What Engines are Upgradable

what engine can be retrofitted with modern electronics?

Just about all of them can be retrofitted with ERR.

OK Thanks for the answer.

Cheryl,

The 8644 is the basic starter-set 4-4-2. My first question would be, "why?"

I'm fairly positive that you'd have to put the TMCC electronics in the plastic tender as there isn't much room inside the locomotive, and there aren't any external handrails to insulate for an antenna. I don't believe there are any Lionel boards that allow TMCC to directly operate the air-whistle, but I think I read somewhere that one of the ERR boards can handle it.

Good luck-

TRW

I recently had a Third Rail Pennsy 4-4-2 upgraded.  Older Weaver or Third rail Brass are good candidates for upgrades. Both have very good detail, and with new electronics, sound and may be even some fancy lighting can operate close to new issue pieces.

I get requests to upgrade many different types of locomotives, from the smallest to the largest.  I've advised several people to take an alternate path, but some have an attachment to the specific piece.  As mentioned, almost any locomotive can accept an ERR upgrade to command operation.  With the new smaller RailSounds package, most can enjoy sound as well.  I've done RMT BEEPs, the K-Line Porter, as well as numerous semi-scale steamers.  I have a pair of RMT BEEF locomotives for upgrade waiting in the wings.

So which board would be suitable for this engine...

I'm sure my techs could install it, just need to know what to order.

Thanks

Probably the Cruise Commander and RailSounds Commander.  You might be able to use the Cruise Commander Lite if you limit the size of consists to 8-10 cars.

I have to say, this is one that I'd be suggesting you instead invest into one of the Legacy models like the Lionel 6-11117 Legacy Scale Atlantic, a very nice little locomotive with great sound, and smooth Legacy performance.  These go for $300-400 on eBay pretty regularly, and the full upgrade is going to cost almost the same.  For your money, you'll also get great fan driven smoke, that one you have is a puffer with a mechanical smoke unit.

Just my point which agrees with the rest your going to be adding in just parts about $200 + labor of doing so to a engine that is worth about $45 - $75 at the most. Yes there's a dealer on the bay trying to get #120 with free shipping but how long has it been there lol? There's even one with cars for $70 my point he is going to be spending at least 3 times the value to do so but as you say you do what the customer wants. 

GRJ and RT are offering you some very sage advice here to which i can add very little, but if all your informed guidance fails, remember: Rule 1 - the customer is always right.

Rule 2 - When the customer is wrong; Re-read Rule #1.

jackson

I can speak to attachment. My second command engine was a Kline RDG F3 AA unit. The trailing unit failed and it got caught up in Kline's demise and it was returned a year later. When tearing down the layout for the solar installation and rework of the basement ceiling water pipes, I found it under the table. I had it converted to Proto2 (main and slave boards) for well over what it was worth to someone else just because I liked the engine and its history. Sentiment is priceless.

Cruise cdr lite.  That is the small starter motor and well with in the limits for Lite.  G

You may want to check the motor for cogging.  There is a three pole can motor in this engine and could possibly not take full benefit of the Cruise Commander or Cruise Commander Lite.  You may want to suggest the DC Commander (lacks cruise feature only) with a RailSounds board.  The existing electronic reverse unit would have to be removed or at least bypassed.  I am not sure how the smoke unit would be affected by having a constant 14-18 volts applied to it.

You might be stuck with the MiniCommander 2 if you want to stick it into the locomotive, I seriously doubt the DC Commander will fit.

Unless the owner has a specific reason to keep the air whistle, I would install the DC Commander board along with the RailSounds board in the tender running an umbilical to the engine for the motor. The smoke unit and light could be connected directly to the collector rollers on the engine.  I would still be concerned about the smoke unit.  An optical sensor or reed switch with magnets could be used for the chugging sounds.

I wire the smoke unit and light to the TMCC package so the smoke and light are controlled by the remote.  If I'm going to the trouble of installing the other stuff, I like to give them as much as possible.

Bob brings up an important point, some motors are not suitable for cruise, so you'd want to check that before you specify cruise.  I install cruise whenever it's possible.  I've run across several locomotives that have incompatible motors, those don't get cruise.

Thanks again guys, all great responses and advice.  I'm waiting to see what the customer wants to do now.

Cheryl

I have often wanted to ask this type of question.

Mainly because I think we have some individuals on here that could put TMCC DCS in a Lamp and make it work.

Rule 1 - the customer is always right.

Rule 2 - When the customer is wrong; Re-read Rule #1.

Jackson, that's a good one.

Hay. some of us ( electronic challenge individuals) really like a certain train and could care less about the expense. Just like certain individuals don't blink a eye on a 2000.00 + dollar engine.

IT'S the fun of it, and personal. NO one has one of THESE BABY'S!.

Larry

There are people in this world who like to exercise their right to be irrational, and spend money making improvements to junky things. Like maybe you want to do an A/C upgrade to your car (right after you finish your custom tail light assembly, and get that continental tire kit slapped on the rear)........

Hitting kinda' close to home there Larry.   And it was only $1900.

Watch out - 1993 - Even though that engine has an electronic e-unit, it may still have an AC motor. I had a Lionel SD-40 from that time period with electronics such as that. You may want to disassemble the engine until you can see the difference. A DC motor also called can motor has basically looks like a can of some dull metal with two wires coming out one side, and a shaft on the other. An AC motor is a more complicated affair, it and has four wires. You would buy the AC product (AC Commander, I would have to go to ERR website) for that. You used to be able to buy something called an LCRU for that. Then if it is a can motor, the above referenced products would apply.

In my not-so-humble opinion and/or personal preference, if it is an AC motor, I would not bother upgrading the engine.

(The so-called AC motors in Lionel trains are actually "universal", they can run off of AC or DC, but everybody calls them AC, and to further complicate matters, TMCC needs AC. DCS can work with DC on the track, but as far as I know, no DCS product was made that could work with universal motors.)

you want to upgrage that?....get your money upfront.-jim

These sell on eBay in the $40 range, unless it has special significance, I don't think I'd spend the money to upgrade it.

A good choice would be to look for the Lionel 6-11117 Legacy Santa Fe Atlantic, these go for around $300-350 pretty regularly.  It's a scale locomotive and has great sound, fan driven smoke, and of course Legacy command.

I keep reminding myself in my little business (repairing/upgrading radios for antique cars) that the customer is always right. But sometimes, the customer doesn't really have a clue and I am afraid that they will not be satisfied with what they plan to do and that their dissatisfaction will reflect poorly on me. The last thing I want is for one of their buddies to listen to their radio, think it sounds lousy, and then blame me. I try to steer my customers to what they will be ultimately most happy with, but some of the things they want to do (cheap and small speakers) makes me grit my teeth.

Well, I did my first ERR install tonight.  

I was hesitant to do one.  If you have any common sense, you can handle it.  Directions are good.  

My Weaver is a different locomotive now. Should have done this years ago.  Will be doing many more in the future.

It always takes me longer to do the first one of any new venture. A lot of that is fretting and pondering and planning. After doing the first one, the rest are WAY easier.

You should have seen how long it took me to try doing my own taxes. Now I do them in a few hours.

You will be very pleased with your new/old roster once you get Cruise Commanders in them.