Weaver E8 locomotives

They are nice for their age buttt they don't compare to the MTH ones.  The Weaver models don't have flywheels on the motors   I improved them a little by wiring the motors in series.  They never came with TMCC from the factory  Any one that has it was a field installed unit from one of the manufacturers

I ran my AA Southern set with 7 cars all during the mid to late '90s. With the addition of TPCs, providing the additional speed steps, they were somewhat smoother runners with smoother start up. Upgrading to flywheel motors at Timko is fairly expensive since there are two motors per unit. I have E-6s and 7s with TMCC so I never considered adding it to the E-8s.

They will operate very well and reliably on conventional layouts. Just go gently on the throttle when starting and stopping, as these are DC motors w/o flywheels. The early ones came equipped with 4 motors in  the AA configuration, and no motors in the B unit. Electronics are QSI DCRUs. I still run mine at shows, as they keep going forever.

Chris

LVHR

Thanks for all the information. May stick with MTH or Lionel E units for future projects.

The Timko motor upgrades are probably $30 to $35 per motor at this point to get the flywheels.  On the secondary market may be less than $200 for the AA set. Then you would have to deal with an ERR upgrade, which if you go to the the Weaver site would be $250.  Both units upgraded, plus the motors, $620-820. You would also have expense in electro couplers and upgrading the lighting.  The MTH Premier, Bennet Levin, Pennsy set, with the B-unit, could have been had for the mid $700's. Pennsy never had B-units

Nice project set, these have EOB in each A unit with the Timko motors when TAS was still around.  

MTH molds are the same as the old Weaver molds with some modifications. Most noted improvement is a detailed front pilot.  I believe the MTH set has one control board and tethers for all three units/(4) motors.  I not sure ERR control boards would handle (4) motors.

Larry,

I have 4 Weaver Southern E8's which I plan to upgrade to TMCC and use the ELRR Cruise Commmander M unit since all 4 units are powered and don't have flywheels can motors.

My other option would be to send the units back to weaver and have them do the upgrades but the bottom line is going to be the overall cost to convert 4 locomotive to a command system. I've even eyeing MTH PS3 system to see if it's a possible fit.

As I said a nice project.  The Timko motors include the worm and mounting frame. so it's just a replacement drive. A reliable powertrain and plenty of room to work. You can install a speaker in the fuel tank or to the rear of the A unit. Lighting can be altered with grain of wheat bulbs or small LED's.  Note that the original motors are large and powerful compared to the replacements. There is a good chance they would work well with the ERR system.  Best to check with both ERR and Weaver about the Electronics to original motor match-up.    

Keep in MIND OEM Weaver E8's had:

• NO Flywheel motors
• Stopped on a dime
• A DCRU unit
• minimal separately applied details
• NO stirrup steps on either trucks or rear unit
• NO lighted marker lights- just a postwar type light bulb in the nose

Great for a project loco but to bring it up to today' standards, one is better off with the MTH e8's as they Are the Weaver models upgraded with more details and Ps2.

At one time they were my favorite diesels. This was before MTH came out with theirs.