LEGACY™ v1.2 Upgrades

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will this upgrade take?

Our estimates conclude that the upgrade process should take between 4 to 9 business days after receiving your Legacy System in our Ohio facility. There are, of course, some circumstances outside of our control that may require up to 14 days to complete the upgrade and testing on your system.

Why am I shipping my Legacy System to Ohio?

Lionel has established a facility in Ohio to help facilitate a focused effort on the Legacy system upgrades. This will help Customer Service in Michigan stay focused on their daily responsibilities and help us return your systems to you more quickly.

How will I know the status of my Legacy system upgrade?

You will receive an email the day your Legacy System arrives, notifying you that it has been received in good order. The process for upgrade should take between 4 to 9 business days to complete. Once your system has been upgraded and validated, you will receive a second email notifying you the upgrade is complete, and your system is being returned to you. This email will have a UPS tracking number included, so you can track your package on-line.

Who do I call to find out the status of my repair?

To help us focus on getting these systems upgraded in a timely manner we ask that you refrain from calling Lionel to inquire as to the status of your upgrade. The email notifications will serve as the primary point of contact in updating you on the status of your upgrade. You can, however, email us at legacyupgrade@lionel.com if you encounter a problem.

How do I get my system to you?

We have prepared a step-by-step outline on our recommendations for shipping your Legacy base and remote to us. These instructions will appear once you click the SUBMIT button, after completing the required fields on the previous page. These steps will also be included in an email confirmation.

How do I know if my system requires an upgrade?

Look on the back of your Legacy Base. If, in the FCC compliance box, you do not have a small silver mark on the lower left hand corner, then your Base is required to be sent for upgrade. If your Cab-2 remote does not have a small silver mark on the inside of the battery compartment (under the leftmost battery), then your Cab-2 is required to be sent in for the upgrade. If your base has these marks, you do NOT have to send your system in for upgrade. Simply contact Customer Service at  586-949-4100  586-949-4100 EXT 9105 to order your software version 1.2 Memory Modules. They will be sent to you free of charge.

The Photos below illustrate where the silver dot marking is located.

What are you doing to my Legacy System?

We are going to upgrade the operating system in your Legacy Base, upload the version 1.2 Memory Modules into your Cab-2 remote(s), and validate the operation. When you receive your system back from Lionel, it will include the following items: your Legacy Base and remote; two new blue v1.2 Memory Modules; a printed copy of the Legacy Manual (version 1.2); and an illustrated instruction sheet on loading your Memory Modules into the base and remote.

Will I have to send my system to Lionel every time there is a new software release?

No, this is a one-time only requirement. After this upgrade is complete you will be able to load all your future software upgrades by the Memory Modules alone. Sending your Legacy system to Lionel is only required this one time to update the operating system software.

How will my Legacy System be returned to me?

Your Legacy system will be returned to you via UPS. A tracking number for your package will be included in your shipping confirmation email. Lionel will pay for the return shipping.

If my Legacy system already has software version 1.2 installed, should I send it in for this upgrade?

No, only Legacy systems that have software version 1.0 will need this upgrade. To determine which operating system you have, simply press the CTC button on the Cab-2 remote to display which version of software your Legacy system is equipped with. The photo below illustrates the screen where this data can be located.

LEGACY™ v1.2 Upgrade Registration

This is a warranty return upgrade program for people who have purchased the Legacy Base Control System. To receive your upgrade, please complete the information below.

As part of Lionel’s new Legacy System upgrade release, we have come to the determination that your Legacy Base requires a reprogramming of the internal processor, which cannot be corrected by the Memory Modules alone. Once this programming is completed, future software upgrades can be accomplished with just the Memory Modules (We only need the system back one time!). Therefore, we are requesting that you send your Legacy Base and Cab-2 remote to Lionel for upgrading. The new version 1.2 operating system will be installed and tested before being returned to you. Additionally, you will receive a newly printed version of the Legacy Instruction Manual (version 1.2), along with both Memory Modules for the Cab-2 and Base.

To help expedite this process, please follow the instructions below:

1. Enter all required data in the fields (valid email address, name, return shipping address, DAYTIME phone number, number of Legacy Bases and Cab-2’s being sent in).
2. Click the SUBMIT button only one time. A confirmation page will be returned.
3. An automatic Return Authorization number will be generated (unique to your name).
4. Package your base and remote per the instructions on the confirmation page to send your items to our Ohio based facility for upgrade.
5. You will receive an email confirmation when your base arrives.
6. You will receive an email confirmation when your base has been upgraded and is being returned to you (along with your UPS tracking number).