Lionel 2022 catalog Volume 2

@T4TT posted:

I don't perceive any advantage for me to ditch by Base-2 for a Base-3.

I can only think of one reason, you can sell your Legacy 990 set for a pretty penny right now and pick up a BASE3 with money left over in your pocket. But that's about it.

Now for those who are getting started vs. many of us who are established with a CAB-1 or CAB-2 system, I can see the BASE3 & CAB3 app being a natural building block as you progress through your first R-T-R set with Bluetooth and eventually building a larger roster of more engines with Legacy and LC2.

For the established crowd of CAB-1 & CAB-2 users, there just isn't much there. You essentially get a CAB-2 with PDI connectors and a WIFI module built in with a "new" module that allows interfacing to previous RF & Bluetooth engines.  If Lionel would have just made that "new" Bluetooth module available as a stand alone product to operate on the LCS bus, folks could essentially build the BASE3 al-la-carte.

Regardless, the new CAB3-L app will work with older BASE units that have the WiFi module attached already and if I understood Dave Olsen correctly the CAB3-B part of the new app will communicate directly with (3) Bluetooth engines without any BASE or LCS components. So even without the "Bluetooth & RF" module of the BASE3, your CAB2 system (with a Wifi module & CAB3 app) will do everything the BASE3 & CAB3 does (minus control of RF engines.).

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

One wonders which signal strength they were talking about.  Hopefully, it's the track signal, that would minimize the need for the TMCC Buffer on large layouts.   Perhaps @Dave Olson can chime in and set us both straight.

I could be wrong if I get a chance I’ll go back through the Demos with Dave but I’m pretty that comment was directly in response in the ask how to add an external antenna for the Cab-2/Cab-1L

The answer was it’s the same chip used on the Base1-L and supposedly that was better than the original Base-2 external antenna.

Track signal will be interesting to see but I feel like at one point that was mentioned to not be increased. But that bit of information I am less sure about

@Frank Mulligan posted:

$450 MSRP is a bit steep for a 2-car set.  You should be able to find the MTH versions cheaper on auction sites.

I have several sets that I've sold recently.  Strasburg items are hot right now.

Strasburg 3-car add-on set sold for $455

Strasburg 4-car Nicholas Smith exclusive sold for $500

And I have several more I will be selling.  I love these cars and think they are some of MTH's finest work.

Strasburg  everything does seem to be the hot run right now. I'm all set (waiting on my #90) but if you need some passenger cars Grandpas Trains in Warwick RI has some on the shelf as of last week.

Out of the catalog, one of the new Pennsy Cabeese will find a way to my home.

Paul

@T4TT posted:

At the moment I don't perceive any advantage for me to ditch by Base-2 for a Base-3.

I’m generally of the same opinion, but am holding final judgement until I see the iPad app. If they crush it with a bunch of cool features (e.g., split screen side-by-side control of multiple locomotives), I could see springing for a Base3 in order to use the app.

@zhubl posted:

I could be wrong if I get a chance I’ll go back through the Demos with Dave but I’m pretty that comment was directly in response in the ask how to add an external antenna for the Cab-2/Cab-1L

The answer was it’s the same chip used on the Base1-L and supposedly that was better than the original Base-2 external antenna.

PS found it at 42:39 in this video

@Zhubl, Zachariah, thank you for chiming in and sharing the Dave Olson, Demo video of the Cab3, and he did make mention that Lionel’s using the same chip in the Cab 1L command base and did say it’s a stronger signal than the normal Cab 2 base. This is good news, now I’m a player. That’s a very good video and I plan to watch it again. Happy Railroading Everyone

Well, he says that sure enough.  However, when the command base is mounted on a panel low and around the corner from the command base through a block wall, it's a problem.  However, since I can take the external antenna off and add a hi-gain antenna with a cable, I can place the antenna out farther where it's more visible and higher for better reception.  That appears not to be an option with the BASE3.

@Gunrunner John, I could see that being a problem with your Legacy system located behind a block wall, and having to use a hi gain antenna attached to the cab 2 base to help with the signal. In my case, my cab 2 system is actually just under the layout and in the center of the train table also with a Hawkins hi gain antenna extended up through the layout. I used star wiring as MTH seemed to give the track better signal performance, although I’m all TMCC/Legacy. I am going to review the Dave Olson demo video again and hope learn more about Cab 3. I just ordered Cab 3 and the new Katy SD70 diesel and I’ll review the volume 2 catalog more this week. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

I am going to review the Dave Olson demo video again and hope learn more about Cab 3.

I'll wait for all the stuff to be in print.  I can read in print all the content of a video and then some in a fraction of the time it takes to sit and watch a video.  Also, I can linger over a paragraph if it's not clear on the first read.  For most information, I really dislike the idea of presenting it in video, it's a much less efficient method, and retention of the information is not nearly as good.

This is something I already knew from my own experience, but countless studies back my opinion.

Why we remember more by reading – especially print – than from audio or video

Do We Learn More Effectively from Print Than Screens?

Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper?

The Cab 3 doesn't appear to have a antenna. That may be a problem for some people.

@feet posted:

The Cab 3 doesn't appear to have a antenna. That may be a problem for some people.

I'm pretty sure I'd have to relocate my command base off it's current location to a central location without the external antenna.

Looking for some 036 steam engines.

None thing being made anymore.

@feet posted:

The Cab 3 doesn't appear to have a antenna. That may be a problem for some people.

Antenna for the Base? FCTT Hirailers use a Legacy Base located about 18” off the floor with no antenna. Sends and receives signals no problem with layouts this size in spaces this large. Only about a fifth of the space in the pictures below.

Pete

For the one's that are actually ordering from this catalog what are you getting.

@2012ford posted:

For the one's that are actually ordering from this catalog what are you getting.

There's already another thread started for these comments:

https://ogrforum.com/...up-whaddaya-getting?

@Norton posted:

Antenna for the Base? FCTT Hirailers use a Legacy Base located about 18” off the floor with no antenna. Sends and receives signals no problem with layouts this size in spaces this large. Only about a fifth of the space in the pictures below.

Pete

Hey Pete!  Actually we do use an external antenna that is connected to the legacy base.  It is hidden behind the right-hand Z-4000 on our control station. 

@Brian DeFazio posted:

Hey Pete!  Actually we do use an external antenna that is connected to the legacy base.  It is hidden behind the right-hand Z-4000 on our control station.

Yeah, That's a good idea. It might work without the antenna... for a while.  Running wireless transceivers, even low power ones found on the Base-2, without an antenna will shorten its life.

@Brian DeFazio posted:

Hey Pete!  Actually we do use an external antenna that is connected to the legacy base.  It is hidden behind the right-hand Z-4000 on our control station.

Good to know. I never noticed it. Thats a good argument against getting a new Base3 then if an external antenna can’t be added.

Pete

@Brian DeFazio posted:

Hey Pete!  Actually we do use an external antenna that is connected to the legacy base.  It is hidden behind the right-hand Z-4000 on our control station.

I was about to question how it worked at all without an antenna!  I know if I disconnect the antenna from my Legacy base, the CAB2 can't contact it from a few feet away!