Good afternoon all,

I'm building my first adult layout from scratch, and knew from day 1 that I would want it to be command-control enabled. While I'm waiting for my RR-Track installation CD to arrive, I'm thinking over what system to implement.

I have:

• Lionel 18053 CC 726 Berkshire w/ TMCC
  
• K-Line 3270-5343S J1e Hudson w/ TMCC
  
• Lionel 6-38616 PRR Mikado w/ TMCC
  
• Lionel 4-4-2 from the NYC Flyer Ready-to-run set, soon to have TMCC upgrade from TAStudios.com*
  

I've been reading the Legacy manual online as well as the FAQ at http://www.legacyinfo.net/LegacyFAQ.pdf that I found a link to from another post here. I'm thinking I should just go straight to a Legacy system, so I don't have to upgrade later. But, I'm still working on wrapping my head around the information about using original TMCC engines with Legacy, so I wanted to ask the forum if there were any reasons I should NOT go that route before I take the dive.

Thanks in advance!


(* - If you're wondering why I'm upgrading a basic RtR engine, it's because it's the from set that my wife gave me for Christmas that rekindled everything...)

If it were me I would go straight to Legacy. Why go with TMCC1 and then have to buy Legacy later. Legacy will run TMCC1 with better response and does everything better than the Cab1.

Yep I agree with MartyE 200%

quote:

(* - If you're wondering why I'm upgrading a basic RtR engine, it's because it's the from set that my wife gave me for Christmas that rekindled everything...)

Good for her - and you. Buy her some flowers and take her away for the weekend without telling her where you are going. She deserves the surprise.

Great, thanks for the info.. I just didn't want to get blindsided by some kind of lurking incompatibility I hadn't learned about yet.

(CZ10 -- Heh.. well, we are going down to San Diego for a long weekend + friend's wedding, but I don't think that will count, since I may see if she'll let me go to the model railroad museum in Balboa Park. )

Although I'm a little late for this string, I agree with Marty 300% and CZ10 342%!

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Originally posted by Kageryu:
Great, thanks for the info.. I just didn't want to get blindsided by some kind of lurking incompatibility I hadn't learned about yet.

(CZ10 -- Heh.. well, we are going down to San Diego for a long weekend + friend's wedding, but I don't think that will count, since I may see if she'll let me go to the model railroad museum in Balboa Park. )

Dinner at a 5 star would work too.

Hey - I just noticed you're from my neck of the woods. You driving? Windows on the Water in Morro Bay - not to be missed. Reserve a table by the window overlooking the bay. That would be prefect - not a 5 star - but very good and great view. Otherwise I suggest Gary Danko or Jardenaire (sp?) in the city.

quote:

Originally posted by Will Allen III:
Although I'm a little late for this string, I agree with Marty 300% and CZ10 342%!

I'm flattered - I just hope MartyE isn't jealous

Jeez now I gotta ramp up the quality of my responses 43%

ANd I'm nearing 1000 post in the first 6 months - I gotta get a life - or a layout!

Do I get a prize or at least a star like you do on evilBay?

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Hey - I just noticed you're from my neck of the woods. You driving? Windows on the Water in Morro Bay - not to be missed. Reserve a table by the window overlooking the bay. That would be prefect - not a 5 star - but very good and great view. Otherwise I suggest Gary Danko or Jardenaire (sp?) in the city.

Indeed we are, and even splitting it in two by going down the coast and stopping off around San Luis Obispo. I hate taking I-5, too boring, too stinky around Harris Ranch.

At least I know where to get dinner now, since we can't get it in the dining car of an old Coast Daylight going around Horseshoe Curve:

I'll check with my wife where we stayed in Morro Bay - very nice place.

The Embassy Suites in SLO is OK - My Porsche Group usues it for a gathering - one comeing up the end of July there. Right off the freeway.

But the other place is much nicer - righ across the street from a park on the water. Nice and quiet.

Let me know if you need a helping hand getting your Legacy up and running - I think you will love it.

No worries about the hotel, at least for this trip... we've already got reservations at the Courtyard in SLO. (She gets rewards points, and it's right off 101, so when we pull in tired on the way back it'll be right there.)

Online sunrise/sunset calculators place sunset for our outbound travel day at 8:00 sharp. Bet you can guess when the reservations are for.

quote:

Originally posted by Kageryu:
I hate taking I-5, too boring, too stinky around Harris Ranch.

ugh....I-5. i hate it as well. one time on a tour, we played in this order-san francisco, ventura, anaheim, san diego, then back up to portland! needless to say, i am sick of the 5.

back on topic, i just got into this hobby last november. i am so glad i jumped in and bought legacy pretty quick off the bat. it's too much fun!

