Trains.com

Converting Conventional Locomotives to TMCC

4211 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Converting Conventional Locomotives to TMCC
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 2:39 PM
I have two conventional locomotives: a standard beginner Lionel 4-4-2 (the first locomotive I ever got), and a small single-truck switcher. They are both convetional, but it would be nice to run them in TMCC. Is there any way I can convert them, and if so, how do I go about this? Any help you could give would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
Daniel
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Posted by SPFan on Sunday, January 18, 2004 4:39 PM
Both http://www.tastudios.com/ and http://www.digitdynam.com/ have electronics to do this. I have some Digital Dynamics (latter link) boards which I haven't installed yet but was told they would fit inside my NW2. Installation in the early stemers would have to be in the tender. These folks are extremely knowledgable and could tell you if their stuff would work in your particular engine.
Pete
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 6:02 PM
Dear SPFan,
Thank you very much for the links. It is most appreciated.

Sincerely,
Daniel
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Watkinsville, GA
  • 2,214 posts
Posted by Roger Bielen on Monday, January 19, 2004 12:02 PM
I've done two using TAS systems. Both went without a hitch, their directions are clear and if you have a problem they are more than willing to answer your questions either over the phone or e-mail.
Roger B.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Monday, January 19, 2004 10:09 PM
Instead of upgrading the loco's what about utilizing a TPC ?
But I think it really depends on your current layout and your future plans.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 12:18 PM
Dear Roger Bielen and dougdagrump,
Thank you for your input, but what is a TPC?

Sincerely,
Daniel
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 6:59 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainjunky29

Dear Roger Bielen and dougdagrump,
Thank you for your input, but what is a TPC?

Sincerely,
Daniel


Stands for Track Power Controller. Made by Lionel. There's a TPC 300 and 400. Buy the 400. It can do a whole lot. With the CAB 1 you can switch your entire layout from command control to conventional and back again. You can turn off the power to the layout at a push of a button(s). See the lionel online catalog.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Watkinsville, GA
  • 2,214 posts
Posted by Roger Bielen on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 7:09 PM
The 300 and 400 also are the watt ratings of the units, I use a TPC 400 with two 180 watt Power Houses. The breaker on the TPC400 is 20 amp while the breakers on the PH's are 15 amp, whenever I have a derailment the breakers on the PH's trip. I haven't had any electronics problems due to derailments. [:)]
Roger B.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 9:54 PM
Dear Roger Bielen and Amtrak Jack,
Thank you for clearing up that matter. Once I have my layout running (which should take...oh, somewhere around a century) I will be sure to convert my locomotives.

Most sincerely,
Daniel

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month