Finally! Someone who KNOWS how to explain in a layman's terms, how to hook up the Legacy Control System to the Fastrack System Lionel is not clear in their booklet, and all the videos I have seen prior to this video deal with the tubular track only. Kudos to the author of this video! Now my Legacy system can come back down off the shelf!
Thanks, I want to buy a Legacy Locomotive. Was wondering what I needed. You seem to be the only one. That can explain this to newbies. Again a Huge Thank You !
A superb tutorial. I have, or had, a small layout powered by a standard CW-80 transformer.* I have read the PDF file of the Legacy instruction manual and watched the Legacy introduction video series on Lionel's Customer Service channel on this website, and have questioning the need to use Standard O or O-27 track. I would be willing to use it, but I would have to acquaint myself with the Lockons that connect with the track for power. I have been thinking about an approach like this, and have questioned myself if it would work or not. Well, if it worked for you, it will most likely work for me. I plan on ordering the 2014 VISION Big Boy, and soon, buying a Legacy 990 set. Now, I know a good way to connect to the track. Thank you. *I had to take the layout apart. A bed is being placed into the room soon.
thanks man...I am thinking about getting back into model railroadiong and will need all the help I can get. I am 66 and last operated a train(4 HO trains) when I was 16...had a 027 berk with a whistle but when HO came into existance I flipped
Very late comment but I have a Pennsylvania F7 which is also a Lionel Legacy I got off of Ebay. Theres a problem with mine. I use a Lionchief controller and it keeps having drops causing the train’s sound effects to go off then back on while in motion. Is this because Im using a Lionchief controller? All my other trains dont have voltage drops. Do I need a Legacy Remote for it to work properly? Its also worth to mention that I have a power box that gives decent enough power
Nice instruction, but what if your not using fast track using and using regular Lionel O/O27 or Menards metal tubular track? Should've also included that. I already know how but other viewers might have Dad or Grandad's trains and want to add on a Legacy engine.
No, unfortunately you cannot swap the CW-80 with a LionChief terminal if you are planning to run Legacy engines. Here's why: Your LionChief terminal is designed to produce DC power, while most other locomotives (especially Legacy) require 18 volts AC power from more powerful transformers. Double check your LionChief manual. There should be a section near the beginning where Lionel lables "Important!" and then it says use other AC transformers for different locomotives.
Dan Boari I'm not sure, but I would think so. TMCC is basically the same thing: a control system, but not a power supply. The one thing I'm not sure of is how many volts to apply to the track with a separate transformer, but it's probably 18 VAC. I would check to be sure though.
Thank you for the info know is it ok to just get cab 2 wich is the legacy remote without cab 1? And do you need batteries for it because it has a charging stashon?
So would I have to do the same thing for the Cab1/Base 1L? According to Lionel I’d need a 18 gauge wire to power the cab1. Can I just do what you just did to power the cab1/Base1L? I bought the Cab1/Base 1L so I can use the other features on the Lionchief Plus 2.0 Polar Express Berkshire. I’m only using half of the features using the Lionchief universal remote. Like I know isn’t really helpful at the moment and they’re confusing me a lot more than usual. So I just have to do what you just did in this video and I should be able to access all the features after I program the Lionchief plus polar Express, right?
Hey Steve - Newbie here ... I am just reading about a Legacy System... I do not have a modern type lionel engine (TMCC), just the conventional ones even though I am looking to get one. . Question, for a power supply, can I use my old ZW transformer for the power supply?
I have the Fastrack wall plug powered rail as I only have LionChief at the moment, will I still need two of the terminal pieces you showed here or just one?
+BOBBY BOB That's ok. The module is only for convenience. You can still program your engine manually. If you need help, check out my programming tutorial: czcams.com/video/_WeVcGkiWt4/video.html
i have a question i pressed the 3 buttons on the cw-80 as the wires were connected and now my trains are making only sounds without lighting of the lights on the locomotive and my train is not running. do i have to reset it or get a new controller
+Matthew Guttormson Pressing all three buttons is used to program a fixed voltage for accessories running off of your transformer. This shouldn't affect the trains. Make sure your track is plugged into the posts labeled "track" and not "accessory." If it's plugged in correctly, try resetting it.
No, but all you have to do is buy a terminal section. It comes with the wire and 1 piece of straight track with the little gap in the roadbed for the wires to pass through. Only costs a few bucks I believe.
The Cab 1L is able to send signals to the Legacy base-so you would just need to pair it with your Legacy base by putting it on the same channel I believe. Sorry for the late reply, and happy railroading!
