How to Program Legacy Engines w/Bluetooth to the Base 3

If you are programming it as a 2 digit TMCC address you will have to go into the Apps engine configuration and set the name, roadnumber, engine type (Steam), Control Type (Legacy), and Sound (Legacy).

You can use Cab2 but will also have to enter the same information.

If you assign a 4 digit address this information will be loaded for you.

@MartyE posted:

If you are programming it as a 2 digit TMCC address you will have to go into the Apps engine configuration and set the name, roadnumber, engine type (Steam), Control Type (Legacy), and Sound (Legacy).

You can use Cab2 but will also have to enter the same information.

If you assign a 4 digit address this information will be loaded for you.

I went into the Cab engine configuration and tried that several times yesterday, but it would never link to the engine.  I even took all the other locomotives off the track, tried to turn off my Base 3, but no luck.  The Big Boy does connect to the Lionchief app on Cab 3 and the older app. Why didn't Lionel either load these engines into the Base 3 or make a way to download them so that you will get the Visionline features you paid extra for? I'm not impressed one bit by the Base 3 or the app.  MTH's system works much better IMO.

@Jim Duke posted:

I went into the Cab engine configuration and tried that several times yesterday, but it would never link to the engine.  I even took all the other locomotives off the track, tried to turn off my Base 3, but no luck.  The Big Boy does connect to the Lionchief app on Cab 3 and the older app. Why didn't Lionel either load these engines into the Base 3 or make a way to download them so that you will get the Visionline features you paid extra for? I'm not impressed one bit by the Base 3 or the app.  MTH's system works much better IMO.

Jim

I don't know how to help you.  Tell me exactly what you are doing.  When you are running a BlueTooth equipped Legacy engine using Base3 it must be entered into the Cab3 side of the app.  The Bluetooth has nothing to do with it at this point.

Move the PGM / RUN swith to PGM.  Power the layout,  On the Cab3 APP push ENG, 24, SET.  The whistle blows and the engine comes alive.  Move the switch back to PGM.  Push Engine configuration (lower left button Engine w/ Gear).

From there enter the road name, road number, motive type, control type, and sound type.  Push BACK and select YES to update the record.

Yeah, none of that worked for me.  I know the engine works with Bluetooth Lionchief app, but I can't get the Base 3 system to do anything with it.

Turn off the BT on the engine to avoid confusion.  I know this is not necessary, but maybe it'll help ease the confusion.  Then just treat it as a normal Legacy engine.  I think that's pretty much what Marty outlined in his previous post.

I finally figured out what the issue was. . . . I had the Legacy Cab 2 powered and sending signal to the track, so the engine would never go into program mode.  I disconnected it, powered back in program mode, and it worked like it was supposed to.  Thanks for the input.  Time to get busy programming some more engines!

@Jim Duke posted:

I finally figured out what the issue was. . . . I had the Legacy Cab 2 powered and sending signal to the track, so the engine would never go into program mode.  I disconnected it, powered back in program mode, and it worked like it was supposed to.  Thanks for the input.  Time to get busy programming some more engines!

You mean Legacy Base?  The Cab2 being on shouldn't matter.

@MartyE posted:

You mean Legacy Base?  The Cab2 being on shouldn't matter.

Well it did.  For whatever reason, the engine wouldn't go into program mode with the Cab 2 powered up.  I'm thinking the track signal was interfering with programming it.

It may be because the Big Boy I was working with was never programmed into the Cab 2?

Just to clarify, your Legacy Base is disconnected and unplugged?

@MartyE posted:

Just to clarify, your Legacy Base is disconnected and unplugged?

I just unplugged the base unit from power.  Still wired to the track.

I'm sorry if this is repetitive but when it wasn't working, was the Legacy Base plugged in or just the Cab2 tuned on or both?  I just want to make sure we have the correct information

@MartyE posted:

I'm sorry if this is repetitive but when it wasn't working, was the Legacy Base plugged in or just the Cab2 tuned on or both?  I just want to make sure we have the correct information

Plugged in and the base of the Cab 2 powered up.  Handset was off.

Remove the Legacy Command base totally from the picture!!!  The BASE3 replaces the Legacy Command base!  If you have both of them connected to the track, it ain't gonna' work!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Remove the Legacy Command base totally from the picture!!!  The BASE3 replaces the Legacy Command base!  If you have both of them connected to the track, it ain't gonna' work!

Yep.  I figured that out.. . . . . .the instructions leave something to be desired IMO.

"MTH's system works much better IMO."

You're comparing a product that was just released to a product that has had 20+ years of debugging .  You may not be aware but MTH's system, DCS, was very problematic when first released in about 2002 or so, and needed lots of "post-Beta" testing fixes by users during the early months to years.

Oh I do remember when it didn't work that well-I'm sure the Base 3 will get much better with age.  What I'd really like to see is one product that incorporates both DCS and Legacy/TMCC into the same system.

@Jim Duke posted:

What I'd really like to see is one product that incorporates both DCS and Legacy/TMCC into the same system.

Don't hold your breath.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Don't hold your breath.

We all have our dreams. . . . . .

You may not be able to control them with one system (other than MTH's ability to issue TMCC commands),; however, you can run them on the same track simultaneously without issues.  I even ran 3 DCS  trains and a Legacy train on one 17 foot loop without any problem.  The key is to set your DCS train at a given smph and then using the greater speed granularity  of Legacy you can match the speeds of the two trains very easily, My 12 year old grandson was running the Legacy Triplex and the DCS SP Daylight on the same track with the MTH controller in one hand and my phone (CAB3) app in the other.