The TR feature is multipurpose. TR can mean either TRAIN or TRACK. With TRAIN, you can add multiple locomotives and other command-control accessory cars to a TRAIN, or a lashup. With TRACK, you can use Lionel Power products such as a Legacy PowerMaster or a ZW-L Transformer to remotely control the power going to one or more tracks on your layout.
Trains/Lashups #
To allow a Train to have more than one Engine, a lashup is required. Building a lashup allows you to control a group of Engines (or command-control accessory cars) as one, in a prototypical manner.
In a Legacy lashup, CrewTalk and Warning Sounds are only heard from the head-end unit. Direction changes are accompanied by reversed lighting. The front and rear couplers are triggered from the head-end unit or the back of the lashup automatically. All you need to do is build the lashup according to the instructions using the Train configuration page in the Cab3 APP.
It is still possible to control any of the Engines in the lashup individually. When you issue a Train command, the individual Engine you were controlling will return to the group. If there is a difference in speed, the individual Engine will return to the speed of the lashup at the rate set in the Train momentum.
The name and number you assign to the Train will be displayed in the Train configuration page along with an image of each item in the consist. The main purpose of this is to utilize TRAIN LINK with command-control accessory cars such as a StationSounds Diner.
NOTE: When a lashup is created, the head-end unit sets the control type. If you have a LEGACY locomotive as the head-end unit, a TMCC locomotive elsewhere in the Train will not move as it does not “understand” 200 speed steps. For the best results, use same-type engines – LEGACY/LEGACY or TMCC/TMCC – for lashups. You can solve this by setting a LEGACY engine as a TMCC engine in the engine’s configuration page in the Cab3 APP. Then you can place that engine in the head-end unit position in the Train, and the Train will be configured as a TMCC Train.
Building a Train #
The following procedure will show you how to create a lashup with the Cab3 APP. The Train will be saved to the Base3’s database will be addressable from other instances of the Cab3 APP or from a hardware remote such as a Cab-1L or a Cab2.
1. Pressing TR once pulls up the TR control screen for either the last controlled TR or for ID 01 by default.
Press TR again to go to the TR numeric selection screen.
2. Enter the Train ID number you wish to assign. The example in the Cab3 APP screenshots uses an ID of 1. Note that Legacy control type Trains can be IDs 1-98 while TMCC control type Trains are limited to IDs 1-9.
3. Tap Enter. Tap the engine config button at the bottom left of the screen to enter the Train Configuration screen.
4. This screen is used to build the train. Here you can add or remove engines, change individual settings for each engine, and more. To add the head-end unit, tap “ADD” at the bottom left of the screen. Scroll the list of available engines and tap on the desired engine. Tap “SELECT” to add it to the Train.
5. You can edit the engine’s Train settings. By default, the head-end unit will have Horn/Bell and Dialog enabled. Change as desired. You can also reverse the engine’s direction if desired.
NOTE: Select “Train Linked Device” for command-control accessory cars like StationSounds Diners and VISION Reefers. This setting is not used for normal Legacy or TMCC engines.
6. Add helper units by once again tapping on “ADD”.
Some helper units run in a Train in the reverse direction as is prototypical. Use the “Reverse Direction” option to do so.
7. Once you’ve added your engines, assign a Train Name and Number by tapping those boxes and entering in your selection.
8. Once you’ve completed entering your Train’s settings, tap on the “BACK” button at the lower right. A prompt will appear asking if you want to update the Train record. Select “YES” to build the Train.
NOTE: Make sure the engines in the Train are powered up so they can be programmed into the Train.
The APP will begin writing the Train information to the Base3.
Then the APP will program the Train into the powered-up engines.
Each engine will blow its horn/whistle numerous times to indicate it has taken the Train programming.
9. Once the APP returns to the TR homescreen, your Train is ready to go! Use the throttle and all other available control options to operate your Train with ease!
Train Roster #
A roster specific to Trains is available in the Cab3 APP. While on the TR homescreen, tap the TR: ID box at the top left. A complete list of all Trains saved in the Base3 will be displayed.
Tap on a Train to take control of it. Press and hold on a Train to go to its Configuration page.
Train Link #
The TRAIN LINK function offers quick access to command-control accessory cars within a Train while controlling that Train. This functionality allows you to quickly operate items in a Train without remembering ID numbers.
To utilize TRAIN LINK you must first build the consist that includes items you wish to access with TRAIN LINK. An example of this would be an engine and a StationSounds Diner. A maximum of 5 devices per train can be part of TRAIN LINK.
To utilize your TRAIN LINK devices, press TRAIN LINK while controlling your Train. The screen will change and in our example we would see a StationSounds Diner. At this time the touchpad will reflect icons for the selected unit.
While in the TRAIN LINK screen you can switch between train linked devices by pressing the different buttons; TL1 through TL5. You can then control this item directly by pressing any of the control buttons. The buttons will switch functionality of all the buttons on the APP to the new TRAIN LINK item. The throttle will only control a TRAIN LINK device if it is a CAB-1 type device that receives throttle commands.
Once operation of the TRAIN LINK device is complete, press TRAIN LINK again to return to the Train you where initially controlling.
Note about Legacy Switchers #
If a switcher is in a lashup with other LEGACY engines, the speed controls will be reprogrammed so the switcher runs the same speed as the LEGACY engines. This allows LEGACY switchers and road engines to run in a lashup. The switcher, when configured as a road engine, will continue to operate as a road engine until either engine info is cleared or the engine is removed from the train.
Additional Train Notes #
ENGINES CAN EXIST IN MULTIPLE TRAINS. With this configuration, you can save train configurations and when you desire to use them simply pull up the train builder and press set.
HYBRID MODE support for Super Bass Roar Unit. (TMCC engine as head, Super Bass Roar Unit in LEGACY mode in rear) This will output labor commands in TMCC mode to trigger the Super Bass Roar Unit. In addition, if the operator moves the HORN to the Super Bass Roar Unit, the BELL and HORN controls will trigger the LEGACY Super Bass Roar Unit. Likewise if the operator moves the dialog icon to the LEGACY Super Bass Roar Unit, the RR speed announcements and key 2, 5 and 7 announcements will come from the Super Bass Roar Unit. This function will also work with other LEGACY engines that may exist in this configuration.
Earlier production versions of LEGACY locomotives may not support SOUND MASKING.
Track Power #
Use the TR feature to remotely control track power to your layout with one or more of the following products. Be sure to read the directions that come with the product and/or visit their webpage for more information.
- Legacy PowerMasters
- Address as TR 1-98
- Requires external power from a PowerHouse or other transformer
- ZW-L Transformer
- Address TR or ENG 1-94 (4 concurrent addresses)
- Configure to one TR or ENG output, or 4 independent ID outputs
- LCS BPC2
- Address as TR 1-91 (8 concurrent addresses)
- Requires external power
- Up to 8 independent IDs for different power block sections
