Lionel Availability Frustration

I understand her confusion. It took me a couple of months to get up to speed on TMCC controllers and the newer models and what is needed for what.

I decided to stick with my older Cab1 remote and base as I currently have TMCC locos and no plans to buy any legacy locos.

You might want to look at Trainz.com, who is a forum sponsor, for a used Cab1 Remote and Cab1 base. They are costly but cheaper than the Cab1L equipment.

Thanks, she already purchased a CAB-1L last winter (arrived Sept) so already invested in the handheld controller.  Is the CAB-1L handheld controller compatible with the old BASE-1, seems to be conflicting opinions.  Do you know the differences between the BASE-1 & BASE-1L.  Checked Trainz, no BASE-1L's but one BASE-1.

@aka1178 posted:

Thanks, she already purchased a CAB-1L last winter (arrived Sept) so already invested in the handheld controller.  Is the CAB-1L handheld controller compatible with the old BASE-1, seems to be conflicting opinions.  Do you know the differences between the BASE-1 & BASE-1L.  Checked Trainz, no BASE-1L's but one BASE-1.

Simple, Base1L is blue, communicates with the matching blue CAB1L remote on 2.4GHz. This is labeled "legacy lite" meaning not the full features of Legacy- but the next generation version higher than the previous CAB1 set. No visible antenna to poke you in the eye.

original grey/black CAB1 base communicates using 27MhZ AM to the grey CAB1 remote. This ONLY understands and sends TMCC data formated commands. Uses an oldschool pull out antenna on the remote- great for poking someone or just snapping it off.

Side Track Hobbies has CAB1L sets (base and remote or just remote). They are a forum sponsor adpeeps.php

http://sidetrackhobbies.com/sc...VATOR.FXP?item=37147

Thanks for the explanation.

My daughter should have purchased the base/remote but out of ignorance purchased only the remote.  20-20 hindsight so now she just needs to acquire the base.  Of course the base-1Lby itself is not available anywhere.

@aka1178 posted:

Thanks for the explanation.

My daughter should have purchased the base/remote but out of ignorance purchased only the remote.  20-20 hindsight so now she just needs to acquire the base.  Of course the base-1Lby itself is not available anywhere.

Call Sidetrack and see if they will help you out. They are open Wednesday. http://sidetrackhobbies.com/sc...VATOR.FXP?page=ABOUT

Hours of operation:
Wednesday through Friday 10 - 5
Saturday.9 - 3
Closed Sunday, Monday & Tuesday

He sold me items he didn't have listed (my MTH European engines, B&O 4-4-0 set, my 400E tinplate, and others). Maybe can break up a set.

The bad news is I believe the base-1L is discontinued.

Check and see if the Speeder is Bluetooth enabled (which it should be if recent production--last few years). If so, it can be controlled by the free app on any smart phone or tablet.  Zero cost if possible.  Or controlled by the Universal Remote (LionChief) which is available for $50.  Added:  Unfortunately I'm wrong. Not Bluetooth equipped as listed on the Lionel site, just TMCC/Legacy.  If the box says Bluetooth, great, otherwise, my advice above is irrelevant.  Too bad. LionChief is almost as good as TMCC/Legacy in terms of features, and more reliable if anything.  Cannot imagine why they left this out as it is much easier and cheaper to implement. 

Use the the cab-1L if and when you buy a Base 3 or get a cab-1L command base in functioning condition for a bargain price.

Not ideal perhaps, but a way around the current supply chain problems, which affect all small manufacturers in our hobby, and some pretty big ones outside the hobby.

I understand your frustration. You said " In the 1950's things were much simpler but lacked bells & whistles of today" . In this case that just may be what you might need. I.M.O.

I recently bought a MTH command system that worked through an app on the phone for the wife for Christmas layout. I thought it was terrible. By the time I got the trains running, I didn't want to run them anymore. I think it's a shame that both Lionel and MTH are going to an  App system but I get it.

As others have said, maybe try a good used TMCC command set, or just wait for the base3.  Good Luck

This is the very unfortunate (and sad) reality of our hobby,  and we wonder why we are top heavy with now geriatric baby boomers (just like me).

Holiday train layouts are supposed to be (and used to be) fun and should bust the bank.

Conventional is looking better and better ... inexpensive, repairable, and simply fun to "play train" with.

Happy Holidays to all!

All Lionel Trains should run in conventional mode. If no command control the engine should run via transformer control something must be wrong

Correction ...Fun and SHOULD NOT bust the bank!

Sorry!!!!

