Control Systems Thoughts

@Timpix,

If you remove the Legacy electronics from your Legacy locos and replace them with FlyerChief "equivalents" you'll be removing most of the bells and whistles that Legacy is known for, and that you paid for when you bought them.

'Chief versions don't have nearly the array of features that Legacy has.  They certainly have some, and maybe even many on some models, but they are not equivalent overall.

On the other hand these things may not be of interest to you ...

Mike

Legacy and FlyerChief can coexist on the same rails so there's no reason to go through all that pain.

I am with FlyerRich, use them both. I frequently run FlyerChief engines on my Legacy controlled layout.

Not to overly confuse the answer but there is another alternative. Sell the Legacy 990 system and buy an inexpensive DCC system. Unless your Legacy engines are really old (prior to 2012) they run on DCC. The FlyerChief  engines should also run on DCC track power with their handhelds.

There is one key feature missing with DCC, there is no DCC command to fire the electrocoupler.

@FlyerRich posted:

Legacy and FlyerChief can coexist on the same rails so there's no reason to go through all that pain.

+1.

Bob

HI,  Thanks for the comments - the consensus is correct, I'll probably just go ahead and mix Legacy and Flyerchief.  Just tempting to refill the 'train fund' given the prices being realized and the fact I only have three Legacy units.

@Timpix posted:

the consensus is correct, I'll probably just go ahead and mix Legacy and Flyerchief.  Just tempting to refill the 'train fund' given the prices being realized and the fact I only have three Legacy units.

Buy more...

I vote to keep the Legacy control as well.  I use conventional control on old Flyer and American Models Loco's, as well as Legacy and Flyer Chief. I have 1 Flyonel Bluetooth, but just use the Flyer Chief controller.

You could always get yourself one of those new Y-3's with the steam whistle to help justify keeping the Legacy Controller.

I was not aware that legacy engines can run on a DCC layout can you please expand on this

All S gauge (but not O gauge) Legacy engines beginning with 2012 production will run with DCC. The engines are DCC compatible, not DCC compliant. What Lionel means by that is any feature that is in the Legacy engine can be accessed with a DCC controller (with 2 exceptions.) The two exceptions are firing the electrocoupler and setting smoke levels other than on-off. That is because there is no DCC CV for those functions.

Many S gauge operators use DCC and Lionel thought it was important S gauge Legacy engines should work on DCC layouts.