Upgrading conventional to TMCC

It's usually not cost effective to convert older units to TMCC, though I can be done.  The original GP-9 has a single AC motor, what do these units have?  The place to look for conversion stuff is The Electric RailRoad, they're owned by Lionel and have kits for both AC and DC locomotives.  If you're handy, you can install them yourself.

Of course, the other option is to buy the TMCC/Legacy units and sell the ones you have.

Are you thinking of converting that dummy to a powered unit?  Other than that, what does interchangeable signify to you?

Is that number correct, it is not coming up in the lionel database.  By 1997 Lionel was making the TMCC and upgradable engines.  If yours is one with electronic and upgradeable it normally is easy to add TMCC by installing a R2LC code 8.  If this was a mechanical e-unti version then it becomes harder.  There is a lionel part that comes complete with mounting frame, mother board, signal sounds, and reverse unit, ACDR and antenna, made to be upgradeable with R2LC for GP-7/9 of your vintage.  You can find them on the Lionel parts page looking for GP-9s.

It was inexpensive and would be plug and play for a AC motor.

Or go ERR route.  G

Thanks for the replies guys.

GRJ, by interchangeable I mean do the shells swap over with minimal fuss.  I bought the Northern Pacific dummy so I could swap body shells with one of the old powered units to do a conventional MU, one powered and one dummy.  I have not cracked anything open yet.  Basically I want to do a GP-9 TMCC MU with either 3 powered locos, or 2 powered and 1 dummy.  Looking forward to receiving the TMCC bits I bought from you btw, can't wait!

GGG, both the numbers I quoted come up with the locos I mentioned on multiple pages on a google search.  Can't comment on the lionel database

I can get a 3 unit Boston and Maine MU with 2 powered and one dummy GP-9 with TMCC, just want to know if I can swap their body shells with the non TMCC ones I have, are all GP-9s mounted the same way with screws in the same place, are body shells the same dimensions etc.

My bet is you will be OK to swap shells with little or no fuss.

But here is an idea.

When you come to the US, why not bring just your shells, and then you can try the swap before you lay down the cash. At least if you are buying from a reputable LHS that should work.

Rod

Was thinking of doing that Rod, just was not sure if any of the stores would consider it.  A further google search shows the 1997 Centennial GP-9 (6-18846) I own is 'command equipped', so I guess that means the plug and play option is available for that loco.  Postage costs to Oz are so high I hope to find what I am looking for whilst over there, again not sure whether I can find what I need in a LHS, TMCC being somewhat outdated now. 

Forget that last post, the centennial already has TMCC, confusing myself now lol

The  Centennial is not modular, it has a LCRU as seen here,

 http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/ReplacementParts/index.cfm?setID=&productID=&doAction=partFilter&q=LCRU&match=0

Bill

BTW Sinn; love your homeland.

We visited friends in Timaru for about 3 weeks, back about 4 years ago, and had a great time. Very friendly folks, and the scenery was incredible. Great beer as well.

If we come again some year we plan to rent a Harley for 3-4 weeks and just cruise around.

Rod

Have heard similar things about your part of the world as well Rod, though not so much about the beer!  I am in Las Vegas for 4 days, so planning to rent a mustang and cruise out to Red Rock Desert (think that is right).  Was hoping to do some of Route 66, being so iconic, maybe next time hopefully.

The LRRC 2007 GP-9 I would like to convert to TMCC is 6-28571.  Can not find any information if it was made command ready, I am a bit surprised that Lionel did not make their railroader club loco with command control already installed

When you're in LV, I recommend the Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon is not nearly as impressive.

6-28571,

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Finder/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductNumber=6-28571&expandBranch=0&Keywords=6-28571&CategoryID=0&RailLineID=&CatalogId=

GRJ, Hoover Dam is on the to do list, Valley of Fire will be getting the google-over by me, was not aware of that, pics do look very impressive. btw the TMCC command set arrived yesterday, thanks for being willing to send down-under.

Boxcar Bill, that is the LRRC GP-9 I am hoping to convert to TMCC, the centennial that I have that has TMCC is the orange one 6-18846.  Combine them with the 90th anniversary GP-9 and they will make a striking looking MU.

I also have a LRRC GP-38 (6-11818), a Service station special C-420 Alco (6-28515) and a Lionel Lines SD-28 (6-8380) that I would ultimately like to have upgraded to TMCC, I really need to find a lionel tech to chat too when I am over there to see if any of this can be done. 

Can anyone advise who would be a good option in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC or Las Vegas to speak to?  These are the 4 cities I will be staying in, I can pack the engines and bring them with me if they are upgradable and I can find someone who can do them, or at least do one in front of me so I see how to do it myself

cheers

You need to examine the engines because mixing a AC pulmore, with DC can motors especially if they are in the truck probably won't MU very well.

The 28571 Bill posted looks like an inexpensive engine so it may have motors in the trucks like the starter engines.  The web doesn't have a parts list for that engine.  G