Items 1 through 6 in the image below, which involve addressing and controls of locomotives, are covered on this page. Reference this information when first controlling your various locomotives and equipment.
- Speed Graph
- Train Brake
- Warning Sound Controller
- AUX buttons
- HALT
- Keypad
Speed Graph #
Target Speed: This the handle you tap and hold to change speed. This indicates the target speed that you want the train to travel
Blue Bar: This is the engine’s “Commanded Speed”. It always seeks the Target Speed. It moves up and down the speed graph at a pre-set rate. The Momentum setting L, M, and H is how you decide a pre-set rate of acceleration or deceleration for your train and the speed graph Blue Bar. Momentum setting by default is “L” or Low.
Speed Step: This is a numeric value related to the speed the engine is moving at. It is a direct translation of the Blue Bar value. The maximum number depends on the engine type. Legacy is 200 speed steps; TMCC is 32.
RPM Indicator: This applies to Legacy Diesels. This indicates motor “notches” – what RPM sounds play from the engine. This will automatically move depending on the speed of the engine.
Note that when your engine arrives at its “Target Speed”, it holds that speed until you give it another speed command or “Target Speed”. Then the speed graph’s Blue Bar, representing the movement of your train, moves toward its new Target Speed at a rate governed by the Momentum Control setting.
Speed Limit #
You can choose to set a speed limit for a locomotive using the Cab3 APP. Use the following to set a speed limit:
- Select the engine you wish to assign a speed limit to by tapping ENG, enter the TMCC ID number, and press enter.
- Slide the throttle to the speed step you wish to set as the maximum.
- Tap and hold on the speed step indicator above the throttle slider.
- Press “SET” to set the speed limit.
The speed limit is saved into the engine’s record in the Base3. This means that the speed limit will be set on all remotes you use, whether the Cab3 APP or a hardware remote like the Cab2.
Note! Since the speed limit is written to the engine’s record in the Base3, it is not required for the engine to be powered up when setting the speed limit. You can simply pick the speed using the throttle, set the speed limit, and it’s saved to the Base3. Then power up your engine and observe the new speed limit setting.
You may also want to clear the speed limit:
- Select the engine by tapping ENG, enter the TMCC ID number, and press enter.
- Tap and hold on the speed step indicator above the throttle slider.
- Press “CLEAR” to remove the speed limit. This deletes it from the engine’s record in the Base3.
The Train Brake #
In real life, a Train Brake is used to stretch out a train by applying air brakes to the wheels of rolling stock. In doing this, it creates drag, which makes the engines work harder pulling the load. Applying more Train Brake is an important part of slowing and stopping a train.
Train Brakes are also used to stop passenger train cars from banging together at the couplers by stretching out the train, which is useful for providing a smooth ride for passengers.
The Train Brake is used to slow down and limit the top speed of your train by adding a load. The more the Train Brake is applied by pulling down the slider, the more laboring is heard from the engine. Eventually the Train Brake application will slow down the train and it is even possible to stop a train by sliding the Train Brake slider all the way down.
Note: Make sure the Train Brake slider is moved all the way to the top position or the engine will be sluggish or not move.
A large amount of laboring can be heard whenever you apply the Train Brake in a large amount.
Operating the Train Brake #
To use the Train Brake, tap on the “TRAIN BRAKE” button on the Cab3 homescreen as circled in the above image.
The Train Brake’s slider can be moved down varying amounts and used in conjunction with the velocity slider. It can be used to stop a train. When you are done using the Train Brake, tap “CLOSE”.
The Train Brake can be used for many things:
- Introduce loading effects
- Limit the top speed of a train
- Increase the amount of laboring effects when a train moves from a stopped condition
- Control “Train Brake equipped” rolling stock
- Trigger appropriate sounds from “Train Brake equipped” rolling stock
- Stop a train
Try experimenting with the Train Brake. Try a small amount when the engine is moving down the rails at a medium speed. Notice the effect it has on sounds and speed. Add more Train Brake and notice how it can limit the top speed.
Note that when operating the Train Brake, the Independent Engine Brake can be used at the same time.
Warning Sound Controller #
The Warning Sound Controller slider is to control the bell and the whistle/horn sound effects of your locomotive. When addressing the engine, place your finger on the horizontal line as shown in the image below. Keeping your finger on the screen, slide upward for the bell or downward for the horn/whistle.
Bell #
Ring a bell continuously or one ring at a time with your own rhythm signature, just like real train engineers.
Slide the Warning Sound Controller up for 1 second to:
- Start a continuous bell warning sound.
- Stop a continuous bell warning sound.
Slide the Warning Sound Controller up and quickly release to:
- Play a single bell sound (Legacy engines only)
- Create your own “Bell signature” by pushing up and quickly releasing repetitively.
Swinging Bell #
The bell slider is position sensitive. This is important on Legacy Steam locomotives equipped with the swinging bell feature. As you move the slider up, the physical bell detail on the locomotive will begin moving up. This simulates an Engineer’s hand on the bell cord. Push up to play that swinging bell, or release to not play. It’s fun to experiment with!
