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I recently set up my Legacy system on my (pathetically simple, yet gratifying) guest bedroom loop layout.  Put the first engine (my Gold PE Berkshire) on the tracks, powered up the Legacy controller, then put power to the track.  Everything went well, as expected.  However, when it came time for the second engine (Legacy PE GP-7), I repeated the process, only I hit "2" instead of "1" for the engine.  When I then hit the power button...nothing. I was able to load the data from the little orange chip in for the GP-7 (and also for the N&W Y6B for Engine #3), but it never recognizes them on track. I was eventually able to get the controls to work for the Y6, but it recognized it as the Berkshire & not as the Y6, the data for which is under Engine #3.  Am I doing something wrong?  Can't seem to figure it out after consulting both the engine manuals, as well as that for the CAB-2.  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks.

 

- Neal

 

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Did you follow the PGM/RUN procedure in the engine manual to set the ID of the engine itself?  Sounds like all your engines are still at factory default of 1. Each engine must be given a unique ID by sliding the PGM/RUN switch to PGM, power up push ENG, ##(being the ID number) and then set on the bottom of the CAB 2. The whistle or horn will sound. Turn off power put switch back to run. 

 

Now push ENG ##(number assigned above) then load your module. 

Still no luck. What I did, step by step:

 

Switch Y6 to "PGM" & place on track.

Turn on CAB-2.

Plug in & power up transformer.

Hit ENG, then "3", then the power icon.

Turned off track power & CAB-2.

Switched Y6 TO "RUN" & put back on track.

Powered up CAB-2, then track.

 

Headlight & cab lights on on Y6, but when I hit the ENG button, then "3", then power icon nothing happens.  Also won't work under Engine 1.

 

Any other ideas where I'm going wrong? Surely there's something I'm not doing right....

That's definitely it. The "set" button is on the bottom row of buttons, just underneath the velocity dial/throttle.

 

Also be sure to set the appropriate railsounds function code for each locomotive. This code ensures the special features (cab light, smoke, or strobe light) work as intended on the locomotive when the appropriate button is pressed. To set the feature code, move the switch to "PGM", enter the engine ID, press "set", then press AUX-1, followed by one of the codes below using the numerical keypad, then press "set" again. Most locomotives would probably use Code 4 or 8.

 

0
Steam engines with Signal Sounds
1
Diesel engines with Signal Sounds
2
Diesel engine with cab light and signal sounds, all Legacy diesel engines
4
Steam engine with smoke, Pioneer Zephyr, M10000
5
Diesel engine with strobe light, GP-7, GP-9, GP-20, Crew Talk Cabooses, S1 Electric, Missile Launch Engines
6
Diesel engine with cab light , PB-1 with Rail sounds, FT's, F3's w/ Pullmor Motors, Veranda Turbine, Station Sounds Passenger Cars
8
All Diesel engines with smoke, Scale GG-1, BB-1, BB-3 Electrics
34
6-2800 Series Hudson and Pacific's, Small K-4's, Shays
36
Alco PA-1 (from 1997, Santa Fe NYC)
60
SD-40 UP 6-18273
74
All engines with Wireless Tether including American Flyer Mikado.
Note: For J1-e Sante Fe Warhorse Hudson's see below
75
Soo Line SD60 (6-18232)
76
Acela
740
J-1e NYC Hudson, Santa Fe J-1e Hudson (Warhorse set - both engine and tender must be on the track)
750
Conrail Dash-8, 1999 (6-18240), 1999 Centennial SD-40 (6-18585)
760
BNSF Dash-9 (6-18235)

 

-John

Originally Posted by Scrapiron Scher:

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS turn on the Cab 2 first before doing anything else.

Make certain it is on when you power up.

Be sure you have either a transformer with a fast circuit breaker or a fast acting circuit breaker in the circuit between the transformer and the track !

Turn off the Cab 2 last.

