My Legacy system has been 100% Trouble Free

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Okay folks, with all of the discussion here lately, I thought that I’d try and put another spin on posts about Legacy.

This post is for all you folks who own Legacy, and I encourage everyone on here who OWNS Legacy to respond with your experience thus far. Please provide how long you’ve had the system, what sort of set-up you’re running it with(floor/permanant layout, size, location), what sort of trains you’re running(conventional, TMCC, Legacy), what software version you’re running, and problems you’ve had, and whether or not they’ve been resolved.

Posts from folks who have had no trouble are especially encouraged.

So, to start things off, here’s my story:

I first purchased Legacy in late May of this year. I have it installed on my 4x10 semi-permanant layout(two loops of track) which is located in an upstairs room.

I currently have a handful of TMCC engines, as well as a Legacy GP-7. I also own conventional engines, although I run them all by the transformer handles(PW ZW).

I’m still running Version 1.0-I haven’t taken the time yet to send mine off for upgrade.

As far as problems-I’ve basically had none with a whole lot of operation. My base will lose communication from time to time, but it will almost always pick it back up a minute or two later. When it doesn’t, a restart(turning the remote off and unplugging the base) has always cleared things up. Since changing base channels from the default, my problems in this regard have all but disappeared.

Since I haven’t been using my set much lately(too much time occupied with school), I’ve regularly been going several weeks without charging. I think that the last time I charged was about four weeks ago, and, even with a couple of hours of operation, I still have two bars.

So, there are my experiences. I’d appreciate anyone else on here who owns the system weighing in.

Thanks,

Ben

2

Here, here.
If you don’t own one, and if you don’t plan on owning one, don’t post what you heard from a guy down at the hobbyshop who knows a guy who saw it on the internet.

3

I hae the system since December. As an early adopter I quickly discovered the PWC ZW issue where Legacy caused the ZW to shutdown as if the HALT button was pushed. It turns out it was actually a flaw in the ZW that Legacy exposed. Working with JonZ and the other folks at Lionel a new chip was sent out and all is well.

I also had 1 instance where I lost the base fatally. I tried all the tricks to recover but ended up reloading the system modules. I have since sent my systems back to Lionel for the upgrade. Since then I haven’t had the fatal base not found. I have had 1 instance of the red comm lights staying on but pushing the CTC button a few times and I was back in business within seconds. When you send your system in they set the processor fuses (configuration setting) to prevent the fatal base issue. Not all systems were set wrong to begin with but Lionel erred on the side of caution and had them all sent back.

Legacy makes my TMCC1 and of course Legacy engine run great. Smooth and realistic starts and stops with momentum set high is a lot of fun. The whole Legacy setup work very well. 1.2 adds somes features mainly to remote operations. The system for me has been a pleasure and really makes running trains fun!

4

I applaud Marty and ALL his information and efforts, without his assistance I would have probably boxed my system up.

I received the Legacy in late December, it was bundled with the Big Boy purchase.

  • The first 3 or 4 weeks didn’t have any problems, and was working on learning the system.

  • In early Feb. the Big Boy had a failure and had to be returned for warranty repair, took 2 months. (Did not use Leagacy due to, no reason to use it. The TMCC compatibility offered was not as good as the TMCC compatibility afforded by the DCS system.)

  • Get the Big Boy back, and resume Legacy operation, the speed control was great, whistle operation great, but the battery issue was a concern. Had frequent lost contact type issues. Engine worked very well with the DCS also. Sure liked the lights on the base system setting on a corner of the layout.

  • Continued with the communciation problem, sent the base and remote in for upgrade, took 2 weeks due to distance requirements.

  • Received unit back, and same week, a pilot arm on the engine snapped. Sent Big Boy back for repair, again. Took 3 months. Didn’t use Legacy during that time.

  • Get engine back, still have battery problems, Lionel sent out a NEW set of batteries, in the meantime I put alkaline in and system worked better. Then communication issues were actually worse. Would loose engine on the layout. Layout size 14 x 16, single level, permanent. Decided to revert back Version 1.0, system operating much better, than with 1.2… Still curious about when they will have the issues resolved.

So I AM AN OWNER, AND HAVE HAD A LOT OF DOWNTIME, NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE SYSTEM, (as much due to the engine). But disappointed in the overall system performance and functionality.

Specifically -

Since Legacy is not bidirectional in communication with the engine, a lot of information and features that I like are not possible.

Engine

5

Shake and Bake, sorry but I disagree. [on both things, if you don’t own one don’t comment and I own one and it is better than anything on the market]. I have had a few problems but now it seems to be running great [and I did not go back to 1.0]. I do think you “chunk” the rechargables. In fact, I want Lionel to offer a remote without the “expansion kit”. No, I will not run mine with a DCS remote. [:-^]

6

I don’t think there was any requirement to be positive. Ben’s post clearly asked for any problems or experiences. I do think it’s fair to rule out those who do not own the system. It’s too easy to say I heard or a guy I know say it does this or doesn’t do that.

Also I believe that Legacy is still in it’s infancy. Jon eluded to the Train Link coming on line soon as well as some other features. I think it will be a while before we can completely judge Legacy.

As far as 2 way comms. I personally do not see the need for it. Too many times there seems to be discrepancies on the hours and odometer readings even on a new engine. Playing music trough an engine with a 2 inch speaker is not my cup of tea. That being said some folks like that and that’s just fine by me.

I agree I would like to see a little more control over the various lights and such but it’s certainly not a deal breaker. And I agree 100% about the Z4K. Lionel needs to take a serious look at revamping or replacing the ZW.

I own both systems because I want to get the most out of my engines regardless of their make.

I also think relating experiences good or bad is the way we all learn. Keep it coming!

