Inexpensive MTH PS2 Diesel Locomotive

You need to be sure that SD40 has can motors, not open-frame AC motors. The swap you are describing works if you have a can-motor unit and know what you are doing, but DCS will not work with an old-style Pullmor motor. I don't know how old your SD40 is, but I have an older Lionel SD40 and it has a Pullmor (AC) motor. Also, installing PS/2 requires you to install a tach reader and tach tape on one of the motors to operate the speed control. 

You might or might not be able to replace the entire Lionel motor/truck assemblies with the MTH parts, depending on exactly how the Lionel motors are attached to the chassis.  Not rocket science, but you do have to understand what you're getting into. 

Thanks.  Yes, it should have can motors.  It's from a Lionel Warhorse set which has command control, so maybe it already has a tach.

Hi Jason.  I have a MTH SD70Ace MTHRRC engine I could sell for $175.00.  MTH # 30-20051-1  I know it's more than you want to spend , but I just thought I would ask.

Ralph

Here is a great running GP9 piece which you can have for $125 plus shipping. Contact me on email old.trains@Verizon.net.

I have one of those and love it. Great price. 

I didn't realize that Williams was now producting PS/2 equipped locomotives.

I think the original poster said he's looking for a cheap, inexpensive loco to convert to ProtoSound 2.

I'd look on eBay for one that already has PS2.

Odd, that's not what I read in his original post.

I would like to purchase an inexpensive PS2 diesel and use the electronics in my SD40 and use the body for my two sons (3 & 6) to run around the track by hand.

Looks to me like he wants a PS/2 unit to remove the logic for his other locomotive.

I haven't had my morning jolt of caffeine, therefore reading comprehension is lagging.

  I have a couple Rugged Rails units and I've acquired an old Lionel Southern Pacific SD40.  I'd like to convert it to PS2 since I don't have Lionel command control.

It would probably be cheaper just to buy an Older PS2 locomotive and just not bother with the swap. tbh.  It might be a cool project to do but the amount of money and time to make the swap work it might just be better to get a used PS2 locomotive and call it a day.  

Yes, John has it correct.  I've got an SP SD40-2 that I would like to convert to PS2 and then use the left over body for a dummy for my boys.

I think I might post another WTB and look for a Railking UP or NS SD70Ace from a box set that someone is looking to get rid of.

Hello again Jason.  I also have a Railking NS Dash-8 PS 2.0 for sale if you are interested I would sell the engine for $175.00.

Ralph

Sorry everyone....

I left out that it is now PS2 converted by me.

Just lift the electronics, I will send you a new tach strip and away you go!

No smoke unit.

Gee Joh, you know me better than that.

Well Hugh, I just have to go with what's posted.   For a PS/2 at $125, that's a good deal!  That was an important detail.

email sent.

Tim

Hugh,

Yes that was a key piece of detail  Honestly, while I appreciate the offer, there is no way I could undo someone's hard work

Is that the SP warhorse set with the coal hoppers and caboose from around 1997 or 1998? I had thought the SD40 in that set was an older model with open-frame AC motors ("Pullmor," they were called). Some of the older Lionel command control engines from around that time had open-frame AC motors, not DC can motors. Command control is not always a reliable indicator of motor type, especially with older Lionel models.

If I had to bet, I'd say the warhorse SD40 had AC motors. Perhaps make sure before you proceed. Good luck,

RM

I'm with Rick, I think that has AC motors.  The exact model is always handy when you're trying to figure this stuff out.

I'll open it up tomorrow and check.  Would I be able to use the motors from a donor MTH locomotive?

It would be easier and cheaper to buy an upgrade kit thru the MTH Club.  You would avoid having to remove electronics from an existing loco.  You could pick up an unpowered loco, or one in which the electronics is shot and remove the motors, to have a push train.  The latter should be REAL cheap!

While it is possible to convert a Pulmor-powered loco to PS2 (I have 2), it isn't cheap and, due to the worm gear style & ratio, it doesn't run anywhere near as well as an MTH/Williams/Weaver can-motored loco

If it has AC motors, you are VERY unlikely to be able to substitute DC motors directly.  That's a guy that does the conversions, but the price would be prohibitive for this job.

Even as an MTH RR club member, he's well over $200 for the kit and the second dummy locomotive, probably not the price range he was thinking of.

GRJ:  The substitute DC motor is available from Frank Timko and is a slip-in replacement.  Very easy.  Not overly expensive.  You cannot use an MTH, Weaver, or Williams can motor, as the Pulmor had a double-spiral worm.

I have a series of pictures I took during the upgrade of a #624 Lionel, and when I get a chance I'll post them with a narrative.  Runs very well.

I also did a 736, only to discover it has a wheel binding problem which didn't show up at the higher conventional speeds.

I know where it's available from, but I think your idea of "not very expensive" and his may be vastly different!  You need to upgrade the motor and then buy the PS/2 locomotive to transplant the logic.

That's even more expensive than the last suggestion, which I suspect was already out of reach on his budget.

Let's refer back to the original request.

I would like to purchase an inexpensive PS2 diesel and use the electronics in my SD40 and use the body for my two sons (3 & 6) to run around the track by hand.

My point was in reply to your comment that "If it has AC motors, you are VERY unlikely to be able to substitute DC motors directly"  It is easy if Frank has the motor.

Jason would probably be ahead of the game to sell the Lionel and buy a used MTH SD-40

Like you say, if.  Bu the big issue is simply because it's a lot more money by the time you buy the motor and the other engine.

I'm in agreement, sell that one and buy what he wants.

I've opened it up and sure enough, it has the AC motors If I could find an MTH SP SD40-2 I would sell this one in a heartbeat.  However, I've been looking for couple years now without any luck.  I'm not even sure one is available in MTH other than the experimental paint scheme SD40-2 and I have one of those.  I guess I could do an SD35 or an SD50.  I can start thinking about that option instead.

There's one on eBay, probably make an offer and see what happens.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel...;hash=item27ed9415fa

E-bay can be a risky place.  I thought MTH made an SD40-2 some years ago.  You could search on line and see if any dealer still has one.

UPDATE:  Apparently MTH only made SD40-2 in Premier.  Weaver made on in the early 90's.  I have one (not for sale) which I updated to PSR and it is one of the best runners I have.