CAB-1L vs CAB-2

• Can the CAB-1L do everything that the CAB-2 can do?  No.
• Is it really just easier to run trains and unlock LEGACY features with with a CAB-2 remote, is that the difference? Huh? You can get more of the Legacy features, but easier or not depends on the individual's familiarity with the system.
• Outside the remote differences what do would we lose by purchasing a CAB-1L? Some of the Legacy features, like speed brackets and smoke volume.

Cab-1L and base 1L are basically updated versions of Cab-1 and base-1 but operating on a different frequency for the remote. Track frequency is the same. They were made to answer all the folks who were complaining about the high cost of Legacy.

in our club we provide the CAB1L and the individuals who want to run legacy provide their own CAB2.

the reason for this is the cab2s are expensive and have a breakable glass.

the cab1L are able to be dropped and the likely hood for something breaking is slim.

this has worked out very well.

I like the CAB1L for the club idea, they are certainly way more robust.  I regularly use mine when I'm running much of my TMCC stuff, but I still prefer the Legacy CAB2 for Legacy as I get to access any and all the features.

I know there are other differences, like I thought with the Cab1L you lose the quilling feature.  Someone will chime in with all the differences.  I didn’t like the Cab2 myself.  I built two layouts for people with Legacy and Cab2s and the people had a hard time figuring it out.  One guy never did, unfortunately.  The Cab2 is bulky and just too complicated for my taste.  I’m using a Cab1 to run my prewar trains.  That is all I need.  I went retro instead of diving in to Legacy.  If I have to go Legacy, I would use a Cab1L.  Of course your preference will depend in a large part what type of equipment you run and your expectations.  I’m sure someone will chime in with all differences, which was your original question.  

CAB-1L has the whistle quilling feature that works with Legacy locos.

I have never seen a Cab 1L in the flesh so to speak. One thing I am curious about is does it have the notched throttle like the Cab 2?

Nick

Being an old f--t and not a techy, I had Cab-2 and found I preferred Cab 1-L for the simplicity of running. Of course I am a toy train guy and really love running trains maybe not so prototypically. All the same I would not preclude the possibility of purchasing a Cab-2 again in the future.

Ray

Nick12DMC posted:

I have never seen a Cab 1L in the flesh so to speak. One thing I am curious about is does it have the notched throttle like the Cab 2?

Nick

No detents in the CAB1L big red knob, just rotates smoothly like the older CAB1.

Gentlemen,

   As much as I like my 990 Legacy with the Cab2 I may still invest in a Cab1L and Base1L. My Legacy unit is now back in the Lionel Repair shop for the 2nd Time and this eliminated my FTCC remote control switch operations, thru out my Train Room.  FTCC Switch operations is one of the main reasons I purchased Lionel Legacy.  Having the Cab1L and Base1L would eliminate this problem all together.  I wanted to pick up a Cab1L unit used at a reasonable price, so far no luck on this pick up however.  

I love the Lionel Legacy especially the Cab2 when it is working properly, however I have owned the MTH DCS for a much longer time than my Lionel Legacy.  The only part of my DCS that has ever been repaired, during all those years, is the scroll wheel on the DCS HHRC.

 IMO MTH needed to develop a new rechargeable Hand Held Remote Control for the wireless operation of their RealTrax Switches, and Lionel FTCC Switches also.  Then in the future MTH should have developed the WiFi Ap control for everything.  Myself I have no need for WiFI Ap control of my O Gauge Trains.  The younger generations do love it however.

 IMO the complete wireless Engineering Technology for Switch Control operation would have made the MTH business a lot more money, and would have helped pay for the complete Engineering development of their WiFi Ap Technology, a little farther down stream. 

PCRR/Dave

Hello all,

Figured I would ask in this older post instead of creating a new one. I am thinking about purchasing a cab1 or cab2 legacy base and remote. If I decide to just use the lionel app since the legacys now have Bluetooth, will that access all the features a cab1 would provide or is the app even more limited than cab1?

Cab2 may be a little overkill for my situation because I have my first Legacy engine on the way and not sure that I'll have more due to my curve radius being at o31.

