How do you know what version you are buying?? And other advice..

A Legacy 990 can easily be upgraded from your home PC using a black module. There was only one very early version that had to go back to Lionel for updating. I would imagine it is very unlikely that any of these remain on dealer shelves? The 990s were out of stock for well over a year a couple years ago and everyone was looking for them, they couldn't be found anywhere. I would think the dealer should be able to tell you how long they have had it in stock? I am not sure they can tell the exact version without opening it and turning it on to check version number? I believe Charles Ro sells the black Legacy modules with the current versions on them.

There is also the Cab1L/Base1L that replaced the older TMCC controllers. These are Legacy compatible, but omit the operation of some Legacy features. I don't know enough about these to say just what features are missing though. This might do for you if you never plan to purchase any Legacy items, but I would go with the Legacy 990 just in case. 

The CW80s don't play well with some MTH items, but I don't recall hearing the Lionel engines have problems with these? I will leave that one to others to be sure. The PH-180 is an excellent power source and has a very fast acting breaker. They are arguable the best available today in a train power supply.

I bought a 990 last summer, it is the current version and my favorite remote system, easier for me to use.  I can run my TMCC(10) engines with it and now I'm buying legacy (12) engines.  Since I run the track at 18 volts I can also run a Lionchief (12)  engine at the same time, since the have similar speeds. TMCC runs tends to run faster.

Buy a 990 and you'll love it, we'll worth the money.  The base that recharges it is great to use if you are sitting down at your control panel . Lionel has many YouTube videos for institutional purposes available . Very well thought out system. 

GVDobler posted:

So....how do you know what version a vendor has if you buy online? Am I correct that anything on a shelf today will probably be latest version?  It seems like they sell those out rather quickly. Or at least a late enough version that it would not require a trip to Lionel to upgrade it. I like new because of the warranty that has been mentioned.

You have hit upon something I've been asking for now for about 3 years.  I would love it if the "as shipped" version of software could be put on the outside of the box for both DCS and Legacy Systems from the factory.  If nothing else when you buy it, you know the version.  I have asked both Lionel and MTH to do this.

I help out at my LHS and when a new version is released, after an initial waiting period of a couple weeks (in case of bugs), I upgrade any and all systems in stock and add a sticker to the outside of the box as to what version.  Every DCS and Legacy system in the store is current.

If the shop you are ordering from is good, they should keep them current or at minimal upgrade it before they ship it.  I would ask before purchasing.