want to make sure it works
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I do not believe so since the programming is different from what I am led to believe. Hopefully someone else will chime in and say for certain.
I agree with Jeff - most of the higher versions of RailSounds also contain unique CrewTalk/Tower Com announcements tied to a particiular road name and engine ID number. I'm not sure what the benefit (if any) is to upgrading from RS4 to RS5.5
Happy New Year!
-John
The current chips in it are for Lionel Line and not the Polar Express, and this was a TMCC conversion for the Polar Express. So if I can swap the chips I'll do that but if I have to swap the boards then that is what I'll do, I just need to know which way to go with it
Was the conversion to TMCC done using Electric RR products? If so I'm not sure it will work. All of the Electric RR kits come with Railsounds 4; as far as I know only Lionel Legacy locomotives and above have Railsounds 5.5.
-John
If you don't have the chips already, I believe they would be the same cost as the new board with chips. Since the Power Supply is the same, the only issue is if Mother board pinouts, or the R4LC is required for RS 5.5. Maybe worth asking Lionel since you would have to contact them to order the RS5.5. You may also find out they won't sell it to you without an exchange of a bad RS5.5 set from PE. G
Lionel does not sell stand alone RS5 boards or chips at this time. That may change once the items pass the three year mark related to the warranty.
RS4 chips work in a RS5 board, but I confess that I haven't tried the other way. Given that the one swap works, I suspect the worst that can happen if you try is they won't work properly, I doubt you'll damage anything.
Yep, Just got off the phone with Lionel, the RS4 board cannot take the RS5 chips.. I will have to order the whole Audio Board.. let the fun begin
They will let you buy it? G
Originally Posted by GGG:
They will let you buy it? G
I think they will sell the board but without the sound chip unless you do an exchange. Lionel stopped selling the RS5 boards a couple of years ago because an enterprising individual was buying them up by the dozens.
Well I went to order the chip and it was a no go... Guess I'm gonna have to use alternative methods
That's kinda' what I figured.
Don't give up on me yet gunrunner... more than 1 way to skin a cat...
I never give up. 
I've swapped out a RS 4.0 board with the sound chip in it with a RS 5.0 board with the sound chip in it and it worked fine. I have a RS 4.0 engine with a 5.0 board in it and get the expanded sounds in a 2001 mallet. Did not have to change out the audio board either. As for just changing the chips, I cannot answer that as I did not do that.
Originally Posted by Ted Bertiger:
I've swapped out a RS 4.0 board with the sound chip in it with a RS 5.0 board with the sound chip in it and it worked fine. I have a RS 4.0 engine with a 5.0 board in it and get the expanded sounds in a 2001 mallet. Did not have to change out the audio board either. As for just changing the chips, I cannot answer that as I did not do that.
The boards differ on how they drive the rear coupler. Was the coupler still operational after doing the swap?
Pete
The boards differ on how they drive the rear coupler. Was the coupler still operational after doing the swap?
Yes, the rear coupler operates with sound.
Will the new ERR Railsounds board work? Contact Boxcar Bill or ERR.
From what has been said, the new boards have great sounds and are cheaper than previous RS4 boards.