Thanks. I've got my start up/shut down sequence ok, but how fast of a breaker do I need? I have a year-old entry-level Lionel transformer for power.  It came with the streamlined PE set I bought before last Christmas.  I will get a power brick in the coming months, but for a single loop of O-72 Fastrack around a queen bed it seems to have enough power. Let me know if you think it's not safe to run, though.

You don't need this information for Legacy engines.  This would be for older TMCC engines and only if you need to do a reset to correct and non functioning or incorrectly operating locomotive.
 
While still good information, this is a lot of mud in the water for the question that was asked.
 
 Originally Posted by AcelaNYP:

That's definitely it. The "set" button is on the bottom row of buttons, just underneath the velocity dial/throttle.

 

Also be sure to set the appropriate railsounds function code for each locomotive. This code ensures the special features (cab light, smoke, or strobe light) work as intended on the locomotive when the appropriate button is pressed. To set the feature code, move the switch to "PGM", enter the engine ID, press "set", then press AUX-1, followed by one of the codes below using the numerical keypad, then press "set" again. Most locomotives would probably use Code 4 or 8.

 

0
Steam engines with Signal Sounds
1
Diesel engines with Signal Sounds
2
Diesel engine with cab light and signal sounds, all Legacy diesel engines
4
Steam engine with smoke, Pioneer Zephyr, M10000
5
Diesel engine with strobe light, GP-7, GP-9, GP-20, Crew Talk Cabooses, S1 Electric, Missile Launch Engines
6
Diesel engine with cab light , PB-1 with Rail sounds, FT's, F3's w/ Pullmor Motors, Veranda Turbine, Station Sounds Passenger Cars
8
All Diesel engines with smoke, Scale GG-1, BB-1, BB-3 Electrics
34
6-2800 Series Hudson and Pacific's, Small K-4's, Shays
36
Alco PA-1 (from 1997, Santa Fe NYC)
60
SD-40 UP 6-18273
74
All engines with Wireless Tether including American Flyer Mikado.
Note: For J1-e Sante Fe Warhorse Hudson's see below
75
Soo Line SD60 (6-18232)
76
Acela
740
J-1e NYC Hudson, Santa Fe J-1e Hudson (Warhorse set - both engine and tender must be on the track)
750
Conrail Dash-8, 1999 (6-18240), 1999 Centennial SD-40 (6-18585)
760
BNSF Dash-9 (6-18235)

 

-John

 

Last edited by MartyE
I think more importantly is to have the Legacy base powered before the transformer power.  You want the Legacy signal on the track so that when power is applied the locomotives recognizes it is command mode.  That being said, the engines will come up in nuetral if you don't have a command signal present.  Where folks go wrong is they cycle the power and then the locos electronic E Unit cycles and it's full steam ahead.
 
 
 
 
Scrapiron Scher:

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS turn on the Cab 2 first before doing anything else.

Make certain it is on when you power up.

Be sure you have either a transformer with a fast circuit breaker or a fast acting circuit breaker in the circuit between the transformer and the track !

Turn off the Cab 2 last.

 

A CW80, which is what I think you have, is protection enough.  It has modern circuit protection.  It will be fine as long as your not over taxing it.  Then it will just go into protection mode.  If you are getting more Legacy and higher end engines consider a newer power source with more current capacity. 
 
A Powerhouse 180 and a Legacy powermaster could be a good option when you are ready.
 
Originally Posted by Fridge56Vet:
Originally Posted by Scrapiron Scher:

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS turn on the Cab 2 first before doing anything else.

Make certain it is on when you power up.

Be sure you have either a transformer with a fast circuit breaker or a fast acting circuit breaker in the circuit between the transformer and the track !

Turn off the Cab 2 last.

Thanks. I've got my start up/shut down sequence ok, but how fast of a breaker do I need? I have a year-old entry-level Lionel transformer for power.  It came with the streamlined PE set I bought before last Christmas.  I will get a power brick in the coming months, but for a single loop of O-72 Fastrack around a queen bed it seems to have enough power. Let me know if you think it's not safe to run, though.

