[Mainlinehobo]

I just bought a 1990 Lionel 700E Hudson and love the physical details, but its original Railsounds-1 system leaves a lot to be desired compaired to today's modern marvels. Can this 700E be upgraded to TMCC with the latest sound system? I've looked on Lionel URL and other on-line places, but can't find any reference. My closest Lionel dealer (who quite frankly is pretty limited) says no, but others say it can easily be done.
Thanks!

 

[T-Man]

My experience with sounds is the chug sound tender. Anything after 1990 you have sounds and TMCC. This complicated everthing so no simple answer exist. You should go the Lionel Web and e mail tech support for options. You will need the model number of the engine. To give you a straight answer I have to ask about 20 questions .
It could be as easy as getting the board and replacing it. A 700E is pricey, I would leave it original. It may be worthwhile just to get a whole tender and use that. A polar express tender was 118. There may be a compatibility issue so again you will need to contact tech support. That's the best advice I can give.
I found a tender in supp 44 page c 78
And a manual

Maybe the part numbers will help.
Contact info

 

[Mainlinehobo]

You know I never thought about just buying a different Tender with a more modern sound system. Really all I want to do is improve the 700e's railsounds, so this is just a great and less expensive option without modifying the 700e as a whole (and perhaps reducing its collectability value down the road)! So simple, it excaped me altogether!
That's definately what I'm going to do!
Thanks!