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The Lionel SD45 Great Northern “Hustle Muscle”, which was in the 2016 v2 catalog, was my first Legacy engine that did not have the orange Legacy Module that is used to load the engine info into the Legacy control system.  At first, I thought it was a shipping problem, but after some research using the search function on the Forum, I found a thread that confirmed the fact that the Orange Module has been made redundant.  Below is the link to the thread which is on the Lionel TMCC and Legacy Forum.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...th-the-memory-module

 My Legacy system was running an old version of the software, so based on comments from the Forum and watching a video (Episode #61) by Eric Siegel of Eric’s Trains, I decided that I should upgrade the software.

Link to Eric's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5L4xRpTTpQ

Eric does a great job walking you through your options, including using the LCS Wi-Fi;  I elected to use the cable method.  Regardless, you will need to have a Black Writable Memory Module, which I bought on Amazon for less than $20, including shipping, from Legacy Station.  I also needed a cable that was a USB to Serial Cable adapter.  I also downloaded the Lionel Legacy System Utility from Lionel’s web site (Eric’s video walks you through how to use the utility).  Here is the link to Lionel’s web site.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/LegacyBaseReturn/

The Legacy System Utility has the ability to key in  your engine info and save it to the Legacy Base.  Its superfast and you can also back-up your other engine data. 

This first picture shows the UBS to serial cable that I purchased on Amazon, for less that $10.  The nuts on the serial end does not allow you to plug the cable into the port on the Legacy Base, but I had the cable on the left (I think it came with the Legacy System, but I purchased the system  so long ago, I don't remember).  

20170716_125935

In any event, as you can see in the second picture, it fits perfectly in to the "Serial COMM" end of the Lionel Cable, which also attaches to the Legacy Base.

20170716_130004

When you have your base turned on, the cable will display a blue light to show its connected. 

20170716_130532

Below is a screen print of the Legacy System Utility from my Windows computer.  You can see at the very bottom, the term "Base: Connected".    This first page has all of the functions available,  including making modules for the legacy update and backing up the data on your Legacy Base.

Legacy System Utility [2)

The tab "Engine Data" is where you can look at your engine data and key in data for new engines.

Below, you can see the data for the Great Northern #400, which I gave it an ID # of 40.  

Engine Data [2)

This only works if you have the base connected.  IT took a little time to get everything up-to-date, but It was worth it for this baby:

DSC_0001

I hope this helps!

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Original Post

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Once you assign the engine ID as you would with the orange module do the following...

ENG #assigned

Info

Display "Assign Name" Push button under name and assign a name using red knob and menu buttons...next

Assign road number.  Push in number on side of engine.  Push the set button under the display.

Display reads assign name again.  Use red knob to scroll until diesel comes up...Use red knob until the correct engine type is displayed and push button under it.  ...Once an engine type is high lighted use red knob to Control type.  Push LEG for Legacy engine and it high lights.  Turn red knob to sound type...typically if you chose Legacy control, Legacy sound is assigned automatically.  Push info your done.

Its pretty self explanatory and also in the manual.

 

 

 

gunrunnerjohn posted:
sinclair posted:

Those of us that don't run Windows are still left out.

Well, yes and no.  There are numerous virtual operating environments that run on Apple computers to allow you to run Windows applications.

Of course, that's the case. The point is that if you have Windows, you can run the Legacy System Utility; and if you do not have Windows, or at least the capability of running a Windows application, you cannot run LSU.

As far as I know the AUX2 menu items are all the same and are actually part of a past system upgrade that is present when you select Legacy control.  I'd have to triple check but I am 99% sure when Legacy control is selected those options are there.

When I get home later I'll give it a try as well as a quick Video entering the information manually.

Last edited by MartyE

Dave

I try to stay positive and just present information but unfortunately sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the drama at times.  Folks like you that offer good solid information for the rest of us to comment on helps keep this forum great.

While the orange module is a nice, quick way to load up, you've presented an great alternative to getting things up and running.  I personally love the sensor track but realize some people rightfully don't want to modify their layout to incorporate one into it.

Take care!

Last edited by MartyE
gunrunnerjohn posted:
sinclair posted:

Those of us that don't run Windows are still left out.

Well, yes and no.  There are numerous virtual operating environments that run on Apple computers to allow you to run Windows applications.

Does the LSU run in WINE?  Any other emulator will require me to buy Windows.  And last I checked, the cheaper versions of Windows don't play nice in a VM. (There is much more to the PC world than Windows and MacOS.).

Surefire posted:

I just want my module back 

Unfortunately I doubt you will get your wish.  There are just too many ways to enter the info without Lionel needing to produce them.  Early on all you had was manual entry via CAB2.  Now we have Sensor Tracks and LSU in addition to manual entry.  I get that all of these are not options but at minimum the manual entry works fine and is easy to do.

Yep it was a super easy way of loading info but when it comes down to it for the most part of a "one and done" procedure.  

I wanted to keep getting the orange modules with new engines but the writing is/was on the wall.

I went ahead and bought the Sensor Track and necessary hardware to go with it.

Not just to enter info to the Cab 2 but to explore LCS.

Change...........we cannot avoid it.

