I am trying to use the search function to find out if all command equipped Lionel engines can be run conventionally. I know this question must have popped up before. Im looking to buy some older engines that are command equipped and didnt want to buy something that wont run conventionally. It looks like all newer Lionel can go both ways, just wondering about the stuff from 10 -15 years ago. Any help wold be appreciated. Thanks.
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Yea, I've got a TMCC GP-9 from 1998 that will run conventionally, shouldn't be a problem. If I'm not mistaken, I believe all "command control" loco's have the ability to run conventionally.
AFAIK, all TMCC or Legacy locomotives should run conventionally if they are in 100% working condition. There are failure modes that cause them not to work conventionally, but that is rare.
I am trying to use the search function to find out if all command equipped Lionel engines can be run conventionally. I know this question must have popped up before. Im looking to buy some older engines that are command equipped and didnt want to buy something that wont run conventionally. It looks like all newer Lionel can go both ways, just wondering about the stuff from 10 -15 years ago. Any help wold be appreciated. Thanks.
As John said if the engines are in working order they should run fine in conventional. Some of the early Odyssey equipped had no way of turning off the feature and it did cause some problems for people. The newer versions have an on/off switch.
Having said this. Once the new Legacy CAB-1L comes out the original TMCC CAB-1 remotes and bases should come way down in price so if you are buying command engines but want to run conventional now you can always upgrade later.
Another thought.
In many cases the early TMCC engines had some great features. Try to find engines that have Railsounds 5 in them. They would be the most recent, prior to the recent Legacy production, and have great sound systems. In fact many of the RS5 engines not only rival the recent Legacy products but are in many cases half the price or less than the more recent production.
Lionel has lowered the overall sound volume on all of the Legacy engines that they say improved the overall sound quality. But I don't agree with that at all.
My Lionel M1a was only $300 while the Legacy M1b, which I don't think has quite as good a sound system, is over twice that. If you look around you can find some great deals.
Legacy engines do have the quilling whistle and horns but I think that feature is way over rated. They also have a lot of other features that many individuals praise but they also make things a bit more complicated and pricey. Also, they seem to be more prone to failure, especially the smoke units.
Thank you for all the replies.
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