Legacy steam engine stuck in neutral

First off, see if the brake slider is pulled down, that's the most common issue with the CAB2.

the engine came without its storage module

To be clear do the sounds start as soon as you power up the track or do you start it up with the Cab-2?

railsounds come on right away engine runs on conventional mode

Ok Bob we’re going to need some more information, what’s the product number of this specific locomotive? Is this your only LEGACY/TMCC locomotive? If not do all the others operate normally?

Sounds like a TMCC signal issue.  Like Zach says, time for the actual product number of the locomotive.

I have several Legacy engines. They all seem to have this problem stop and go. sometimes if I run them in reverse they'll work

@Bob is cool! posted:

I have several Legacy engines. They all seem to have this problem stop and go. sometimes if I run them in reverse they'll work

Let's start with one and work from there.  Without specifics, it's pretty hard to make any worthwhile recommendations.  Truthfully with multiple engines having the problem, I suspect a signal strength issue on the layout and not the actual engines.

I've suspected that the signal is weak. If this so , what do I do to fix this

The engine that is stuck and only rail sound with power.  Santa Fe Legacy 4-8-4 #3765-2031190 A beautiful blue engine

If the track signal is weak, you're looking in the wrong place.  You say multiple engines have the problem, so I suspect either your Legacy command base, the power brick, or the house wiring.  The power brick 3rd prong MUST have a good earth ground to start.  Also, I've seen a couple of Legacy command bases with very weak track signal output, they have to go back to Lionel.  Finally, if the outside rail is somehow coupled to earth ground, that will kill the Legacy track signal.

Have you tried the locomotives on a different layout?  I'd do that and eliminate them as the cause.

don't have another layout to use. the engine came without its storage module. when I apply power as I've said railsounds come on right away. I've tried enabling its program setting but nothing happens. don't know what you mean about the bricks 3rd prong  Its serial cable goes right into the cab base,

Serial cable?  What are we talking about?

Exactly what is your command setup, TMCC, Legacy, what?

180w Lionel brick with a serial connect cable to the Cab2 base. I have a small ; transformer to easily run conventional engines but it off line til I want it

I think we need a picture of your setup.  A 180w brick doesn't have a serial connector on it.  I think we're missing some details.

Sorry the serial connection isn't from the brick but from a power master which isn't connected to the track at this time  My other Legacy engines run fine.

Here's the track connection from the brick thru The Tmcc Direct Lockon

@Bob is cool! posted:

the engine came without its storage module

Did you load the info manually? Or are you running this in tmcc mode?

Is the Legacy base power supply plugged into a surge protector?  If so by pass it.  Some surge protectors interfere with the needed ground of the Legacy base.

@MartyE posted:

Is the Legacy base power supply plugged into a surge protector?  If so by pass it.  Some surge protectors interfere with the needed ground of the Legacy base.

I agree with others that you have a layout wiring problem, not a locomotive problem.

In your picture, it looks like the Legacy Base power supply is indeed plugged into a surge protector.  As Marty suggests, this could kill the Legacy signal.  You need to plug the Legacy Base power supply directly into a wall outlet or into a 3 wire extension cord (not a power strip or surge protector).  

Legacy setup is very basic.  

1.  Plug the 3-prong Legacy Base power supply into a wall outlet (if yours only has 2 prongs, it won't work)

2. Connect Powerhouse 180 brick to the track, in your case by using a TMCC direct lockon.  The center rail connects to the terminal labeled A and the outside rail connects to the terminal labeled U.  It won't work if you connect them wrong.

3. Connect a wire from the terminal on the Legacy Base to the outside rail.  It can connect internally to the TMCC Lockon to accomplish this in your setup.  

Here is the manual for the TMCC direct lockon.

If you do these connections properly and locomotives are still coming up in conventional (lights and sound on power up), then do the same setup connected to a 3' section of test track off of your layout.  If the test track works, probably your layout outside rail is connected to earth ground, killing the legacy signal.  You will need to review all connections to the layout track.

If the above suggestions are not solving the problem, your best option is to have someone local who has Legacy experience look things over.  If you don't have any contacts, try a local 3-rail club or a local hobby shop.

Bob