Legacy User's Group Meeting Notes

[MartyE]

We had a great meeting folks.  We were joined by Mike Reagan and his customer service crew for breakfast.  As always, Alexander's, and especially Paula and her staff were great!  Everyone had a great breakfast and some good times.

Mike was great at helping me fumble through a busy meeting adding his own personal touch.  He had us all laughing while passing along some information on 1.3, the new ZW-L, and other items discussed.

I want to thank all of you for attending.  It was as you know a perfect meeting to attend as Lionel, Jon Z, and Mike presented the attendees with one of the first copies of V1.3 for all to take home.  THANK YOU!

BTW attendees, Mike gave us some info on the new manual...
Swap the R and V in the code.   :D

We hope to do this again in the fall.  It was great seeing everyone. 

Here are the answers we received back from Lionel and some commentary below based on the meeting comments.  ENJOY!



QUESTIONS FOR LIONEL: Answered by Lionel red.
 Comments from LUG based on comments at the morning meeting in black below Lionel’s answers.


•Will Lionel offer a Cab 2 remote only without the charger?
There are no plans to offer a separate CAB2.
Our suggestion from the Legacy User’s Group is to let Lionel know about the desire.  If there is enough demand you never know.


•Will Lionel offer an updated 1.3 manual and will it be a searchable pdf format.
We have converted this to a new format, and the hope is to PDF and allow searching - hopefully in v1.3.
This sounds like a yes to us.   


•What will the process be for getting V1.3.  How will future upgrades be handled?
Modules will be needed for v1.3, future upgrades may be via download and modules.  No pricing structure has been determined for modules when download functionality is available, in other words a cost may be incurred for modules in the future.  It is my understanding v1.3 will be no charge to the registered Legacy system owners.
This is why we encourage you to register your Legacy system.  The 1.3 upgrades will be mailed directly to you. 


•What is the status on the console that was shown in earlier catalogs?
No comment.
We can’t really add to that.


•Any information on the new ZW and Legacy operations that you can share?
•Specifically…New ZW in the catalog. Are the B&C posts going to be made to work like A&D do on the current release of the ZW? (this involves the start up voltages, A&D start at zero while B&C start at the dialed setting)
The ZW-L is based on the firmware used in the ZW-C; therefore most features will carry forward folks are familiar with.  We are just doing the review of the operation on this beast, so I can't give you more at this time.  Still many details need worked out, however we will support 200 steps on the throttle, that will match the graph on the Cab-2 when set in LEG mode.  As details develop, we will post on the Lionel BLOG, so check there often.
Once again it maybe worth your while to address any comments to the Lionel BLOG.  Since details are still in flux.

•When is it due to ship?
Hopefully by years end.(From the Lionel demo)

•What are all the features it will support
•Can more than 180 watts be drawn from each channel?
•Are there any Legacy specific features to it?
•Pure since wave?
•Using the remote can you control all 4 handles at once and also individually?
Nothing more was answered. 
I did talk to Jon Z at the Lionel booth and was told that it will not be pure sine wave.


•Any plans to make recorded sessions down loadable to modules?
Not at this time.
Folks this is probably one of the last items on MartyE’s Legacy Hit List.  So I will be asking again.  (Sorry Jon)   :)


•Any more information on the black modules?
These modules will be for purchase, and be used to create Legacy O/S modules from the download process.  Also, we will use them for backing up the Legacy Base information that the user has keyed into the system.
From what I understood unless you want individual copies of each software version the module purchase will be one time.  You can overwrite new versions as they come out.  What I do not know is if the versions could be saved on a laptop to re-create each version to the module as needed.  Also as mentioned above, all the keyed in information such as route names, TMCC engine info and such will also be store on these modules in the event they need to be reloaded.  We will see if we can get any info on the saving to laptop.


•Will there be an option to add more ENG numbers now that 99 has been reserved for “ALL” in Vision Line locos?  Any more info on the 99 “All” that you can share.
 Not possible to support greater than 99 Engines or Trains,  this is a protocol and hardware limitation.   The 99 is an ENG address all locos will eventually support.  We may offer a service to upgrade R4LC boards if folks want more of their fleet to support this feature.
Folks, don’t start calling for new R4LC boards.  This is only a thought at this time.


•Will there be additional support for the TPC's? There is the extra terminal on these that has been "reserved" for future expansion since the device was released? Any chance we'll ever find out what that was for?
The extra terminals are used for a communications network - should we decide to implement.  As folks know, we build in technology for future use.  On a side note, TPC's need a cable for attaching to Legacy "Y" cables.  Not sure how we missed this, but we will tackle and make available this cable shortly.


•If at V1 and the Legacy unit has already made the trip to Ohio, will it be necessary to go to V1.2 before upgrading to V1.3?
 No.
Upgrade was simple folks.  Less than 2 minutes.  We did one on site.


•What is, if any, the future of Cab1 and pre Legacy railsounds?  TMCC1 parts?
 I think the Cab-1 story is clear by now, and since this is a Legacy User Group meeting wouldn't this be a better question for the TMCC user group meeting? ;)   RS4/TMCC1 upgrades?  No short term concerns, but best visit ElectricRR and stock up if you are anticipating a need long term.
Mike Reagan also reiterated that the TMCC components in the engines and such are not going away.  Just the Cab1/Base combo.  TMCC components will be around for a long time.  Also we were told that some of the issues with Cab1 system is lack of components.  It’s using parts from 15 years ago and the supply is drying up.

Again thanks to all attended.  Special thanks to the Lionel Team, Will Allen, Chris Bojanower, and Paula.

And thank all of you Legacy Users.  LUG Nuts!

 

 
The GP7 and Vision Line Stock Car.

   
Small Demo Loop

  

   
Mystery Guest... or is he a mystery?

  
Mike and the Customer Service Team!

[laz 57]

Well done MARTY, thanks for the update.

laz57

[trainbob]

Thanks for all the great info.Hope to join you there one day.By the way York was great once again.