Lionel R 27 Subway

I've never looked at that set, but the manual shows a tether between units.  I suspect the "smarts" are all in the lead unit.  You could use something like the ERR Mini Commander Accessory controller to drive the doors I would imagine.  The motor's got to be in there, it's just providing control for it.

Joe,  The hardest part would be the mechanical in my opinion.  Does the add on set have the guts for remote operations?  G

If this is an add-on for the Legacy set, the doors should be automated, I'd have to believe the mechanical part is pretty much laying flat.

Thanks GRJ & GGG, Yes, the components are inside the non-powered cars. I've been looking at the Lionel parts list for the R 27, and trying to figure out if one of the boards listed (and there are 4 or so boards) is the "main" door controller. The one thing that "spooked me" was, I read, the 2 car add-on's like I bought, were just that, add-ons to the four car set. I got the impression the cars had to be sequenced, in order to make the doors operate. But, the ERR Mini Commander thought, is productive!

Thanks,

Joe

Obviously, in order to know for sure what it would take, I'd have to evaluate them personally.  There is no documentation that I can find as to what is actually in the cars.  Most of the Legacy stuff is "learn by doing" when you're doing repairs.  Lionel hasn't had a tech class for years.

 

GRJ, for what help it might serve, here's the link from which I was able to see what was inside these babies. Maybe, with your knowledge, you'll see something that will explain the door operation. http://www.lionel.com/Customer...47-8db6-0a997106eec9

Best,

Joe

Well, it looks like this is the door controller.

 

 

Is one of these in the expansion car set, or just the powered set?

 

What we really need to know is what is in your expansion set.

Is this the expansion set you have?

 

http://www.lionel.com/Products...neID=&CatalogId=

 

Looks like there are some switches described in the manual, so maybe there's more there than just the motors.  I wonder what the lead unit interface to the other cars is?

 

GRJ, boy that's some GREAT investigating , on YOUR part!!! Today, I will pop the cab off of one the expansion cars, to see what's inside, or, you know what, I recall downloading the parts list for the expansion set, so that would tell us if it has the "door board", or not. I'll report back when I get get an answer to your question...........Thanks!!!

-Joe

GRJ, I just took a couple of pictures of the insides of one of the expansion cars. Looks like the motor board is mounted in the belly of the car.

Best,

Joe

Yep, now you just have to find out what protocol they talk on the lines from the head unit.  You obviously have power and motor control in the car.

Joe, Did you catch the prices of the individual parts?  It is using a standard Legacy R4LC (Code S03).  The hard part is the harness and wiring for the Lead engine and how it controls the add on cars.  You might get luck and there is a conventional mode for the add on cars.  Did you download or read the instructions on how they work.

 

You can go to Lionel and ask how it functions and if a wiring diagram is available.  They may provide it, who know. 

 

Now that you are invested in the add on cars, I don't think you can build a Lead engine for less than retail, by buying parts individually.  Manufactures don't price parts that way.  G

G, YES!!! the individual parts are VERY expensive!!! I did buy a R 27 shell on Ebay for 110 bucks, but when i priced the parts included separately, they were well over 200. At this point, I cannot locate a R 27 Power car, so, I "may" peacemeal one. Over time, it doesn't "seem" to hurt the wallet as much. These Lionel sets are VERY pricey, but from what I can see, they're probably worth it (?).

Enjoy the hobby!!!

Joe

Do you have any powered subway car now?

I don't have any "Lionel" powered subway cars, but about 7 or 8 MTH's. Oh, wait a minute, I recently got a "Candy Cane" (Christmas themed) Lionel 2 car subway set, one power, one non power. BIG mistake..........I put it back in the box and onto the shelf, as it wouldn't make one curve or cross a 1122 switch without derailing (Plastic trucks, need i say more?). So NO, I don't have any powered Lionel subway cars.

Enjoy!

Joe

My approach would probably be to get closer to the "bare metal" and run the motors with something like the ERR Mini Commander.  I'm guessing getting the interface details for the head car control will be problematic.

 

The instructions state they work in conventional.  They do have to be placed in sequence.  So the question is do the add on open doors on the bell button alone, or do they need the signal from the Engine board.  Looks like a simple 2 pin connection.

 

Nothing to loose asking Lionel, but I do think you are going to have to buy the set.  G

Thanks for all of the input guys! I'll proceed slowly with this one!

Best Regards,

Joe

Once you are attempting to get the doors you might as well try to get motors in there and make a powered car IMO i think u need all the electronics anyways as it seems they all work together