Lionel O 6-81946 FasTrack O36 Remote/Command Switch (Right Hand) - trouble with Legacy Cab 2 control of this switch

Sounds like it could be a signal issue.

Try opening up the bottom panel on the switch and repositioning the antenna or even extending it.

If that doesn't work, you might try an earth ground plane wire.

I'll second the earth ground plane. If you put your hand on the switch and then use the remote in your other hand and the switch now throws, then it's a earth ground plane issue. What this effectively does is use your body temporally as an antenna. That part of the signal actually comes from your electrical earth ground wiring.

michaelblock posted:

One only works if I hold the remote within 3 inches of the switch itself. Then it throws.   (It also works from the wired controller).

 

Your hand is acting as the antenna. The Cab2 only talks to the base. as others have said, check the antenna at the switch. Good luck.

Thank you. I am not sophisticated at this.  Where is the antenna at the switch? If I take the bottom off  of the switch, I see an unattached brown wire.  Is that It??

It comes off this board. Looks like it's brown...

I had one switch that lost signal. I extended the antenna and nothing. I ran a wire directly to the legacy base and problem fixed. 

Thank you to all the responders. I ran a 16 gauge copper wire between the two tracks. When I plugged the ground into the "surge arrest" power strip it did not help. However when I plugged the ground directly into the wall, everything worked as it should.  I appreciate the responses.  Now, why doesn't my brand new milk car work??? (I can still send it back)

michaelblock posted:

When I plugged the ground into the "surge arrest" power strip it did not help. However when I plugged the ground directly into the wall, everything worked as it should.

Outlet strips with surge protection can cause issues with the earth ground portion of the Legacy / TMCC signal.  The best practice is what you did and plug directly into the wall outlet.