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Can-1 to Cab-2 question?

F FfffredddOGR Forum Member
I am sure this question has been asked 1000 times. And I'm sure it's been answered 1000 times. And probably 1000 different ways. And please do not refer me to previous  threads because I don't have's search option on my iPhone app.

I currently have two Powermasters, two Cab-1s,   One command base, a ZW-C,
And S-2s, S-1s, Accessory controllers, And motor controllers.

Several TMCC Lionel, k-Line, and a TAS upgraded MTH engine.
Lots of conventional K-Line and Lionel Motorized little stuff (Plymouths, Porters, Docksiders, etc) and a TMCC boom crane.

I do not currently own any Legacy stuff and most likely not in the near future unless  I stumble upon something that I absolutely have to have. LOL.

I believe I will need a base/cab-2 set and also a powermaster bridge.

Online prices and eBay range from $279 to $750 for the cab 2 setup.

I am quite capable of doing software upgrades and it seems that depending on what you buy that it will need it at some time based on the upgrade thread and not everyone even agrees on how best to do that.
Also it looks like some need a hardware upgrade also.

As I get older and my eyesight, memory, and reaction time slows, I   think I may need either a large flip chart or make much larger number tags for my switches and accessories.  

Considering what I am running, can someone outline my options with realistic prices that I would expect to pay. 

1.Used and upgrade myself.
2.Used and send to Lionel.
3 Buy latest version NIB.

And assuming I can afford any option, make a logical argument using pros and cons for both upgrading and staying the course.

Examples of ease of use, improved  running experience,  and increased functionality would also be helpful.

And does it make operating accessories faster and more intuitive and or prototypical/ realistic.

I also still have manual control functionality on everything. ( just because .
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Fred
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cbojanowercbojanowerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

The CAB-2 price on eBay are only because there is a supply shortage right now, give it a few months and they will be back to a $300 price range.

 

To run your current setup you would need a Legacy 990 and a powermaster bridge

 

Overall the software upgrades are easy. Some people are reporting problems trying to write to the module, but most are not. If you don't want to try to write to them, Lionel will still sell them to you for 19.95 (basically cost)

I think 1.52 may be the last upgrade for awhile No inside info, but right now nothing requiring an upgrade appears on the horizon. 1.4 was really only an upgrade for the ZW-L and 1.5 was a major upgrade while 1.51 and 1.52 were bug fixes

 

Nice thing about the CAB2, the buttons are bigger and you don't have to remember what you your engine is, just scroll through it

gunrunnerjohngunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Also, you might consider selling the Powermasters and upgrading to the Legacy PowerMaster versions.  This will eliminate the need for the PowerMaster bridge.  Also, you can then connect your TMCC Command Base to the Legacy Base and use the CAB1 and CAB2 to control engines on the layout, thus gaining an additional remote.  You'll be ready for the future as well.

F FfffredddOGR Forum Member
Thanks for the concise feedback. Just to be clear. Two Legacy Powermasters eliminates the need for one or two bridges? And what costs more. Legacy Powermasters or Bridge(s). And not sure what that gains me in conventional. Does the bridge or the Legacy base disable the Cab-1 from interfacing with ZW-C and the conventional Powermasters? Thanks Fred
FM Former Member
Originally Posted by Ffffreddd:
I am also confused. What is the difference between # 990 and # 993. Thanks again. Also. Not the correct forum but still on topic. Does anyone have a used setup that they would like to convert to currency for other uses? I would rather deal with knowledgeable forum members than EBay to acquire these items. Fred

#990 is the full blown Legacy set with a command base. #993 is an expansion set with a CAB2 remote and a charging base only.

 

BTW: I know that Lionel insists that the Legacy Powermaster is the greatest thing since sliced bread in my opinion the TPC's are a better way to go since they allow single key stroke operation of many of the MTH PS2/3 functions should you ever get an MTH engine.

gunrunnerjohngunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

If you use the PowerMaster Bridge for Legacy, you can't connect the TMCC command base and use the CAB1 remote, the bridge and base use the same transmit frequencies.

 

The TPC is another option, note that it requires you to cable it to the Legacy base using the serial port, it doesn't receive the on-air TMCC signal like the Legacy PowerMaster does.

 

If you start acquiring MTH locomotives, I'd recommend the full DCS, you get a lot more functionality than using a TPC in conventional mode.

FM Former Member
Originally Posted by RoyBoy:

I do not fully understand the reasoning behind the question.

 

If you have TMCC and can control all of your trains now, plus have no plans to buy Legacy locos, why would you switch over to a Legacy control system? What would you hope to gain from this expense?

