I have been playing with this for the past few weeks. I bought it years ago but it was a very poor runner, drew a lot of current and overheated. I was going to relegate to Roundhouse scenery. Then stopped at friend’s home who has a few Weaver Diesels that he has upgraded and they run like a watch. He turned me on to a few vendors that sell upgrade parts.
After deciding against a Blunami for its cost I found an old first generation Cruise Commander. It didn’t fit at first until I made a shorter heat sink to fit under the hood. Sides of the shell scrape the boards.
A outfit called Finescale 360 offers a chain support that can be adjusted for minimal slack. Gray plastic with ball bearings vs plastic sleeve acting as a bearing.
Then used a Tang Band module speaker, the smallest they offered as it was the only one narrow enough. Tang Bands are pretty impressive and if you have room should be considered. Bass roll off is almost an octave lower than any of the 2” drivers like a Fatboy.
Also added a window kit that P&D offers. The panes actually fit into the openings rather than just behind the openings.
After cleaning and lubing current draw running light went from 2.5 amps to .4 amps partly due to the Cruise Commander.
Gray plastic over the R2LC just to make it less obvious in the cab.
One thing I would like to change out are the plastic railings. They are the only prototypically correct floor mount other than some 2 rail brass RS3s but would like something a bit more durable if anyone knows of a source. P&D has end railing supports but I have not come across anything for the sides yet.
The result.
Pete
