Legacy #990 Stock Outs

Lionel manufactures things in "batches", when one batch sells out you must wait for the next one.

 

The advantage to that is Lionel typically makes the current  upgrades/updates part of the  newest "batch".

 

Lionels shipping schedule says  April 13, these may become available any day now, however, until they are removed from the shipping schedule they have not come over from china yet.

I get all of that, however, new hobbiest cannot come into the hobby when they are unable to get the basic equipment necessary to build a layout. 

Be patient, most everyone will have them back in Stock this Month!!

 

FREDSTRAINS

Guys just curios do the new 990 sets come with the 1.5 software modules. I want to get one. For the price Difference vrs. The 993. I wanted another remote anyway and I get a back up base just in case mine needs repaired. Plus I can have one on the main layout and one on the christmas layout. Th reason I am asking. I still need to update my 990 base and remote set. I don't have a computer at the moment. So doing it via the LCS program is a no go. If the new sets still come with these modules. I can upgrade finally and get my system up to date. Thanks for the info!

I suspect the next "batch" will come with 1.5, as I stated above Lionel has the current updates for each "batch".

I'd be willing to bet no modules will be shipped with them.  I think they're going to the on-line update model to save money, and IMO that's not a bad thing.

In stock at

 

Barry's Train Shop

2 West High Street

Elizabethtown, PA 17022

 

717-367-4745

Thanks guys, a very nice forum member Dennis was gracious enough to give me a copy of it in exchange for two blue modules of an older version plus postage. Thanks again dennis! You guys are great! Now off to run the trains!

Side Track Hobbies has them.

My bet is Lionel will include the system modules in the 990 for some time to come.  They could be needed if the software becomes corrupted.  Personally I would like to see them include a black module as well.  You'd have everything you'd ever need.

If you have blue modules, with a little work, they become black modules.

ZWL - The 993 only ships with the CAB 2 module and no base module, so you cannot upgrade the whole thing

 

id just buy the set of modules from Lionel in your case

And if you make all of your Blue Modules, black, then if you have an issue and don't have a system "set" made then what?

 

It's always a good idea to have a set of blue modules so you have a known good "set" of system modules.  IMO.

Well Marty, I have a set of black modules with the current firmware in them, so this is not an issue.  It's indeed a "known good" set, I've upgraded a number of systems with them.

As a new Legacy user, is there a thread that explains the whole module situation for us?

 

I'm confused about the different color pieces as to what they do.

 

Received a Southern U28C awhile back and the module was blank (orange in color I think)

Thanks

Blue are System Modules.  Used to restore software if needed or in previous upgrades before 1.5 sent out to do upgrades.  As John pointed out, they can be modified to make a black module.  (see next)

 

Black modules are writable.  Lionel now posts system upgrades to their website.  Using the LSU you make system modules to do upgrades.  They can also be used to make Multi_engine modules.  Basically taking the engine information loaded in your base and making it portable.  Handy as they can hold all the info on all the engines in the base regardless whether TMCC or Legacy.

 

Orange modules are pre-programmed for Legacy engines.  They are used to add engine info into the Legacy system.  These are being phased out.

 

White or tan modules.  A very basic TMCC 1 setup module for entering into Legacy.  Pretty much a waste as they do very little. 

Thanks Marty - I'll have to 'digest' that for awhile.

I bought my system used from a Forum member and am not sure what version it is.  No trouble with it however.

Have 3 diesels and 4 steamers at present and several are not loaded...

I gave away version 1.2 so I still have 1.3 . Would not want to go back to 1.2 anyway!

Once you've confirmed operationally that a new version is satisfactory for your use, I don't see any percentage in keeping the old modules.  FWIW, I have the Legacy 1.4, 1.5, and 1.51 files on my computer in the remote chance that I'd want to try them for some reason.  However, my base and both remotes run 1.51 and that works perfectly for me.

 

I turned all my blue modules into black modules, so I can keep a pair with the current version ready, and I still have some left for creating engine configuration modules.

In the unlikely event that the base becomes corrupted, and you cannot make a new system module set, it's always nice to have one good version on a couple of modules.  You're mileage may vary.

How to get the black module?  Thanks

I agree Marty, I do recommend keeping a set, and I in fact do keep a current set burned into a pair of black modules.

 

 

You can buy them, MSRP is $19.95 I believe, and here's a link to the thread about how to make them from old blue modules: Free Black Modules for Legacy

Gunrunner,

 

"If you have blue modules, with a little work, they become black modules."

 

Maybe this is a candidate for the TMCC/LEGACY REFERENCE MATERIALS & MANUALS thread/

Good idea, I posted a link there.  If it's deemed inappropriate, I'm sure Rich will send it to post heaven.

Where do we get a blue module to convert into a black module please?

 

Did I phrase that correctly?

 

All I have are several Orange ones and a cream-colored one (don't know where that came from?)

I received my blues with my legacy system.  and lionel sent a set in 2010 for an upgrade.

I had a 1.0, two 1.2 modules, and a pair of 1.3 that were sent as my first upgrade from Lionel.  All five of them are now black modules.

 

Orange modules are Legacy configuration modules that used to ship with every locomotive, and the cream colored modules (you should have two) were the diesel and steam generic modules that came with the Legacy system.

Dennis,

    Thanks for the info, just ordered and got their last one. Shipped the same day with low prices and low UPS shipping rates. I will order from them again.

Trainworld as of today is saying the Legacy #990 sets will not be in stock until August 2013.  This will be frustrating for some looking for these.  Although, Lionel site still says April 2013. 

I just called Charles Ro and they too are saying August.

Just spoke to Nassau, they are pushed back to March 2014 now.

Wow... Just wow!!!    Seems the importers are REALLY at the mercy of overseas factory production schedules now more than ever these days.  It's pretty bad though when an importer can't even get parts for its premier control system.  At this rate, folks new to command-control are gonna forget that Legacy even exists as an option.  

 

David

Bad News!  I ordered one of these from my LHS last month and the estimated delivery was this month, I think. After reading this thread and your recent post here, my sails have just lost a lot of wind! So much for having it for Christmas and being able to run my newly purchased Legacy BNSF diesel.

I am not new to Command and was almost ready to buy this summer.
But not at the inflated prices. And not really seeing all that much more bang for the buck. And with no Legacy locos, my TMCC and conventional will only see marginal running improvement. 

Plus considering that I have rarely seen anything that Lionel ever made that ran flawless anyway, it is already starting to lose its initial appeal. Think I will stick with my Cab-1