Legacy Users Group Status 2021 looking towards 2022 (Updated see post on 7/12/2022)

Thank You Marty for all the past ones and the effort you put into them. I remember Barry saying a lot went int those and the DCS Meetings.

Curtis

Don't know if there would be any interest, but I would love to be part of an LCS group, to demonstrate all the cool function of the Lionel LCS system and all the cool things you can do with it.  I think its a grey area for many, but I love it.

Sean

One of the biggest challenges is bringing everything you need to do demonstrations. We did several LCS module and LCS system demonstrations. They went well but again making sure you have everything especially when you want to bring home a haul from York can be a challenge.

I always hoped Lionel would do more at the booth. Dave built a pretty awesome LCS podium that made it to York a couple of times.

Marty,

Rather than doing a Legacy meeting, what I think Lionel needs to do is demonstrate some of the newer features on their cell phone app, and the new Lionel Voice Control (LVC), which was introduced during the COVID pandemic, at their booth, the way Barry Broskowitz used to discuss DCS at the MTH booth. I don't think that OGR and CTT have done a good job of reporting on these new technologies, but I suppose one would be more likely to try them if they were showed a live demonstration, or at least a video, rather than read about it in a magazine.  Just my two cents.

Erol 

I've wanted to attend one but the first time I went to York, didn't know there was one. The other thing was timing like in 2019, I was out at Strasburg that Friday morning and no way to be in two places at once. Regardless, somehow some way, I'll get one under my belt so I can be a better operator.

Thanks again Marty for all you do.

I will miss the Legacy UG Meetings, it was fun to hear from everyone, and I also never failed to pick up a couple of tidbits of new knowledge.  Perhaps a gathering with a wider scope and perhaps guest presentations might make sense going forward?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I will miss the Legacy UG Meetings, it was fun to hear from everyone, and I also never failed to pick up a couple of tidbits of new knowledge.  Perhaps a gathering with a wider scope and perhaps guest presentations might make sense going forward?

We can certainly entertain other control aspects including LC+ and LC+ 2.0.  It would definitely require "guests" as I don't own any of these and don't see any in my immediate future to discuss.  I'm open to anything except doing the meeting before the meet opens.  I'd really like to pin it down to Friday morning before lunch if we start them up again.  One thing to consider, is that typically the EDTCA  likes to have both April and October room reserved for by the same group.  If that is the case, April maybe more of a social event (still doing Base and Cab2 Upgrades) and October could be the more formal informational event.

Trying to get in the building and then just the time at O'dark thirty wasn't making people happy.

Marty, thank you for all of the time and effort you put into the meetings. They were very interesting (Mike R particularly), informative and worthwhile.

Gerry

@gmorlitz posted:

Marty, thank you for all of the time and effort you put into the meetings. They were very interesting (Mike R particularly), informative and worthwhile.

Gerry

I always enjoyed doing them but in the later years with Will Allen not being able to help make the arrangements with the restaurant, then later moving to the Orange Hall and the difficulty of getting in there and setup it was starting to become a bit of a chore.  If we can get a spot during the morning after the meet opens, the early morning access, just the early morning becomes less of a factor.  Lionel will already be there so it could be easier for them to a minimal stop by for a few minutes.  I think we could have more walk ins as well.  We could lose some folks who don't want to interrupt their shopping day though.  You just can't please everyone and I'm not going to try.

I say we get through this fall and after that we can raise the topic again here on the forum and get some thoughts.  I'd like to speak to the Lionel folks and see if this could work better for them as well.  Dave doesn't always make it to York so maybe Ryan or another product folk could swing by and speak for a few moments when they are there in the fall.  I do know Ryan has a busy schedule talking to dealers.

Marty"

I've been to most of the LUG meetings (from Alexander's to the Orange Hall) ... always informative.  And, it's good to recognize Marty for his perseverance and hard work in putting the meeting together.

