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Upgrading a 773 Hudson

BH BILL HUDSONOGR Forum Member
On my previous post here, forum members helped me get this "ancient" TMCC engine operating in command mode. Now that I have had some minutes operating it, I feel it is the pits. With no cruise control, running the engine around the layout is no different than conventional mode: crank up the volts when going up a grade; crank it down when going down. This is not very conducive to multiple train operation on the same track. My other engines are MTH DCS/PS-2 and Lionel/w Odyssey.

Before I ask the question, here are the particulars of the 773 as I know them:
1. This is a Century Club issue probably manufactured in the 1999-2001 era.
2. Box says "Pull-More Motor".
3. Engine/tender have wireless tether (I never new Lionel made one that long ago).
4. Engine has insulated handrails for antennas.
5. I have found no info re what version of Railsounds it has, but it must be very early. However, sounds are o.k.

Now the question: is this engine upgradable? I thought I read on a post here that you can't upgrade a Pull-more motor to cruise control. If so, then my engine will be a shelf queen until I find a market to sell it. For me, cruise control is the most important aspect of command operation.

If the news is good, I would appreciate a list with part numbers (kit#) I'll need to effect an upgrade. I've looked at ERR products, but can't make any sense as to what kit to get, if, indeed, the engine is upgradable.

Bill
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BH BILL HUDSONOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by gunrunnerjohn:
There is no current option for cruise control for AC motors. There's a guy that converts AC motors to DC motors, Frank Timko. I have no idea if the 773 is a candidate, contact him and see. With a DC motor, you can install the ERR Cruise Control.


I checked the TIMKO site and read the following sentence: "TRD also installs TMCC cruise or conventional systems for AC or DC motored engines."

Perhaps the wording is not exactly clear, as one could easily interpret that as being able to install cruise in either an AC or DC motor.

Anyway, my local hobby shop sells on consignment and that's where this albatross is going.

Bill
BH BILL HUDSONOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by RickO:
Your better off Bill, I personally avoid anything with a pullmor motor. Theey are great for the guys who like the retro operating characteristics but they can't in any way, shape, or form, hold a candle to anything with a can motor and cruise.


Ricko: thanks for the comments. I have wanted for a long time a scale Hudson, but once I got hooked on command & control I never looked back. Thus, the 1990 Scale Hudson that's still around for sale did not interest me. I had assumed any Lionel with TMCC would be upgradable, like MTH's PS-1 engines to PS-2. Guess I didn't do enough homework on what's upgradable and what isn't.

I'm going to bite the bullet and get the Vision Line 700E Hudson (assuming it's still in stock).

Regards,

Bill
gunrunnerjohngunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
quote:
Originally posted by BILL HUDSON:
I checked the TIMKO site and read the following sentence: "TRD also installs TMCC cruise or conventional systems for AC or DC motored engines."

Perhaps the wording is not exactly clear, as one could easily interpret that as being able to install cruise in either an AC or DC motor.

Bill
The wording may not be clear, but I can assure you that they won't install cruise on the AC motored locomotive. Smile

Selling it seems like the right plan.
BH BILL HUDSONOGR Forum Member
[QUOTE]Originally posted by RickO:
Heres one Bill in case your having trouble finding it. This is actually EastSide Trains ebay store, so along with the 7 day ebay guarantee you still get the manufacturers 2 year warranty because Eaststde Trains is an authorized Lionel dealer.


RickO: Thanks for the reference, but I got on the phone to C. Ro earlier this a.m. and managed to get the last one they had (Black vers.). Ro's price was the best of the sources I checked that had any in stock. Many of the large dealers do not have this item in stock.

Bill
RoyBoyRoyBoyOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER
I converted my Commodore Vanderbilt 777 Hudson to a can motor and cruise with a motor from Timko and a Cruise Commander from Electric railroad.

I sent the old pullmore motor to Timko and he built a motor mount and moved the drive coupling to a can motor. I was a bit surprised as the motor was smaller than I expected. It was the same size as one of the diesel motors. The gear ratio in the CV was very good, though, and the loco runs fine and pulls a lot more cars than I expected it would.

The cruise commander mounted in the loco body where the LCRU had been. It hooked up to the sound system in the tender and worked well. The wiring diagrams for locos of this vintage are up on the Lionel website.

I also put a magnet on a tender wheel and used a reed switch to trigger the chuff, giving approximately two chuffs per revolution (unsynchronized, but who cares?) whereas the original Lionel installation gave only one chuff per revolution.

The conversion turned a shelf queen into a great runner. I highly recommend it.

So what you need is:
-one Timko can motor/motor mount/drive coupling
-"as built" wiring diagram for your loco and tender from Lionel website
-one Cruise Commander from Electric railroad
-one magnet and reed switch from Electric railroad
-cruise commander instructions (on ERR website. You can download them for free)
-some electrical knowledge, some patience, and skill with hand tools
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