If you’ve been running Lionel trains, chances are you’ve had some experience with their Legacy Control System. Well, actually you definitely have – considering that nearly every Lionel locomotive is equipped to respond to the Legacy commands. The Lionel Legacy Command System interacts with the locomotive – dictating the speed, sound, and general operation of the engine. In this article we’ll look at the many features of Lionel Legacy controls, and the many Legacy products offered from Lionel.
Legacy or TMCC?
If you run some of Lionel's older locomotives you are probably familiar with TMCC – Lionel’s TrainMaster Command Control system. The software was originally introduced in 1994 and ran for 12 years until 2006 when a more advanced version was introduced. Our very own Kevin Griffis has a great article on the Basics of Lionel Legacy / TMCC and MTH DCS – giving a great in depth look at the advantages of each. But, for today we’ll just focus on Lionel’s side of operating software.
In 2006 TMCC II, more commonly known as Legacy Control, was introduced as the newest one-stop command center for all of Lionel’s locomotives. This new command system allowed for a slew of features not offered with the previous TMCC system – including new features like 200 new speed steps (nearly 7 times more than the original TMCC system), vibration feedback, and a slew of upgraded dynamic features. An awesome YouTube account, Sean’s Train Depot does a great job providing a detailed explanation on Lionel Legacy if you’re interested in a full breakdown.
So, in short – TMCC and Lionel Legacy are one in the same with the latter being the more commonly used phrase within the modern model railroad community. With the new software in place since 2006, Lionel has released a slew of Legacy locomotives, some of which you can check out right here at Trainz.com.
Getting Started
If your layout is set up and buzzing, chances are you’ve got your transformer and track already set up so I won’t spend a ton of time there. But, there are some necessities for an optimal operating experience using Legacy. Having the best high end Legacy locomotive is great, but getting only half of the fun out of it is not so great.
Enter the #990 Lionel Legacy Command. This is Lionel’s latest one-stop control hub where the entire operating experience is conveniently placed in your hands with the push of a button. This single command set is able to operate fairly large O-Gauge layouts with operators typically needing just one to get things rolling! For a visual breakdown of all of the features, DIYCharles has a fun unboxing and review on his YouTube channel if you’re interested in seeing the remote in action.
Legacy Locomotives and Beyond
Well, we’ve had a look at the brief history of Lionel Legacy which means we can get to the fun part. Let’s look at some trains! With an upgrade in technology we’re only bound to get some fun new additions in the O-Gauge market and Lionel has not slacked on that.
Last year in 2023 we were treated to pretty decent line up releases for the Lionel Legacy line. One of my favorites was the Iron Hippo Legacy Set (model # 2322010) boasting five different whistle options and a smooth sequence control to bring out one of the most authentic sound operating experiences the O-Gauge world has ever heard.
Iron Hippo might take the award for best nickname with ease, but as far as releases go – it’s definitely got some serious competition. With 2023 in the rear view mirror we can fully assess that last year was a massive year for Lionel Legacy trains. Another set I’d like to put under a spotlight is the Rock Island Quad Cities Rocket Legacy Set. You’re getting all of the bells and whistles with the latest Legacy software and super interactive Bluetooth capabilities. The real magic lies in the design of the engine. I’m not familiar with the Rock Island Rockets that inspired this 2023 release, but was very excited to get my hands on such a wonderfully designed engine.
With so much to offer in terms of fun and functionality, we’ve done our best at assembling some of the best Lionel Legacy trains on the market here at Trainz.com. Some of my personal favorites like the NYC Legacy Dreyfuss J3 Hudson Steam Locomotive (model # 2331402) and the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Legacy Steam Locomotive (model # 6-11437) call our shelves home at the moment. Our list of Lionel Legacy trains is vast and we’re able to provide a number of different models and road names for hobbyists in search of a new experience.
A Future in Legacy
As we move forward we can only anticipate that the operating experience is going to get more dynamic if the progression in technology is any indicator. Finding the right locomotive can be a daunting task especially with some many must-have options when it comes to the Legacy line-up from Lionel. Our extensive inventory of Legacy trains makes that search just a little bit easier with our website features allowing you to filter through road names and different model locomotives.
If you’re looking for some affordable Lionel Legacy trains, I’ve got you covered here with a great selection of engines ready to hit the track. Oh, and if you’re running modern American Flyer from Lionel, you’re in luck since most of your engines will be compatible with Lionel’s Legacy system. With all of the bases from compatibility to affordability covered, it only makes sense now that you take your first dive into Legacy trains from Lionel.
If you’re ready to make the switch to O-Gauge from a different scale or if you’re just entering the hobby, Lionel Legacy is a great place to start. With everything from simple to understand instructions and hours of operating fun, you’re going to be in store for a model train experience unlike anything else! Trainz.com is happy to help you on that journey.