Small Command Switchers for the Steam/Diesel Era

I had the K Line A5 a few years back.   While it was a nice engine, you are correct - no cruise

Cruise can be added fairly easily with an ERR cruise commander M kit

Weaver A5 with a TMCC upgrade/sound  kit.   A Rich Yoder Pennsy GE 44 tonner with an ERR upgrade and sound.  Both have electro-couplers front and back.

 

Great looking engines! How much $ do you have invested in each?

Cruise control is overrated in my opinion.  Run your trains!

MTH A5 with PS2.  This is a wonderful locomotive that I usually run at 7 SMPH.  Jim

MTH has a series of 0-6-0 switchers out now.

MTH has them on the website as shipped in March.

These are Premier w PS3, Very nice. MSRP $649.95

LHS has 5 (2 w scale wheels) at good discount.

He has some S-1's as well in Railking. Not sure when those date from.

I have the Lionel Docksider and the MTH 0-4-0 Docksider converted to TMCC using the ERR Mini Commander.  The MTH has electrocouplers on both ends as they were a drop-in replacement for the stock couplers.  The Lionel just has the rear, as it was a PITA to install them on that, lots of surgery on the frame.  I decided against doing the front for that reason.

Just my opinion, but cruse control is NOT overrated!

Cruise control on a yard switcher?  ERR board has extended speed range but no "cruise"

Depends on which board we're talking about.  Obviously, the Cruise Commander offers cruise.

 

If you're referring to my conversions, I never said those two docksiders had cruise, clearly with the Mini Commander 2 in them, they do not.  If there was a product that would have allowed me to put cruise in them, I would have.

I'm not sure it would be that easy. The cruise M board is longer than a DCDR and only fits in the larger B6 with a lot of modifications. K-Line cruise is even bigger. Both the board and the taller speed sensor on the motor.

ERR cruise is a nice addition on any engine though even on a switcher as low speed running is greatly enhanced.

Pete

I just bought an ERR DC Commander (not Cruise Commander) that I plan to put into

my favorite small switcher: the Lionel PW-style (that is, it's modern - can motor

and all) 0-4-0. You know, the PRR-style with slope-back tender. Electrocouplers

will be present, also. Sound? if there is room, but sound is not critical.

 

It's on the list - but I just finished ERR Cruise Commander-ing a Weaver brass Southern

Railway streamlined PS-4 Pacific, and I have a pair of Williams 0-27 FA-2's 

opened up and about to get the ERR treatment, and after that it's a MTH NYC P-2

2-C-C-2 box cab with dead PS-2 due for ERR Cruise Commander...so the little 0-4-0 will have to wait.

 

You know, when one can get a DC Commander for $60.00, and it costs $40.00

or so for a new, basic electronic reversing unit, why not command? 

I was able to intall TMCC and sound in one of these a few years ago using an ERR Beep Commander and a Sound Commander. With what is available today it would be tough. I think you would have to choose one or the other.

 

Pete

In MTH's O gauge online catalog, I have seen an 0-8-0, an MP15, and a GP 7 in Railking, and an Alco S7 in Premier.

I have a K Line A5 with ERR cruise that is a delight to run.

MTH has done an SW1500 in Rail King Scale which is pretty nice. MTH also did an AGEIR (Alco, General Electric, Ingersoll-Rand) 300HP switcher from 1939 in Premier which is very nice and very small. Atlas did the SW8/SW9 with TMCC which has fantastic low-speed running.

You overstate the case Pete.  The CCM is less than 1/10" longer than the standard DCDR, and I've stuck them in at least half a dozen small steamers.  I'll admit that on a couple I had to do a little surgery on the heatsink, but I have yet to see one that they won't fit into.

You mean like this one?

 

 

(Atlas) EMD SW's were steam transition era.

I'll have to take a look at mine. After my experience with the B6 I didn't think there would be any chance in the smaller A5.

 

Pete

If they got the DCDR in the locomotive, I'm betting you can make the CCM fit.

I have the Railking Imperial 0-8-0 with PS2 that came out a few years ago that gets regular use.  You may be able to find one.

.....

Dennis

I bought a Lionel #6-18456 Minuteman Motorized Unit #59 back in 2004 that has TMCC and electrocouplers. It is about 7 1/2 inches end to end including the couplers. I believe Lionel made other paint jobs also. 

 

Paul Goodness

There's a whole series of those with TMCC, I have a couple of them myself, the Picatinny Arsenal and the 56 M&StL models.  They're all pretty much identical with different shells.