You want one that has 1.2 or better software but about anywhere you buy it new should be that cause alot of suppliers where out of them so they should be new..

 

Imo trainworld has them for 314 with the 10% off code  it make it pretty cheep..A brand new one will have 1.4 on it

Regardless of what system you may get, Lionel will upgrade or take care of any issues quickly and in most cases under warranty.  Mike Reagan realizes that you cannot sell Legacy engines without Legacy systems out in use.

 

That being said, the latest productions models as stated above come with 1.4.  They also have the upgraded charging circuit already in place. 

 

Good luck and enjoy!

well the guy i am getting it from says its new still wrapped and has 1.2 should there be any issues to upgrade to 1.4 or anything else you guys can advis me on.

Should be fine.  Register it with Lionel and they'll send you V1.3 in the mail unless they've finally stopped doing that. 

 

You can use the LSU software and a black module to go to 1.4 from 1.2 with no problem though.  1.4 doesn't get you much over 1.3 though.

ok great thanks marte for the info. dont know much about the legacy so i am glad you guys do.

The only cravat I see is you are buying it from a 3rd party.  Lionel may or may not have an issue doing warranty work on it.  Although as far as Legacy systems go I have yet to hear of an issue.

 

When you have questions this is the place.  There is a vast knowledge pool her for getting questions answered.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, however, if I were you I would only purchase a b brand-new Legacy system from an authorized Lionel dealer.

 

That's the only way to be assured that you obtain both a factory warranty and a unit with the upgraded charging circuit.

 

Since you're only going to buy one of these, saving a few bucks now isn't worth possible warranty hassles dow the road. 

I think that's a valid point which is why I mentioned it.  That's why when buying at York I'm even careful as to who I buy from unless it's that once in a lifetime deal.

Marty, when I leave the train room I shut down everything. I have always used reg batteries in remote and just turned off charger. Only have one remote and base at the moment. If I were to get the charging unit fixed on my base what would be the best way to charge my remote? Is it ok to leave the base on after a running session that long? I am afraid I would forget to go back in and turn off. Also I unpluge from the wall as an exstra precaution against lightning when storming. Would like to try using it, but not quite sure if its worth getting fixed. Thanks!

Personally I only have used the charger for the first few months and then it stopped working so I just started using Alkaline Batteries. 

 

When I did use it I left it plugged in all the time unless I knew bad weather was coming.  Is it worth getting fixed?  Probably if you know you won't be using it for a few weeks.  That way you always have options.

My recommendation would be the same as Barry's:  Buy the latest Legacy system and get it from an authorized dealer.

 

I also tossed the rechargeable batteries after I found that things were getting too hot, and I now use regular alkaline batteries.  If you do this, be sure to turn off the battery charger in the Legacy base (it's on the bottom of the base) and put a small strip of electrical tape or plastic tape over the contacts on the top side of the base.

I just turn my charger on when it has 2 bars of life and when it gets to 3 i turn it off...

it sounds if lionel has some issues with the legacy system maybe i should wait til they get this stuff straightend out

I think we pretty much stated that the 1.4 systems have addressed the charging issue.  So what are you waiting for?

 

Even if you buy the 1.2 system Lionel can fix that.  The only question you need to address is will they fix it under warranty since you will be buying it 3rd party.

 

Don't be an AlanH!

Perhaps, but my Legacy System is 1.4 and less than two months old.  I can tell you for a fact that the charging system was not acting like I would expect a battery charging system to act.  I use regular batteries now and everything seems to be fine.  I have been having fun learning the system with the five Legacy locomotives I now have.

My V1.4 system has a wonky battery charger too. When first used (March) it would get very hot. Now it doesn't get hot, but after a few minutes reports an over-voltage (Both red lights flash together.) condition. This happens with any set of batteries, including the supplied ones. I've solved it by turning off the charger and using an external charger instead. I cycle through 3 sets of batteries, so i always have at least one spare set fully charged and ready to go.

But this is the only problem that I have with the Legacy system, and it is an inconvenience at worst. The rest of the system is marvellous, and I would never wish to be without it.

Alan

 

I suggest you call"Big Mike" and get it fixed.  We were told that the charger issues were addressed in in the newer production runs.

 

But I believe it was someone that said.  The charger works best in the "off" position.

Right after I got my Legacy system ver 1.4, I noticed the charger was not shutting off.

I also had a bad on/off switch, so I sent it back to Lionel and they issued me a new remote and repaired the charger. Now all is well

Marty,

I suggest you call"Big Mike" and get it fixed.  We were told that the charger issues were addressed in 1.4.

What did you hear, exactly?

 

Was it that 1.4 fixed the charging circuit issue

 

or

 

that the newest units that shipped with 1.4 had improved charging circuits?

 

My understanding was the latter.

If you noted I did correct my answer.

I did what Nicole did. Turned it off. I am not bright enough to remember to get more batteries for rotation. It was so long ago the only thing I remover it getting hot so I just turned it off. 

Even with the new charging circuit, the CAB2 still gets too hot for me.  I use the charging only cradle to charge them and turn off the one on the Legacy base.

Paul

 

I can only go by what we were told.  Obviously if there are still issues then I concur with you.  Authorized only. 

 

That being said, I would still buy a Legacy System even if I didn't use the charger.  They do so much for those Legacy engines!

Since I have 2 Legacy units because I like having one to use while the other is being repaired I can tell you that Mike and his Lionel Service department are top rate. They really do their very best to get things right. I would suggest new unit from the dealer because the tuch screen on the v1.4 new units works much better than the previous units.

 

Are all the other issue people were reporting with the new production sorted out now?  I have two of the older ones, and I've had no problems with the keyboard.

Saw them for $229 on Amazon plus $17.00 shipping. Seems like a great price.

Here's the listing at Amazon for folks looking for one of these, I agree it's a good price.

Lionel #990 Legacy Command Set

Cargo Largo seems to be a recovery company.  Has anyone actually gotten one from them.   It is a great price.  So far I have not been able to talk to anyone at the company 816 350 6200.

Buzz