Repair Station & Upgrades for Sunset Models
Primarily cover 2 & 3-Rail O Gauge and TMCC conversions. Return shipment is cost only. Best to contact me via email at royztrains@aol.com to let me know what you are interested in doing! Minimum charge of $30 for assessment before I start work. If you go forward, then it is time and materials only and initial fee is waived. General options for upgrades and repairs opportunities are described below!
Feel free to download and use the Repair Request document to include with your item to be repaired or upgraded. It can help reduce back and forth emails!
Weaver Model electronics and upgrades available. Drop me an email with your challenge! My parts are limited for Weaver. When Joe Hayter transferred this work to me, he had already sold the remaining parts!
Want to save shipment costs? You can bring your engine to the TCA York meet in April or October and I can either bring it to the next meet or ship to you upon completion! If you ship ahead of York, please contact me first to make sure there is adequate time!!!
Shipping your Engine/Cars: Suggest using UPS Ground. Yes, FedEx and USPS will work too! If at all possible please use the original manufacturers shipping container; it was designed to ship your valuable items safely!! If shipping a 3rd Rail Engine, carefully secure the engine to the provided wooden base and use all the original packing material!!! The engine/tender should not be able to move around inside the box!! If you do not use the original/manufacturer's box, I will do my best to fully pad the engine on return, but problems may occur in transit (either direction)!
Shake Test - Once packed, shake the box...if you hear anything moving around,
open and add more foam/packing. It is your engine and you won't
want me telling you damage occurred during shipment!!
I have received engines that required a couple of hundred $$ of work
just to fix shipping damage!
DO NOT ship any thing to me without letting me know!
Ship items to: Royz Trains, 5643 Wrenwood Way, Grawn, MI 49637
Background
Providing Repairs and Upgrades for all manufacturers of O Gauge Toy Trains Since 1978. First learned Lionel toy train repair in a Lionel Service Station. Experience broadened with the addition of Williams and later MTH trains to the market place. Provided over 10 years of volunteer service for all makes and most gauges of toy trains at the National Toy Train Museum (NTTM) of the Train Collectors Association located in Strasburg, PA. Designed and built the repair stations at the NTTM in 2000! Send email of your needs to royztrains@aol.com. Or stop by my booth at York in the Orange Hall (Row DD) to discuss your challenges. I enjoy challenges and do work others won't touch!
Upgrades
Free estimates for upgrades supporting TMCC & QSI, lighting, and/or smoker blowers. If it can be done, I will do it! Let me know what you are looking for! Some brass steam engines may require relocation of lead weight in boiler to accommodate blower smoke unit and can not be fully estimated without inspection. Most scale size engines can be converted from Seuth to blower style! Some diesels have adequate room. So, how good is the estimate? It all depends on what you want, what other problems I find, and how well defined the work is. My objective is to return a fully operational and smooth running engine/car. All mechanicals checked/corrected as needed and lubed!
Electric Railroad (ERR): See ERR Products
One example (just one here!) Upgraded a 3rd Rail RDC to add LED interior lighting. Also added direction controlled headlights and red/green marker lights. Also provided on Williams commuter cars! Just and example, let me know what you want to do!
Tender marker lights/LED Supples - Kit or I do the work with other upgrade(s)
Two red LEDs can be used to provide rear marker lights in a post-war or newer steam tender. Just let me know when you order what you want to do and I can provide the extra resistor for free. Also available is fixed supply from track voltage and two 2mm red LEDs. These can be included with an overall upgrade package, or ordered separately for $12 (includes the LED). Can also supply the same thing with larger red LEDs for pre-war style tinplate engines!
Payment for Repairs - Due upon billing. After 30 days payment delinquency, the repaired item may be sold to recoup expenses. Fortunately I have only had to do this once. Yes, we can hold your completed item until the next York meet after payment is made.
Other examples of upgrade work done (not complete list!):
- Add TMCC and Smoke (blower) to 3rd Rail/Weaver/Williams/Lionel/MTH engines
- Improve smoke output of Lionel smoke unit (blower version)
- Add TMCC to postwar engine
- Add Marker Lights and Backup Lights to tender
- Replace headlight/backup light with focused bright LED
- Add QSI reverse and sound to older engines (subject to availability of boards)
- Add LED driver to ramp/dim rear facing light on streamlined cars (like on the Zephyr!)
- Add blower smoke unit to older steam and diesel engines (as room permits)
- Add directional marker lights (red/green) to engines/RDCs and directional headlights
Don't see what you want to do? Just drop me an email and ask; I may have already done it!!
I stock Upgrade kits for TMCC. TMCC upgrade cost dependent on addition of smoke blower, remote coupler(s) operation, sound and any lighting improvements.