My control system is a DCS* with one TIU, two AIU’s and one Z-4000. The TIU is powered independently.

What do I need to buy to add Legacy to my system so I can run Legacy locomotives properly? (No need to control accessories, etc. with Legacy; DCS alone is fine for this.)

(* DCS 3.1 and no intention to upgrade for the time being as my 3.1 works great!)

Thanks!

Alex

I will jump into this one. You will not have the access to the additional features associated with (or provided by) Legacy. You can purchase the old command base and the MTH TIU to TMCC cable (not the new one but pre-legacy one). Personnally this is a solution I would not recommend. With DCS 4.02 you have the ability to access more than the 31 speed steps from the Legacy engine. You will not get the 200 speed steps; however, you will gain more responsive control of that engine using DCS 4.02 Rel feature to provide 128 speed steps (I do not remember whether you need the Legacy base to have this feature). When running multiple trains on the same track this difference will facilitate matching train speeds. If you do decide to purchase a Legacy engine or already have them, the two systems co-exist very well on my layout and I would recommend the purchase of Legacy control system as well. I run my Legacy engines probably 40 % of the time with my DCS controller. The way I run my trains, I need to start my Legacy engines with the Legacy controller because the DCS system will not command Legacy/TMCC engines with the DCS "All" command. After the MTH and Legacy engines have achieved a stable state on a loop, I then make slack adjustments between trains using only the DCS controller. The other issue running both, is when I go back to a DCS "ALL" command the Legacy/TMCC engine is sent back into the inactive area and I need to bring it back to the active area to address it with the DCS controller.

I suggest a simpler solution:

Install the Legacy base independently of DCS and run Legacy (and Cab-1/TMCC) locomotives from your Legacy remote controller. That's what I did, and the two systems work fine side by side.

DCS and Legacy each have their own merits and features designed specifically to operate and get the most from engines made for that system (either MTH or Lionel). Control your MTH locomotives with your DCS handheld controller and your Legacy engines from your Legacy remote.

I have already decided to add Legacy, so my question is simple. But please, keep in mind that I am not at all familiar with TMCC or Legacy, and do not know what the various components do or how they interact -

Specifically, what control components (TMCC / Legacy) do I need to buy to add to my presently DCS controlled layout so I can run Legacy engines to their full potential?

Thanks again,

Alex

All you will need is the Legacy base and handheld. If you wish to control the Legacy engine with the DCS controller at times, you will need a cable (identified in another thread that you can purchase or build.) Both systems co-exist well on my layout with the cable I created. I found the thread http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/93360682/m/3821099654

Winrose46 is correct: All you need is the Legacy system (called Lionel #990, I believe). It comes with everything you need (command base, remote controller, batteries, cables, etc.) to get started.

Connect the Legacy command base to your layout as instructed, and you can then run Legacy engines to their full potential using your Legacy remote while running your MTH engines to their full potential using your DCS remote.

Have fun! Both DCS and Legacy have great features.

Got it ! That's what I needed to know -



Thanks

Alex

Yesterday I went to the LHS that handles Lionel and saw the Legacy in action. The LHS owner ran a three-SD70ACe’s (Heritage)-MU, and it was impressive. I particularly liked the ‘cab talk’ of the SD70ACe’s, and thought that the Legacy remote was excellent. Granted, I don’t really know whether the touch-screen with its dynamic icons make it easier to use than my DCS remote, but it sure looked good. Among several features, the man showed me how he could enter a target SMPH speed, to which the SD70ACe would accelerate and then maintain. That was very nice.

I asked whether there were new and old version of the Legacy system, and his answer perplexed me somewhat. Essentially, he said that there is a new release to fix some problems, but that he would recommend that I buy the existing release (with bugs?), become familiar with it, and then upgrade to the new release with the fixes. I asked him when the new release would be available so that I could just buy it and not have to worry about upgrades, and he said that no one had any idea. His price for the Legacy #990 is $299.99.

I checked the web, and found on-line stores with prices ranging from $299.99 to $238.

My questions now are whether it is true that no one knows when the Legacy will be available for sale with the fixes already installed, and whether I should wait until then.

