Upgrading from the "basic" O Scale sets to Legacy

Well besides a legacy engine you need the Legacy #990 command base with remote.   Connect one wire from the base to the outside track, and you are good to go.  Any questions on setup, ask here or there's tons of Youtube videos on the subject.

@superwarp1 posted:

Well besides a legacy engine you need the Legacy #990 command base with remote.   Connect one wire from the base to the outside track, and you are good to go.  Any questions on setup, ask here or there's tons of Youtube videos on the subject.

Thank you so much!  Would this be a good one?

LIONEL LEGACY CAB-1L/BASE-1L COMMAND CONTROL SET O GAUGE train TMCC 6-37147 NEW

@DukeDog posted:

Thank you so much!  Would this be a good one?

LIONEL LEGACY CAB-1L/BASE-1L COMMAND CONTROL SET O GAUGE train TMCC 6-37147 NEW

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35095...3:g:vAMAAOSwEOJgmXNM

There seem to be quite a few versions out there.  Just want to make sure I grab a good one

Thank you so much for your reply!

I'm off to YouTube....!

That is the less feature version.  To get full Legacy you really need the 990 set, not to be confused with the 993.

Lionel 990

Just to be crystal clear, you do not "need" a command set like the 990 to run a Legacy engine. Legacy engines are designed by Lionel to be able to be run "conventionally", i.e., with a basic AC transformer. The only hitch is that when you run conventionally, you cannot access all of the Legacy engine's cool features, but it will certainly run with basic features.

In that case, all you really need to do to get started is purchase a quality AC transformer and then you can start running your Legacy engine. As you get more advanced, you can then add the 990 command set and you will still need that AC transformer, so no money lost.

The choice is yours.

Recent Legacy locos may be operable using your universal remote (LionChief) if this loco is equipped with Bluetooth.  Should be noted on the box from the loco and in the manual if these are in your hands.  Bluetooth is usually spelled out in big letters.  The power supply that came with your O gauge set (LionChief wallwart if from recent years) should also be adequate for starters.  If you don't have the manual/box for the loco, you can post a picture and perhaps we can figure out whether it is operable by the universal remote.

DukeDog - Further to Landsteiner's comment, it would be helpful if you provided the Product Number of the Legacy train you have acquired?

@PH1975 posted:

DukeDog - Further to Landsteiner's comment, it would be helpful if you provided the Product Number of the Legacy train you have acquired?

Thanks so much!

We found this one on eBay : http://www.lionel.com/products...y-case-1900-6-28062/

I'm sure there are probably much better options for our first legacy but my son saw that one in the magazine and wanted it in the worst way.  I was hoping to start with one of those cute little blue comets for $600 but alas here we are.  I'm sure I'm going to need to take out a second mortgage soon.

I think since it's older it doesn't have bluetooth. 

Not engine is not a Legacy engine.

DukeDog - Nope, that NYC Gold-Plated 700E Hudson was released in 2000 so it wouldn't have Bluetooth.  That said, your son's got expensive taste, excellent - but expensive. (lol).

@JFC454 posted:

Not engine is not a Legacy engine.

JFC,

Correct, but it does have TMCC, a little less capable than Legacy but still much fun.  The good news is that it's fully compatible with the Legacy CAB-2 command handheld and base mentioned above, or it's little brother Legacy CAB-1L/Base 1L, or the original TMCC command control system CAB-1/Base 1.

Mike

If you haven’t purchased that engine yet I would suggest waiting until you can get some more suggestions from forum members so you can purchase wisely.  The steam engine you linked to would no longer have a warranty and Lionel would not repair it if there was a problem.  It uses TMCC which was the operating system before Legacy.  You can’t use the universal remote to run that engine.

Great to see you jumping in head first 😉. As the others have mentioned that locomotive you linked is early TMCC not LEGACY. No problem with that, as for what you need to run it you can of course run it conventionally. I think this is a good time to point out since you mentioned a LC set that any TMCC or LEGACY locomotives require AC power ONLY. If your set came with a DC wall back DO NOT USE IT to power anything but LC locomotives. Now that disclaimer is out of the way, as far as command control I really enjoy the full LEGACY #990 set and highly recommend it but they have recently became scarce. The CAB-1L is a great way to get your feet wet and when you go full LEGACY the CAB-1L still talks to the legacy command base