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Hi all...Long time train (HO) fan, first time O gauge owner.  This is my first post, so I will give a brief background.  I have had trains since the early 70's and still have my fathers old 1962 HO Lionel set in OB.  I have always admired O gauge trains and the beauty of postwar steam engine...My better half bought me a 1949 #675 steam engine and appropriate cars to make up the 1949 set along with a rebuilt old ZW transformer.  I love it...I bought some Atlas track and have roughly a 5'x10' oval on the carpet currently.

Long story short, although I love the PW Lionel trains, the new O-Scale equipment looks fantastic...which led me to do research, etc...and now I am contemplating getting a Legacy 990 system and start acquiring Legacy equipment.  I plan on starting a small layout (roughly 8x14) this spring/summer part of the garage.

My question is, would you trust buying a used Legacy 990 or should I buy new?  Any horror stories of buying used?  What should I look for if used and what would be a good used price?  I haven't seen too many come up for sale.  Thanks

Andy

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Thanks for the replies everyone...Even though my name is Roll The Dice...I don't usually take many chances on used electronics....especially if they come with a lifetime warranty.  That is HARD to beat!  Thanks for the link CJack..that is the lowest price I have seen for new 990's.  I definitely bookmarked them.

I was all set on getting a new one...until Revo replied.  I sent you an email with some questions.

Since my old ZW was reconditioned with new 15 amp circuit breakers (according to the person I bought it from) would you use the ZW to power the track and accessories or buy a 180 watt brick along with the Legacy 990 to power the track and use the ZW for accessories?  Thanks

I bought a used one. that was an early 1.? version. Called Lionel they fixed the charging circuit and upgraded it to version 1.3. And provided new Rechargeable batteries.

I'm now up to ver 1.60 on base and 1.61 on cab2. 

I think that I done ok since it was a free upgrade +postage.

I'd go for the one above for $200 +shipping.

IMHO

Regards,

Mike

 

rtr12 posted:

I would (and do) use the PH-180 bricks for new modern trains with electronics. Actually the PH-180s power all of my trains which are all modetn command control. I use other transformers for lights, accessories, etc. 

Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I have been researching the best way to connect everything...and looks like the PH-180 is the way to go.  I still want to run conventionally sometimes, so I think I have some posts and youtube videos by Lionel CS to point me in the right direction.

Last edited by roll_the_dice
Winger posted:

My point is that you would have better odds of getting a quality product from a Forum member. Everything has to be above board and transparent.

P.s. I have no connections nor do I know the person selling the Legacy 990.

Regards,

Mike

Thanks for your help also...although I was going to buy new, I can't pass up the deal from Revo.  I agree, I would rather buy from someone here than ebay where it is hit or miss more than I care to try. I am also getting a slightly used 993 for future use..so now just to figure out everything else and start planning my layout. 

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Roll the Dice,

  If you pass on the deal, I wanted it as a Back up.

PCRR/Dave

I couldn't pass it up...and with the 993 unit as well...makes life easier for my future railroad!  Thanks for all the replies...I really enjoy this board.  I have read so many posts and learned so much over the last few months.  Anytime I google something about trains I always get responses that lead me back here!

roll_the_dice posted:
rtr12 posted:

I would (and do) use the PH-180 bricks for new modern trains with electronics. Actually the PH-180s power all of my trains which are all modetn command control. I use other transformers for lights, accessories, etc. 

Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I have been researching the best way to connect everything...and looks like the PH-180 is the way to go.  I still want to run conventionally sometimes, so I think I have some posts and youtube videos by Lionel CS to point me in the right direction.

I am not too knowledgeable on the Lionel stuff, other than the Legacy 990 & PH-180s, but I think a Legacy Powermaster may do what you want. I don't run conventional, but if I ever have the need I can use my MTH DCS system through one of the variable channels. Others here or the Lionel videos will most likely answer your questions. If the videos don't explain it then just ask here in another thread.

rtr12 posted:
roll_the_dice posted:
rtr12 posted:

I would (and do) use the PH-180 bricks for new modern trains with electronics. Actually the PH-180s power all of my trains which are all modetn command control. I use other transformers for lights, accessories, etc. 

Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I have been researching the best way to connect everything...and looks like the PH-180 is the way to go.  I still want to run conventionally sometimes, so I think I have some posts and youtube videos by Lionel CS to point me in the right direction.

I am not too knowledgeable on the Lionel stuff, other than the Legacy 990 & PH-180s, but I think a Legacy Powermaster may do what you want. I don't run conventional, but if I ever have the need I can use my MTH DCS system through one of the variable channels. Others here or the Lionel videos will most likely answer your questions. If the videos don't explain it then just ask here in another thread.

Thanks, that is what I have been reading--My research has led me to think in addition to the 990 I will need a powermaster, and a powermaster bridge (so I can run some post war engine conventionally).  I am sure there are other things I will need, but learning is part of the fun!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

You will NOT need the PowerMaster Bridge if you buy one of the Legacy PowerMasters.  The bridge is ONLY for using the older generation PowerMasters with the Legacy system.

