Control Lionel backshop

Bill_R posted:

does anyone know how to control Lionel backshop using Legecy remote

I control it with a Legacy. Be sure it is in Cab-1 mode. I assigned it an engine  # and it works fine. I did replace the original MB which was less than acceptable. Also, an Addendum to the instructions show how to rewrite the MB so the smoke unit operates in command mode. 

Thanks Ed you called it.  Just happened I had another legacy piece on the layout with address 1.  Once I took it off my remote went into cab 1 mode and all works fine

  t

Bill_R posted:

Thanks Ed you called it.  Just happened I had another legacy piece on the layout with address 1.  Once I took it off my remote went into cab 1 mode and all works fine

 

 

  t

t,

glad I could help. This accessory gets a lot of bad rap, but I love it. I've added a light in the office (put in a desk chair and shelving with a few figures) that's always on, and I'm going to add fluorescent lights from Miller Engineering to light up the machine room. It will look more industrial. Finally, I will add a lighting group that simulates welding. It's gonna be a stunner....in my humble opinion 

ed

That sounds AWSOME don't forget to share 

Thanks. Will do. 

Bill, I've attached some pics  of  my test lighting using Miller Fluorescent lighting, 2 four inch tubes. The sound  in the Backshop died and I've started to fix it.  Checked the speakers and they are fine, so Lionel  and I have concluded it's the volume pot that's most likely the culprit.  Unfortunately, it's soldered onto the mother board and you can't buy that part, so my fix is to replace the motherboard. I've done it before so that's not a biggie.  Since it's off my layout and on my  work bench I thought I'd rig up the lights to see the effect.  Judge for yourself.  

Pic-1:  I added one incandescent light in the office which was not lighted by Lionel.  I like it. this was my first foray into upgrading the lighting

Pic-2:  This is the accessory on full 18v power and the machinery running. As you can see, the original incandescent lights are nothing to write home about. 

Pic-3:   Fluorescent lighting on. I'm probably going to add another 4" bulb, or swap them out for 2 8" bulbs, then move the 4" to the engine bay...although I'm going to first light up  the engine bay with LED lighting and see if that floats my  boat.

Although I have a way to go to get all the improvements in that I have in mind, the dramatic effect of the fluorescents was something  I wanted to share right away.

Thanks for your interest,

Very Nice

Ken M

Hi Ed

first of all thanks for remembering,  based on your preliminary lighting results i am inspired to light mine.  keep me posted

Bill 

Bill, will do.  

Ken, thanks for the comment.

I've decided to add another 4" fluorescent in the machine shop and  2 8" in the engine bay. I really like them.  I replaced one of the bulbs in the original Lionel pole with one I used in the office which is at least 4 times brighter but it also was  very dim. I guess the volts are reduced somewhere along the way. (The office light is direct to  the power feed.)  Also, the fluorescents require a separate 12v DC power source so they also have independent power. I will need a separate  toggle for those lights I guess.   Great fun, this hobby is. 

Ed

who is your supplier for the florescent lights  

Bill,

Miller Engineering

 www.microstru.com

Bill, well, I've completed (almost) the lighting of my  Backshop.  I replaced the 4" fluorescents with 8" in the machine shop. Added a strip of LEDs  to the Loco stall; added furniture, and what looks like a seated "Andre the Giant" ( I intend to add one more figure) and a spot LED to  the office: finally, I've added a welding lighting effect in the engine stall.  I've also will install a sound card mimicking a salvage yard (ITTproducts.com) sounds, and arc-welding once I place the backstop back on my layout.

Pic 1 shows the lighted engine stall and welding light effect

Pic 3  Office with "Andre" see bookcase? there are file cabinets and a desk as well

short video of machine shop in action with fluorescents.

Excuse the multiple posts. I'm just learning how to add videos  and photos "The right way."  I've also learned, size does matter.   Video of engine stall showing lighting, welding effects, sound and doors opening

Ed

i am totally awestruck and inspired.  i am ordering florescent lights from miller eng. tomorrow.  i think i have a welding kit in my inventory as i did not think of using it in the back shop.  great idea 

thanks again for sharing   

Bill, thanks for the kind remarks. In my humble opinion, this is an awesome accessory with so much potential. Best of all my 4 yr old grandson LOVES it!  ��

Please keep us advised. 

Hi Ed, thanks for this link from my thread, totally awesome what you have done with the backshop: the office, fluorescent lighting and welding operation adds so much more to an already fun accessory. Like Bill_R, I am inspired.

