How do you know if your legacy engine works with the new sensor track and does it have to be in the lionel plastic roadbed track. Not to great if you have to splice it into your existing track.
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By looking for an infrared emitter / detector underneath the engine, aligned to the location of the same in the track.
i supposed one could remove the roadbed, but at risk of damaging or misaligning the infrared device or other components. I intend to install one into my Ross track and just disguise it as much as possible.
Lots of good info here...
And yes it does have to be Fast Track unless you are willing to take it apart and experiment like others are doing.
Most engines since about the end of 2012 I believe are equipped. There was a list posted.
Marty, correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't there "talk" of a seperate sensor that could be used with other brands of track planned for the future?
Originally Posted by ironlake2:
How do you know if your legacy engine works with the new sensor track and does it have to be in the lionel plastic roadbed track. Not to great if you have to splice it into your existing track.
There's a web page for that! See here: http://www.lionel.com/lcs/LCSp...ompatible/index.html
The easiest way to determine if a locomotive is compatible with SensorTrack™ is to flip it over and look for the infrared (aka "IR" transmitter. On a Legacy or Vision steam engine, you’ll find this on the tender. Sometimes it is attached to the truck. In other cases, it may be tucked into a piece of added-on cast detail attached to the tender frame. Look for a small circuit board with a tiny white square--that’s the transmitter.
How about a Legacy or Vision diesel locomotive? In practically all cases, a diesel IR transmitter will be mounted in the belly tank, near the loudspeaker(s) as shown below.
Originally Posted by RickO:
Marty, correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't there "talk" of a seperate sensor that could be used with other brands of track planned for the future?
RickO, we at Lionel have talked about making SensorTrack available for other brands of track. I agree there is a need, but I don't have anything specific to report at this time. As Marty points out, individuals are already getting creative with their own adaptations.
I've been following the thread "Sensor Track hits the Streets" and trying to decide how I want to use it. While out on a short 40 km bicycle ride with my wife this morning (she is recovering from a back injury so can't ride very far yet), I had time to think about everything that was said. First off, I have Ross track so there is a compatibility problem (can be overcome). Also, some planned placement on my layout of Sensor Track sections would be difficult to get at. However, I don't think I will need to get at it that often, if at all, once it is set.
For me the issue really becomes whether or not it is worth the effort to have these sensor tracks for the few engines I have with the sensor. Not counting the engines in my Bicentennial/R-W-B collection, I have 33 great engines that will be run on my late 1940s themed layout. All brands are represented, and all are command control with 4-chuffs/rev and cruise (many were upgraded). Of these engines, 15 are TMCC and only 5 are Legacy. Of the Legacy engines, only 3 have the sensor. I plan to buy only three more engines, and because I like the sound of Lionel's RailSounds they will probably be TMCC or Legacy. Because Lionel does not add sound to any engine in a ABA or AA set except the lead A-unit, I will probably buy Atlas. Now that I'm retired, I don't plan on replacing engines I already have.
So, would adding Sensor Tracks be worthwhile for 3 maybe 4 engines (10% of fleet) when most of its functions can be accomplished by other components? Not sure yet. If Lionel came up with a freight or express car that had the sensor installed that could be used with any train, that would help push me towards the sensor track.
Ron
Is there anyway to add the infrared unit to an existing Lionel Legacy engine
Ken M
Originally Posted by Ken M:
Is there anyway to add the infrared unit to an existing Lionel Legacy engine
Ken M
Ken, It's almost certain that an existing Legacy engine has the infrared transmitter already. That said, there's no way to currently add a transmitter to an engine after manufacture.
Add on sensor boxcars? 
Originally Posted by Railsounds:
Originally Posted by Ken M:
Is there anyway to add the infrared unit to an existing Lionel Legacy engine
Ken M
Ken, It's almost certain that an existing Legacy engine has the infrared transmitter already. That said, there's no way to currently add a transmitter to an engine after manufacture.
All Vision engines have the IR transmitter most all engines after
2010 have it but not all engines with the IR transmitter have all the features.
The Vision line hybrids will not show the fuel level. The icon is on the Cab2
but indicates zero fuel level.
Here's an old topic discussing the same issue.
https://ogrforum.com/t...80#21984675481256580
The thread petered out before anyone answered my question regarding the 6-11423 reissue of the Blue Comet.
8 of the 9 Legacy diesels do not have the IR sensor. All are sd70ace
Ken M
Originally Posted by Ted Sowirka:
...
The thread petered out before anyone answered my question regarding the 6-11423 reissue of the Blue Comet.
Ted, FYI... the Blue Comet #833 steamer does have the IR transmitter. I have this loco and can confirm it's underneath the tender.
David