Thanks!!

Interesting..when I watched the Lionel video's it stated I needed the bridge to communicate between the cab2 and the powermaster since the communication at 26.75 MHz (PM) and 2.4 GHz (legacy Base).  I guess the video was from 2011...

So to be able to sometimes run my conventional PW engines, I can set up the Legacy Cab2 with a Legacy Powermaster and be able to control the voltage to the track via the Cab2 handheld? 

Well that's much easier and nicer than incorporating the bridge that Lionel said needed to be 7 feet away from the PM.

rtr12 posted:

I bet the Lionel video was made before the 'Legacy Powermaster' came out, which replaced the older 'Powermaster' models? I was thinking the same thing as what GRJ posted above, and he knows a lot more about the Lionel stuff than I do. 

Model Structures posted:

RTR12 is right. The video came out before the new Legacy Powermasters were available. The Legacy powermaster is easily identifiable. It is blue and has a Legacy  decal on top.

Joe

I saw some blue powermasters online but had no idea why they were different!  You guys are great!

Thanks to everyone...saved me some $, my wife thanks you!  I bought a Legacy Powermaster last night...should be here next week.  My Legacy 990 will be here soon too...then I get to set everything up!

Makes sense about the video...I didn't even think about it being outdated.  When I was watching it, I said to myself...would be nice if they made a powermaster for the Legacy without another item to plug in.

roll_the_dice posted:

OK, another questions...if I need to start a new thread I will...but here goes.  Should I reset the HandHeld back to factory defaults with a used 990?  If I do, will that do anything to the software version?  Thanks!

you mean by pushing the reset button on the back of the handheld?

because nothing is stored in the handheld and the program is hard written nothing will happen to the program.  I have reset many times.

bigdodgetrain posted:
roll_the_dice posted:

OK, another questions...if I need to start a new thread I will...but here goes.  Should I reset the HandHeld back to factory defaults with a used 990?  If I do, will that do anything to the software version?  Thanks!

you mean by pushing the reset button on the back of the handheld?

because nothing is stored in the handheld and the program is hard written nothing will happen to the program.  I have reset many times.

I was speaking of the system reset I saw when I was briefly scrolling through the screens I saw a in system settings a reset feature...it had a warning on it...but thought if it didn't erase the version it would get me back to a "new" base so I could start from scratch.

roll_the_dice posted:
bigdodgetrain posted:
roll_the_dice posted:

OK, another questions...if I need to start a new thread I will...but here goes.  Should I reset the HandHeld back to factory defaults with a used 990?  If I do, will that do anything to the software version?  Thanks!

you mean by pushing the reset button on the back of the handheld?

because nothing is stored in the handheld and the program is hard written nothing will happen to the program.  I have reset many times.

I was speaking of the system reset I saw when I was briefly scrolling through the screens I saw a in system settings a reset feature...it had a warning on it...but thought if it didn't erase the version it would get me back to a "new" base so I could start from scratch.

That I would do. Erase the stored engines, accessories, etc. in the base and start your own entries.

cjack posted:
roll_the_dice posted:
bigdodgetrain posted:
roll_the_dice posted:

OK, another questions...if I need to start a new thread I will...but here goes.  Should I reset the HandHeld back to factory defaults with a used 990?  If I do, will that do anything to the software version?  Thanks!

you mean by pushing the reset button on the back of the handheld?

because nothing is stored in the handheld and the program is hard written nothing will happen to the program.  I have reset many times.

I was speaking of the system reset I saw when I was briefly scrolling through the screens I saw a in system settings a reset feature...it had a warning on it...but thought if it didn't erase the version it would get me back to a "new" base so I could start from scratch.

That I would do. Erase the stored engines, accessories, etc. in the base and start your own entries.

Thanks...that's what I was thinking too, but wanted to make sure I wasn't screwing anything up.  So the software version will be fine...just the stored engines, accessories, etc will be erased?  That is what I was hoping.

roll_the_dice posted:
cjack posted:
roll_the_dice posted:
bigdodgetrain posted:
roll_the_dice posted:

OK, another questions...if I need to start a new thread I will...but here goes.  Should I reset the HandHeld back to factory defaults with a used 990?  If I do, will that do anything to the software version?  Thanks!

you mean by pushing the reset button on the back of the handheld?

because nothing is stored in the handheld and the program is hard written nothing will happen to the program.  I have reset many times.

I was speaking of the system reset I saw when I was briefly scrolling through the screens I saw a in system settings a reset feature...it had a warning on it...but thought if it didn't erase the version it would get me back to a "new" base so I could start from scratch.

That I would do. Erase the stored engines, accessories, etc. in the base and start your own entries.

Thanks...that's what I was thinking too, but wanted to make sure I wasn't screwing anything up.  So the software version will be fine...just the stored engines, accessories, etc will be erased?  That is what I was hoping.

Correct  

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