Use of Cab 1L Remotes with Legacy #990 Control System

I agree that the Cab 2 remote is probably too complicated for most 4-6 year olds, but maybe okay for the 10 year old with a little help and instructions. You can set a speed limit, also.

Not to duck the question, but have you considered some older, basic Lionel starter trains that have a much simpler remote to get them started ?

Alos, many Lionel engines (both high end and starters) come with Bluetooth capability that they can operate with an iDevice and the free app download. Seems like kids today know how to operate those from birth.

We do this all day at the local club. We have Legacy and then added a CAB1L

You do nothing special. Put good batteries into the remote, ensure it's on the same channel as the base, and then use the thing.

Cab-1L is the best thing Lionel has done for the average operator in the recent past.  I use them at home and on the club layout. Kids love'em too.   

I agree, cab2 can be a bit much. Maybe a cab1 set or cab1L. Also with the cab2 remote being recently discontinued, those are becoming harder to acquire, and don't want little fingers to drop them.

@Conductor Earl posted:

Cab-1L is the best thing Lionel has done for the average operator in the recent past.  I use them at home and on the club layout. Kids love'em too. 

And, when they drop it (CAB1L),still not happy, but not like dropping a CAB2 on the floor.....

I probably use my CAB1L remotes more than the CAB2, but I like having both.  As others have said, the CAB1L is a far more robust remote, and for kits that frequently have the dropsies, it would be my first choice.

The original CAB 1  remote will not work with a CAB 2 (LEGACY) base , either 990 or 993. They are nearly complete different operating systems using different bit technologies.  A CAB 1L   will work with a  LEGACY base and CAB 2.  However any command locomotive ie TMCC   or LEGACY  can be controlled by any handheld unit.  The main difference is in the amount of features you can access from the different handhelds, with CAB 1  being the least.

At our club we have members that come in with the original gray TMCC CAB 1  handheld and wonder why their engines don't respond.  We give them a CAB 2 and off they go.

By adding the old TMCC BASE1 to the mix via the serial port, you can use the original CAB1 with your Legacy system.