Upgrading 3rd Rail to DCS--any success stories?

Hi folks,

Does anyone have any success stories in upgrading 3rd Rail locomotives to DCS? I've historically held off on purchasing a 3rd Rail, in part, because I'd prefer to run DCS rather than TMCC. Given that Atlas is now licensing DCS for their new engines, I had hoped that Scott might do the same. Unfortunately, he indicated in a recent email exchange that licensing DCS is not something he's considering right now, and he suggested that I look into an after-market upgrade instead.

While I've paid for 6 other engines to get upgraded, they've all been MTH Proto 1 out of the factory. I've heard anecdotal stories verbally (not on the forum) that 3rd Rail's engines have not traditionally been good Proto2/3 candidates (something having to do with the power draw of the motors tending to burn the PS boards out), but I wanted to throw the question out to the forum.

Has anyone upgraded 3rd Rail to DCS, and would you recommend it as a straightforward upgrade, similar to upgrading a TMCC or Proto1 engine?

Thanks,
Rafi

8/10/215:13 PM

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John SethianOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

https://ogrforum.com/...e-sunset-gp7-and-gp9

Bear in mind that most Sunset engines come with a flywheel. That saves a few steps

8/10/215:35 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I don't think there's any issue upgrading 3rd Rail to DCS, I've done a few of them and had no special issues.

8/10/215:50 PM

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H1000OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I did my first one a couple months ago and it wasn't any harder than a regular early MTH PS1 engine.

8/10/216:00 PM

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BrendanOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Where can you get the upgrade kits these days?

Brendan

8/10/216:43 PM

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Lou1985OGR Forum Member

I added PS3 to a 3rd Rail CB&Q Hudson for a friend last year. Wasn't that hard. Hardest part was wire routing and fabricating a smoke unit bracket.

8/10/216:46 PM

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H1000OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Brendan posted:
Where can you get the upgrade kits these days?
Brendan

You might be waiting a while. Sounds like silicon chip shortages are affecting just about every industry right now.

I ordered quite a few diesel and steam kits through the MTHRRC last year right after the retirement announcement. I should have enough to get me through the next few years. Saved a lot of money vs. the full price we'll pay in the future.

8/10/217:46 PM

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