 

Last edited by MartyE
Originally Posted by Fridge56Vet:

John - would the railsounds functions data be on the orange thumb drive w/the engine, or does that always need entered manually? Any suggestions for the Y6B if the latter?

yep,

Use the load (orange) module procedure after addressing the engine. These features can be configured manually, but right now, all you want to do is play with trains.

 

page 55-57 of the legacy manual for custom or p.74 for module load. The engine manual will have it also.

Thanks, guys.  I'd been able to load the info off the orange chips w/out issue (tho for some reason I don't see any option for the doghouse light w/the Y6 under the AUX 1 menu).  CW80 must be what I have transformer-wise (I knew it was something "80").  Def. thinking powerhouse & powermaster for when I take the loop (hopefully w/additions) downstairs for Christmas (I've got a thread on this under the Plans & Layout forum, FWIW). 

 

Additionally, for some reason when I do the PE GP-7, even after successfully assigning the engine & loading the Railsounds chip the CAB-2 goes into CAB-1 mode for this engine.  None of the crewtalk sounds play, either.  I'm almost certain I threw the switch to Railsounds (RS) from SS on the bottom of the engine, but will double check after work today.  Should I just delete this engine & re-load all over again, or is there a simpler fix? 

 

Thanks again, to all, for your assistance.

 

- Neal

 

Originally Posted by Fridge56Vet:

 I don't see any option for the doghouse light w/the Y6 under the AUX 1 menu).

 

AUX2.  I seem to remember that this functionality will be added in a future Legacy release. But just in case I am wrong, it's been a while since hearing this, this is what you should see when you press and hold AUX2 for the lighting menu.  It will give you the Dog House option.  If it doesn't work like I said I believe it's coming soon.

 

DogHouse

 

 

Additionally, for some reason when I do the PE GP-7, even after successfully assigning the engine & loading the Railsounds chip the CAB-2 goes into CAB-1 mode for this engine. 

 

You can manually go into the Info menu and edit the sound type and control type to Legacy.  When you load the module make sure that you have the ENG # for it selected on the CAB2.

 

Thanks again, to all, for your assistance.

 

- Neal

 

 

 

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  • DogHouse
Last edited by MartyE
Originally Posted by Fridge56Vet:

Additionally, for some reason when I do the PE GP-7, even after successfully assigning the engine & loading the Railsounds chip the CAB-2 goes into CAB-1 mode for this engine.  None of the crewtalk sounds play, either.  I'm almost certain I threw the switch to Railsounds (RS) from SS on the bottom of the engine, but will double check after work today.  Should I just delete this engine & re-load all over again, or is there a simpler fix? 

 

Can you tell us the 6-XXXXX product number for the PE GP7? I'm unclear if this is a Legacy locomotive or an earlier TMCC loco. That info would help us steer you in the right direction.

 

Cheers,

Rudy

 

I'll see if I can get a product # on the PE GP7, but IIRC it was supposed to be Legacy.  Came w/an orange chip, which I've loaded into the CAB-2.  I'll also try manually selecting the "Legacy" option on the CAB-2. 

 

I've tried the cab light button on the ENG menu for the Y6, but it didn't seem to do anything for the cab light.  Not sure if the engine being in the auto sequence mode (or whatever the press & hold AUX-1 until ding-ding-toot is called) would make a difference.

 

I'll also try pressing and holding AUX-2 for the light menu. I think I'd just tapped it before. 

 

Thanks again for all the help & suggestions.  I'll see what I can do once I get home this evening.

 

Well, I guess I must've switched the sound back to "SS" mode, as that's where the switch was.  Flipped to RS & the GP7 issues are solved!

 

Thanks again to everybody. Next to get the PE K-4 programmed in. Hoping it works better in Legacy than conventional. Seemed to have more pickup issues than the   others, and a rather loud smoke unit fan (without much smoke).  G'night!

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