Upgrading LTI locos to either TMCC or DCS

Original TMCC engines are cratering in price compared to their MSRP's if you don't mind taking risks on the used market. I bought a Lionel Lines traditional-sized 4-6-2 steam engine on this forum for $100 with an original MSRP of $350.

A lot depends how particular you are.  For example, I "had to have" a semi-scale B&O steam engine in blue, and there aren't many out there with TMCC, so I bought a WBB and had it upgraded with ERR components.

My bet is that you could find a Pennsy GG1 with TMCC for $200, maybe less.

The upside to adding ERR components to your existing engines is that you can add cruise which gets you the slow operating speed. But, if basic TMCC is all you want, I suggest checking the used market for the GG1 and Train Master, maybe even the F-3s. I see used GG1s with TMCC all the time.

I believe all the locos you mentioned have Pulmore motors so that rules out DCS. You could install ERR AC Commanders but that's about it. No cruise but will run with a TMCC or Legacy remote. For sure you can find GG1s with TMCC for 200 bucks or less. Not sure about your other engines, maybe an F3.

Pete

As Norton said, since your existing locos have AC motors, the cruise option doesn't exist.

I would look at the used market and ebay to see if TMCC models (or close approximations) already exist.

Existing TMCC - upside - No work needed and prices should be reasonable.

Existing TMCC - downside - possibly used and could be 20 year old electronics that are prone to failure

ERR TMCC Upgrade - upside - allows to to keep your existing fleet and locos that are dear to you.

ERR TMCC Upgrade - downside - expensive ($200+ per loco installed for TMCC and sound)

"As Norton said, since your existing locos have AC motors, the cruise option doesn't exist."

True enough, and I love cruise - but - some of the Pullmor locos (all the iterations of the 700E scale Hudson, for example) have decent gearing, and will perform quite well and steadily, especially if you have mild to no grades, and do not attempt to pull overly long trains. That last one is never a good idea anyway, with any equipment.

Are you doing the installation yourself or paying somebody to install the new electronics? 

Andrew

Thanks for all the really helpful replies, everyone. I’ve learned a lot. I intended to pay for the work since time is at a premium. 

As to the old motors, I love them! I run both DCS and TMCC. A few weeks ago my grandson, who is 2 1/2  and who loves grandpa’s “choo-choo“ was visiting from out of town when my original TIU apparently  died (kudos at this point to Mr. Muffin who provided patient and endless time and advice and helped me work through some of the related diagnostic issues. I’m a customer now!)  

 I disconnected the TIU, hooked up my Z 4000 directly to the track, grabbed my original 726 Berkshire and a couple of other vintage Lionel pieces and lo and behold, Elliott was not disappointed. It’s amazing that it’s far more difficult to keep 20-year-old  engines running than it is to keep 60 and 70-year-old engines on the track. They may creak and groan and whistles may bleat,  but run they do! 

One small bit of advice. Some of those old Pullmore motors growl so much that they tend to drown out Railsounds. I have an old (MPC) GP9 that was the first engine i converted to TMCC (complete with Electrcouplers) over 17 years ago. Glad i didn't add sound as the motor makes too much noise as is. By the way if anyone wants it i'd like $100 for it.