Kageryu...

My story is almost identical to yours. My wife bought me a Pennsy Flyer set 2 Christmases ago. I had the engine modified via TAS with TMCC six months ago. (not the most cost effective use of cash, but I wanted ALL engines to be TMCC). Recently purchased the NYC Legacy GP-7 as well as the Legacy system.

I didn't see any reason to go the circular route. Starting new, except for the Pennsy set, it was a no brainer for me to go straight to Legacy.

What kind of track are you using.

quote:

Originally posted by Kageryu:
No worries about the hotel, at least for this trip... we've already got reservations at the Courtyard in SLO. (She gets rewards points, and it's right off 101, so when we pull in tired on the way back it'll be right there.)

Online sunrise/sunset calculators place sunset for our outbound travel day at 8:00 sharp. Bet you can guess when the reservations are for.

OK - hope you enjoy it - let me know

quote:

Originally posted by gfmucci:
Kageryu...

My story is almost identical to yours. My wife bought me a Pennsy Flyer set 2 Christmases ago. I had the engine modified via TAS with TMCC six months ago. (not the most cost effective use of cash, but I wanted ALL engines to be TMCC). Recently purchased the NYC Legacy GP-7 as well as the Legacy system.

I didn't see any reason to go the circular route. Starting new, except for the Pennsy set, it was a no brainer for me to go straight to Legacy.

What kind of track are you using.

Hi gfmucci.. I actually just posted a question about that in another section here. After the replies, I'm leaning towards Gargraves track + Ross switches, but will probably use the FastTrack from the starter sets on some kind of inner loop or side run, until I get around to replacing it someday.

I admit I never use the old trusty Cab1 remote except to get talking caboose's to chatter and uncouple or a Diner car to start the talk sequence. It is easier to go to a single address if you have it memorized with the remote than change Legacy on the fly.

And of course when operating the mighty Wreck Crane it is a must to have a Cab1 around. It is way easier than a Legacy Controller...

Legacy all the way. I took out the TMCC and CAB1 when I put Legacy in, figured I'd add the TMCC back in the next weekend... then I figured I'd wait til I missed it, or til the one Legacy controller wasn't enough to keep us occupied... still haven't put it in... Legacy is all we need and it is a delight!

Hey Kangeryu, I have a new layout as well and I started out with regular TMCC. But then My layout is small "11x7" and I run mostly convential engines and collect all postwar stuff. I would really have no need for Legacy. Looks like you have a nice batch of TMCC and would expect that you would like to get into Legacy engines as well. I've seen them operate at my local hobby shop and they are really impressive. If I were you I would go straight to Legacy. Its not that much more initial startup cost. Good luck. STEVE

I agree with Bill in that I utilize my CAB1s for my ERR operating cars and my two cranes. Until you have some of these items, Legacy is the way to go; however, if at a point down stream you purchase a crane you might want to get the original Command Base and its CAB1. (The other reason for the command base may present itself if you ever purchase a Proto 2 engine from MTH. )

I am in the process of designing my first major layout, and was asking the same questions. TMCC or Legacy, since all I have currently running is a Pennsy Steam set on a fast track loop. Running with the CW80 that came with the set on fasttrack, but the engine is TMCC equipped.

All of my decisions were resolved yesterday. Went to my local Lionel dealer to check out their Father's day sale. Of course they had the new U30 Conrail with Legacy in stock at a great price.....so had to have it. To my great surprise I was told that the current Lionel promo for the FEF3 could be applied and I was able to get a Legacy system for 199.95!! That made up my mind for me on the spot! No sense starting with TMCC for that kind of money.

Now all I have to do is figure out how it all works!!

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Now all I have to do is figure out how it all works!! Big Grin

We are here to help... ENJOY!

WOW......Thats all I can say. What a phenomenal purchase this Legacy is. I am amazed at what the Conrail U Boat can do, and how much better my Jr. Mikado performs. Now I know why all of you out here are so excited about Legacy. Also, Thanks for all of the great posts with tips and tricks for programming, running, etc.....Can't wait to start building the basement layout so I can get off this loop and really enjoy it.

Tony

Nice score, OGN!

Now, just to make sure I have all this right... for a command-only setup:

Trains n' track+
PowerHouse +
Lockon +
Legacy command set +
= choo choo, right?

I'll probably incorporate a TVS-4 and some fuses as I learned about in http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/54860292/m/6281040664 for safety too, but I want to make sure I've got the basics figured out!