Lionel Legacy LCS app has shown up in the Itunes store

Looks like its Free. Obviously can't connect to base although wondering if a generic WiFi-Comm adapter will work.

 

I can build Track plan, seems to have a limited track library though

Went to the apple app store did not find it. The link posted here also did not work. What do you type in to get it? Is it in the app store icon or the music app icon on the iphone? Would love to see it. Thanks guys.

Just downloaded and installed on my iPad2.  Cannot wait to buy the WiFi hardware.  Looks great from what I've seen so far.  

 

*Chris,  the link in the post above didn't work for me either.  Just type in 'Lionel' from the AppStore 'search' field and it will come up as the 2nd or 3rd option in the search results.  

 

I'm sure my 3yr. old or 1.5 year old son will have the App figured out long before I do.  Delighted to see this development in our hobby.  

Downloaded the app. Can't wait for the wifi adapter.

Do a google search for: WiFi Serial Adapter. Looks like most are about $100.

Just FYI the Lionel WiFi adapter also has connectivity for the DATA chain.  Not sure if it also has some code to prevent anyone from accessing the Legacy command structure but I think it does.

But the LCS App uses WiFi so the Bluetooth adapter for this application won't work.

Ok, I see now. Been a while, but I understood after watching your LUG video from York that this would communicate directly through the existing antenna on the Legacy CAB-2 base.

 

So, you'll need an adapter in-line?

No it still needs another wifi adapter.

I believe Jon said the block is built into the base which prevents any legacy commands from going through the com port from any source.

No Moonman it was never going to via the base antenna. it's always had the comm/wifi adapter

I just tried the iTunes link above, yes it still works

I downloaded it yesterday (thanks for making it a worldwide release Lionel. ) and have had a good play with it. Obviously I can't connect it to my trains yet, but I've built my layout on the track diagrams and entered a few locomotives.

I've had fun playing with switches etc. and I like the way that you can add photographs of your engines on the roster.

Hopefully the LCS base, and the IR sensor tracks will be available soon, and we can all play at being dispatchers as well as engine drivers. 

The WiSnapAAA model is a little pricey, but has a connectivity app for iOS and is tested with iOS. $159 US

Comes with rechargeable batteries built-in that recharge from the RS232 port.

 

Connectivity app video

 

I watched the York LUG meeting video again and the LCCA video. I am still trying to understand the benefits that this will provide. Big screen, layout control, limited train control.

 

 

That's exactly where I am with this.  Seems more like something that was done because it can be done... rather than something that actually has real-world benefits for most operators with any layout beyond the most simple.

 

I'm keeping an open mind on it though.    Besides... I seldom use Version 1.0 of anything!!!  

 

David

You can make upgrade modules with it, edit your engine info and manage track system. It is not intended to replace the cab 2 but work with it. Think of it as an electric version of your switch control panel. There will be other features available once the IR Sensors are on the market as well

 

Is it for everyone? probably not, but it has some interesting potential we have yet to fully explore

The Wifi adapter is made by Lionel, a commercial off the shelf adapter will not work.  We could not find an adapter that supported more than a few clients, and if they did, the performance was not so great.  Our only option was to make our own adapter. 

 

We are moving ahead as fast as possible to bring the accessory hardware to you, we felt releasing the app early would let folks experiment and we can incorporate feedback before the hardware becomes available.

 

Thanks!

Is there any signal or data conversion handled by the adapter from the iPad through the adapter to the base?

Perhaps a larger track library would be nice

I like to be able to do my whole layout (tracks)but there's no way to do it unless I am missing something

As time goes on I would expect updates to the track library and many other things but for now it looks very interesting. I already added my legacy and tmcc engines and will take the pictures soon.  It will also make me change some of my pre-orders from MTH to Lionel. 

Has anyone else had issues joining track pieces?  Some seem to snap and some don't, specifically curves.

I had to make sure snap was enabled a couple of times, I had somehow shut it off

Thanks, SantaFeFan.

I confirmed that the WiSnapAAA device is good for one client only. I can see now that multiple devices communicating simultaneously would be fun for operations.

 

 

This is fun!  As I'm creating a track layout, is there any way to move a group of connected track pieces as a unit (e.g., by selecting a number of pieces, then dragging them?)

   Bob A.

I have downloaded the app, but can't figure out how to build my layout on the screen.  I can't find the library having the track components. I'm sure I'm missing something obvious.  Can someone point me in right direction?

Hit "EDIT".  While it looks like you can only edit the layout name, you can click the little orange triangle in the lower right corner, which brings up a menu of track pieces, which can be dragged from the menu onto the layout space.

The new track sensors that are coming, could they be adapted to Ross or gargraves  track without using the fastrack piece itself? 

 

Started to add my engine roster and it is very easy and it looks great. 

OK, they want feedback on the design.  I LOVE the ability to click on a switch and change it, with the green and red lines showing thru or turn.

 

But my yard with 4 spurs, in the lower portion of my layout, can't be represented with 45 degree switches and curves.  It needs 22.5 degree switches and curves, otherwise the connectivity among the switches gets totally screwy.  Please provide 22.5 degrees!

   Bob A.

Per the last legacy meeting  first they are going to be FastTrack only, perhaps in the future other tracks. No word if you will be able to hack apart one and use the components

I just noticed that under engine type the have Pullmor spelled "Pullmore"

In thinking further about my earlier post, I have a tangible design suggestion: Simply provide three buttons as part of the track library:  22.5, 30, 45.  Clicking on one of those buttons will turn the curved track and switches within the track library into that degree of turn.  In any one layout, you can mix and match tracks of those curvatures by clicking on the desired button (which will change the appearance of the switch or curve shown in the library). I think that would go a long way toward providing the needed flexibility.

   Bob A.

will there be a android version i have a galaxy tablet and hope lionel will bring out lcs for my tablet

Does anyone know? If can you use this app with the cab 1 or do you need a cab 2? When will the needed hardware be available? 

With it being legacy I say no.  As for a droid app they said there not gonna make one.

Read the story in Inside Track. Downloaded the app from itunes. When will the other parts be available? In the interim I did buy the program for pc from Train Station. Somewhat pricey but it works well. I have a ceiling layout in my office and I like being able to use pc rather than cab-2 controller. Nice to have the controls in english (hehe)

Bob, Great feedback.  Thank you.

I've been playing with the iPad LCS some more, imagining what it will be like to control my layout.  In addition to my earlier post, I have one other concern.  

 

I often have two or three Legacy or TMCC engines running, and need to switch back and forth between controlling them.  I can't see having to peck in their Legacy/TMCC two-digit numbers over and over to go back and forth.  On the Legacy controller, hitting ENG toggles between the last two used engines, which makes flipping back and forth quite easy.

 

Having gone to all the trouble of putting in my roster (only 5 engines currently), it would be great to be able to hold down the ENG button on the iPad and have it display my roster, or at least the last 5 accessed engines, in a pop-up menu.  I could slide my finger up to the one I want, and thereby set the ENG number.  It would be even more fantastic to have that pop-up menu show my little engine pictures as well as their Legacy/TMCC numbers, so I could select what I want at a glance.

   Bob A.

Bob since the App is more for layout control than train control, I don't see this changing.  The purpose of the app is more for accessory and layout control. The limited engine control is on purpose.