Ugrade conventional engine to TMCC?

No easy way to upgrade it to LionChief or LionChief+ so it can use the Universal Remote.  Can probably be upgraded to TMCC, but you will need a Cab-1, Cab-1L or Cab-2 plus the appropriate TMCC command base to control the upgraded locomotive.  LionChief/LC+ locos and TMCC locos can easily co-exist on the track at the same time, but you will need the two separate controllers to control each type of locomotive command system.

Landsteiner, Thx for your reply.  I thought about upgrading to a LionChief but I think that would have required me to cannabalize another loco.....  So I thought about upgrading the loco to TMCC but I'm not sure how the system works.  I assume there must be some kind of motherboard that goes in the engine?  If so how can I get my hands on one?  I found a Cab-1 with the base for a reasonable price but I think I need something else. 

Roger

Landsteiner posted:

No easy way to upgrade it to LionChief or LionChief+ so it can use the Universal Remote.  Can probably be upgraded to TMCC, but you will need a Cab-1, Cab-1L or Cab-2 plus the appropriate TMCC command base to control the upgraded locomotive.  LionChief/LC+ locos and TMCC locos can easily co-exist on the track at the same time, but you will need the two separate controllers to control each type of locomotive command system.

I wonder if it's possible to do a LionChief  conversion.....?

The cab 1 and base is all you need for TMCC. Now you need to upgrade the loco. ERR products are the electronics needed for the upgrade. For this engine I would contact Gunnrunnerjohn or anyone else that does upgrades. They will be responding I’m sure. 

I'm sure it's possible to do a LionChief conversion, but I've not heard of anyone attempting it.  You would need to cannibalize an existing loco with the same amperage needs, as Lionel does not sell an upgrade kit, to my knowledge.  And you'd have to figure it out on your own as I'm not aware of any instructions that have been published.  So unless you are a skilled engineer/technical specialist, it's probably a non-starter from feasibility and cost standpoints.

Lionel's TMCC boards are now available from 3rd Rail.  They can probably help you figure out what you need, and perhaps direct you to someone to do the upgrade if you are not planning on doing it yourself.

http://www.3rdrail.com/err-3rdrail/

What do these TMCC boards cost?

Roger, OGR Forum members have TMCC bases and remotes for sale here from time to time.  I bought one for about $50 if I recall correctly.  I have a conventional Lionel switcher that I just bought that is en-route at this very time.  I plan to do the install myself since my background is in electronics.  I have not priced boards since 3rd Rail became the supplier, but as Landsteiner indicated, there are several variations.  I will have to research that myself.  Check the Website Landsteiner listed in his post right above your last one.  If you need someone to install them for you, I agree Gunrunnerjohn here on the Forum is an expert.  In fact he is the one I bought my TMCC base and remote from.

Costs for TMCC boards will depend on whether you want only command control or command control plus digital sound.  Figure at least $100 for command only board and $200 for sound plus command boards.  That's the cost for the boards only.  Figure at least $100 for the install if you pay someone else to do it, versus doing it yourself.  These are rough estimates since I have no recent experience with these purchases.  A professional installer can give you firm estimates, as mentioned above.  We have at least two such individuals on the forum, gunrunnerjohn and GGG, but there may be others, and I apologize in advance if I've not noticed their presence.

Upgrading the K-Line to TMCC will require the ERR Cruise Commander ($129.95), and for sound the ERR RailSounds Commander ($89.95).

Cruise Commander

RailSounds Commander

Then there's the installation cost and various required bits like a tether, etc.

If you want synchronized chuffing smoke, there are additional parts you'll need.

A LionChief upgrade to a similar style motor, DC motor, is a simple undertaking. Yes, you have to cannibalize a LionChief engine. Ollie’s, a usually deeply discounted store of left over items from other stores, had a couple of LionChief sets for sale earlier this year.  I got two sets for $35.00 a piece. I gutted them both for LionChief parts. One went into a 4-4-2 steam lok and the other an inexpensive  RS3 lok. Both work great. Effort is minimal IF you’re used to doing ERR type of conversions, etc.