Marty mentioned the best idea IMO:  Raise the topic again this winter and get some thoughts as we head toward the 2022 Meets.

Thanks, again, Marty! 

Marty.......totally agree with your last paragraph. Let's see how it goes......

Peter

Marty I would support the group again with emphasis on I cab, blue tooth app, voice control. When ever it is or where I will support it and thanks for your efforts and agreed lets see how post covid York evolves.

@MartyE posted:

I always enjoyed doing them but in the later years with Will Allen not being able to help make the arrangements with the restaurant, then later moving to the Orange Hall and the difficulty of getting in there and setup it was starting to become a bit of a chore.  If we can get a spot during the morning after the meet opens, the early morning access, just the early morning becomes less of a factor.  Lionel will already be there so it could be easier for them to a minimal stop by for a few minutes.  I think we could have more walk ins as well.  We could lose some folks who don't want to interrupt their shopping day though.  You just can't please everyone and I'm not going to try.

I say we get through this fall and after that we can raise the topic again here on the forum and get some thoughts.  I'd like to speak to the Lionel folks and see if this could work better for them as well.  Dave doesn't always make it to York so maybe Ryan or another product folk could swing by and speak for a few moments when they are there in the fall.  I do know Ryan has a busy schedule talking to dealers.

I'm in if you need help with anything!  Love to participate!

Sean

Well fall York is 3 months behind us as are the holidays so I thought I'd get this thread going again to judge an interest in restarting these meetings.  For the record I have zero interest in doing these before the meet starts on Friday as we have done in the past.  It's just too early for most of us and entry into the building was always problematic.  With the week already busy with other events and happenings, I was looking to see the availability of the orange hall meeting room either Friday morning after the meet opens around 10am or 11am or early Friday afternoon before the OGR meeting, most likely around noon or 1pm ( this might be a nice lunch break).  With this schedule it may make it easier for the Lionel folks to stop by.  We tried never to rely on them due to their schedules but always welcomed their involvement from the early days of JonZ, Rudy, and Mike to later meetings with Dave Olson and his team stopping by.  Hopefully we can welcome them again.  I know Lionel has limited the team that comes lately with obligations at the booth and to their dealers so we'll have to see how than pans out.

A few folks have reached out to help which is a always welcomed.

So with that in mind before I reach out to the EDTCA leadership lets discuss this a bit and see where we stand.  As stated earlier in this thread, April might want to be less formal and more social and then hit the fall with a more organized format.

Thanks for everyone's participation over the years.

I would definitely be up for it Marty, that's for sure. 2021 really got me in the end and not sure if I will be able to get to York this year. Whole bunch of things just going wrong at the end of the year that make things tough. Most likely 2022 will be a missing out of York, but I could deal with missing that after having such a great train year of 2021. Hopefully the trains keep on a rolling in 2022.

I'll be there if there's a York meet in the spring.   I have to wonder with COVID heating up again what will happen...

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be there if there's a York meet in the spring.   I have to wonder with COVID heating up again what will happen...

This isn't the thread to worry about that.  Plenty of other places to worry about that.  I'm just seeing what the interest is.  I'm pretty sure at least for this year I'll plan on a fall one for sure.  If the EDTCA wants me to take the room in the spring as well well hang out, upgrade Legacy systems, and maybe review some of the past questions.  If there is no spring meet then oh well.

Upgrading Legacy systems is pretty easy as a rule, about three minutes a set.

Now, if we were upgrading DCS systems, that would be a different story!

Ill be there .

Thank you. Rich R

I'd do the fall 2022.  Got up early this past fall and got to the orange hall only to find out it had been cancelled. 

@TomSuperO posted:

I'd do the fall 2022.  Got up early this past fall and got to the orange hall only to find out it had been cancelled.

We haven't had a meeting in the past few years due to lack of any news and a loss of interest in folks getting up early to come.  I'm hoping with doing 1 main one a year we can keep the interest going and have less repetitiveness between 2 meeting a year.