Mike

I think I am going to add the fluorescent lights to my backshop, what kind of DC power supply did you use to power yours?

ZWPOWER13 posted:

I think I am going to add the fluorescent lights to my backshop, what kind of DC power supply did you use to power yours?

Wall wart with 12v DC output. Got it on eBay for about $5 

ED,

   Nice going and I really like the Meadow River Shay inside, with the lights on!  Way cool stuff

PCRR/Dave

MohawkMike posted:

Hi Ed, thanks for this link from my thread, totally awesome what you have done with the backshop: the office, fluorescent lighting and welding operation adds so much more to an already fun accessory. Like Bill_R, I am inspired.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. Please post pics. I've added a few more workers.  I'll post a pic. 

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

ED,

   Nice going and I really like the Meadow River Shay inside, with the lights on!  Way cool stuff

PCRR/Dave

Thanks, Dave. I like that engine a lot. 

Ed, did you splice off the female plug the wall wart came with to power the lights?

Ed

who is your source for the LED strip light in the train section of the back shop

thanks

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Ed, did you splice off the female plug the wall wart came with to power the lights?

No, it came with a separate female plug with a pigtail. I connected the pigtail to the terminal bar then plugged it into the male plug of the transformer lead. 

Mark,

Here's the power draw on fluorescents  from the Miller engineering website. Need to keep this in mind when buying the wall wart:

Current draw specs:

2" Single fluorescent lamp draws 200ma
2" Double fluorescent lamp draws 280ma
4" Single fluorescent lamp draws 250ma
4" Double fluorescent lamp draws 340ma
8" Single fluorescent lamp draws 380ma
8" Double fluorescent lamp draws 560m

Gents, the Backshop has been returned to the layout. Some pics showing final product. (As much as anything is really final on a layout. ) Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

Thanks Ed!!

hi Ed

where did you get the LED strip light you used in the engine maintenance shed of the back shop.  i received my order form miller eng. today and welding/sound board is on the way.  iam getting pumped to make the upgrades.  the backshop has always been one of my favorites.  thanks again for the inspiration.

Bill,

LED strip from "movsun" in eBay store.  Have fun. 

Mark,

You're welcome. Happy to help.

Greeeeeeeeeeeeat job Ed!  The final product looks fantastic and thanks for sharing what you did so that others can duplicate your work.  I'm certainly looking forward to do the same upgrade to mine.  

Too bad Lionel or MTH hasn't produced much in the way of neat accessories like this in a looooooong time!  With today's command control capabilities, they could work wonders.

Kazar,

Thanks for the kind remarks. It's fun to have one idea, which inspires another, and so on. I agree with you about accessories. I've been pining for a shuttle accessory . I recognize it could never be to scale, but the possibilities are endless. It just seems like a natural fit.  Please post your upgrades. 

Ed thanks for sharing the great job that you did on this. The fluorescent lights really light things up and improve visibility. It is a neat accessory.

Thanks. You're smoke output is great. Did you do any thing special?

By the way, I may have not mentioned.  The lighting in the Office, that light that looks like a spotlight on the standing worker is an LED, white, 5mm.   I also have a small incandescent light stuck on the outside wall so there is a mix of soft  white/yellow and that bright spot. 

Ed

I mounted my 8" florescent lights under the roof deck of the machine shop as I couldn't come up with a better place.  is that where you put yours.  anyway it looks great,  you've singled handedly  resurrected  a neglected Gem from Lionel and have inspired a lot of people "me included" to give the Back Shop the appreciation and attention it deserves. (:  

Bill,

Yes, that's exactly what I did.  I secured the ends of the tubes with clear silicone and used electrical  tape to hold the wires.  You're too kind, but I must admit, the encouragement is very much appreciated.  Sure hope you post a pic of your lighting.  

I'm working on other 'have to things' such as rerouting 12 Fastrack switch wires under the table to a central control panel. Must admit though,  I prefer working on accessories.  I still have to place my 'welding sound module' and get that working, then I'll stop for a while.   Although I've thought of adding a light on the outside, at the top of each end of the engine stall, the industrial type, green shade but my wife always tells me I don't know when to stop...

I agree, the Backshop has taken some hits in the past, but once you take the time to upgrade/replace the boards it's a super accessory that lends itself to some need additions.  Keep us informed if you do anything else. I would be very interested.

Well, back to drilling holes and rewiring switch controllers!