Steve, great videos. Thank you! question from someone coming back to the train set from younger days. Can you use the Legacy controller to control the older pre-legacy locomotives? My entire set is 027 tubular track. all pre fastrack. I looked for videos and info but havent found anything clear. thanks!
+Patrick Carney Hi Patrick! Thank you for your positive feedback! Glad to hear you're back in the hobby. To answer your question, yes, you can control pre-legacy engines with the remote, but you must use either a TPC 300 or 400 (sold by Lionel) with you Legacy system. This device allows you to control track power voltage from your Legacy remote, which in turn allows you to run your conventional engines from the Legacy remote. For help setting this up, check out the video by Lionel: czcams.com/video/841tryZ8oIE/video.html Also, Legacy is compatible with the old tubular track as well; simply connect the black connector to the outer rail like you would with FasTrack, and set up everything else as shown in my video. Hope this answers your question. Happy railroading!
+TrainLine14 thanks for the response! So the TPC is for use with non-command locomotives? Looks like only down side is you can run fixed power to the tracks when you run both conventional and Command locomotives? And the command base is for TMCC and Legacy locomotives? Also, if I were to upgrade my Souther Pacific 6-18831 to TMCC and also purchased a legacy locomotive would I need anything more than the command base, transformer and legacy controller?
+Patrick Carney Yes, the TPC is used with non-command locomotives. Yes, that is a downside; you can't control track power and run Legacy engines at the same time (unless you're running your legacy engines in conventional mode) You do not need a TPC to control TMCC or Legacy engines, so you could run a TMCC and Legacy locomotive at the same time without a TPC. All a TPC does it vary track power from the remote, and Legacy and TMCC engines do not require varied track power. The only difference with TMCC with set up is that you have to program the TMCC engine with TMCC control specified under your engine's settings in the Legacy remote. Check out my programming tutorial for further help. :)
I'm considering buying a Legacy command set and I have a few questions. (1) To clarify, I could use my CW80 transformer if my "layout" is just a typical single-track oval/loop on the living room floor, but I'd need a more powerful one if my layout has multiple trains, tracks, and accessories, correct? (2) Would the Legacy and transformer terminal tracks need to be directly physically connected, or could they be on opposite sides of the layout? (3) Suppose I buy a TMCC engine. Would I then also need to buy a TMCC command block, or will the Legacy do just fine?
1. Yep, for a single track Oval layout, the CW80 with Legacy will do just fine for one or two engines. If the layout gets bigger then yeah, I would recommend a stronger transformer. If you are planning to add accessories, I would recommend for you to buy an extra cheap transformer for accessories. 2. The power terminal track and the track that connects to legacy doesn’t need to be next to each other. 3. Nope, you don’t need a TMCC Block if you have a Legacy system, the legacy system can run all TMCC engines and have access to all of their features.
One more thing. Would I need to buy 2 dedicated Lionel Terminal track sections, or could I hook the power supply and Legacy system to any regular FasTrack segment?
@@tobinrowe9558 The wires can be connect to any piece of fast track, you don’t have to buy more terminal sections. However you do have to cut a “hole” through the ballast so the wires can go out if you are in a floor layout. The terminal sections already come with those “hole” pre cut. Hope this helps!
Finally! Someone who KNOWS how to explain in a layman's terms, how to hook up the Legacy Control System to the Fastrack System Lionel is not clear in their booklet, and all the videos I have seen prior to this video deal with the tubular track only. Kudos to the author of this video! Now my Legacy system can come back down off the shelf!
Hey thanks! Glad to know my videos are helping my audience. If you want, I also made a programming tutorial; check it out if you need to. :)
Stanley Burke agree
Stanley Burke completely agree system was easy to set up with this tutorial! New Legacy trains don’t have the modules, they don’t need them.
Thanks, I want to buy a Legacy Locomotive. Was wondering what I needed. You seem to be the only one. That can explain this to newbies. Again a Huge Thank You !
Steve, your videos are awesome. I know it's been a while, but I'd love to see/hear more of your presentations.
Thanks for the video man! I’m going to purchase a Legacy system within the next year or so, since I’ve pre-ordered the vision line GS-4.
Just got my Legacy Command. This was very helpful information! Thanks for sharing!
That was great! Thank you! Simple and easy to follow for us newbies!
