TR Selection

The TR feature is multipurpose. TR can mean either TRAIN or TRACK/TRANSFORMER. 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.

Note: While in TR mode, the arrows to the left/right of the engine image are disabled. This will be fixed in a future update.

Note: Only lash-ups can be saved to a database. You cannot create a database entry for a TR transformer.

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 continuing to press the TRAIN LINK button. It will cycle from the first device in the lash-up through the last device and then start back over on the lead engine. The buttons will switch functionality of all the buttons on the APP to the new TRAIN LINK item. The throttle will continue to control the Train’s speed regardless of which TRAIN LINK device you’re on.

Once operation of the TRAIN LINK device is complete, continue pressing TRAIN LINK until you get back onto the lead engine.

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 typically can only exist in one lash-up. To add an engine to another lash-up, you need to first clear any existing lash-up that the engine was in.

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 #

TR can be used to remotely control track power to your layout with one or more of the following products:

1. Legacy PowerMasters
   • Address as TR 1-98
   • Requires external power from a PowerHouse or other transformer
2. ZW-L Transformer
   • Address TR or ENG 1-94 (4 concurrent addresses)
   • Configure to one TR or ENG output, or 4 independent ID outputs
3. LCS BPC2
   • Address as TR 1-91 (8 concurrent addresses)
   • Requires external power
   • Up to 8 independent IDs for different power block sections

It can also be used with older products such as TPC300/400, original PowerMasters, and the BPC.

Note! You cannot use a TR ID for transformer control if that ID has a lash-up programmed into it. The TR ID must be cleared if you wish to use it to control track power. The following procedure is used to clear a TR ID.

1. Tap TR.
2. Enter the TR ID you wish to clear.
3. Tap Enter.
4. Tap on the TR Configuration button (looks like a locomotive with a gear next to it) at the bottom left of the screen.
5. Wait for the APP to finish loading available engines. Then tap on “CLEAR” at the bottom of the screen and tap “YES”. The APP will return to the TR homescreen. You can now use the TR ID for transformer control.

Programming a ZW-L #

The following procedure will show you how to program a ZW-L using TR. Note that other devices program similarly, but check with the individual user manuals for specifics.

1. With power to your ZW-L off, place the switch “CONV/CMD” to the “CMD” position and place the “PROG/RUN” switch to the “PROG” position.
2. Power on the ZW-L.
3. On the Cab3 APP, tap TR twice until the TR select screen appears.

4. Enter the TR ID you wish to assign to the ZW-L. In this example we will use 4. Tap “SET”. The blue “LIONEL” light on the front of the ZW-L will flash once to indicate that it has taken programming.
5. Move the “PROG/RUN” switch on the ZW-L back to “RUN”.
6. You can now control the ZW-L. See below for Cab3 specific controls. For other controls, review the ZW-L user manual.

Note: If you use “4-CH”, or 4 channel mode, the ZW-L will automatically assign the TMCC IDs for channels B, C, and D. Example: Programming the ZW-L with TMCC ID 9 will assign Channel A an ID of 9 and the ZW-L will subsequently assign B as 10, C as 11, and D as 12.

Note: You cannot create a database entry for a transformer. Only lash-ups in TR can have database entries created.

Operating a ZW-L #

When operating the ZW-L, place all 4 physical throttle handles to the full ON position. This will allow the APP to control the voltage. Leaving the handles at 0VAC will not allow the voltage to be adjustable.

Using a transformer like the ZW-L programmed as a TR, you’ll notice in the Cab3 APP that the sliding throttle handle is in the center. This is what’s called the “snapback throttle”. Place your finger on the throttle handle and drag it up. This will increase the ZW-L’s output voltage. The further you drag the throttle, the faster the voltage will change. When you release the handle, the voltage will stay where you left it. Use the ZW-L’s voltage meters to monitor the voltage you’re setting, or simply observe your conventional engines that are operating on your layout.

You can pull down on the throttle handle to decrease the voltage. It will stop changing once the voltage reaches 0VAC. You can also quickly change the voltage back to 0VAC by tapping “0” on the screen. This acts as the reset button.

Momentum can be changed in the TR configuration page. This will affect how quickly the voltage to the track changes when you make throttle changes. Experiment to see what momentum best works for your convention engine operation. Note that you do NOT need to save an entry to the Base3 database to be able to change momentum; just tap the desired momentum and go back to the homescreen.

You can use the boost button to increase voltage and the brake button to decrease voltage by holding the buttons down. Releasing them will return the voltage to the previous level.

Experiment with other controls such as bell, whistle/horn, and couplers on compatible locomotives. For other controls, please review the ZW-L user manual.

Note: When using the snap-back throttle to change track voltage, you’ll notice that the speed step numerals above the speed bar do not change. This is because the commands sent to transformers and other compatible TR devices are relative speeds and not absolute speeds. This means that the Base3 and Cab3 APP do not actually know what the voltage has been set to on the transformer There is no way to report that information back to you. Make sure to keep an eye on how fast your conventional engines are moving and/or watch the voltmeters on the ZW-L or have your own voltmeter attached to the transformer’s power output terminals.