@trainbob posted:

All Lionel Trains should run in conventional mode. If no command control the engine should run via transformer control

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...7065250RRSpeeder.pdf

Again, 2 things:

#1 Lionchief starter sets have a DC wall power pack

#2 Certain lionel trains and accessories are INCOMPATIBLE with DC. Do not place them on a Lionchief DC powered track.

@aka1178 posted:

My grandsons received a Polar Express Lion Chief set for Christmas 2-3 years ago and over time mom has added various items to their layout.  Last Christmas she purchased them the Polar Express Speeder (and without knowing, purchased an AC track powered required ITEM).

Grand kids play with the train on a small platform and mom planned to expand it for them to 8 x 12 next year (with grandpop's help).  Already told her she'll probably need a larger power supply (Not just larger- but probably variable AC) since the current DC wall wart transformer will be insufficient.  In the 1950's things were much simpler but lacked bells & whistles of today, the price of course is increased complexity and potential quicksand for newbie's.YES, extremely important to download and read the manual BEFORE purchasing to ensure you do not blow modern stuff up or even slightly older but still electronic AC required items up placing them on a DC powered track by accident.

If it were me I would purchase a used starter set transformer and use that.

They won't be able to run on the same track with Lionchief, but a separate oval within an oval on a dedicated track for the  speeder.

@Landsteiner posted:

The bad news is I believe the base-1L is discontinued.

Check and see if the Speeder is Bluetooth enabled (which it should be if recent production--last few years). If so, it can be controlled by the free app on any smart phone or tablet.  Zero cost if possible.  Or controlled by the Universal Remote (LionChief) which is available for $50.  Added:  Unfortunately I'm wrong. Not Bluetooth equipped as listed on the Lionel site, just TMCC/Legacy.  If the box says Bluetooth, great, otherwise, my advice above is irrelevant.  Too bad. LionChief is almost as good as TMCC/Legacy in terms of features, and more reliable if anything.  Cannot imagine why they left this out as it is much easier and cheaper to implement.

Use the the cab-1L if and when you buy a Base 3 or get a cab-1L command base in functioning condition for a bargain price.

Not ideal perhaps, but a way around the current supply chain problems, which affect all small manufacturers in our hobby, and some pretty big ones outside the hobby.

Thanks

I reached out to Lionel about availability, they replied "Thank you for contacting Lionel. Currently there is not ship date on this item. I do apologize for the inconvenience."  If it was discontinued I would have expected a different response.  Also saw on the forum a similar comment and then a follow-up reply from another member that it was not discontinued.  Sent a direct follow-up question back to Lionel customer service.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Again, 2 things:

#1 Lionchief starter sets have a DC wall power pack

#2 Certain lionel trains and accessories are INCOMPATIBLE with DC. Do not place them on a Lionchief DC powered track.

Thanks

Your correct that the wall transformer that came with Polar Express Lionchief train & track came with the starter set is DC, found this post

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...r-via-ac-transformer

Another posting speaks to AC vs DC, reading this seems to say that both the Polar Express set and Polar Express TMCC speeder will both run on the same track.   When expanding the layout to a larger 8x12 the wall mount DC transformer will be too small to power the layout.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...re-dc-voltage-motors

No easy solutions at this point. If the plan is to keep the Cab1L you can either wait for the Base3 or put a post in the wanted to buy section for a Base1L. I know a person was trying to sell one recently, there may be more out there.

Pete

@Chuck Sartor posted:

If it were me I would purchase a used starter set transformer and use that.

They won't be able to run on the same track with Lionchief, but a separate oval within an oval on a dedicated track for the  speeder.

Thanks but confused, this post seems to indicate that that LionChief & TMCC engines can run on the same tracks with 18v AC using the proper controller for each engine.   Almost like you need to attend Lionel U and get a degree to understand all the options, incompatibilities and incompatibilities.

@Norton posted:

No easy solutions at this point. If the plan is to keep the Cab1L you can either wait for the Base3 or put a post in the wanted to buy section for a Base1L. I know a person was trying to sell one recently, there may be more out there.

Pete

Thanks, I just put a question out to Lionel Customer service to find out if in fact the base-1L is discontinued (seen conflicting posts).  I expect once the Base 3 starts shipping the Base-1L will begin showing up on the used market.  Thanks for the tip about the "wanted to buy", very much appreciated.

@aka1178 posted:

Thanks, I just put a question out to Lionel Customer service to find out if in fact the base-1L is discontinued (seen conflicting posts).  I expect once the Base 3 starts shipping the Base-1L will begin showing up on the used market.  Thanks for the tip about the "wanted to buy", very much appreciated.

That would be new news. Word was no more Base1L. Best call Lionel if you want an answer. Emails fall into a bottomless pit.

Pete