TMCC/Legacy for S Helper?

Thanks Mark!  

If it is a newer Legacy engine it has DCC support built in. S-Helper engines are DCC ready. Standardizing on DCC would be the easiest way to go IMHO. TMCC components are much larger than DCC components and S-Helper locos don't have much room inside relatively speaking.

Tim

If you are going to do the work yourself Carl's website has the info. If you want to pay to have it done as a service, Ed Golden runs a business installing TMCC into S gauge engines.  I just dropped off my 5th one to him today ��. 3 SHS switchers and one AM RS11.  He does fantastic work, I highly recommend him.  He is in demand and there is a wait list that seems to run about a month-ish out. I also had Carl (via Ed) do the chuff upgrade to my Mikado as seen on Carl's web site.  Fantastic! 

See Ed's web site. 

http://goldinhands.com

Ben

Both Carl (tuveson.com) and Ed (goldinhands.com) do conversions and modifications. I have had many engines modified by both. Ed and Carl are masters at what they do. Carl has converted SHS SW 1's and SW 9's to TMCC+cruise but not including sound. The problem with most SHS engines is lack of space. The answer is to tether a dummy (or a boxcar) to the powered engine if you also want railsounds. I did this with my American Models FA 1 A-B set. I suggest you look at Carl's website, on the left column click on TMCC for S, then scroll down and you will see a list and internal pictures of all the types of engines he has converted.

Ed converted the new AM RS 11 to TMCC+cruise and Railsounds for me. It was not easy to fit it all in and required substantial chassis milling. The result was worth it. Keep in mind the cost of the conversion was more than the price of the engine. The reality is none of these engines will ever be made by Lionel let alone with Legacy so this is the only path to a diverse fleet of S motive power on a Legacy controlled layout.

Ben I just saw your post about the Mikado. Which smoke unit did he put in? Mine now have the fan driven HO units plus the new motors and cruise control. I could not be happier with them. I see he now has a larger smoke unit but the HO unit seems to produce a more realistic puffing. What did he put in the switchers, I have not had mine retrofitted?

Tom

I had just cruse and 4 chuff put into it (I believe Carl has it showin as version 1 on his website). 

Ben

Tim,

There is quite a lot of info on doing the conversions to TMCC. Carl and Ed were both mentioned and are great sources for this type of project but, don't forget Electric Railroad, also for a wealth of information. Ken at ERR will give you guidance for these projects although Carl and Ed are more familiar with the S gauge aspect. As JONNYSPEED mentioned THE TMCC components are larger than DCC decoders, but even at that you will most likely with some planning fit TMCC motor drivers into all but the smallest of the S Helper engines. I have done several similar American Models engine conversions including a pair of GP 35s, a pair of FAs and an RS-3 by, all with motor driver boards but no sound. I would recommend getting as much information as you can glean from these sites but don't be afraid to tackle some of this yourself. It may seem a little intimidating but once you start it becomes very satisfying when you do complete these conversions. A possibility for the sound on these small switchers might be the Flyonel Railsounds box car and the ERR Sound Converter, this would require a tether. I have done this type of sound conversion on of my Flyonel Santa Fe passenger set using the Railsounds B-Unit. Again it requires some planning and a little head scratching but is very satisfying.

Ray