Thinking of Modifying Dual Powered F7 AA Units to Operate Independently

You'll need a Legacy sound board to add sounds to the second set.  Other than that, it's not a big deal, I've done a number of similar upgrades.  This set doesn't appear on the parts site yet, so it's hard to say if you'll be able to get that sound board.  You can probably get a similar sound board for a Legacy F7.  I see a number of them available on Lionel parts, so that seems to be doable.

Appreciate the feedback GRJ.   Good to know. 

Tom

You could isolate an old railsounds board to run from an added "chuff switch" while the Legacy works just the motor.

But if I spent anything significant I'd go with the Legacy sound option vs hacked in Railsounds (unless critiques said the old sound was way better, "plug n play" of Legacy / Legacy would be more prudent than a hack )

If it was all free and on hand I might cobble them to run "tandem", but wouldn't spend anything to do it.

With the RCMC already available, it's fairly simple to drop the RS-Lite board in to add the sound, certainly a more satisfactory operation than a board that would come up in conventional mode all the time.

Appreciate the added feedback.  Found a 2017 OGR post that explored adding sound to a powered B-unit.  https://ogrforum.com/...02#73087246279621902

All good info for thought.  Will continue to 'think about  it' but in no hurry to buy the F7 AA Set (203350) at this time.  It's not that the two locos were especially interesting to me; rather, I wanted to consider cost effectiveness of getting two running Legacy locos with full compliment of features.  I expect it'd cost more than I care to spend to buy the set then get the 2nd A-unit up and running with Legacy Railsounds.  Plus the Lionel warranty would likely be voided by the mod. 

Oh well, interesting to consider.

Regards,

Tom

I’ve split a set of ALCO FAs SPS into a two separate engine set ups by adding a powered B unit to each set. A super base B to the one that didn’t have sound.

With regard to the BN F7 A set up.....I added a B super base unit behind the green BN unit that doesn’t have sound but power. It works great. I run the set in this manner. Lead engine green BN AF7, then green BN  BF7 (super base ), then BF7 NP (powered), then AF7 GN (powered and sound).

For me it was easier than trying to secure all the necessary parts to add rail sounds which require making new wire harnesses and creating a mounting system for the sound board, and a speaker.

Lionel needs to do it right and make all powered engines come with sound, and while they are at it, get the colors correct too.

The speaker goes into the tank, that shouldn't be much of a challenge.

I mount the RS-Lite board in the cheap plastic carrier available on Lionel parts, and stick it down with DS-tape.

The harness connector components are readily available, and for unpowered diesel units, you only need the power, speaker, and the serial data.

Where do you place the volume pot?

Forgot about the volume control.

What's the specific Lionel product number?  Usually, I put it in the same place as in the powered unit, in the Legacy the dummy still has lights and couplers and a hatch for the switch(es).  There's a spot for the pot there.