I currently have a MTH Z1000, MTH Wifi module and TIU with the MTH app.

Instead of adding the Lionel wifi unit and command base to my current setup, I was thinking a base and remote would be nice so I'm not using a app all the time. The legacy cab2 remote looks like tons of fun. May be nice to have both options like MTH trains with the app and Lionel trains with a remote?  Just a thought but if a lionel wifi unit and base isn't any cheaper than a remote and base I would rather have the remote instead of the wifi and app. However, if the lionel app by itself will function as a cab1 I would be happy with that and not add anything else to my setup.  I really enjoy the MTH features I currently have like the sqwealing brakes, labor chuff etc. Not sure if the cab1 or lionel app offer these. I'm thinking not.

Brad

I have two Legacy Cab2 but have one cab1L for kids and simple troubleshooting on the bench.

Thanks Gary, does cab1 allow you to use sounds effects like labor chuff, coupler slack, brake squeal etc.?

Brad

Many of the more sophisticated sounds can only be fully exercised using the CAB2, stuff like varying the labored chuff or prime mover can be fully exercised using the CAB2.

Ok thank you gunrunnerjohn for the information. I am currently watching a 990 Legacy system 6-14295 that's new but many years old. I'm being told the blue module thats with it says software version 1.2 on the module. Do you think that means the software physically loaded in the remote/base is 1.2? The reason I'm asking is I don't want to get one that may have any previous software before 1.2 on the actual device. I read on a previous forum that those have to be sent back to lionel. I'm not good with computers or electronics in general so I don't want to create more headache for myself just to save a few bucks. Was thinking if I could get it for $200 or less it would be worth it.

Brad

Since it's 1.2, you can upgrade it without sending it back to Lionel.  You'll just have to get someone else to write at least a 1.3 module for you, after 1.3 the base was able to communicate and read/write black modules on it's own.  You can also make your own writable modules from the now useless blue modules for future upgrades.

Free Black Modules for Legacy

So if I get a black module thats not enough to upgrade to the current software of 1.6 and 1.61?  Sorry this is the first ive heard of the black modules not working until version 1.3 software. Was thinking with a black module I could get it current but anything other than going to lionels website and downloading the software to my computer then it would be over my head for sure. The guy that has it for sale seems to think a black module is all that's needed.

Brad

That is correct the base MUST be updated to V1.3 to use the LSU software to upload new software to the black/ modified modules.

Also when going from 1.2 to 1.3+ the base will be wiped and reset to factory settings. This is the only time that I know this happens. No issue for a new base you haven’t done anything with but if you wait a while just fair warning

You can't connect to the serial data with software version 1.2, so you can't write the black module.

You will have to obtain a later version from someone that can write the modules and use those modules to upgrade your system.  This is a one-time deal, once you have 1.3 or later, you can connect to the LSU and obtain and write later versions to modules for the upgrade process.

Don't let this stop you from getting this set, $200 is a good deal if it's a fully working Legacy #990 system.

@B rad posted:

The guy that has it for sale seems to think a black module is all that's needed.

If that particular black module had the later software on it, he'd be right!

Ok thanks for the info. I'll post if I need more guidance if I even get it. The bidding is at $120 plus shipping with a few hours left. It was supposedly purchased as a spare and never used. If it bids to much higher I'll just get a newer version later down the road. My legacy model is not due until later this year anyway so I'm not in need of one at the moment. Also I have no LSU which I'm thinking about getting if I decide to control legacy with my MTH app and wifi/TIU setup.  Just thought the controller would add some fun factor over a phone touch screen. If I go the LSU route I assume I only need a cab2 base?

Thank for all the great information.

Brad

The LSU (Legacy Software Utility) is a free program to do updates and configuration of the Legacy command system.

LSU User's Manual.PDF

Sorry, I was getting the LSU you mentioned confused with the LCS wifi module. I saw where you can do updates through the LCS without connecting to a computer with needed cables to do CAB2 updates.

Correct, I have my LSU connected through the LCS WiFi, and anytime the base is on, I can connect to it from my computer.

However, you do have to have the Legacy Command Base in order to connect to it!