Tepowder posted:

Question, when it says, Command Ready. What does that actually mean?

thanks

Just my opinion but, the model is already equipped with the necessary electronics to operate under such "command systems" as: A) MTH DCS, B) Lionel Legacy, C) Lionel TMCC, or D) DCC for 2-Rail SCALE models.

Well in Lionel's world a while back some locomotives had most of the internal boards and only needed a radio board to become fully command.

Giving us the catalog/model number would be a great help.

But as Marty said, it usually means that you can convert it to command control by adding a few boards.

Lionel made some "Command Ready" engines back in the late '90s/early 2000s, which had the electronics for TMCC, except for one module. It was, I suppose, a way to lower the price, cater to those who wanted to run conventionally, and make it easy for people to try adding TMCC later if they wanted to try it. Below is the Lionel catalog information on it (from 2001). You can follow the blue link to see the Lionel owners/installation manual for this kit, if interested.

The kit came in a small orange (of course) box; I had three of them at one point, and still have one left. They were pretty easy to install (I did a couple of diesels, but some steam engines came as Command Ready as well). Lionel stopped producing these quite a few years ago. Upgrades now have to be done using ERR parts. These engines were also RailSounds upgradable, so they had only basic sounds without the sounds upgrade board.

TRAINMASTER COMMAND BASIC UPGRADE KITSKU: 6-22960

In the 2 rail DCC world it means it has the wiring that allows plugging a DCC decoder into the standardized socket in the engine (NMRA has standards for DCC, that include a standardized plug).  It allows someone to buy an engine sans decoder (normally about a 100 buck premium or so), then upgrade when the funds allow or when they are ready to convert from straight DC running. 

breezinup has provided the correct answer.  This was a way for Lionel to sell the engine twice, or at least 1 1/2 times.  

However, folks like K-Line warped the term and greatly distorted the meaning.   K-Line used to call things "command upgradeable" when you need a complete electronics package to upgrade them.  With that definition, anything is "command upgradeable".

I thought at the time--and think so even more now--that this is a durn good idea.  Let the buyer determine the level of electronic gimcrackery he wants:  Conventional/Trainsounds OR Conventional/Railsounds OR Command/Trainsounds OR Command/Railsounds.  The pattern works for all size/scale options, Traditional or Scale.  Today, you could add options such as LC (of whatever flavor), Legacy, or TMCC for Command.  A modular board in every engine, and the buyer picks the add-on package, if any, at the time of purchase or later, if needs/desires change.  Future buyers of the engine used get the same options, including the option to de-complicate.  Repairs also become MUCH easier.  And, if Lionel goes to the minimal effort of ensuring common architecture, backward compatibility problems are reduced or eliminated.

This was an example of a Command Ready engine. Many of them were "traditional" Geeps and steamers, and several were "scale," such as this C-420. It was available in a version with TMCC and R/S already installed, or in a conventional version but Command and RailSounds upgradable. The conventional version came with SignalSounds.

NICKEL PLATE ROAD CONVENTIONAL ALCO C-420 DIESEL #578SKU: 6-18590

$249.95

 

Thank you.

terry