LCS and conventional engines?

so seems in most articles about LCS relates to a sensor track and newer engines with a IR sensor.

somewhere I thought I read it could be used with conventional engines?

Not that I am aware of.  It needs an engine with a sensor to activate the track.  The sensor track also requires a Legacy command base.

if so how would one initiate a whistle/horn blowing at a roadway crossing? Or is this even a feature coming along at a latter date.

It was asked at the LUG meeting if non sensor engines could have an added box car equipped with a sensor to use on non-sensor equipped engines.  While not on the current radar, they thought it possible.

i know we old folk like easier ways to run our layout but I already have a remote I feel more emphasis on knowing on a screen where all current trains are running a real track detection for collision avoidance  creating scenarios for locomotives blowing whistle/ horns at grade crossings more features I can and would use as frankly all I see so far in LCS is newer engines needed to use some features for them and a bigger remote!

do I understand correctly that you need more modules and or IR sensor tracks to activate various functions recording wise like a grade crossing warning whistle?

Depends.  If you want to trigger a warning on either side of a crossing you will need 2 per crossing plus any other areas you might want to trigger an action.

if so a isolated track section would do the same some high tech items not needed or well thought out sorry but am a 50's era fellow and find simplicity better for me with less tech gadgets needed to accomplish the task.

I imagine with the Legacy open protocols some one could design a program to sense any engine that crosses over the non techie isolated rail.  But unlike the ability of the sensor track which can trigger on certain engines, this would trigger on all.  

even though it sounds like a cut or a flame to the LCS system I do not mean it that way just saying what I think and what i would rather be able to do with the LCS system.

am sure those that like and relate to newer high tech are happy to see this and so you should.

as to getting the younger folks into this from what I can see kids of today like high tech gizmos but if they have to add this and that the interest in it goes away. when a simple app game download and poof they can play the game or upgrade to a newer better whatever app.

any and all replys are welcome be it good/bad to my thoughts I am not thin skinned.

$oo