Eventually I'm going to want to upgrade my conventional models to command control, but why settle for TMCC when Legacy is so much better? Is there a compelling reason why this can't or won't become a reality?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
This question has been asked quite a few times before and the answer seems to come down to 'complexity' of the conversion. Legacy uses LEDs and different sensors involving almost a complete gutting of all the existing electronics and possibly the even motor.
Also consider that Lionel probably prefers that you replace your older modes (with new Legacy models) rather than upgrade them.
Hopefully others will chime in with better answers!
1) Lionel will not license it, even to Jon
2) Probably the same reason the once talked about conversion kits never showed up, just not practical. Cots were very high
3) There is a gentleman from Europe who has had some luck upgrading TMCC to egacy but it was a very hit and miss proposition. Some engines worked beter than others
Lionel will sell the motor control portion of Legacy but as pointed out its not plug and play and other than responding to Legacy Commands, performance is not that much better than than say ERR Cruise. No chance you will see Legacy audio any time soon let alone RS-5 for upgrades.
Pete
You don't need it, the ERR cruise commander is an upgrade in itself. It has 100 speed steps. A big improvement over the 32 speed steps, TMCC sound chips are available at Lionel now for certain engines or you can go with a generic sound version from ERR.
Mods for 4 chuffs per rev. can be done.
A colleague and I are working on updating my Allegheny 1601 with a ERR cruise commander, and I cannot wait. He completed a PRR T1 earlier and it was like night and day!
The only thing you will be missing is the better sound boards, and I believe its only a matter of time when these will be available as well, just like the TMCC sound boards are available now.
My experience with Legacy is still fairly limited but I've enjoyed the ability to hit the bell with control of individual rings and especially the quill-able whistle/horn.
You could always covert to PS2/3....
Originally Posted by c.sam:
Legacy uses LEDs and different sensors involving almost a complete gutting of all the existing electronics and possible the even motor.
Short of the motor (my Lionel T-1s all need their pullmor motors replaced with can motors anyway) I don't really see that as a big deal. LEDs don't scare me, nor does upgrading a sensor (I assume Legacy still uses some type of tach strip and optical sensor, right?) Obviously a sub-par motor will limit the quality of the speed control, but I accept that.
Now I'm well aware it would be impossible to make a "plug and play" legacy upgrade, but honestly the sound features are some of the things I'm most interested in. But in 5 years Lionel hasn't made ONE Legacy engine I'd be interested in, because, as I said, I like obscure stuff. I know, I'm weird.
Perhaps you can find a lower end or junked Legacy steamer and gut it
Originally Posted by cbojanower:
Perhaps you can find a lower end or junked Legacy steamer and gut it
Sort of like finding a Unicorn
