Question concerning LCS SensorTrack

Yes. A sensor track can record a session that will be triggered from any engine or just the engine making the recording. So you would do a recording that would triggered from any engine. Make sure both engines enter the sensor track at the same speed.

When I get home on a real computer I'll explain better.

It will have to wait until tomorrow.

I'm not sure there is more to add but what I understand a sensor track can trigger a playback for any sensor equipped engine that passes over it or just the engine that made the recording. 

 

So I would surmise that if a sensor track set to playback on any sensor engine that passes over could set the speed of any engine going over it. The only cravat is to make sure momentum and speed entering into the sensor track is the same on both engines. 

 

With the multiple sensor tracks around the layout you should be able to speed up and slow down engines. 

 

Of course since it's not out yet this is based on what we saw at the LUG meeting. 

Marty,

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this.  I concur with you.

 

It doesn't make sense that Lionel would limit the sensor track to one engine at a time, and I can see your point on the engines having to be going the same speed entering into the track.

 

Now I need to see how to make a good transition between my RCS/Gargraves track and the FastTrack piece.

 

Ron

They definitely are not limited unless the recording is made that way. From what I remember from the info sent with the demo track for the Lug meeting there were 3 record modes. 

 

1) A recording made on 1 engine would trigger the playback of that recording for any sensor equipped engine crossing the sensor track. The recording would contain any input from the Cab 2 including accessories and TMCC engine commands. 

 

2) A recording made by an engine would only trigger from the engine that made the recording. The recording could contain all of the above. 

 

3) A recording made by an engine will only trigger with that engine and The recording would only record preselected accessories and such. 

 

So if that's the case #1 should work for you. We only had one to play with so I am looking forward to trying multiple sensor tracks. 

Cappilot, I like the scenario you describe. Marty is correct, a custom recording can playback on all passing compatible locomotives. Also, based on the the simplified layout you've shown above, you could do your scenario with fewer than 4 SensorTracks. I'm working on some demo videos for SensorTrack this week and I'll try and record an example for you.

 

cheers,

rudy

So for a recording to apply to all passing engines, would you just use engine 99?

 

Could a track be set so that all engines but one react a certain way, and they a specific command for just a particular engine?

Chris, by default a recording made will apply to all passing engines. You don't need to specify any TMCC IDs. Just set up to record, roll (for example) engine 17 over the track and perform your scenario and end the recording. Then, when engine 17 rolls over the track again, the scenario is repeated. Now roll engine 37 over (again, just an example ID). Engine 37 will perform all the same actions as engine 17 did. So will engine 54 and any other compatible locomotive.

 

To your second question, no. You can do the reverse, though, so that *only* engine 17 causes the scenario to play, but engines 37 and 54 (again using the above example) pass over the track and the scenario is not triggered.

Which device are you using to record the events? The ARC doesn't accept Legacy commands and I didn't see an updated ARC for the LCS.

Thanks.

 

The sensor track has the ability to record.  I believe it's somewhere around 200+ commands.  One for each direction of travel.  Other than that the Legacy record function that is built into the CAB2.

Marty is correct, the SensorTrack is doing the recording. There is no updated ARC, SensorTrack replaces that functionality and more. There's nothing that would preclude anyone continuing to use an existing ARC on the same layout as LCS, but they would be operating completely independantly.

 

So if the recording triggers all the engines that crossover it (scenario 1) How do you limit it to only triggering one engine (Scenario 2)

You make that decision prior to creating the recording. It's part of the couple of button-presses that place the SensorTrack into "ready-to-record" mode.  

BTW, the SensorTrack Owner's Manual is available on line. You can read the operational details here, if I've correctly pasted a link. Or try pasting this URL below.

 

http://www.lionel.com/media/se...50LCSSensorTrack.pdf

 

 

Thank you Marty E and Railsounds. That makes it simple. I knew of the Legacy base, with the limited number of commands.

 

Now I need to find a button pusher for the LCS Sensor track on the far side of the layout.

Railsounds is the man. He's the guy that is large and in charge. I just had some playtime on it for the LUG meeting But absorbed as much as I could. Fun times are ahead!  

Thanks, Marty. I've been working on some video examples to help explain SensorTrack. We just posted Part 1, you can find it at this link. I am working on a follow-up that will demonstrate the recording features that we've been discussing in this thread. More to come!

 

Cheers,

Rudy

Cool video Rudy, should answer many questions that get asked here.

This is going to be a cool add on to any layout. What bums me out is I would like to see the software for a pc. I don't have an IPad but I do have a win 8 tablet and a few laptops and a desktop or two.

Ron

Ron

 

With the Legacy protocols released, someone could possibly create one. 

BTW great video. Very well done and easy to understand!  

How much longer before we can get the components to use on other brands of track?  FasTrack is nice stuff and I have a lot I use on the carpeted floor, but I'd want features like this on a layout which will be with Atlas track.  I like the sound of the solid rail better and have always like the look of Atlas on cork with no ballast.  Comes from my N scale days I suppose.  But FasTrack is hands down the best for the floor.  After a number of years my kids, their friends or cousins, have yet to ruin any of the stuff I leave on the floor.  It gets stepped on, stood on, HotWheels get driven on it, we even vacuum right over it when we do the floor, and have no issues with the track.  But for a permanent layout I like something different.

An official no fastrack solution is not in the near future , but with some tools and a bit of work you could do something with he fastrack sensor

Ron, as you can see in the video, many of the SensorTrack features do not require an iPad or any other computing device. But to your interest in a Windows PC software prograthat works with SensorTrack: We have made all the protocol information from SensorTrack and the rest of the LCS system available to our LCS Partner developers. If there's a strong enough demand, I'm sure you'll see some computer-based products that interface with SensorTrack in the future. But for now, I think the product has plenty to offer on its own, with or without an iPad.

But I had thought I read that Lionel was going to develop a setup to use outside of FasTrack.  I'm not looking for an exact Atlas drop in fit, but I'd rather not have to take apart a FasTrack one to do it.

I believe the last York Legacy User's group that it was mentioned that they're discussing it, and it should eventually happen.  However, I believe you can be assured that until they get the LCS system laying flat with Fastrack that they're not going to be rushing into other track types. Note that I don't speak for Lionel, just repeating what I understand from the last I heard on the topic.

 

If you want it now, I think you need to carve up some Fastrack SensorTracks.

 

Rudy,

 

Not all of come from a railroad background and well are just getting our feet wet!

 

I was wondering if Lionel or the users could post different scripts that could detail how the tracks recording features can be implemented for realistic usage?

 

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Will WiFi module download updates to the Legacy base & remote?

 

Thank You

Ken M

I'm 98% sure that updates to the CAB2 and command base will still be done by modules.  I'd be astonished if Lionel tried to do it wirelessly, that is a recipe for disaster!

 

I was afraid of that, thank you Gunner

Ken M