I have a Lionel 6-28587 PRR GP-7 that's pretty much toast - the Railsounds board is shot, emitting a whistling 'feedback' noise through the normal operational sounds. Since this component is failing, probably the rest of it won't be too far behind. Rather that turn this into dummy unit, would ERR components be a good solution to keep it as a power unit? It it worth the effort to do so?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If the Railsounds board is bad but the chips are still good, I have replacement RS5 boards that work with those RS 5.5 chips. I also have the RS Generic Power boards in case that is bad.
Yes and yes in my opinion. You will lose any Legacy features (quillable horn, etc) but you'll still have a good locomotive. It will run with horn, bell, electrocouplers, and so on. You may lose speed steps but I'm not knowledgeable enough about that part.
I never done a diesel though. I did a steamer and it wasn't too bad.
Well, a diesel TMCC upgrade is typically easier than a steamer.
I've started upgrading to Legacy for my own use, too labor intensive to consider doing it for others.
I have driven RS4 and RS5 boards with a Legacy R4LC. I have not tried driving a ERR Railsounds board though. It should work given ERR Railsounds and RS4/5 both get the same TMCC signal. You could start by just replacing the sounds boards and then later if required, het a Cruise Commander.
Pete
The Legacy R4LC can be programmed for TMCC operation, but I think you already know that. FWIW, RS5 boards are the same as RS5.5 boards, only the two chips are different, RS 5.5 for Legacy.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
