Has anyone done this and are you happy with the results?
Also is this still possible given that Lionel is no longer making ERR? I don't know much about the topic so any advice would be appreciated. I would most likely contract out the work instead of doing it myself, but want to get an idea of what components would be needed.
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I've done some Williams scale GG1 upgrades, the Weaver would be very similar if not the same.
Here's one I did about ten years ago: Electric RR Co upgrade for Williams GG1
If it's brass, using the pantographs is one way to add the TMCC antenna.
Which Weaver GG1 do you have to upgrade? The first two offered, DGLE 4816 and Tuscan 4876, don't have flywheels on the motors and could benefit from that upgrade. There used to be Timko upgrades available, but I don't know the current status of that company.
As I recall, you don't need flywheels for TMCC, but they certainly help with smoothing out the running characteristics of a locomotive.
@GG1 4877 posted:Which Weaver GG1 do you have to upgrade? The first two offered, DGLE 4816 and Tuscan 4876, don't have flywheels on the motors and could benefit from that upgrade. There used to be Timko upgrades available, but I don't know the current status of that company.
As I recall, you don't need flywheels for TMCC, but they certainly help with smoothing out the running characteristics of a locomotive.
That is something I was unaware of - thank you for pointing that out... I have my eyes on the DBLE 5-stripe 4816, but may have to rethink now.
Ideally, Lionel is doing the visionline version again now that they have been re-releasing older visionline runs such as the 2-10-10-2.
Those and the JLC versions have been priced very high on Ebay IMO and for the pricing they are asking. There's currently a 4800 visionline model for over $3K and given the uncertainty of the sideframes for a JLC, I'd rather pay for a NIB visionline re-release.
@Prr7688 posted:That is something I was unaware of - thank you for pointing that out... I have my eyes on the DBLE 5-stripe 4816, but may have to rethink now.
Ideally, Lionel is doing the visionline version again now that they have been re-releasing older visionline runs such as the 2-10-10-2.
Those and the JLC versions have been priced very high on Ebay IMO and for the pricing they are asking. There's currently a 4800 visionline model for over $3K and given the uncertainty of the sideframes for a JLC, I'd rather pay for a NIB visionline re-release.
+1. For me, buying a NIB or used Vision Line GG1 from 2016 is too risky for the money given the silly auction prices. The GG1 is one of the most popular and iconic locos of all time. It's only a matter of time before Lionel re-runs it. Frankly, there are a couple other Vision Line series (Niagara, Baldwin Centipedes, etc.) I'd love to have, but I'm afraid of buying a used or NOS one and not being able to get it to run. So I'll wait.
I don't want to take anything away from the Weaver GG1. I only paid $150 for my 4816 and have 6 of the 8 paint schemes Weaver offered. Just missing Amtrak and Conrail. If the price is right, you have a nice brass locomotive that can be upgraded for less than the cost of an equivalent Lionel scale GG1. The single stripe PRR schemes (DGLE, Tuscan, & Silver), Penn Central, Amtrak, and Conrail all had flywheels on the motors.
The only other detail that may or may not matter to you is that Weaver, Williams, and MTH GG1s are 1/2" short of full scale and the drivers are a hair shorter than 1:48. I suspect this was a compromise to take the curves better. Many of the parts are also interchangeable between all three.
The Lionel JLC / Legacy and 3rd Rail GG1s are true 1:48 proportions if that matters but I have found that they both really need 072 curves. My only complaint about the Lionel G is the plastic pantographs as I have not experienced the issue on the side frames with mine.
@GG1 4877 posted:There used to be Timko upgrades available, but I don't know the current status of that company.
Unfortunately, it seems that Frank Timko has passed, and the company is gone.
@ADCX Rob posted:Unfortunately, it seems that Frank Timko has passed, and the company is gone.
I talked to him many times and I sent him quite a few jobs. My condolences to his family and friends.
@BlueFeather posted:Frankly, there are a couple other Vision Line series (Niagara, Baldwin Centipedes, etc.) I'd love to have, but I'm afraid of buying a used or NOS one and not being able to get it to run. So I'll wait.
Currently, the other VL locomotives you mention all still have parts available. I would be more circumspect about buying early Legacy or TMCC stuff as those electronics are no longer available. TMCC stuff is still floating around, so the real issue is early Legacy from 2007 thru 2010, I recommend avoiding those unless you get a really good deal.
@ADCX Rob posted:Unfortunately, it seems that Frank Timko has passed, and the company is gone.
@ADCX Rob....
Oh my God! I'm in total shock! 
I literally just read that Frank Timko passed away. He was WONDERFUL to work with and has converted an Lionel IC F3 for me to can motors (which runs great).
My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Timko Family.
I had my Weaver GG1 up graded to TMCC by Gary Hart at Weaver many years ago, shortly after Weaver reached a licensing agreement with Lionel to put TMCC in its' locomotives. At the time, the clearances in the engine (#4911) were so tight that the boards had to be mounted in a baggage car and a flexible, strong tether of very fine wire connected the car and the loco. It was a perfect solution to the problem. The engine runs beautifully and all TMCC features, available at that time, function flawlessly.
@ADCX Rob posted:Unfortunately, it seems that Frank Timko has passed, and the company is gone.
Oh man that is sad news that deserves its own thread. I sure hope that someone apprenticed with Frank long enough to continue his excellent work. He will be missed!!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Currently, the other VL locomotives you mention all still have parts available. I would be more circumspect about buying early Legacy or TMCC stuff as those electronics are no longer available. TMCC stuff is still floating around, so the real issue is early Legacy from 2007 thru 2010, I recommend avoiding those unless you get a really good deal.
I tell you the truth, John that’s what scares me with my subway sets. I love them I run them all the time but those boards are from 2001 scary.
@ThatGuy posted:I tell you the truth, John that’s what scares me with my subway sets. I love them I run them all the time but those boards are from 2001 scary.
2001 is OK. You still have ERR boards to replace them with. Besides you now have Blunami which would be an upgrade.
Pete
There are far more TMCC electronics floating around than the early modular Legacy boards.
@Norton posted:2001 is OK. You still have ERR boards to replace them with. Besides you now have Blunami which would be an upgrade.
Pete
Not and program them to open and close doors as well as proper station stops.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:There are far more TMCC electronics floating around than the early modular Legacy boards.
Very true, but what happens to the doors opening and closing and station stops?
@ThatGuy posted:Not and program them to open and close doors as well as proper station stops.
???????
Your 2001 does all that?
@ThatGuy posted:Not and program them to open and close doors as well as proper station stops.
2001 would still be using Railsounds 4 and the R2LC, I doubt it's a 2001 if it has the power doors and station stops.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:2001 would still be using Railsounds 4 and the R2LC, I doubt it's a 2001 if it has the power doors and station stops.
As
@gunrunnerjohn posted:2001 would still be using Railsounds 4 and the R2LC, I doubt it's a 2001 if it has the power doors and station stops.
Sorry 2008
Was looking at something else…..getting old. LoL
Well, that makes a big difference! 
Those are indeed the ones that no electronics are available for, so treat it carefully!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, that makes a big difference!
That’s why I installed TVS’s in each engine one on each pick up and each car.
When installing a TVS in a locomotive, tender, or car, do you tie all the hots together and all the grounds together and bridge the gap between the hots and grounds with the TVS?
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