If you view the video supplied in this thread by Marty, it will remove a lot of the mystery and you'll see how easy it is to manually enter.

Dave

 

Surefire posted:

I just want my module back 

Exactly my sentiments.  Keep the module. We see this scenario play out repeatedly with each cheapening of product: the acquiescent volunteers finding "workarounds"; orange and blue apologists in denial; and all the happy go lucky Pollyannas who take umbrage at others' justifiable negativity.

Hit the problem head-on! Give Lionel some backlash for their unbridled attempt to cut corners yet again.

GregR posted:

Exactly my sentiments.  Keep the module. We see this scenario play out repeatedly with each cheapening of product: the acquiescent volunteers finding "workarounds"; orange and blue apologists in denial; and all the happy go lucky Pollyannas who take umbrage at others' justifiable negativity.

Hit the problem head-on! Give Lionel some backlash for their unbridled attempt to cut corners yet again.

None of these are "work arounds".  They are all doing the same function as an orange module.  It's just another way of doing the same thing.  Why the name calling?  Lionel chose to do away with the module not anyone in thread. Not everyone likes it, I get it, but not everyone is all that upset either.  Things change and some of us present other ways to do the same thing as the module and we get called "orange and blue apologists in denial; and all the happy go lucky Pollyannas".

Again nobody in this thread made that change but most of us are willing to help folks get the information needed.

 

GregR posted:
Surefire posted:

I just want my module back 

Exactly my sentiments.  Keep the module. We see this scenario play out repeatedly with each cheapening of product: the acquiescent volunteers finding "workarounds"; orange and blue apologists in denial; and all the happy go lucky Pollyannas who take umbrage at others' justifiable negativity.

Hit the problem head-on! Give Lionel some backlash for their unbridled attempt to cut corners yet again.

Ouch !!!    Your comments and disappointment should also be sent to Lionel.  The ordinary folks here, who are contributing assistance with ideas on how to move on without the modules, are only trying to be helpful. 

Dave

I hope you guys get the modules back.  I'd hate for the lack of it to ruin your enjoyment of Legacy engines.  Hard to believe such a trivial portion of the Legacy, and please don't take that wrong, can sway a person from enjoying Legacy and what it has to offer. 

I explained a very simple and non-computer way of entering the information, the same as if entering a TMCC engine, for the CAB2. I didn't think it was overly complicated but we all have different tolerance levels for technology. 

I would agree to contact Lionel and politely ask to keep the module.  I think you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. 

I don't mean to personally attack any forum members with their well intentioned work-arounds. My only critique is really for those who fail to assert themselves when they don't like something. 

Clearly, Lionel, like other importers, are now realizing that Chinese labor is not the panacea it was once considered to be. With increasing labor costs, they are constantly chiseling away at quality to maintain or increase profits. So, no, I don't blame forum members for that. Only for the failure speak out at times. 

How many people really believe we would have airline baggage fees today, if everyone bucked at the first airline that attempted that expirement in 2008? Quiet consumers always lose. 

MartyE posted:

Once you assign the engine ID as you would with the orange module do the following...

ENG #assigned

Info

Display "Assign Name" Push button under name and assign a name using red knob and menu buttons...next

Assign road number.  Push in number on side of engine.  Push the set button under the display.

Display reads assign name again.  Use red knob to scroll until diesel comes up...Use red knob until the correct engine type is displayed and push button under it.  ...Once an engine type is high lighted use red knob to Control type.  Push LEG for Legacy engine and it high lights.  Turn red knob to sound type...typically if you chose Legacy control, Legacy sound is assigned automatically.  Push info your done.

Its pretty self explanatory and also in the manual.

 

 

 

Thank you Marty!  I know that the information is probably easy to find, but that doesn't mean it isn't helpful to have friends here to help make it idiot proof.  Lately I have been pulled in about a million directions so anything out of the norm is harder for me than it really should be.  It sure is appreciated to have the help.

Ben 

Ok, MARTYE, Thank You for seemingly staying cool and confident while some of us older TMCC/Legacy Lovers go through a little anxiety over the disappearance of the Orange module....Your short video above is super nice and answers the issue really thouroghly. Thank You.   In reality, this to will become easier each time we use it.  Also, it will cause me to write each up engine that I have in a notebook with the correct ID # and name. Then, when we get one off the shelf, we can look up the ID assigned a long time ago, and be happpy. 

Thank you for your hard work and continued TMCC/Legacy support...

I am just getting into O gauge rr and thought i had come to fully understand down loading the  the orange module..lol..I am using Atlas track and don't want to integrate a Lionel sensor track into the layout.  Could I build a test track using the Lionel sensor track with the cable run to my cab controller and be able to accomplish the downloading of info???? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can have a separate track, and you can also quite seamlessly blend the sensor track into Atlas track.  Here's the job, the ballast was just tossed down to see the effect, it will be done more permanently.  It's actually quite easy to slip it into the Atlas layout.  It happens that it's the exact height of the cork roadbed and Atlas plastic ties, so just taking the Fastrack rails off and knocking off the little plastic nubs, the roadbed slips right under the track.  Obviously, the Atlas ties were removed as well.

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