Legacy Engines vs TMCC - are they worth the premium?

There is way more then a quiling whistle.   The brake control alone is worth it.   Nothing like setting the brakes and turning up the throttle and hearing those chuffs.

200 speed steps

Quilling Whistle

Additional smoke effects

Newer models have sequence control and sensor track enabled

Lighting features not found on TMCC

Much better sound set with additional sounds not found on TMCC

8 levels of RPM for diesels

Varying dyna chuff based on speed, labor, and train break settings

Compatible with each other for multi unit setups

Much better speed control

Single strike bell

I'm sure I missed a few.

Many of the legacy locos aren't really priced much more, if at all, than their TMCC counterparts, aside from the VL stuff of course. Some locos, like the legacy em1 and k4 were/are substantially less than the previous TMCC versions from years ago, and include the whistle steam feature.

I have one of the TMCC mohawks from 2005, the new legacy version is going for the same price.

the simple answer is: YES its worth the little extra

I might pay an extra 100 bucks but not an extra 5-600 bucks. You would have to take it on case by case basis. NYC Mohawks with Odyssey and RS4 can be had for ~500 bucks, the new legacy version is at least double that and the detail is identical.

Pete

Probably the only downside of the Legacy engines (at least the ones made since mid 2011) was the non-roadname and number specific CrewTalk and TowerCom dialog, but aside from that the Legacy engines are the better buy, even as they devalue their TMCC counterparts.

You get refueling sounds on the steam engines, too. Not to mention much better speed control usually better smoke units.

Bottom line is they may be more expensive, but just like buying a 4 wheel drive truck over a 2 wheel, it'll be well worth it in the long run.

Prior to buying any Legacy locos, I've purchased 9 TMCC locos over the past decade. All purchased new but none were big articulated or JLC series types - just basic TMCC steam and diesels. 

The few legacy locos that I've purchased in the past 2 years (also basic models, no articulated) have me wanting to sell all of my TMCC fleet.

The absolute speed steps and slow speed control is really great.

The 4 chuff and fan smoke are also a big plus.

Being able to lash up any number of legacy engines is also a nice feature.

I have one Legacy diesel and one RS 5.0 Odyssey equipped engine, everything else is either TMCC from Lionel or various upgardes (DD, TAS, ERR).  There is a tremendous difference between how TMCC engines work under Legacy/CAB-2 and the way they work with a CAB-1/original command base.  This won't make up for a lack of cruise control but the engine will run at slower speeds than they would without the CAB-2.  You shouldn't really try to compare a pre Odyssey/RS-5 engine to Legacy.  That's too big a jump.

Comparing the S-2 and the RS-11 is a little tighter.  You have much finer speed control with Legacy and the sounds are a little "richer".   Both engines work extremely well.   I would have a hard time justifying a large price difference between those.