This is in response to the announcement that Lionel is discontinuing the Electric RR boards (hopefully they reverse the decision), but I didn't want to hijack that topic.
I have a WBB scale Hudson that I have been wanting to convert to TMCC. Since I read Notch 6's post, I have been concerned about the status of this project, since the whole reason I bought the engine was to put it through the ERR process. In an effort to try and ease my mind, I may have a solution. I want my Hudson to be a true, one-of-a-kind piece.
I love comand control, but I also love postwar engines. Since the WBB Hudson is basically a 763e/773, I wonder if, instead of a TMCC upgrade (if Lionel keeps their decision) could I operate the can motor with a postwar E-unit? This may be a weird question, but I don't like how the WBB reverse board doesn't have a directional lock. I have a cool idea for the placement of the e-unit switch, if the old postwar style reverse unit can operate a modern can motor. If it can be done, what kind of circuit protection (diodes, etc.) would I need? If it cannot be done, what steps would have to be taken to put a Pullmor motor in place of the can motor? I would rather not replace the can motor if it can be avoided, in case Lionel comes out with a new upgrade system in the future.
This may seem like a downgrade to some people, but in the event that I cannot get the ERR materials required, I may want to go this route. This would certainly be a custom model, which was my intention from the start.
As a side note, and this is something I was debating even before the ERR news, was whether or not to put a modern sound system in it. I've always liked the sound of air whistles, and wondered what kind of modifications could be made to a standard whistle-box (for lack of better term) to possibly get a deeper, more realistic sound out of it. I have also wondered about trying to retrofit a postwar American Flyer smoke unit with choo-choo sounds into the Hudson, and see if I can't get four chuffs per revolution.
So, in conclusion, can a postwar E-unit operate a can motor, and does my "postwar sound system" sound plausible? Thanks!
