The Base3 includes the ability to operate Lionel RF LionChief engines using a Cab-1L, Cab2, or the Cab3 App. Compatible RF engines include LionChief, LionChief Plus, and FlyerChief. These engines were produced when LionChief was first introduced in 2014 until being replaced by Bluetooth in 2017.

RF engines are programmed with TMCC IDs, and are remembered by the Base3 until that channel is cleared or another engine is programmed in. RF engines can be programmed using TMCC IDs 2 through 9.

Setting up a RF engine with the Base3 is similar to programming a Legacy or TMCC engine. Since RF engines do not have a RUN/PGM switch on them, that switch is on the front of the Base3.

TO PROGRAM A RF ENGINE INTO THE BASE3:

• Power on the Base3 and have a connected Cab controller.
• Place the RF engine on the track and power it up. The engine should start beeping (or headlight flashing), indicating it is ready to be paired with.
• On the front of the Base3, flip the RF RUN/PGM switch to PGM.
• On the Cab controller, press ENG and the TMCC ID you wish to use (2 through 9). Press SET. It may take a moment for the Base3 and the RF engine to fully connect. The RF engine will stop beeping, indicating connection with the Base3.
• Slide the RF RUN/PGM switch back to RUN.
• If using a Cab2 or the Cab3 App, make sure the engine CONTROL type is set to TMCC or LionChief. RF engines will not respond to commands if the type is set to Legacy.

You can now operate your RF engine with your cab controller. Basic commands will operate the engine, such as the throttle, bell, whistle, and basic CrewTalk. Some RF engines also have volume control.

RF ENGINE INFORMATION

When you program a RF engine into the Cab2 or the Cab3 App, the engine’s road name and road number will automatically populate. The two-way RF communication between the engine and the Base3 means the Base3 can read which engine it is operating, and sends that info to the cab controller.

PROGRAMMED RF ENGINES

When you first power up your layout, the Base3 will look for any RF engines that are already programmed into its database on TMCC IDs 2 through 9. If it finds any, it will connect to them automatically without you having to manually address them. This is done to prevent the engines from constantly making the beeping sound that indicates the engine is ready to be paired to.

Any RF engine that has not already been programmed into the Base3 will make the beeping sound.

CLEARING A RF ENGINE FROM THE BASE3 DATABASE

If you want to remove a saved RF engine from the Base3 database:

• Slide the Base3 RF RUN/PGM switch to PGM.
• Using the cab controller of choice, press ENG, the TMCC ID you wish to clear (2 through 9). Hit SET.
• Slide the RF RUN/PGM switch back to RUN.

Any RF engine saved to that TMCC ID is now removed.

A RF engine will also be removed from the Base3 database anytime a new engine is programmed into that TMCC ID number. This includes a different RF engine, a Bluetooth engine, or a Legacy/TMCC engine.