Can an older Lionel TMCC Odyssey loco be converted/upgraded to Legacy?
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For what purpose? What Legacy features are you missing? A Legacy Control setup can command TMCC items to their full extent.
@bmoran4 posted:For what purpose? What Legacy features are you missing? A Legacy Control setup can command TMCC items to their full extent.
Yes, same question. Why?
I do have a Legacy locomotive, but I run TMCC. It's in the technological "sweet spot" as far as I'm concerned and ultra reliable.
George
The short answer is yes they can. Two forum members specialize in doing this. Others do it for themselves. You can make many improvements like better low speed control, 4 chuffs and puffs and even better sound without going to Legacy. If its added steam effects you are looking for then yes, Legacy is a solution.
Pete
Thanks. I have two Lionel steamers that I really like but wish they had 4 chuffs instead of two. I don't know if maybe just adding magnets would be easier. That's my only beef. I'm happy with everything else about them.
Is there some place, maybe a video that will compare the two side by side? I would interested in seeing the imporvement.
@Ralph M, I would point you towards @gunrunnerjohn and either his Super Chuffer or Programmable Chuff Generator. I believe both can be added to your TMCC locmotive and give you the 4 chuffs you are seeking much more economically.
When I first bought Lionel's TMCC steamers, I too was disappointed they only had two chuffs/rev and wished for four. Got tired of the two chuff and had them all upgraded to four chuffs using many different methods. I now think gunrunnerjogn's chuff generator, maybe also add his Super Chuffer, is the way to go. Do a search for lots of comments.
As mentioned above, if looking for full Legacy features, such as whistle steam, etc,.. master builders Bruk & Sid are the Legacy doctors,…but on the flip side, the Oddesy system can be modded for better performance by upgrading the Oddesy driver to a ERR Cruise M, 4 chuffs can be added by installing John’s chuff stuff,….if the particular steam locomotives you wish to upgrade are puffer type smoke units, an upgrade to fan smoke in time with the chuffs is possible too,….get with John or Alex M. for upgrading the existing system, or Sid or Bruk for the full Legacy upgrade ,….
Pat
@Edmund Schwartzel 060518 posted:Is there some place, maybe a video that will compare the two side by side? I would interested in seeing the imporvement.
Most folks do not realize a steam engine has more than two chuffs/rev, probably because of all the Lionel toy trains out there. The lack of four (or more) chuffs/rev is most noticeable at slow speeds. There are many toy train operators who do not like four chuffs because they run their trains fast, and it sounds like a machine gun.
I have had all my steamers upgraded with four chuffs, and any new to me TMCC engine that is not already upgraded immediately gets four chuffs. I just checked my database, and I have upgraded 17 TMCC engine to four chuffs.
@Norton posted:The short answer is yes they can. Two forum members specialize in doing this. Others do it for themselves. You can make many improvements like better low speed control, 4 chuffs and puffs and even better sound without going to Legacy. If its added steam effects you are looking for then yes, Legacy is a solution.
Pete
When you say "better sound" are you only referring to ERR railsound kits? The top-notch sounds (and most recently the ability to swap out whistle and bell sounds) of the Legacy engines are tough to beat. I'd invest more in buying old engines and putting in upgrades if there was a broader variety of whistle sounds (via ERR) to choose from. Unfortunately that is beyond ERR/3rd Rail's control.
Are there other sound options beyond ERR kits though?
@0-Gauge CJ posted:When you say "better sound" are you only referring to ERR railsound kits? The top-notch sounds (and most recently the ability to swap out whistle and bell sounds) of the Legacy engines are tough to beat. I'd invest more in buying old engines and putting in upgrades if there was a broader variety of whistle sounds (via ERR) to choose from. Unfortunately that is beyond ERR/3rd Rail's control.
Are there other sound options beyond ERR kits though?
Current ERR Railsounds are an improvement for both RS4 and RS5 used in Odyssey engines. Its not as good as current Legacy. To get Legacy sound you need to install full Legacy control. Anything is possible if your wallet is fat enough. I am not aware of other sound upgrades for TMCC engines.
As for two chuffs, virtually all engines with two chuffs have a two lobe cam on the axle. Had Lionel used a four lobe cam you would have 4 chuffs. Not sure why Lionel went this route but some of us simply swap cams. GRJ’s solution requires less disassembly of the engine.
Pete