 

Well, one reason might be that sooner or later his TMCC system is going to fail. Maybe not today and maybe not in the near future but sometime. If it does there are no parts available for any of the critical components.

 

Lionel is currently providing virtually unlimited warranty support for the Legacy system and may continue to do that. So that is a factor to consider.

 

I have not used PowerMasters for some time so all of my TPC's and other devices were fully compatible with Legacy. I just hooked up the cable to the output on the Legacy base and I was good to go. All my Ross switches have the DZ2500 switch machines operated via the data wire driver.

FM Former Member
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

If you use the PowerMaster Bridge for Legacy, you can't connect the TMCC command base and use the CAB1 remote, the bridge and base use the same transmit frequencies.

 

The TPC is another option, note that it requires you to cable it to the Legacy base using the serial port, it doesn't receive the on-air TMCC signal like the Legacy PowerMaster does.

 

If you start acquiring MTH locomotives, I'd recommend the full DCS, you get a lot more functionality than using a TPC in conventional mode.

If you have limited MTH engines you can just use the DCS Remote Commander to operate one engine at a time. They only cost $25-30.

F FfffredddOGR Forum Member
Hi Rob Roy, I think that the reason that you did not understand the reasoning is that you missed the statement that the expense was not a factor in the equation. I was asking for pros and cons for both positions. Upgrade or not. And reasons would be ease of use, increased functionality and added realism. Johns point I believe is that the Legacy Powermasters would eliminate the Tmmc versions and the bridge and let me have THREE remotes. (2 TMCC and 1 Legacy) To be honest, I am not all that impressed with my 1 MTH engine so I am not considering that direction. Still looking for specific examples of what makes the legacy cab more enjoyable to use than the. Cab-1. And if the TPC only makes MTH engines easier to run than Legacy Powermasters, what if any properties makes it preferably for K-Line and Lionel conventional. Thanks again for the responses.
F FfffredddOGR Forum Member
Hi Railfan, If I understand you correctly. The legacy control and base will operate the 4 Powermasters on the ZW-C for conventional with no need for a bridge. And my Cab-1s will also do the same as they do now. And run TMCC. And my Cab-1s can still be used with the TMCC Powermasters for voltage control for lighting, accessories, turntables, and even additional conventional operation. No bridge to interfere with TMCC command base either. Is that correct? Sounds too good to be true. But if it is, then I am back in the market looking for a used #990.
RailfanRonRailfanRonOGR Forum Member

Yes that's correct. Just remember the Legacy system cannot control the Powermasters without the Bridge but the cab1 can. The caveat is you need to be sure you don't program a TR # in the Powermasters that is also programmed through the Legacy base(ZW-C comes to mind). If you do the cab1 will control them both at the same time and give you some possibly disastrous results. The same thing could happen also in TMCC only.

Ron   

F FfffredddOGR Forum Member
Great thanks. I already use my Powermasters on the ZW. I use 1-4 and 5 and 6. So as long as I keep them that way, I should be fine. I had been using two channels for switches and lights I will just switch them to the TMCC Powermasters. Maybe set them on CMD so I do not need to dial them up everytime. And If needed adjust the lights with the throttle arm on a dedicated CW-80. Thanks again to all for advice.
FM Former Member
Originally Posted by Ffffreddd:
Hi Rob Roy, I think that the reason that you did not understand the reasoning is that you missed the statement that the expense was not a factor in the equation. I was asking for pros and cons for both positions. Upgrade or not. And reasons would be ease of use, increased functionality and added realism. Johns point I believe is that the Legacy Powermasters would eliminate the Tmmc versions and the bridge and let me have THREE remotes. (2 TMCC and 1 Legacy) To be honest, I am not all that impressed with my 1 MTH engine so I am not considering that direction. Still looking for specific examples of what makes the legacy cab more enjoyable to use than the. Cab-1. And if the TPC only makes MTH engines easier to run than Legacy Powermasters, what if any properties makes it preferably for K-Line and Lionel conventional. Thanks again for the responses.

With version 1.51 they have improved the icons and made it a little easier to do lashups and use the Trainlink feature which is neat if you have station sound cars or crew talk cabooses.

 

One thing I like about the TPC's is the ability to toggle back and forth between command and conventional from the remote. This is a nice feature for running conventional engines and with the improved speed steps if you have postwar locos they will run much better with Legacy.

 

So, once the supply of the Legacy systems are back you might want to consider making the change. You can sell off some of your current equipment and help offset the cost.

 

I also understand that the new ZW-L is a major improvement over the previous versions so you might consider that upgrade as well.

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