UPgrade 52197 to full TMCC

It depends on the engine. In most cases both the R2LC and Audio board need to be replaced. The audio power board remains. 

If you don't have the manual, you can go to the Lionel site and download the specific manual for your engine to see whats needed.

Pete

If you provide the complete product number, and perhaps a couple pictures of the boards, we can be more accurate in recommending solutions.

Your 6-52197 Artrain GP-9 was factory over-printed on the 6-18573 Santa Fe GP-7. It has a configuration of internal parts unique to these locomotives. You can find the break-down here:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...2e-9e86-bc03e78ab875

You can easily add TMCC by removing the 104E board and replacing with an R2LC. The existing horn/bell will work in either conventional or TMCC modes, but it is NOT upgradeable to RailSounds per se.

TRW

some pix , my first experience of picture usage

so bear with me

THNX . Les

Les, you can take what TRW says to the bank. You just need a radio board, aka  R2LC C08. 

Pete

I have R4LC 08 will that work?

That will work fine, that's one that ERR supplies and is a drop-in replacement for the R2LC-08.

what if anything goes into the volume control position and the signal/rail switch position

what is the plastic cam on the drive axle for?

They are generic parts to GP that did have TMCC.  The cam would send a trigger to indicate the speed of engine to control ramp up of diesel sounds on RS engines.  I have a few of those boards I bought.  As stated it is basically a Command Upgradeable with Signal Sounds only.  Supporting the AC motors the GP had.  G

could a conventional Diesel  RS 2.5 board be installed with the proper support accessories ?

Just asking.

KEALgopher posted:

could a conventional Diesel  RS 2.5 board be installed with the proper support accessories ?

Just asking.

With a R2LC in place you could put any railsounds board in there up to RS5 either Lionel or ERR. ERR would be smaller and be self contained, (one board). RS4 or 5 would need two boards and a motherboard.

Pete

I'd consider the ERR RS Commander.  It won't require fooling around with multiple boards, it's a nice compact installation.  A bonus is the sound quality is better than the RS4 or earlier sound boards.

KEALgopher posted:

could a conventional Diesel  RS 2.5 board be installed with the proper support accessories ?

Just asking.

I just found my reference sample of that locomotive's electronics platform, and can confirm that you can install RailSounds 2.5, with a few minor modifications. Off the top of my head...

1) Remove the SignalSounds and install the RS2.5 board.

2. Insulate the end of the RS2.5 board to prevent contact with the heat sink of the ACDR. A strip of electrical tape should be fine.

3) Change the 5-pin power connection of the SignalSounds board to 4-pin for the RS2.5.

4) Add the volume pot and RailSounds/SignalSounds switch to the fuel tank assembly.

5) Drop the dummy truck, and add the proper cherry switch bracket and cherry switch. (I'm fairly certain your loco doesn't have these.)

Shoot me a note (e-mail in my profile) if you need a RailSounds 2.5 system.

TRW