Just purchased the Lionel Legacy Control System with Version 1.4 Firmware

I am perhaps the least expert in Legacy on the board, but I did just buy a V1.4 set and a new Legacy E6 Atlantic loco. Your problems with your loco sound just like mine.

 

What I found was that I followed the quick start menu in the Legacy manual and made a mess. I had to reprogram the loco using the step-by-step instructions in the Legacy manual for reprogramming and then things went much better. Just find this page and do exactly as its says. Then, wow! Legacy was impressive!

 

You may still stall (go into the no response, flickering light mode) in an area with lots of clutter or overpasses (this is almost certainly the ground plane issue you will read so much about here) but the reprogamming worked for me and solved most of my issues. Give it a try. Read about the ground plane matter at length and make layout adjustments as needed.

 

I have now read the Legacy manual cover-to-cover and it is helpful but far from definitive--the quick start menu is very short on some key details, like screwing the antenna into the base, for example.

 

Good luck.

First off, for a CAB2 at 1.3, it defaults to Legacy control when you program a new unit unless you go in and set TMCC or CAB1.  Use the Info button, then scroll to the locomotive type screens.

track mobiles are command control not "legacy" control from my understanding.  This means you would want it set up as TMCC or Cab1 in the remote.  To change directions, you should be able to push the direction button.  It is the Boost/Brake rocker switch.  Push down on it, and the headlights and such should switch and the engine should run in the other direction.  As far as assigning your engine an ID, I would avoid assigning it ID number 1.  All new engines come preset as ID 1.  I usually leave id 1 open.  that way when I get a new engine, I can test it out for bugs without re-programing.  Then once it clears inspection, I give it a new ID.  I number mine sequentially, some people number it based off the last 2 or first 2 digits in the road number.  Thats all up to you.

Thanks guys, I totally missed the boost/brake button being a multi-tasked for direction also.

 

Is there anyway to get the engine number 1 I programmed in back to the original settings?

 

Yes, it is TMCC not legacy so got to see how to get it off of CAB1 and to TMCC also.

 

Good idea about leaving the id1 open!

 

Thanks,

Dennis

Piscataway, NJ

You can turn the switch on the loco to program, then just use the CAB2 to set the new address.

 

Turn the pgm/run switch to PGM.

 

Push ENG (left in the top row of buttons).

Key in the desired number.

Push Set (bottom left)

 

Turn the pgm/run switch back to Run.

 

I'd suggest you spend some time and read the manual, all of this is covered.

press the info button, when the screen changes push the scroll button until control shows look for TMCC press the button under TMCC and it will be in TMCC mode.

Actaully you want to keep engine ID 1 and 99 open. One for new setup and 99 since the new legacy engiens have that as an all run option

Thanks for the assistance guys.

I did read the manual and proofread is one of the things I do for work, but this manual is written by someone who knows the controls but is not written to instruct a new person on the functions. I create training manuals, user manuals, and Web Based Service Training Courses for Digital Printing Equipment. IMO they should be written to teach them by doing it rather than by just showing the content to the student.

 

Yes GRJohn, it was there in the manual but sort of hidden in plain sight!

I was hoping to make it simpler than that, but oh well!

 

Thanks again Guys!

 

I will dig thru the forums posts on others that have had issues and maybe I can not have to learn everything the hard way...

 

Dennis

Piscataway, NJ

You won't break anything, just tinker.   I am still finding out about some functions.  Also, each new generation of Legacy locomotives adds some features and changes the buttons a bit, very interesting.

Hey Dennis,
I also write instructions for a printing company. Small world. The instructions from Lionel are hard to follow at times. But I find as I become more familiar with the product the more the instructions help me. As John says, just tinker, it is a lot of fun.
Happy railroading