Lionel CW-80 Transformer (Wireless)

The technology exists for wireless power transmission, but it's not practical for your use.

Are you intending to switch from Legacy and the CAB to just the CW80?

A couple of things. Just guessing how you want to run. You need to cut power the Legacy base, and switch the track power from the Legacy controlled transformer to the CW 80. You can do that with a double pole double throw switch. Cut the base power with one side of the switch and switch power with the other side of the switch.

USCGRET posted:

I would like to run my conventional engines on my Lionel CW-80 Transformer.  Currently, my lay out is set up with Lionel Legacy for my CC engines with Lionel power blocks.  I find it difficult (cumbersome) to run conventional engines with my legacy remote.  My thoughts are to place a toggle switch (kill switch) between the Cab 1 (Cab 2) controller.  Once the switch is in place and is blocking the signal to the track from my Cab 1 (Cab 2 controller, I would initiate the CW-80 and transformer to control the conventional engines.  I am not sure if this would work.  Has anyone ever done this and overlapped their Legacy system?  Also, is there a way you can wire your CW-80 transmitter remotely to the track.  In other words attach a transmitting device to the posts of the CW-80 and a receiver device to the track that would take the power increase and decrease from the transmitter.   Mabe this is a pipe dream, however what would I need to make this happen.  Thanks.

use a tpc, track power controller.

switching off the legacy/tmcc signal may or may not stop the signal from reaching the track.  the only way to guarantee no signal reaching the track is to unplug the legacy/tmcc base.

Theoretically, theres no reason to "block" the legacy signal in order to run your conventional trains.

As long as the legacy base is on, the legacy equipped locos will  "see" the legacy signal not move unless they are addressed.( if they legacy base is off, legacy locos will default to conventional operation)

You can power your legacy base first, then bring up your CW 80 throttle and run your conventional stuff. 

 As far as varying the CW 80 with your remote,Lionel is way ahead of you on this:

A Lionel TPC unit as mentioned above. These are older but work well. Most likely you'll have to find one on the second hand market.

TPC 300

TPC 400

Or a more recent version of the same thing, the Legacy powermaster

Legacy Powermaster

The same rule still applies. In fact, it is possible to run conventional locos and Legacy cc locos on the same track with the same remote with a TPC unit or a powermaster.

The legacy loco performance will be limited by the lower conventional operating voltages, but this does indeed work.