@Shaun D posted:

Excuse the newbie type question. I have a base 3 that just arrived today. I can connect the base 3 to the cab 3 app on my android device.

I can't seem to figure out how to connect my Lionel Legacy es44ac (BNSF heritage #6111) to the Base 3 side of the app. I can run it via Bluetooth. I'm unclear on how the run/program switch on the engine needs to be set and how the run/program switch on the base 3 needs to be set. I've read documentation but still can't quite seem to get it right.

Additionally, I have a jumper wire connected to the base 3 to the "U" track terminal on my CW90.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Set the PGM/RUN switch on the engine only to PGM.  Power up the layout and push engine and the numeric keypad should appear, select the ID you want to give it ( for example 11, last 2 digits of the road number) and push SET on the app.  The engine should startup and blow the horn.  Power down the track and slide the PGM/RUN switch back to RUN.

Swipe up and you can enter the engine name, motive type, road number, control type and railsounds type to get the most out of the engine.  When you go back it will ask you if you want to update the database, say yes.

Are you familiar with the

Lionel Power and Control Website?

My last train was a conventional starter set that I received as a Christmas present in the mid 90s. So this new tech sure is a leap forward!

Thanks for the info and thanks for the link to the Lionel documentation. That will be a huge help.

@Shaun D posted:

My last train was a conventional starter set that I received as a Christmas present in the mid 90s. So this new tech sure is a leap forward!

Thanks for the info and thanks for the link to the Lionel documentation. That will be a huge help.

It will be a learning curve for all of us.  Have fun.

Yep I did get the engines to connect but haven't been able to add them to my roster. Either way, being able to run one engine was a win for now!

I have been running the base 3 in access point mode. No luck hooking up to wifi yet. Sounds like a tomorrow problem to me!

It seems my legacy engine is only operating with basic commands and is not offering legacy commands. Should the base 3/cab 3 detect a legacy engine on its own?

@Shaun D posted:

It seems my legacy engine is only operating with basic commands and is not offering legacy commands. Should the base 3/cab 3 detect a legacy engine on its own?

Did you enter all the information by swiping up?  Unless it's a 4 digit capable engine or you have a sensor track to roll over you will have to enter that information in manually by swiping up to the engine configuration screen.  Tap each section to get either drop down menus or keypad.  Once entered and you push "Back", it will ask if you want to update the engine record.  The obvious answer is "YES".

Once you do this you will have full Legacy control.  It will look something like this but with the ID Address that you gave it.

Good information. I was swiping too slow or in the wront area. After playing with it some I was able to access that config screen so that I could set up the engine. Seems to be working in legacy mode now. I am able to quill the horn.

I have another legacy ES44AC coming later this year from Legacy Station. I'll have to figure out how to lash up the engines when it arrives.

We’ll all be on a learning curve for a while.

Yep, it is definitely a step up for me considering I'm only used to a conventional starter set.

Thanks for all of your help!

There is a Windows Base3 System Utility that will allow you to enter all the engine data using a full keyboard.  I prefer this to doing it on a smart device with a tiny touch keyboard.   Looks a lot busier than the old Legacy System Utility screen.

That utility does look nice. I noticed it online when I was looking through the base 3 documentation. It has a release date of 8/1 as of right now.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

There is a Windows Base3 System Utility that will allow you to enter all the engine data using a full keyboard.  I prefer this to doing it on a smart device with a tiny touch keyboard.   Looks a lot busier than the old Legacy System Utility screen.

But until it is out, this is the way you do it.  If I am only entering one engine every so often then it's far easier to use the smart device in my opinion. 

I do not mean to hijack this thread, but if I have 6 independent loops of track, would I need a Base3 for each one?  I have checked the Lionel Power & Control website that Marty mentioned, and appears you connect the Base3 to only one track: 

2. Connect a wire to the TRACK U post on the back of the Base3. Connect the other end to the ground/U terminal of your AC transformer or the outside rails of your track.

1 base per layout. Just make sure all your commons are connected as a true common.

Thank you for the quick reply, Marty.  Would you mind clarifying what you mean by true common?  Each loop has its own transformer.

You can either connect each common back to the Base3 or a lot of people connect all transformer commons together and then you can feed just 1 wire from Base3 one of the transformer’s common.

Got it.  Greatly appreciate your help.

@cnw4ever posted:

Would you mind clarifying what you mean by true common?  Each loop has its own transformer.

In any layout using TMCC/Legacy command control, the outside rails throughout the layout should be connected together.  That is typically accomplished at your power distribution point, but it can happen anywhere on the layout.  My layout has four PH180 bricks, all the outside rail commons are connected together at the power distribution panel.

Looks like the release date for the Base3 System Utility has been pushed back to September 1st.

From control.lionel.com:  Download the B3SU: coming 9/1/2024 – sorry for the delay! We’re making it great!

Neal Jeter

I hadn't noticed that. Software sure is tricky to get right on their first shot. They'll get it smoothed out and released.