Will the CAB2 communicate with the new BASE-1L? I know it might now do everything the Legacy base might do, just wondering if a BASE-1L would be an inexpensive backup to the Legacy base.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I don't think so. But it's a good question. I suspect there is no 2 way comm. I also suspect since Legacy engines will only run in 32 speed steps you loose a lot of functionality. Remember the only thing you really get s 99 trains and quaillable whistle.
The base also doesn't seem to have a database for names and other info.
All speculative. Did they actually say a cab 2 will work with a cab 1 l base? Can't remember.
I think they said a CAB-1L will work with a Legacy base, just wondered if it worked the other way, and if so, what limitations it would have. 
Originally Posted by MartyE:
I don't think so. But it's a good question. I suspect there is no 2 way comm. I also suspect since Legacy engines will only run in 32 speed steps you loose a lot of functionality. Remember the only thing you really get s 99 trains and quaillable whistle.
The base also doesn't seem to have a database for names and other info.
All speculative. Did they actually say a cab 2 will work with a cab 1 l base? Can't remember.
If you connect it to a TPC 300/400 I think you could go up to more speed steps than 32. Also, why would Lionel limit the speed steps in the CAB1L?
I thought it had all the functions of the Legacy system sans smoke control and LCD display.
Did Lionel ever publish a complete list of specifications or features? I'll take a look on their site.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
I think they said a CAB-1L will work with a Legacy base, just wondered if it worked the other way, and if so, what limitations it would have.
According to the Lionel website the CAB1L remote will address a Legacy base. They indicated that it was an alternative to an additional Legacy Remote.
I already know it'll talk to the Legacy base, the question is will the Legacy remote talk to the BASE-1L. I don't care about a TPC, that has nothing to do with the original question.
The Cab2 will not connect to the Base1-L. The Base1-L does not have a "database" which the Cab2 is querying. If the Base1-L is powered up and the Cab2 tries to connect, you will get a Base Not Found.
And John, just because I know you will ask!
You can try and "trick" the Cab2 by swapping out the Legacy Base for a Base1-L on the same channel; but the Cab2 will simply light the RED error LED, although some commands my get to the track.
Thanks for the info Jon, exactly what I was looking for.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
I already know it'll talk to the Legacy base, the question is will the Legacy remote talk to the BASE-1L. I don't care about a TPC, that has nothing to do with the original question.
Actually it does have relevance to the comment by Marty regarding the speed steps by connecting a TPC you can expand the speed steps beyond 32.
My comment was pertaining to command mode not conventional setups.
And why would they limit certain functions...because why give you the whole pie and a quart of ice cream in a less expensive package. If you want all the whole pie and the quart of ice cream, buy Legacy.
If you don't want to pay that much, you get a slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream.
Originally Posted by Trainman9:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
I already know it'll talk to the Legacy base, the question is will the Legacy remote talk to the BASE-1L. I don't care about a TPC, that has nothing to do with the original question.
Actually it does have relevance to the comment by Marty regarding the speed steps by connecting a TPC you can expand the speed steps beyond 32.
I figured it would probably work that way, but it was an interesting idea. 
Originally Posted by MartyE:
My comment was pertaining to command mode not conventional setups.
And why would they limit certain functions...because why give you the whole pie and a quart of ice cream in a less expensive package. If you want all the whole pie and the quart of ice cream, buy Legacy.
If you don't want to pay that much, you get a slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream.
Originally Posted by Trainman9:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
I already know it'll talk to the Legacy base, the question is will the Legacy remote talk to the BASE-1L. I don't care about a TPC, that has nothing to do with the original question.
Actually it does have relevance to the comment by Marty regarding the speed steps by connecting a TPC you can expand the speed steps beyond 32.
I was not speaking about conventional setups. The TPC is operating in the command environment not conventional. I already have the Legacy system but was interested in a comparison between it and the CAB1L. What features each has and what features they don't. A side by side comparison by Lionel would be very useful.
The Cab1L will do quilling whistle and 99 Legacy Trains.
That's about the extent of features beyond those of a Cab1
Originally Posted by Trainman9:
I was not speaking about conventional setups. The TPC is operating in the command environment not conventional. I already have the Legacy system but was interested in a comparison between it and the CAB1L. What features each has and what features they don't. A side by side comparison by Lionel would be very useful.
I'm curious why are you using the TPC in the command environment?
Originally Posted by bigdodgetrain:
Originally Posted by Trainman9:
I was not speaking about conventional setups. The TPC is operating in the command environment not conventional. I already have the Legacy system but was interested in a comparison between it and the CAB1L. What features each has and what features they don't. A side by side comparison by Lionel would be very useful.
I'm curious why are you using the TPC in the command environment?
Well, I use them to put the power to the layout. Four 135 watt Powerhouses are connected to two TPC 300's. They provide circuit breaker protection in the event of a derailment and usually react a little faster than the ones on the PH's. They also allow me to run conventional Lionel engines as well as MTH PS2 engines.
A lot of people use the TPC's instead of either PowerMasters or the Lionel Direct Lockons.
Unless you are using PW ZW's or some other transformer how else would you be able to power a layout with Powerhouses without these devices?
Conventional? What's that?
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Conventional? What's that?
I have the two Conventional Classics Berkshire sets and can run the engine with the TPC in conventional mode. Actually, I don't need to do anything just toggle to AUX1-8 which is 30% power. That is how I can operate MTH PS2 engines as well. Start them using AUX1 then 9 which is full power then press AUX 1 then 8 to run the MTH engine.
The TPC toggles back and forth from conventional to command without having to re-program.
