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Interesting question.   I have an original Reading T-1 as well.   It runs smooth and I do grease and lube it,  but it takes way more power to take off than other machines. Seems like it doesn't even budge till you get close to 11 volts,  and by the time you hit 14 it's ready to break orbit!  I have wanted to upgrade this engine for a while,  even talked to Dr. Tinker about it,  but never pulled the trigger.   This is one of my few conventional locomotives that reliably reverses. I did have to replace the cable between the loco and tender since the wires were breaking off the plug.  (Unfortunately I got the horn/whistle leads reversed, I will fix it one of these days. )

The answer is no, ....that’s a completely different platform, .....the Pulmor Mohawk, T1, & CSS share the same chassis,.....pretty invasive to swap in a real can motor...Timko has a small direct fit motor,but it’s kinda underpowered IMO,..,....I do a bunch of these swaps every year with a large Pittman,.....then they’re stump pullers,...

Pat

Last edited by harmonyards

Pat has the answer, I've used the Timko conversion and it works, but it's not a stump puller.   OTOH, the old Reading T1 doesn't have traction tires, so you are limited as to the load you can put on it anyway, so you might be happy with the Timko motor.  I'm sure you'd be a lot happier with Pat's Pittman in there, but then you might have to invest in cutting a set of wheels for traction tires.

Pat has the answer, I've used the Timko conversion and it works, but it's not a stump puller.   OTOH, the old Reading T1 doesn't have traction tires, so you are limited as to the load you can put on it anyway, so you might be happy with the Timko motor.  I'm sure you'd be a lot happier with Pat's Pittman in there, but then you might have to invest in cutting a set of wheels for traction tires.

And this is true, ....but to add....., the weight of these beasts can negate the need for traction tires,....perhaps fellas with grades might frown upon no rubber tires, but there’s nothing more dramatic than a L3 Mohawk with all the electronics added, and a little bit of wheel slip starting a heavy train,.....I have no issues with 40-50 car freight drags with these platforms, HOWEVER, I am on level track with O90 & O81 curves, .......makes for a very fun experience working the throttle.....

Pat

The thing I learned with my T-1 which still has the original Pulmor motor: Proper lubrication is VERY important! I pulled the motor out of the engine, and disassembled it down to the bearings on the armature. Cleaned and re-lubed the bearings and the gearing. Red-N-Tacky works wonders. My experience was if you don't, after about half an hour the engine starts slowing down. It requires more and more voltage to maintain speed, and eventually goes very slowly, even at full throttle. Since the re-lube, no such issue. I suspect all the engines with this drive train have the same issue.

Pat, Does your Pitman conversion include a flywheel? if so, further upgrade to TMCC or DCS is an option...

Chris

LVHR

Last edited by lehighline
@lehighline posted:

The thing I learned with my T-1 which still has the original Pulmor motor: Proper lubrication is VERY important! I pulled the motor out of the engine, and disassembled it down to the bearings on the armature. Cleans and re-lubed the bearings and the gearing. Red-N-Tacky works wonders. My experience was if you don't, after about half an hour the engine starts slowing down. It requires more and more voltage to maintain speed, and eventually goes very slowly, even at full throttle. Since the re-lube, no such issue. I suspect all the engines with this drive train have the same issue.

Pat, Does your Pitman conversion include a flywheel? if so, further upgrade to TMCC or DCS is an option...

Chris

LVHR

I can build them either way, ....with or without,....obviously those opting for John’s Chuff Stuff need a flywheel, .....ERR does not need a flywheel since it’s back EMF driven,....The later Pulmor chassis ( 18064 ) has bolt on drivers and a easily replaceable cam ( thanks to Norton) .....makes 4 chuffs and fan smoke in sync a breeze,.....2 cherry switches and we’re off to the races,....

Pat

@romiller49 posted:

I agree with everything stated above but if you want the simple no modification solution go with Timko. It’s a drop in. You can add cruise and all the GRJ items for a terrific new/old engine. I would skip traction tires if you are not running more the 12-15 cars.

Absolutely correct Rod, ....and you & I have discussed this topic a few times,....for the DIY guy with minimal tools, Timko’s is the way to go. His package requires no cutting or grinding or heavy fab work......The major difference between what Frank does and what I do is power, .....

Pat

@lehighline posted:

Pat,

I was actually thinking DCS. But that means either a flywheel that matches one of the various size tac strips MTH provides, or creating a custom tac strip.

I have the early Lionel T-1.

Chris

LVHR

I’ve done one for a fella that went PS3 ....I fit a 27mm flywheel in that build for him, ...I do believe he did wind up making a custom tape for his .....I think both John (GRJ) and Joe ( engineerjoe) know how to make the custom tapes,....but sure, you can DCS that locomotive,....actually, it’d be an easier swap than all the ERR stuff,....

Pat

@lehighline posted:

The thing I learned with my T-1 which still has the original Pulmor motor: Proper lubrication is VERY important! I pulled the motor out of the engine, and disassembled it down to the bearings on the armature. Cleaned and re-lubed the bearings and the gearing. Red-N-Tacky works wonders. My experience was if you don't, after about half an hour the engine starts slowing down. It requires more and more voltage to maintain speed, and eventually goes very slowly, even at full throttle. Since the re-lube, no such issue. I suspect all the engines with this drive train have the same issue.

Pat, Does your Pitman conversion include a flywheel? if so, further upgrade to TMCC or DCS is an option...

Chris

LVHR

Do you recommend the aerosol or tub, Red-N-Tacky vs Red-N-Tacky #2

@jhz563 posted:

Yup, although actually it was slowing down a little because I was trying to show off one of the hoppers.   The first one is mth, the rest are weaver except the one that is Lego,  which I built from plans I purchased commercially.

Lego huh?.....now that’s cool!....BTW John, your parts are done, just gotta box them up and send them off, ......we’ll worry about the other after you get them and they work,...😁

Pat

@gibson man posted:

Well...I did contact timko a while back...and his setup is reasonably priced...so maybe having spares in case something lets out magic smoke is not prohibitive.

Sounds like that really how I should go...add a cruise commander and away I go!

Thanks for all your advice!

There’s no harm no foul there, ....and if it don’t perform like you want it to,....then jump to the big motor,.....I’ve pulled Pulmors and Timkos out of these things,....makes no never mind to me,.....as the whole back of the chassis gets lopped off anyways,...😆😆😆

Pat

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