Mike Wyatt posted:I have mostly "traditional" cars, but with some 40- 50 ft. Scale cars mixed in. I run conventional AND (lately) TMCC. I have one Legacy (F7 Set), and three (so far) TMCC engines.
The limits are one segment of 048 curve, and tunnel entries that are too small, such that the back cab overhang of my CC my "scale" 773 made contact, so I had to trim those corners. I don't care much about "collecting"- by the time anything I own would appreciate in value, I'll be a distant memory.
I run and weather everything, and don't mind making concessions to avoid rebuilding the entries and tunnels.
I really like my newly-acquired TMCC Cab1 system, and just can't get my head around $1200- 1400 for a locomotive. I honestly have never looked too far into anything except Lionel's K4s, and have no intention of using two control systems (DCC and Lionel), although I have one conventional MTH engine that I like very much. Partly to decipher all the various models of Lionel K4, I compiled a spreadsheet listing them w/ features. Attached.
Mike,
I have 2 Williams brass PRR K4s locomotives that I had converted to TMCC. They have TrainAmerica boards, EOB, and RS4 sound. With ERR boards now available through 3rd Rail, I would look for these locomotives again. They were rugged, smooth running conventional engines and are now even better under TMCC. They run reliably on O31 curves and look pretty good doing it. They should be available for $300-400. Figure in $200-300 for TMCC / sound / electro-coupler boards and installation and you are looking at a great running locomotive for under $700. They are not as well detailed as some of the newer offerings, but they are also more robust.
I have two. I bought a non-scale front coupler for one of them and I can double-head them. I can also run 1 as a pusher.
George