Running a newer Legacy engine with a 54 watt DC power supply

If your Legacy locomotive is unmodified and it's Owner's Manual says it can run on DC, it should be ok to use a Lionchief 54 watt power supply.  However, with it's 3 Amps max output, the power supply's circuit protection may kick in if you turn on the smoke unit and/or run enough cars with incandescent lights.  Regardless, I don't see how anything would be harmed in this scenario.

I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm mistaken.

Sounds OK to me, Steve seems to have covered it.

Thank you for the replies. I'll post an update when I try it.

Brad

So just an update. I tried this with a Legacy Camelback. The train powered up and linked to Bluetooth. It lit up, ran fine and smoked as well but zero sounds. Not sure if that was a too small of a power supply issue or using DC power. This Camelback is not from the previous run but the run or 2 before. It seemed there was a topic about running it on DC would provide no sound but it seemed to be a software issue in my run of Camelbacks. Can't find it using the search function now. I'll try a different legacy engine sometime and report back. Right now I'm just running my LC+2.0 0-6-0t pulling some Overton cars.

Brad

@B rad posted:

So just an update. I tried this with a Legacy Camelback. The train powered up and linked to Bluetooth. It lit up, ran fine and smoked as well but zero sounds. Not sure if that was a too small of a power supply issue or using DC power. This Camelback is not from the previous run but the run or 2 before. It seemed there was a topic about running it on DC would provide no sound but it seemed to be a software issue in my run of Camelbacks. Can't find it using the search function now. I'll try a different legacy engine sometime and report back. Right now I'm just running my LC+2.0 0-6-0t pulling some Overton cars.

Brad

Is this the Topic you were thinking about?

New 4-6-0 Camelback audio problem.

Yes that's it Steve thank you! I have a Legacy model from 2021 Vol 1 so the sound board does not work on DC even though the locomotive does. I have a couple newer ones that should work fine. A 2-8-0 Consolidation and a 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler. I'll try one of those next weekend and report back.

Brad

I just checked and my other 2 Legacy engines are from the same time frame so doubt they will work. I have plenty of other stuff I can run so no big deal. I don't care to purchase a CW-80 for a dining room table Christmas layout so it's all good. Thanks for the replies to my post.

It is nice to know this can be done though for people that don't care to purchase a Legacy or DCS system of any kind for a simple temporary layout. I have grown to appreciate how Lionel allows you to run a Legacy or even a Visionline locomotive without all the extra stuff that was needed in the past.

Brad

@B rad I can appreciate not wanting to buy a CW-80 for a seasonal layout.  Have you considered picking up a small used transformer.  I've found a few over the years at thrift stores, train shows, and online.  All were less than $10 and would easily run a single loco with smoke and lighted cars.

Thanks Steve, I'll look into that. So far the 54 watt power supply has worked great for my LC+ to LC+ 2.0 with lighted incandescent or LED cars so the Legacy engines are not needed on this layout.  Just wanted to run one and show off some whistle steam effect 😄.

The transformer would be the last thing to go cheap on if you want to run modern equipment that cost several hundred dollars.