Upgrading Engine to TMCC ?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I would like to upgrade my Illinois Central pass set to TMCC. It is a Lionel ABA, nos 8580, 8581, & 8582. Any comments regarding the upgrade options available? Thanks for any input.

2

You can email or call Train America Studio and get them to help you. IK prefer Digital Dynamics. He is easier and cheaper. I’ve done several and they were no probelms. Got two kits right now with TMCC and Railsounds and have not had time to do. That is a rainy day project or a night project when the wife is out of town. Once I get started on those, don’t like to stop. Might have to put the boards in the B unit with teater burt I doubt it. Go for it.

3

Don, when you tether the units together get an extra two wires to tie the pick-ups and grounds from all units together. With them tied together you’ll not have any power problems crossing switches, etc.

4

I also use digital Dynamics. Ed is a good guy and will help you sort out problems. Since you will have a constant 18 volts on the track you may want to wire the passenger car bulbs in series or convert them to LED lighting.

Dale hz

5

Digital dynamic’s would be my choice. I have installed several of their kit’s.If you have basic electrical and soldering skill’s along with the step by step instruction’s very easy to do.[2c]
Mike

6

I just did this with a RMT Beep. I used the Electric Railroad Co. kit.
Very good instructions and straight forward installation.
www.electricrr.com/

I also put in their Sound Commander unit which gives the Beep full sound.
Including air horn, bell, prime mover, coupler clank and a cool BEEP, BEEP[:)] horn.

Regards

Nick

7

Hi Don,

From Digital Dynamics, you will want one of the AC motor products (AX-000 no Railsounds or AX-D05 with RSs for an F unit)

http://www.digitdynam.com/pricelist.html

Manuals are located here for downloading:

http://www.digitdynam.com/tech.html

If you go Train America Studios:

http://www.tastudios.com/tascmdupgrades.htm

TAS 3251 is for AC motors and adds RS4 or the TAS 3002 AC UCUB for AC motors where you reuse an existing sound system (e.g. RS 1 - does your set have Railsounds at all?). There is also an AC version of cruise control which TAS calls EOB for Engineer on Board that you could consider.

Call TAS or DD for details on which of their products to use.

You can give me a shout also.

Regards,
Roy