If the rumors that are flying around come to fruition then they'll be plenty to talk about.  Can't wait for the next catalog!!

I'm in for the Fall Meet, 2022, if I can get there ....

The Lionel LEGACY system has always been around for quite a while, and will remain that way. We should keep everything the same, but with potential add-ons such as:

1. LionChief Plus 2.0
2. Bluetooth
3. VistaVision
4. Voice Control
5. LCS Updates

It all needs to be updated with the latest technology. Technology is a tool, and it keeps evolving.

@NIKHIL posted:

The Lionel LEGACY system has always been around for quite a while, and will remain that way. We should keep everything the same, but with potential add-ons such as:

1. LionChief Plus 2.0
2. Bluetooth
3. VistaVision
4. Voice Control
5. LCS Updates

It all needs to be updated with the latest technology. Technology is a tool, and it keeps evolving.

While that's all well and good, a small company like Lionel with a limited audience can't constantly rework their technology.

@NIKHIL posted:

The Lionel LEGACY system has always been around for quite a while, and will remain that way. We should keep everything the same, but with potential add-ons such as:

1. LionChief Plus 2.0
2. Bluetooth
3. VistaVision
4. Voice Control
5. LCS Updates

It all needs to be updated with the latest technology. Technology is a tool, and it keeps evolving.

This will all be answered shortly and give new life and new technology to tie it all together! Stay tuned for next official announcement with the new catalog. And bring new life and learning for the users group.

@dk122trains posted:

This will all be answered shortly and give new life and new technology to tie it all together! Stay tuned for next official announcement with the new catalog. And bring new life and learning for the users group.

Why, @dk122trains...that's a GREAT idea! THANKS!!!

Just to keep everyone informed I sent an email to Mike Petronella inquiring about the room in the Orange hall on Friday late morning.  I'll keep everyone informed as to what I hear.  Hopefully we can get something worked out.

Just an update...

I haven't been able to connect with Mike Petronella via email very well.  We had an email exchange but not enough to have a meeting in the spring.  My hope is to talk to him at the spring meet and secure a space for the fall on Friday mid morning as stated above.  If I can do this then we will have a full meeting in October with April's meeting hedging more on a social gathering with some updates to the fall meeting as needed.  I am not willing to go back to the O'dark thirty time before Friday's opening and there are way too many activities, and other social events on non meet times.

Thanks for your patience.

Didn't find Mike at the meet, honestly was too pre occupied with being there.  I'll call next week once everyone has a chance to decompress.  We may end up having to do a Thursday meeting if the room is occupied all day Friday.  My preference is to be done no later than 2 on Friday.

OK everyone I finally have some news.  I talked to Mike Petronella today and it sounds like we should be able to have a meeting.  There are some details to work through one of them is Mike getting confirmation that Lionel will be there.  We have a couple of spots, the Orange Hall, and the Veranda Room.  I'm hoping to be close to Lionel to make it easier for them to join us even if just for a short time.  We will get a time and a day set once we know for sure Lionel is attending.  Hoping for Friday late morning but it could be Thursday afternoon depending on availability of a space and where.  I am thinking Lionel is coming but Mike has not heard anything official.

I want to than Debbie for contacting me and Mike Petronella for working with us to get the meetings going again.  Once we get confirmation I will start a new thread.

Thanks for the update Marty.  Look forward to attening if it happens!

Another update...

You guys should be getting the York Notice for the fall.  Unfortunately they still have us listed at 7:45am Friday Morning.  I spoke with Mike Petronella today and mentioned this and he will look into it.  I guess we are at the mercy of what has been scheduled into the Orange Hall meeting room so right now I'm not sure where we'll end up. I'll wait to hear back from Mike and we'll see where we are.  I won't hold a meeting before the meet opens though as it is just too difficult.

Stay Tuned!