Steve

Thank you John for the ERR scoop.  Since I have done PS3 upgrades, I’ll tackle it.

Steve, I have seen LionChief sets at Ollie’s before.  Canabalizing one of them certainly sounds like a great low cost project for someone looking for LC features!!!

LC (not plus) is a pretty limited feature set, I think I'd want at least LC+ functionality, but maybe that's just me.

Here's a "full up" TMCC upgrade of a steam locomotive, the ERR CC and RS Commander, and also fan driven smoke, Super-Chuffer, Chuff-Generator, etc. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

LC (not plus) is a pretty limited feature set, I think I'd want at least LC+ functionality, but maybe that's just me.

Agreed. LC set was available cheap. It was more of an experiment to determine if it was doable. I wish I could get an LC+ set for close to what I paid for the LC set. Currently, IMO, Bluetooth is the way to go.

Steve

LC is an easy upgrade, just not much of an upgrade.   LC+ would be more problematic as you'd need the flywheel sensor for the cruise control.

I just completed a survey for my own information and besides Lionel (TMCC & LC/LC+), there are at least four other established aftermarket wireless retrofits currently available with all kinds of installation info. I'm not sure where I would even start in trying to select one.

The problem with many of these options is you have yet another unique controller, or at a minimum, control app if you use a BT option.  Naturally, none of these options would have a common interface...

Absolutely correct and on point. Each system claims well established performance and prices are fairly consistent. One claim that's getting more play is that of being compatible with battery power, but hard to say how  this capability has affected sales of a particular brand.  But, regardless of which way you go,  for a conversion it's best if you are pretty adept with a soldering iron.

BOB WALKER posted:

But, regardless of which way you go,  for a conversion it's best if you are pretty adept with a soldering iron.

Got that covered.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Upgrading the K-Line to TMCC will require the ERR Cruise Commander ($129.95), and for sound the ERR RailSounds Commander ($89.95).

Cruise Commander

RailSounds Commander

Then there's the installation cost and various required bits like a tether, etc.

If you want synchronized chuffing smoke, there are additional parts you'll need.

So this looks like what I want to do.  I'm comfortable with a soldering iron since my other son and I do slot cars (1/32 scale).  Now to find a used Base and Controller.....

Thanks

Roger Elliott

Four days left on this eBay auction for the TMCC system, eBay: 292768824075

No bids yet, sitting at $53 and $10 shipping.

A better idea, at least IMO, is to go for this BASE1L/CAB1L for $180, shipping $10, eBay: 323499751257

It's the modern version that will serve you for years, and the remote is even compatible with the Legacy command system.

Yes folks, take John’s advice!  I bought a TMCC here on the Forum from John a couple years ago for $50 as I recall.  It’s been great.  But I can see the second eBay listing would be better if you have the extra money!

Earlier this year, I had forum member Alex Malliae do a full blown upgrade on my all-conventional Williams/Bachmann N&W J. Fan smoke, command, cruise, electro-coupler, etc. To say Alex did an incredible job is an understatement. I wish I did that upgrade on that engine years ago. It was not/is not a "cheap" job. I could've bought two MTH Railking PS3/DCS N&W Js for the price of my engine and the upgrade work.

The full upgrade starts to run up the cost, that's for sure.  Alex is probably my best Super-Chuffer customer.

A  complete TMCC system for $60.00 is a real bargain. The average selling price of the aftermarket wireless systems I have reviewed is close to $200.00. The lowest cost conversion I am aware of is the BlueRail bluetooth board ($75.00) and there is no remote needed.

So I found a Lionel BigBoy with TMCC already in it for $400 and then with the TMCC controller and base I should be good right?

I think the other folks who have been commenting are whooping it up at York right now!!  TMCC Big Boy with and TMCC controller and base sounds right to me, Roger!  Did you say Big Boy for $400?