I purchased a K-line GG-1 w/o sound and TMCC with the idea of upgrading later. K-Line, however, apparently decided that was a bad idea and does not have the upgrade kit and apparently has no intention of making one available. The only alternative (going to other vendors for upgrade) are quite expensive. Any ideas or suggestions for more moderate cost option? Bob Groh, Blue Springs, MO.
I upgraded a GG1 last year using Digital Dynamics parts. I believe the total cost was around $180. Ed Bender was helpful with installation hints and total the project took a little over 3 hours. I did have to modify the end trucks a little bit to bring the new electrocoupler knuckle in a little closer to the pilot, but the change was very minimal and a dremel tool and drill were the only tools required. If you are intimidated by essentially gutting your GG1, I would recomend having Train America Studios install their board in your locomotive. The biggest lesson I learned is that it is better to spring for the factory installed systems initially because aftermarket parts usually end up pushing the overall cost of the piece surprisingly high.
If you don’t care about sound (and who needs it on an electric) check out http://www.tuveson.com/TMCCBoard/TMCCDriverBoard.htm Carl Tuvesons TMCC board. $55 and you can add elecrocouplers.
From Bob Groh - thanks for the information. I totally agree (now - lesson learned) with concept about buying with all the factory options if you want them. Trying to do it later is either impossible or very expensive. I did buy another K-Line GG-1 (I’m a sucker for GG-1s!) fully equipped about a year ago for a ridiculously low price and I do like it a lot. The TMCC (even with conventional control) seems to let it run much slower than without TMCC.
For what its worth, I rewired my conventional Kline GG1’s motors from parallel to series, and it greatly improved the slow speed perfomance.
I’m getting ready to do the command upgrade, though.