Finally broke down and bought a Legacy setup

Deputy posted:

Been using the MTH system and it has been working well for me. Throwing the dice and have a new Legacy Control system being delivered today. If you guys could help, I have some questions to ask about it:

#1 I remember a lot of problems with the Legacy losing contact with the base. Was that fixed?

#2 Also remember a problem with the charger in the base getting extremely hot. Lots of guys were just using akaline batteries instead of the charger. Was that ever fixed? Is the in-base charger working okay now?

#3 Is the speed displayed in MPH or is it still in bars?

#4 Is there a date where Lionel updated the system. Enclosed is a pic of the factory shipping box. Any way of telling if this unit is a new/upgraded unit or should I assume it is not?

#5 How picky is Lionel about where you bought the unit? I bought it off e-Bay. It is factory sealed in the original box. Will they still service it and update it for free if it needs updating or will I have to pay?

Thanks in advance,
Dep

 

I'm relatively new, but have been running both DCS and Legacy since last year.

#1 never ever lost signal with the base. Even at our club track walking around roughly 50 feet. Heck it even works in the back room area behind the club main room through a wall.

#2 Yes, the charging still gets hot. I turned my charging off and now use an external charger since I need batteries for all the remotes (DCS, Legacy, Lionchief, and my Z4000 remote now) so I used a Duracell brand set of charger and AA and AAA batteries. The in base charger can work and I was using it, but yes, charging does get warm.

#3 Only MTH shows scale MPH. Lionel is just a series of bars.

#4 You'll have to fire it up to check software versions.

I cannot speak on Lionel servicing it or sending in for updates, but as long as it's not an early, early unit, you can self software update. It's not that hard. What made it even easier for me is I got the LCS Wifi module, and that made writing the memory modules over wireless just one of the easiest things to do. Otherwise, you need a serial cable- maybe to USB for your computer. Or- a friend who can write the 2 modules for you and loan them for you to just plug in and let it update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_NYel1D6Q

Thanks Jetguy! Appreciate getting back to me so quickly. Guess I won't know how early a unit it is until I get it unpacked. I had zero problems with the MTH unit. Hope I have that same kind of luck with Legacy. 

Answers embedded.

Deputy posted:

Been using the MTH system and it has been working well for me. Throwing the dice and have a new Legacy Control system being delivered today. If you guys could help, I have some questions to ask about it:

#1 I remember a lot of problems with the Legacy losing contact with the base. Was that fixed?

I know of no massive issue with the CAB2 losing contact with the base, however it can happen as you are sharing the 2.4ghz frequency spectrum with a host of other consumer devices, including WiFi.  The usual cure is to change the Legacy channel, you have nine channels available.  FWIW, it's no worse than the MTH TIU in that regard, at least in my experience.

#2 Also remember a problem with the charger in the base getting extremely hot. Lots of guys were just using akaline batteries instead of the charger. Was that ever fixed? Is the in-base charger working okay now?

It still gets warmer than I like, so I charge mine in a #993 charging base, no problem at all there.  There were issues with the charger, that's one of the major issues I had with all of mine.

#3 Is the speed displayed in MPH or is it still in bars?

Pretty sure the MTH has cornered the market in using scale MPH with some sort of patent, so it's still in relative terms.  I've never had any issue with how the speed is displayed, but YMMV.

#4 Is there a date where Lionel updated the system. Enclosed is a pic of the factory shipping box. Any way of telling if this unit is a new/upgraded unit or should I assume it is not?

You can pretty well assume that it's not upgraded, but the upgrade is pretty easy.  Once you fire it up, you can check what the versions in the CAB2 and command base are.  Current are 1.61 for the CAB2 and 1.60 for the command base.

#5 How picky is Lionel about where you bought the unit? I bought it off e-Bay. It is factory sealed in the original box. Will they still service it and update it for free if it needs updating or will I have to pay?

An answer only Lionel can give.  They won't update it if it's 1.20 or later, that's up to the user.  The original 1.00 command base had to go back for a factory update to allow future updates to be done in the field.

Thanks in advance,
Dep

I think I see a date of December 2007 on your carton? If it's factory sealed, it's going to need updates. 

And, Lionel does want their items purchased from their authorized dealers, for warranty work. If that was a locomotive, it would be out of warranty just because of the actual build date. Don't know about a Legacy system

Regardless , have fun with it.

WOW, 2007, that may have to go back to Lionel for the first upgrade!

I am in need of finally getting the Legacy system so I can learn how to properly use it consistently in confidence in CAB1 mode for my 3rd Rail Engines.  The club doesn't have the old TMCC controllers anymore and I don't operate enough there to learn it well.  I have an E8 that needs a reprogramming at some point also. 

Don't own a Legacy locomotive, but still need to know how to operate it!