7

Think I missed something. Never heard a train playing music as it passed me by. [(-D] Marty, I agree with your statement on the two systems. I do NOT mix them. DCS with DCS remote and Legacy with Legacy remote. Might be why some have a problem. Trying to “mix” the two systems with one remote and “special cables”.

8

Oh you guys are just jealous, that Lionel only has the cab-tower, and tower-cab communication. I really get amazed when I hear, "Now arriving the ----------- " then run through the departing and all aboard sequence. And leave it to Marty to add civility to the conversation, not surprised.

And I suppose all the the Chief will need is a grits dispensing cleaning car to couple in with the Train Link capability and he will be satisfied with prototypical operations. [(-D]

9

Thanks folks for all of the replies so far.

Marty, you’re correct. I’m looking for the “warts and all” experiences from folks.

It’s often said that a customer with a good experience will tell one or two people, while a bad experience will be repeated to many more. Hence, while there have been several posts of problems, it’s my feeling that it’s not necessarily indicative of the overall experience of everyone who owns it. This was the reason behind my comment encouraging all those who own the system and have no problems to post-they might not comment on it ordinarily.

Thanks again, and keep 'em coming.

10

I haven’t seen a train engineer operate a real train by remote control either…D]

Couldn’t resist!

11

We have Legacy on the demo layout at the store. My main problem is lack of range for the CAB-2 vs CAB-1. If I walk to the end of the layout, about 20’, with the CAB-2 I get the red light and can’t communicate with the base. With TMCC and CAB-1, hooked in parallel with Legacy, I can be anywhere in the store.

12

I have. Switch yards now have remote control engines. Couldn’t resist. [;)]

13

I bet it isn’t Legacy or DCS…

14

I’m not posting a comment for or against. But for the sake of this thread being “fair and balanced” (I watch a lot of The O’Reilly Factor), I posted a link at the OGR forum for those who own Legacy to come here and make a comment.

Dep

15

I got my Legacy last December, bundled with the Bigboy. I have a small semi-permanent layout. I also set up a larger floor setup for the Holidays. I power my trains/accessories with two postwar ZWs. In the last year I have added several TMCC/Legacy locomotives, crane car/boom cars, hotbox reefers and a couple other fun items (Locomotive backshop is next[:)]). I have not sent mine in for updating yet, nor do I see any reason to just yet.

Its been a very good experience for the most part. I have had two incidences of “base not found”, but each time a press of the “retry” button cured that issue. I was getting the occasional loss of comms, but traced that down to the computer in the same room doing an automated backup, which it does wirelessly. Apparently that overwhelms the frequencies used by Legacy. Switching to a different channel has helped but not eliminated the issue. Telling the computer to belay its hourly backup did wonders.

The one thing that has happened, that I would label as worrisome, is a couple of times now ive gone to use the system and no matter which loco I select, the speed starts incrementing upwards automatically (or in the case of a crane car), one command is “stuck” on, like boom down. When this happens the small red light at the bottom of the base goes from flashing red when a command is issued to almost a purple color as it acts like it is being flooded with commands. Reloading the base module corrected that both times.

I haven’t had battery issues, still running what came with the system. Range is good enough for me, but I can see the guys with bigger layouts having issues. If I walk far enough away (20’ or so) the red light will start to make its appearance.

Some things seem to work so nice and seamlessly. I added the aux tender to my Challenger. The aux tender is command equipped to control the rear coupler and the rear light. So once the tender got its individual ID set, it was simply a matter of taking the challenger and the tender and m

16

Do you name your locos? I can scroll through the list and with the names see exactly what I am running.

17

I’ve had the system since February. I don’t have any Legacy loco’s yet. The way the system handles my older TMCC equipment is what sold me on the system. Having the engines run in true TMCC mode (aka absolute speed steps) is a real joy, my one Odyssey engine now runs with Odyssey turned on and show’s no sign of Odyssey lurch. I love the train break feature and the speed graph. The keypad loco’s changing depending on what you are controlling or the mode it’s controlled by is another great feature. No more overlays to lose.

Things I’d like to see added/modified:

Additional support for the TPC’s. These are fantastic controllers and it would be nice to see Legacy take advantage of additional tricks they can run instead of just using CAB-1 emulation mode (I’d also like to find out what that extra terminal on the TPC is for).

18

I own Legacy
Permanent layout
11x22, 3 levels, 300 feet of track
above-ground train room
running 1 Legacy & 7 TMCC locos
sw ver 1.2

Problems & solutions:
(1) Didn’t care for rechargeable batteries. Replaced with regulars & turned off base charger.
(2) Had 1.0, wanted 1.2 sw just to stay current. Sent it off & got upgraded.
(3) Legacy loco’s ID key not recognized by CAB-2. LHS isolated to bad key, swapped on the spot.

My whole layout is powered by:
single 180-watt Powerhouse,
going into a Lionel Lockon,
then into a Scott’s Odds-n-Ends TVS-4,
then out to 12 randomly distributed track-power drops.
The Powerhouse and all other layout power is on a switched power strip; the Legacy base is on a wall plug and stays on all the time, acting as a night light when the trains are off.
Trains typically run 1-3 at a time, low speed, around-the-room for 2 to 14 hours a day, avg 50 hrs a week.

Cheers,
Bob
http://npfrailway.com/default.aspx

19

Yes, I name each piece and assign road numbers. what do I do to go through that list?

20

You have multiple ways of selecting…By address pushing ENG ##. You can push ENG and then SCROLL and turn the red knob which will scroll through all the engines. If you are looking for a train push TR and then SCROLL and it will scroll through all the trains that are built. Or you can push select enter the road number that was assigned.