Thanks

Alex

target SMPH speed we can't say that

Ingeniero,

That is a really odd response, sounds like he is either confused or just trying to dump his stock of the Legacy's he has. There are probably some of the version 1.2 starting to get in circulation out there, but I think you would have to boot up the controller to see what version you have. Or you can check the manual and if it mentions adjustable display time it's a 1.2 only feature (Somebody correct me if I am wrong) . There is no reason to learn on 1.0 and not 1.2. 1.2 was bug fixes and a few enhancements, not real major changes in operation. His response is very confusing

If the Legacy is an early version it will have to be sent back to Lionel Ohio to be updated (Very quick turn around, but you do have to pay postage)If it's a newer version of Legacy, but not 1.2 it will have a silver dot in the battery compartment. If it has this dot all you need to get is the update chips from Lionel and you can update it yourself

quote:

Originally posted by winrose46:
All you will need is the Legacy base and handheld. If you wish to control the Legacy engine with the DCS controller at times, you will need a cable (identified in another thread that you can purchase or build.) Both systems co-exist well on my layout with the cable I created. I found the thread http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/93360682/m/3821099654

This is correct, however remember the DCS controller cannot control the Legacy only features, if you are running TMCC only you will not notice the difference, but once you start running Legacy engines you will miss out.

As will and many others have said, if you want to run legacy to it's fullest extent, use the Legacy system for Legacy engines and use DCS for MTH engines.

quote:

If it has this dot all you need to get is the update chips from Lionel and you can update it yourself

Chris, I am not sure that if it has the dot, you have to update it yourself with the chips. The dot would indicate that the software has been updated and the chips are only necessary incase you have to reload the O/S.

quote:

As will and many others have said, if you want to run legacy to it's fullest extent, use the Legacy system for Legacy engines and use DCS for MTH engines.

Agreed. I use the DCS to control Legacy engines because of my running multiple trains (combination of Legacy and Proto2) and not using the CAB2 facilitates running multiple trains on multiple loops.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: winrose46,

quote:

I asked whether there were new and old version of the Legacy system, and his answer perplexed me somewhat. Essentially, he said that there is a new release to fix some problems, but that he would recommend that I buy the existing release (with bugs?), become familiar with it, and then upgrade to the new release with the fixes. I asked him when the new release would be available so that I could just buy it and not have to worry about upgrades, and he said that no one had any idea. His price for the Legacy #990 is $299.99.

$299.99? List price and then you have to send it in to lionel for the upgrade. This must be the only hobby shop in a thousand miles and he thinks he has the only one. I'd tell him to send it back for the upgrade then maybe you'll give him $259.00. Or you could call Just Trains in Delaware. That is the price they sell it for.

Winrose,

This is from the Lionel Ohio press release about the 1.2 upgrade

PLEASE NOTE: If your LEGACY Base has a silver dot on the bottom in the FCC compliance block, and your CAB-2 remote has a silver dot inside the battery compartment, you do NOT need to send your base in for upgrade. However, you will need the version 1.2 memory modules and the new version 1.2 manual. Contact Lionel Customer Service at 586–949–4100 ext 9105 and request part number 610–4295–900 be mailed to you directly free of charge – but ONLY if your base and remote have the silver dot indicator.

The Silver dot indicate that the chip was set up properly to accept the 1.2 upgrade

In answer to your question, you need to purchase a Legacy Command Base and Legacy CAB-2. This comes in a single package the #990 Legacy command set.

Set up is a snap just plug in the command base and connect a wire from the U terminal to the outer rails of your track.

Enjoy

quote:

Originally posted by cbojanower:
Winrose,

This is from the Lionel Ohio press release about the 1.2 upgrade

PLEASE NOTE: If your LEGACY Base has a silver dot on the bottom in the FCC compliance block, and your CAB-2 remote has a silver dot inside the battery compartment, you do NOT need to send your base in for upgrade. However, you will need the version 1.2 memory modules and the new version 1.2 manual. Contact Lionel Customer Service at 586–949–4100 ext 9105 and request part number 610–4295–900 be mailed to you directly free of charge – but ONLY if your base and remote have the silver dot indicator.

The Silver dot indicate that the chip was set up properly to accept the 1.2 upgrade

I have a Legacy set with the silver dots, and have receieved the 1.2 manual along with the new modules. Nothing in the package indicates whether I must use the modules to upgrade the base, or whether they are just 1.2 modules to be used if necessary, and the base is already in 1.2 mode. Really not very clear at all. I think they should have enclosed something to explain things more clearly.

REV

quote:

I have a Legacy set with the silver dots, and have receieved the 1.2 manual along with the new modules. Nothing in the package indicates whether I must use the modules to upgrade the base, or whether they are just 1.2 modules to be used if necessary,

My understanding was that when they placed the dot on the base they had made the hardware change and upgraded the software. The modules were provided in the event that you would want at some point to reload the operating system. I could not find the thread that provided this information so I taged it to an email I was sending to Mike. In his response he answered my question regarding my 1.2 modules; however, he did not shed any light on whether it was necessary to reload the O/S if the dot was on the base.

Turn it on. It will let you know what the version is when you push the CTC button.