Need Help Setting Up Legacy Engines!

I would assign each a unique ID and enter them into a "LASH UP".  This will ensure that the directional lighting and couplers work as they are meant to.  Since the B unit really isn't anything more than an A unit without a nose or sound, just use the A unit module and then edit the name and road number if need be.  Everything else should work fine.

 

If you were to assign then the same number, it wouldn't be the end of the world as the dummy A doesn't have motors to worry about.  Just make sure the B unit is facing the correct direction for start up.

 

I have a Santa Fe ABBA and all have unique IDs.  It's a pretty awesome sight to see them on the layout all together.

 

Keep asking.  Lots of folks to help.

Hi Joe.

 

On my Legacy A-B-A set, I set each locomotive to have its own number, and then built them into TRAIN. (In my case the locomotive numbers were 9962A, 9962B and 9962C. So I assigned ENG 62 to 9962A, ENG 63 to 9962B, and ENG 64 to 9962C. I then built these as TRAIN 62.)

 

You can use the same module in all 3 locomotives, and then just edit the name afterwards.

 

You could assign all 3 locomotives with the same engine number, but then the lights would not operate correctly. (The headlights/tail lights would be on in the middle of the consist, couplers will not operate as intended etc.) So it is best to assign them different numbers, and build up a TRAIN. That way you ensure that everything operates correctly.

 

I hope that the above is of some help., and I hope that you have lots of fun with your new trains. 

 

 

Edit:  Oops! I type too slowly. MartyE beat me to it. 

Marty and Nicole, thanks for the very quick and thorough responses!  I'm looking forward to trying your suggestions this evening, and will let you know how it works out.

 

Great Info! Thanks for sharing!

Success! Thanks to two very knowledgable Forumites--Marty and Nicole, my brand new Legacy F3 A-B-A set is now up and running. Your suggestions worked perfectly! The set was running very rough at first--stuttering, wobbling and even derailing--due to the poor-quality Lionel traction tires. I replaced all 8 tires on the powered units (4 on the A and 4 on the B) with MTH tires, and the consist is now running like a top!

 

 

 

Marty and Nicole.  Great job in making things easy to follow for people.  Joey, I also picked up the same locomotives yesterday from Charlie.  I got the Jersey Central locomotives. 

 

Joey, the hot setup is to get rid of the Lionel tires and install MTH tires.  It makes a huge difference.

Marty, I also purchased the Jersey Central F's. My grandfather was an engineer on the CNJ, so needless to say it's one of my favorite roads! You're so right about replacing the Lionel traction tires with MTH ones. It made a huge difference!

They have always been a favorite.

 

 

Just curious...I have the Santa FE F3s from a few years back.  Never had a traction tire issue.  What seems to be the problem?

 

Just a recent run.  Yours are OK.  They are extra thick and not smooth.  Same with recent Flyer tires.  Lionel has a replacement Flyer tire that is tighter on the wheel and very smooth like the MTH tire.

Makes ya wonder what changed.

I have a few Lionel Legacy diesel locomotives.  I just replace the tires before putting them on the track.

MartyE, take a look at the photo below that shows what Marty F. is talking about.  The Lionel tires pictured on the left came with my brand new F3's.  They are way thicker than the grooves in the wheels, so they protrude causing all sorts of operational problems from wobbling to stuttering to derailing.  As you can see, they got all chewed up after just a few laps around my very small layout!The MTH tires seem to fit into the wheel grooves perfectly.

 

 

One of my SS PRR Centipedes wobbles.  I believe it is caused by the traction tires. 

 

What is the new number for the new 'better' Lionel tires?

 

Alternatively, how do I order the betterr MTH tires?  Number?  I've no experience ordering from MTH.

I find that the Lionel traction tyres are generally fine. As long as they have been fitted correctly.

 

On the Legacy F units this is especially important, as the clearance between the tyre and the brake shoes is very small. If either the tyre is not perfectly fitted, or if the truck side-frames are not aligned correctly, then the shoes will contact the tyres and then problems arise very quickly.

 

After encountering tyre problems with my first Legacy F unit, I make a point of checking and adjusting the truck side-frames as necessary before I first put them on the track. I also check that the tyres are correctly fitted before use.

It's easy to do this check when you are lubricating the locomotive before use. All you have to do is to move the axles to the limits of their sideways float in each direction, rotate the wheels and see if they bind. If so, then check the side-frames and tyres. I currently have 5 F units, and after performing the above simple checks I have encountered no further problems.

Nicole, all the tires are not bad.  You do know your trains and did a great outline on how you check for this.  Just recently a very bad run has appeared.  If you keep buying new engines, sooner or later you might hit the bad ones.  I am a bit over the top as an operator and demand perfect operation.  Putting the MTH tires on does what I want.

Great info all.  Thanks!