Discontinued IRV2 - why?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

For the limited cable length, I just bought a couple of the IRV2 boxes.  A longer cable from the junction box would be useful, but I figured I'd live with what was provided.

I actually splice the cable and created 9 ft runs that have worked fine since installed in 2020.  Still in place and work great.  I don't know anything about the operational environment that Dave reported had interference but mine is fine with those runs.  Something to consider at least as a test for yourself.

I’m glad I stayed away from the LCS system. As stated above it was and still is not being marketed very well. Hopefully you guys using it will not be let down by more cancellations.

@LionelAG posted:

I actually splice the cable and created 9 ft runs that have worked fine since installed in 2020.  Still in place and work great.  I don't know anything about the operational environment that Dave reported had interference but mine is fine with those runs.  Something to consider at least as a test for yourself.

I considered that, and I'll do it if I need to.  I figured out routing for all the cables to locate the IRV2 boxes where I wanted the sleds installed.

Love resurrecting an older thread.

In case anyone missed it, the IRV2 is back. You can see it in the 2024 Big Book catalog, on page 210 of the digital version.

Working with a new partner, it'll be no problem getting these made. I just encourage people to put in orders for them. We do have MOQs that need to be met to make it a reality.

Hopefully the new website will help people ease into LCS more as the information is more readily available and everything will be easily integrated with the Base3.

https://control.lionel.com/docs/lcs-irv2/

@Dave Olson posted:

Love resurrecting an older thread.

In case anyone missed it, the IRV2 is back. You can see it in the 2024 Big Book catalog, on page 210 of the digital version.

Working with a new partner, it'll be no problem getting these made. I just encourage people to put in orders for them. We do have MOQs that need to be met to make it a reality.

Hopefully the new website will help people ease into LCS more as the information is more readily available and everything will be easily integrated with the Base3.

https://control.lionel.com/docs/lcs-irv2/

WOW, that's great news Dave.  Are the add-on sensor sleds also being produced?

Nevermind, I looked in the digital catalog and see them listed, great!

I was very happy to see this Dave. Along with the additional sensor sleds.

we covered this near the end of our little catalog commentary. Seems like everyone does one so we figured we’d give it a try you can check it out if you want

🤞 hopefully you guys get enough orders to make this happen

Dang I guess all those IRV2s and sleds I horded just become worthless.  LOL!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

WOW, that's great news Dave.  Are the add-on sensor sleds also being produced?

Nevermind, I looked in the digital catalog and see them listed, great!

Yeah, the add-on sleds are the key item.

I'm really glad to hear the news.  I'll take the time to resurrect a recent thread asking for people to share their SensorTrack uses in action.  The thread got just a few replies but it seems like its a VERY untapped technology in the LCS arsenal.

https://ogrforum.com/...c/182184739428880572

This is great news!!!  I had noticed those items in the catalog, took a while to find a site offing them for preorder, finally found them on TrainWorld, so I'll be placing my order there. 

@ArtsModelTrains posted:

This is great news!!!  I had noticed those items in the catalog, took a while to find a site offing them for preorder, finally found them on TrainWorld, so I'll be placing my order there.

When I heard they were discontinued, I quickly scrambled around and found them before they were all gone.  I may yet need a couple more sleds, so I think I'll ask Henning's to put them on pre-order for me.

I noticed they were on the LCS page, but no indication that they were new or reintroduced.  Asked in the 2024 catalog thread, but still no clear answer.

But this is great news!. I'll reach out to Nassau and see if they can add them to my order

Thanks Dave!

This is awesome

@MartyE posted:

Dang I guess all those IRV2s and sleds I horded just become worthless.  LOL!

LOL!  I crack myself up.

Looks ike the sensor track needs a DB-9 cable with power supply. Are these still made or available?  Is there a work- a-round to wire these sensor tracks.  Thanks in advance for any advice.  Best, Dave

@DL Brunette posted:

Looks ike the sensor track needs a DB-9 cable with power supply. Are these still made or available?  Is there a work- a-round to wire these sensor tracks.  Thanks in advance for any advice.  Best, Dave

The power supply and DB-9 are needed to interface the Legacy base to any LCS module including the sensor track that is first in the PDI chain.

Once Base3 comes out the DB-9 and power supply will not be needed if using a Base3.  If you’re not getting a Base3 then it will still be needed but I suspect the power supply and DB-9 will become available on the secondary market.

Dave Olson also showed us how to make your own power supply and db9.

Looks pretty easy to fabricate a power supply cable, I think that problem can be overcome.

Ah, Figure 7. Those cables are so neatly dressed. whoever took that photo was really on top of their game.

thanks @martye I have a base3 on order.  I have had two family gatherings over the past few months,  my cousins enjoyed running trains with an iphone.  Its so simple.  The base 3 will expand my roster of trains that I can run at any given time, assuming of course that I have time to find the engine and un pack it from its box....

More old threat resurrection! Should I collect and hoard IRV2's and sleds or are we good for now?

Thanks in advance

Apparently, Lionel is resuming manufacturing of the IRV2, at least if they get enough orders.

I never actually asked for anything in LCS but I have now ordered a Fastrack LCS sensor track and cable to experiment with the new Base 3.  I have Legacy but I want to be able to set up a digital display of my layout and control my trains and my switches through my iPad.  That seemed to be what the LCS advertising shows in the Lionel catalogues; I just didn't want to get into a large volume of boxes and cables beyond what I already had for Legacy.  It seems like now it's possible to just plug the Fastrack LCS sensor track into the Base 3, which I've purchased because I run both Legacy and also LC+2.0 and I want to be able to run all those engines through one device.

So, I'm now driving some new market demand for the LCS system, even if not for the IRV2.  If I run into any problems getting it all working right, I'll probably turn here for help!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Apparently, Lionel is resuming manufacturing of the IRV2, at least if they get enough orders.

They are already in stores.

@MartyE posted:

They are already in stores.

I guess they got enough orders!

The lionelstore also has the sensor addons on sale for 29.95 each. I have not found the add-ons anywhere else.

@Joe Fermani posted:

The lionelstore also has the sensor addons on sale for 29.95 each. I have not found the add-ons anywhere else.

Pats Trains had both the IRV2s and add on sleds. My buddy picked them up last week when they came in.

Got mine in person from Trainland
Lionel store is really cool, I’d be there often if I was local - super friendly and deals galore

Anyway, the sled cables really like to fall out - hopefully the hot glue didn’t make it mad

@Rollsington posted:

Anyway, the sled cables really like to fall out - hopefully the hot glue didn’t make it mad

Cut back the heatshink so it doesn't interfere with seating the connector.

Totally did that too, installed all of the sleds without incident. One oddity is that the manual states it includes screws to attach it to the ties but the IRV2 -and- the add-on did not include them. No big deal...
Programmed without an issue and works as advertised

@Rollsington posted:

Totally did that too, installed all of the sleds without incident. One oddity is that the manual states it includes screws to attach it to the ties but the IRV2 -and- the add-on did not include them. No big deal...
Programmed without an issue and works as advertised

The screws depend on the type of track you are using so, no, the screws are not included.