A superb tutorial. I have, or had, a small layout powered by a standard CW-80 transformer.* I have read the PDF file of the Legacy instruction manual and watched the Legacy introduction video series on Lionel's Customer Service channel on this website, and have questioning the need to use Standard O or O-27 track. I would be willing to use it, but I would have to acquaint myself with the Lockons that connect with the track for power. I have been thinking about an approach like this, and have questioned myself if it would work or not. Well, if it worked for you, it will most likely work for me. I plan on ordering the 2014 VISION Big Boy, and soon, buying a Legacy 990 set. Now, I know a good way to connect to the track. Thank you.
*I had to take the layout apart. A bed is being placed into the room soon.
Glad to know this helped you. And congrats with that Big Boy! It looked sweet in the product review videos Lionel made. Happy railroading!
Thank you.
Thank you so much! This video has been such a help!!!
This was INCREDIBLY HELPFUL! Thanks 💪🏽
Thank you that will be helpfull when lionel makes another batch.
Yeah haha I know what you mean! Hard to find, but when you do you feel like you own a true collectors item.
Great review I wish it was better explained in the directions mine went into service two years ago replaced the batteries works great system
thanks man...I am thinking about getting back into model railroadiong and will need all the help I can get. I am 66 and last operated a train(4 HO trains) when I was 16...had a 027 berk with a whistle but when HO came into existance I flipped
Great video, very helpful!!
Thanks hopefully this will clear up some confusion in new Legacy System users.
Great video.
Great informative vid…thanks
Couldnt you just not turn the base on and run conventional engines with the transformer?
but i have only a quiestion,what happend if i run the legacy system on postwar tubular track¿
Very late comment but I have a Pennsylvania F7 which is also a Lionel Legacy I got off of Ebay. Theres a problem with mine. I use a Lionchief controller and it keeps having drops causing the train’s sound effects to go off then back on while in motion. Is this because Im using a Lionchief controller? All my other trains dont have voltage drops. Do I need a Legacy Remote for it to work properly? Its also worth to mention that I have a power box that gives decent enough power
Nice instruction, but what if your not using fast track using and using regular Lionel O/O27 or Menards metal tubular track? Should've also included that. I already know how but other viewers might have Dad or Grandad's trains and want to add on a Legacy engine.
Do you know how to reset your Lionel system because my csx c40-8 is stuck on the reverse light and it doesn't move at all. I need help
Instead of a CW-80 transformer could you use a lionchief terminal train??? Plz reply
No, unfortunately you cannot swap the CW-80 with a LionChief terminal if you are planning to run Legacy engines. Here's why: Your LionChief terminal is designed to produce DC power, while most other locomotives (especially Legacy) require 18 volts AC power from more powerful transformers. Double check your LionChief manual. There should be a section near the beginning where Lionel lables "Important!" and then it says use other AC transformers for different locomotives.
Great video! I was just wondering whether connecting to fast track is done the same as this with an old school TMCC Command Base
Dan Boari I'm not sure, but I would think so. TMCC is basically the same thing: a control system, but not a power supply. The one thing I'm not sure of is how many volts to apply to the track with a separate transformer, but it's probably 18 VAC. I would check to be sure though.
9:13 How big do you mean by small?
Thank you for the info know is it ok to just get cab 2 wich is the legacy remote without cab 1? And do you need batteries for it because it has a charging stashon?
So would I have to do the same thing for the Cab1/Base 1L? According to Lionel I’d need a 18 gauge wire to power the cab1. Can I just do what you just did to power the cab1/Base1L?
I bought the Cab1/Base 1L so I can use the other features on the Lionchief Plus 2.0 Polar Express Berkshire. I’m only using half of the features using the Lionchief universal remote. Like I know isn’t really helpful at the moment and they’re confusing me a lot more than usual. So I just have to do what you just did in this video and I should be able to access all the features after I program the Lionchief plus polar Express, right?
Can you use the plug in power supply?
Hey Steve - Newbie here ... I am just reading about a Legacy System... I do not have a modern type lionel engine (TMCC), just the conventional ones even though I am looking to get one.
. Question, for a power supply, can I use my old ZW transformer for the power supply?
Will tmcc work with legacy?
I have the Fastrack wall plug powered rail as I only have LionChief at the moment, will I still need two of the terminal pieces you showed here or just one?
I bought a legacy mark twain zephyr I noticed there is no engine module that came with the diesel.
+BOBBY BOB That's ok. The module is only for convenience. You can still program your engine manually. If you need help, check out my programming tutorial: czcams.com/video/_WeVcGkiWt4/video.html
+TrainLine14 Thank you very much for your help and tutorials!!
i have a question i pressed the 3 buttons on the cw-80 as the wires were connected and now my trains are making only sounds without lighting of the lights on the locomotive and my train is not running. do i have to reset it or get a new controller
+Matthew Guttormson Pressing all three buttons is used to program a fixed voltage for accessories running off of your transformer. This shouldn't affect the trains. Make sure your track is plugged into the posts labeled "track" and not "accessory." If it's plugged in correctly, try resetting it.
good to hear thanks
+Matthew Guttormson Sure thing sorry for the delayed response.
how do i wire it on the tubeular track?
