DC Only Upgrade

[krapug1]

As is discussed here from time to time, Lionel/MPC made a number of DC only engines. True, a number of these were low end entry level engines, but there were some interesting DC only engines like the 8001, 8007, and 8008 amoung others. The 8001 and 8007 were a MPC remake of the PW 675, and they are the only 6 drive wheel plastic steamers that Lionel ever made. They are nicely detailed, and both feature red glow from the firebox. The 8008 is a die-cast 4-4-2, very similar to the other MPC die-cast 4-4-2's except that it's DC only, and contrary to what is written the 8008's do NOT have fire box glow. What's involved in upgarding these engines so they can run on an AC powered layout ?? Thanks Ken

[rtraincollector]

Radio shack use to carry a in-line circuit about 1/8 inch around about 3/4 inch long with a firm wire coming out each end you could either hook up in the engine from you + side I believe befor it went to any electronics or the engine or you could hook it up prior to the track right off the transformer and basically it switched the power from ac to dc and you could run the engine with your ac transformer.

Bob Nelson may have better ways of doing it or more info on this as I remember a Friend in FL use to do it. don't even know the name of the circuit

[lionelsoni]

I think what Bill is remembering is a rectifier diode, probably something like a 1N4001.  That would give fairly rough low-voltage half-wave DC; and the diode's current rating (1 ampere) is probably marginal.  A better solution would be a bridge rectifier, with about a 4-ampere rating, like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062580

This would also be easier on the transformer.  Neither of these alternatives would give you directional control if used in the locomotive.  I hesitate to recommend either of them, since I don't know anything about the motors that Lionel used.