Jonathan (GG1 4877),

I read your entry and thought I should share my experience with switching to Legacy from the old TMCC concerning ERR equipped engines including 3rd Rail products. I found that on some models the horn will not blow with the Legacy system.  I have three or four engines including my new E8s that have this strange problem.  They work just fine with the old antenna equipped hand held system, but not with Legacy.  Anyone else experience this?  Earl    

Well horsefeathers. No little silver dot on the base OR the remote. So it needs to go in to Lionel. I sent them an e-mail asking for an RMA number. I have read in a few places that Lionel will upgrade the base no matter what as long is it is 1.00. I sure hope so. Forgetabout a receipt. I didn't buy it from a Lionel dealer and the person I bought it from bought it a LONG time ago (2007 as EBT JIM spotted) and the receipt is probably dust now. I know for sure the seller doesn't have it. I guess I will be a test case for this kind of situation. Just my luck. 

Deputy,

Please keep us posted. I'm in the same boat that you are, except I purchased mine more recently. But right now, it is packed away.

Chris

LVHR

Will do Chris. If I don't have an e-mail by 10AM tomorrow, I'm gonna call them.

I think they'll update it, they've been pretty good about keeping the Legacy systems running.  Tends to make it possible to run new Legacy locomotives.

can a person pay lionel to update it?

John: I sure hope you are right. 

WB: I have no doubt Lionel would take money to update it. I'd prefer NOT to have to pay them. 

Pretty sure they'll do that update for free.  I had one that was years old, and I sent it in a few years ago to get updated.

Just got off the phone with Lionel. VERY nice folks there. They asked me nothing about when I bought it. Just my phone number and address. They will be e-mailing the RMA number and all the other info on how to return it. And when it comes back, it will be upgraded to the NEWEST version. No need to fiddle around with the 1.3 modules. John...you were 100% right. No problem at all. 

...nice... 

Mark in Oregon

I thought it would be smooth.  Lionel is doing a smart thing, making sure that the Legacy system is fully functional, that removes one roadblock to buying new Legacy equipment.

Well it's on it's way to Lionel. One thing I might mention. This was in the e-mail they sent me:

Dear ******* ******,
This confirmation letter is to confirm your specific return Authorization Number for the above referenced item(s). Return
Authorization Numbers are issued for warrantable product repair or replacement. Lionel is committed to providing you with the best
service in the industry. We will make every attempt to repair and return your item in a prompt manner. Typically the current lead
time on repairs is approximately 3 weeks. This is an estimation based on information available to us at this time.
When returning a product to the Customer Service Department for repair you must write the RA number boldly on the outside of
the package near the shipping label. If the RA Number is not placed on the package it may delay the repair and return of your
product. You must also enclose a copy of the original sales receipt from an AUTHORIZED LIONEL DEALER. Please enclose an
envelope with a detailed note explaining the problem you are having, a copy of the dated original sales receipt AND your daytime
contact number (in the event a technician needs to speak to you). FAILURE TO ENCLOSE THIS INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN
YOUR PRODUCT BEING RETURNED WITHOUT REPAIR or worse, not returned at all!

Me again. I wrote that dang RMA number ALL OVER the box I sent it in . I was a bit disturbed about that part "You must also enclose a copy of the original sales receipt from an AUTHORIZED LIONEL DEALER." 

Deputy posted:

Well it's on it's way to Lionel. One thing I might mention. This was in the e-mail they sent me:

Dear ******* ******,
This confirmation letter is to confirm your specific return Authorization Number for the above referenced item(s). Return
Authorization Numbers are issued for warrantable product repair or replacement. Lionel is committed to providing you with the best
service in the industry. We will make every attempt to repair and return your item in a prompt manner. Typically the current lead
time on repairs is approximately 3 weeks. This is an estimation based on information available to us at this time.
When returning a product to the Customer Service Department for repair you must write the RA number boldly on the outside of
the package near the shipping label. If the RA Number is not placed on the package it may delay the repair and return of your
product. You must also enclose a copy of the original sales receipt from an AUTHORIZED LIONEL DEALER. Please enclose an
envelope with a detailed note explaining the problem you are having, a copy of the dated original sales receipt AND your daytime
contact number (in the event a technician needs to speak to you). FAILURE TO ENCLOSE THIS INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN
YOUR PRODUCT BEING RETURNED WITHOUT REPAIR or worse, not returned at all!

Me again. I wrote that dang RMA number ALL OVER the box I sent it in . I was a bit disturbed about that part "You must also enclose a copy of the original sales receipt from an AUTHORIZED LIONEL DEALER." 

DON'T Worry about the Original Sales Receipt !!  This is what I call a "FORM" Letter that they send out to all the repairs with a RA#.  In this last few Months I have sent in 990's from a Friend that had his in storage for 5 Years, Mine Which I have had for 8 Years and the "Clubs" that we have had for over two years!  They always come thru!!!!  In fact the last one I sent in they had it back to me in less than TWO Weeks!!  Don't fret!!!

AND, they have never charged me to Repair them!!! KUDOS to "LIONEL TRAINS"!!

FREDSTRAINS