Does the #990 come with the track wire
No, but all you have to do is buy a terminal section. It comes with the wire and 1 piece of straight track with the little gap in the roadbed for the wires to pass through. Only costs a few bucks I believe.
How about the TMCC Cab 1L? (It's a TMCC looking controller that can control Legacy and only its basic features.)
The Cab 1L is able to send signals to the Legacy base-so you would just need to pair it with your Legacy base by putting it on the same channel I believe. Sorry for the late reply, and happy railroading!
does thos work with ho scale trains?
i have a mth Z1000 will that work
Do you really need the legacy remote to operate your trains? I’m not paying $500 for some stupid remote.
I own the Lionel GW-180 transformer. Do you think that would big enough power for this setup?
Yes-you should be okay with that transformer. If you can put out 18 VAC-you're set. Sorry for the late response!
when is part 2
As soon as I can make it! I'll upload it as soon as possible.:)
You have 666 subs and now 667!
Steve, great videos. Thank you! question from someone coming back to the train set from younger days.
Can you use the Legacy controller to control the older pre-legacy locomotives? My entire set is 027 tubular track. all pre fastrack. I looked for videos and info but havent found anything clear. thanks!
+Patrick Carney Hi Patrick! Thank you for your positive feedback! Glad to hear you're back in the hobby. To answer your question, yes, you can control pre-legacy engines with the remote, but you must use either a TPC 300 or 400 (sold by Lionel) with you Legacy system. This device allows you to control track power voltage from your Legacy remote, which in turn allows you to run your conventional engines from the Legacy remote. For help setting this up, check out the video by Lionel: czcams.com/video/841tryZ8oIE/video.html Also, Legacy is compatible with the old tubular track as well; simply connect the black connector to the outer rail like you would with FasTrack, and set up everything else as shown in my video. Hope this answers your question. Happy railroading!
+TrainLine14 thanks for the response! So the TPC is for use with non-command locomotives? Looks like only down side is you can run fixed power to the tracks when you run both conventional and Command locomotives? And the command base is for TMCC and Legacy locomotives? Also, if I were to upgrade my Souther Pacific 6-18831 to TMCC and also purchased a legacy locomotive would I need anything more than the command base, transformer and legacy controller?
+Patrick Carney Yes, the TPC is used with non-command locomotives. Yes, that is a downside; you can't control track power and run Legacy engines at the same time (unless you're running your legacy engines in conventional mode) You do not need a TPC to control TMCC or Legacy engines, so you could run a TMCC and Legacy locomotive at the same time without a TPC. All a TPC does it vary track power from the remote, and Legacy and TMCC engines do not require varied track power. The only difference with TMCC with set up is that you have to program the TMCC engine with TMCC control specified under your engine's settings in the Legacy remote. Check out my programming tutorial for further help. :)
I'm considering buying a Legacy command set and I have a few questions.
(1) To clarify, I could use my CW80 transformer if my "layout" is just a typical single-track oval/loop on the living room floor, but I'd need a more powerful one if my layout has multiple trains, tracks, and accessories, correct?
(2) Would the Legacy and transformer terminal tracks need to be directly physically connected, or could they be on opposite sides of the layout?
(3) Suppose I buy a TMCC engine. Would I then also need to buy a TMCC command block, or will the Legacy do just fine?
1. Yep, for a single track Oval layout, the CW80 with Legacy will do just fine for one or two engines. If the layout gets bigger then yeah, I would recommend a stronger transformer. If you are planning to add accessories, I would recommend for you to buy an extra cheap transformer for accessories.
2. The power terminal track and the track that connects to legacy doesn’t need to be next to each other.
3. Nope, you don’t need a TMCC Block if you have a Legacy system, the legacy system can run all TMCC engines and have access to all of their features.
One more thing. Would I need to buy 2 dedicated Lionel Terminal track sections, or could I hook the power supply and Legacy system to any regular FasTrack segment?
@@tobinrowe9558 The wires can be connect to any piece of fast track, you don’t have to buy more terminal sections. However you do have to cut a “hole” through the ballast so the wires can go out if you are in a floor layout. The terminal sections already come with those “hole” pre cut. Hope this helps!