Anyone on here ever upgraded a lionchief locomotive to ERR's TMCC? Couldn't you just use the existing cherry switch in the loco for the chuff activation instead of using the magnet and reed switch method?
Thanks
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Not a direct answer to your question but I recommend you look at the pictures and description of Carl Tuveson's conversion of a FlyerChief engine to TMCC. His website is tuveson.com, click on the "TMCC for S" in the left hand column, then scroll down to "AF Berkshire Conversion to TMCC."
The Lionel S gauge semantics are different in that FlyerChief is the same as LionChief Plus.
AmFlyer posted:Not a direct answer to your question but I recommend you look at the pictures and description of Carl Tuveson's conversion of a FlyerChief engine to TMCC. His website is tuveson.com, click on the "TMCC for S" in the left hand column, then scroll down to "AF Berkshire Conversion to TMCC."
The Lionel S gauge semantics are different in that FlyerChief is the same as LionChief Plus.
Thanks Tom!! Will do.
No special issue upgrading it to TMCC, however you will likely have to change the chuff switch. The LC uses an optical chopper for the chuff switch, that will take a bit of work to interface to the ERR chuff input, not to mention you need to power the LED in the part.
gunrunnerjohn posted:No special issue upgrading it to TMCC, however you will likely have to change the chuff switch. The LC uses an optical chopper for the chuff switch, that will take a bit of work to interface to the ERR chuff input, not to mention you need to power the LED in the part.
Hello John, I was looking foward to hearing from you. If you were going to convert a LC to ERR TMCC, would you install all the electronics in the tender, locomotive or some of both?
Thank You sir
I suspect all the electronics wouldn't fit in the locomotive, depending on the specific model. Typically, most TMCC conversions have the bulk of the electronics in the tender, but that's certainly not a hard and fast rule, I've done both.
Not worth the effort. Why spend all that money. When you are done you still have a sub scale LionChief engine. LC steam have the boards in the engine.
That's a personal choice Marty. 
I tend to agree, but there are sometimes reasons. For instance, I upgraded the Hogwart's locomotive to TMCC with fan driven smoke, there isn't anything like that available with TMCC or DCS.
Understood on the Hogwart's. A special engine. LC and LC+ steamers are Pacific, Hudson, and others. All those engines you can buy in TMCC or Legacy. We have choices. I do not know how familiar the poster is with LC engines. I do know how familiar I am with them. Just trying to save him some work. Again, when done and over, he will still have a Lionchief engine.
Your Hogwart's is special. A LC Pacific or Hudson not so special. If he goes for it, ERR would be a choice. I feel the poster just wanted some general information and may not have any locomotive in mind. I can see Lionel offering some sort of command upgrade down the road for these engines. They sure make many of them. All the ERR equipment is going to be based in Concord.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:Not worth the effort. Why spend all that money. When you are done you still have a sub scale LionChief engine. LC steam have the boards in the engine.
Hi Marty
Basically, I just wanted to do it for the heck of it. Really nothing else to do with my time. I just wanted to see if I can do it and just seeking some expertise from you guys on the matter.
gunrunnerjohn posted:That's a personal choice Marty.
Hi John
Like I posted with Marty, I just wanted to do it for the heck of it and I would like to be able to run the LC with my legacy remote instead of dealing with several different remotes. I have nothing else to do with my time.
Blake, thanks for the response. Now I understand what you have in mind. Please let me know if I can help. John has a great handle on these.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:Blake, thanks for the response. Now I understand what you have in mind. Please let me know if I can help. John has a great handle on these.
Thanks Marty! You and John are awesome.
I've thought about doing this very same thing. I really wish Lionel would release the LC+ steamers with Legacy guts. I'd buy them up as I want those sub-scale locomotives with Legacy sounds and speed control (Which Lionel has never done.). I know I could find some in TMCC if I hunt around, but from what I've read ERR runs better then TMCC when it comes to slow smooth speed, so an upgrade would be better. I just wish Lionel wasn't so stuck on keeping Legacy in mostly scale locomotives.
sinclair posted:I've thought about doing this very same thing. I really wish Lionel would release the LC+ steamers with Legacy guts. I'd buy them up as I want those sub-scale locomotives with Legacy sounds and speed control (Which Lionel has never done.). I know I could find some in TMCC if I hunt around, but from what I've read ERR runs better then TMCC when it comes to slow smooth speed, so an upgrade would be better. I just wish Lionel wasn't so stuck on keeping Legacy in mostly scale locomotives.
MTH puts the DCS system in all of their locomotives so wonder why Lionel couldn’t do the same. Those that prefer Legacy over DCS, would have more options especially if their layouts have narrow curves due to lack of space for larger ones.
sinclair posted:I really wish Lionel would release the LC+ steamers with Legacy guts. I'd buy them up as I want those sub-scale locomotives with Legacy sounds and speed control (Which Lionel has never done.). I know I could find some in TMCC if I hunt around, but from what I've read ERR runs better then TMCC when it comes to slow smooth speed, so an upgrade would be better. I just wish Lionel wasn't so stuck on keeping Legacy in mostly scale locomotives.
Just to be clear, TMCC and slow speed cruise control are two different things. ERR uses TMCC. Cruise is something additional. They offer TMCC electronics with and without cruise electronics.
The cruise control used by LC+ engines is essentially Legacy cruise, and has outstanding slow speed control.
Legacy is not utilized in LC+ engines due to the additional cost. That is not the market Lionel is trying to reach with the LionChief product line.
There is a gap here in the Lionel product line. That gap is filled by the LionMaster line of engines, but those offerings have been few in recent years. These engines are well detailed but smaller than full scale, but with all the Legacy electronics, and appeal to those operators without huge layouts who still want all the latest electronics. Lionel has made the point that it's virtually as expensive to produce these as it is to produce the full scale versions, so in their view that creates a marketing problem. However, for many of those without large layouts, they would be willing to pay for the LionMaster version because the full scale versions are simply not an option.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:All the ERR equipment is going to be based in Concord.
Interesting, I wonder if Ken will still be with ERR?
breezinup posted:Just to be clear, TMCC and slow speed cruise control are two different things. ERR uses TMCC. Cruise is something additional. They offer TMCC electronics with and without cruise electronics.
The cruise control used by LC+ engines is essentially Legacy cruise, and has outstanding slow speed control.
FWIW, the ERR Cruise Commander or Cruise Commander Lite will give you excellent cruise performance. For most LC sized locomotives, you could probably use the CC-Lite.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Marty Fitzhenry posted:All the ERR equipment is going to be based in Concord.
Interesting, I wonder if Ken will still be with ERR?
Yep. Ken is alive and well over at ERR. Just corresponded with him a week or two ago.