Notice that the 3 arrows on the slider above the bell icon will change to orange depending on the position you’ve pulled the slider to. This is a visual indication of the “height” that the swinging bell detail on the locomotive will be at.
Horn/Whistle #
By pulling down the Warning Sound Controller varying degrees, it is possible to create your own “signature” just like real locomotive engineers did by “quilling” in the hey-day of Steam power locomotives.
Operating Diesel engines, you can add more chimes as you pull the controller down, changing the harmonics and intensity of a diesel horn just like real engineers.
Once you become familiar with a horn or whistle on a new LIONEL LEGACY equipped locomotive, you will develop your own way of using it.
Note: Whistle and Horn sounds are unique and different in most engines.
The “quilling” horn/whistle on Legacy engines comes with 4 different levels:
- Off
- Soft warning sound
- Medium warning sound
- Loud warning sound
The three arrows below the horn icon on the Warning Sound Controller indicate the different levels of quilling. Experiment moving your finger up and down on the slider to activate these different levels!
AUX Buttons #
AUX buttons are used for various auxiliary functions not normally available through other buttons. The three AUX buttons all perform different tasks. The following describes each in detail.
Aux1 #
Note: When Crew Talk or Tower Com Icons in the keypad are negative (orange), pressing them in that condition will trigger a negative reply from the Tower as to status of the orders i.e. NOT cleared for departure” or “HOLD your position” etc, and the response will be positive i.e. “Cleared for departure” if the Icon is not negative. This feature enables you to play out a scene where the engineer is waiting for departure and finally get the order when YOU decide it is appropriate.
Aux1 is typically used for different dialog triggers or is used with engine programming of special features. The following list are some of the features that use the Aux1 button:
- Press Aux1 and then a dialog button. You will get a different dialog response than if you only pressed the dialog button.
- Throw a switch to the “Thru” position.
- Press and hold Aux1 for sequence control on compatible Legacy locomotives. See locomotive manuals for more information.
Aux2 #
This button is used in lighting controls and engine programming. The following list are some of the features that use the Aux2 button:
- Lights ON/OFF toggle
- Press and hold to enter the locomotive Lighting Menu
- TMCC programming functions – follow the directions included with your locomotives
- Throw a switch to the “out” position
Aux3 #
This button activates special locomotive features. Some features may be sound effects, others can even include smoke effects. The following list includes a few examples of where Aux3 has been utilized:
- Legacy engines from 2020 and on will make some kind of special sound effect. Most will be a short let-off. Others may play a special dialog or even a song!
- Engines with Pop-off steam. Use Aux3 to manually trigger that effect.
HALT #
System Halt – stops all engines currently running on either the Base3 tab or the Bluetooth tab. Press and hold for 3 seconds.
Keypad #
The keypad houses buttons that activate a variety of features specific to individual locomotives and other types of command control equipment. This section will describe in detail the various buttons of the keypads for the different types of devices that can be programmed into the Base3.
Legacy Steam and Steam Switcher #
Other control screens include the Speed Screen and the Lighting Menu. The Speed Screen can be accessed by using the right arrow button on the bottom of the keypad. The Lighting Menu is accessed by holding down the Aux2 button.
Legacy Diesel & Diesel Switcher #
Other control screens include the Speed Screen and the Lighting Menu. The Speed Screen can be accessed by using the right arrow button on the bottom of the keypad. The Lighting Menu is accessed by holding down the Aux2 button.
Legacy Electric #
Other control screens include the Speed Screen and the Lighting Menu. The Speed Screen can be accessed by using the right arrow button on the bottom of the keypad. The Lighting Menu is accessed by holding down the Aux2 button.
Preset Dialog options for engines #
When connected to a Legacy engine, use the left arrow button on the bottom of the keypad to enter the Preset Dialog Menu. These preset dialog options change whether the locomotive is moving or stopped. These same dialog options apply to Legacy Steam, Diesel, and Electric.
Note the icon on the far right of each button; either a radio or a tower. The radio indicates that the dialog is initiated by the locomotive’s crew characters (CrewTalk). The tower indicates that the dialog is initiated by the Tower character (TowerCom).
Legacy Subway #
Legacy Accessory #
Legacy Passenger Car #
Legacy-equipped passenger cars include StationSound Diners, VISION LINE Baggage cars, and the VISION LINE Caboose.
These passenger cars have unique preset dialogs that change whether stopped or moving.
Legacy FreightSounds #
Legacy Crane Car #
The Speed Screen has additional control options for the Legacy Crane. The Speed Screen can be accessed by using the right arrow button on the bottom of the keypad.
Legacy Breakdown Unit #
The Speed Screen has additional control options for the Legacy Breakdown Unit. The Speed Screen can be accessed by using the right arrow button on the bottom of the keypad.
Legacy AUX Tender #
TMCC Acela #
The Acela Motive Type is only meant to be used with the original TMCC Acela. If you have a Legacy Acela, it should be programmed as the Electric Motive Type. The APP will not allow you to set a Legacy Acela type. This is due to the Legacy Acela not having motorized doors on the passenger cars. Using the Electric type gives you the control options for the powered pantographs on the locomotives.
