Considering buying a 2002 Lionel engine with early version cruise control?

Do you already have TMCC integrated into your system?

I think it will work as is. test it out and it you don't like it check out the ERR upgrades

I don't know what engine you are buying, but I purchased an A-B-B-A set of F3's.  I never had a problem, others have.  

If you are getting it for a good price, buy it, try it.  If it doesn't meet your expectation, wait for the PS3 sets to come out and convert it.

There are a lot of great deals around with room for an upgrade.  If purchased right, they continue to be a great deal after the upgrade.  In fact, I think most things made before 2006 are a steal if in good condition with little use.

An Odyssey I locomotive can be upgraded with just the Cruise Commander M from ERR, MSRP is $89.95 for the Odyssey I version.  As Chris says, try it before you do anything, you might find the existing cruise works fine.  Odyssey I locomotives are hit or miss, some run great, others not so great.  If the cruise control is sub-standard, then consider the ERR solution.

I never had an issue with the early Odyssey system as some others have. Only issue I could see would be if the receiver board went bad. I don't think there are any direct replacements available from Lionel but you might go onto their web site to see what parts are available.

The receiver in a 2002 Odyssey locomotive should be the standard R2LC-C08, I can't imagine having a problem getting those, I have a box of them!

Still worth checking to see what parts Lionel has.

I just got a new #213 bridge made at the same time as the engine this guy is thinking about buying. One critical part the PCB controlling the motor and leds is no longer available. If it goes bad the bridge will not operate.

That's not the receiver, that's the DCDS motor control board.  That's the one you can replace with the ERR Cruise Commander M if you have any issues with the Odyssey control or the board goes bad.  FWIW, I've purchased several DCDS boards of that vintage from Lionel recently, they seem to stock most of them.

The bridge does not have a receiver. You must just post things without always reading. Kind of like shoot first then aim.

If you'd stop talking about stuff that has nothing to do with the topic at hand, we'd be better off.  Your bridge has nothing to do with his decision to buy this locomotive, and I really could care less about bridge parts.

Not even close. If that's your perception about GRJ, you must have entered a ripple in the time-space continuum.  

He is a legend in his who mind. John thinks he knows it all. His only goal is maintaining his number 1 status. Sad really. He has no other life.

If you intend to purchase older Lionel product. check to see what parts are available. Most prudent people would do the same thing.

I was running a 2000 Lionel diesel with TMCC at a train show today.  It ran perfectly all day.  I don't know if it has cruise or not.

I have found that older Lionel engines are very reliable as long as you keep them lubricated and the wheels clean.  I have a lot of older Lionel engines.  All of them have TMCC.  

Joe

Getting electronic parts for a 2002 Odyssey I locomotive is not a major issue.  In the unlikely event that a part is not available, you can replace all the electronics with current stuff.  However, all the Lionel boards are readily available.  A bigger issue tends to be some of the mechanical parts of older locomotives, for instance I was looking for the pilot of a similar vintage model, no dice.  When I buy used locomotives, I want to know that there are no mechanical issues or broken parts, I'm less concerned about the electronics.

Thanks for all the responses. I intend to add a Post describing my use of the DCS for controlling Odyssey engines.