will MTH transformer operate lionel legacy engine?

[gunrunnerjohn]

lion88roar

In conventional mode - yes

In Legacy mode - NO - you need the Legacy Command Base and Controller for that. I'm not sure if you would need any other components to make it work though.

Well, not really true.  You need a transformer in any case for Legacy, and most MTH transformers will work just fine.  Running command, you wouldn't use the controller that comes with the 50/75/100 watt MTH transformers, just wire the brick directly to the track.

[phillyreading]

Your capacitor trick may work with the PS-1 engines but I doubt that it will do anything for PS-2 & 3. PS-1 is mainly a sound system with electrically operated remote control couplers.

[BigAl 956]

An old trick to get your Lionel modern transformer to operate MTH Protosound is to attach a non-polarized capacitor across the Lionel output. You can find a 100uf 50v NP capacitor on-line for not too much.

All engines regardless if they are Legacy, DCS, or TMCC will run conventionally. They will operate forward backwards, make whoo whoo or ding ding sounds with any traditional conventional transformer. It's when you want to go beyond conventional operation that things get tricky. If you intend on running full control Legacy it's good to know that the competing systems of MTH and Lionel do not always cross operate each other. MTH DCS will operate Lionel TMCC, but MTH DCS will not control Legacy nor will Legacy or TMCC operate MTH DCS.

[lion88roar]

In conventional mode - yes

In Legacy mode - NO - you need the Legacy Command Base and Controller for that. I'm not sure if you would need any other components to make it work though.

[sir james I]

Older Lionel transformers will operate MTH engines. But the CW-80 does not play nice with MTH engines. So if you plan to run both brands buy the MTH one.

[bjlanc]

I have read about the many problems with the lionel cw80 transformer working for mth locomotives with protosounds.  Can I use a mth z1000 transformer to operate both my mth locomotive and my lionel legacy command unit?  I have not purchased a new transformer yet so I am wondering which transformer to buy.