AC 9 No Module

You should still be able to manually program it using the cab 2 remote.

Not having a module for a Legacy engine is not standard; recently I have had Legacy operating cars (like the crane and boom cars and the StationSounds diner) that came without modules but these could be programmed manually through the CAB 2. (The boom car manual included instructions on how to do this.) However, I did have to update the Legacy controls to the latest version to run these cars properly. I expect you would have to check that with the new AC-9.

I agree you can program a Legacy engine without the module but this is not very convenient. On the other hand, the module can't add any features to an engine and the system to access them is in the Legacy base and CAB2. So I have often wondered what the module does other than to provide the specific engine name and save you the trouble of making the "info" settings about engine type, sound system and so forth. Somebody who knows more about Legacy may be able to comment on this.

In any case, isn't your best course to contact Lionel direct and/or the seller to see if you can source a replacement module if needed? Maybe the seller inspected the model before shipping and forgot to put the module back in the box. Lionel would probably walk you through the CAB2 setup over the phone. 

As regards the smoke fluid, I don't recall that my most recent Legacy engine included any and I believe that some while back Lionel stopped including it with higher end locos.

Hancock52 posted:

Not having a module for a Legacy engine is not standard

 

 

So I have often wondered what the module does other than to provide the specific engine name and save you the trouble of making the "info" settings about engine type, sound system and so forth. Somebody who knows more about Legacy may be able to comment on this.

 

As regards the smoke fluid, I don't recall that my most recent Legacy engine included any and I believe that some while back Lionel stopped including it with higher end locos.

 

Not having a module is now standard in most if not all Legacy engines.  Whether a cost cutting move or more likely an unnecessary convenience is up to you to decide.  I'm sure it does save Lionel money and resources that can be used other places.

They have stopped putting modules in with engine exactly because what is stated above.  With a sensor track it can update the CAB2 automatically, the LSU PC program can enter the info via PC, or 30-60 seconds of your time everything that was done by the module can be done manually .  I suspect we'll see the same comments about cost cutting and all but the orange module is really not needed and was more of a time save...if 30 seconds is valuable to you.  Unless Lionel changes direction, folks should get used to using one of the above options.  Looking at some recent engine manuals the info to enter the engines manually is not in the engine manual. The directions for manual entry start on page 54 of the current Legacy System manual.

If a module is important to you, once the info is in the CAB2 a black module can be used to create an engine or multi-engine module.  I have 50+ of my Legacy and TMCC engines all on one module complete with names, road numbers, and setup information.

They haven't put smoke in a Legacy engine in years.

MartyE posted:

Hancock52 posted:

So I have often wondered what the module does other than to provide the specific engine name and save you the trouble of making the "info" settings about engine type, sound system and so forth. Somebody who knows more about Legacy may be able to comment on this.

They have stopped putting modules in with engine exactly because what is stated above.  With a sensor track it can update the CAB2 automatically, the LSU PC program can enter the info via PC, or 30-60 seconds of your time everything that was done by the module can be done manually.  I suspect we'll see the same comments about cost cutting and all but the orange module is really not needed and was more of a time save...if 30 seconds is valuable to you.  Unless Lionel changes direction, folks should get used to using one of the above options . . .

They haven't put smoke in a Legacy engine in years.

Well, there it is from an expert source - I could not have been paying attention in class to miss out on the demise of the orange module! I'm still glad I've saved all of mine.

Mikey, have a look in your AC-9 manual for the CAB-2 manual inputs; if there's no module the instructions must be in the book.

Here is a video Dave Olson of Lionel Engineering made showing the procedure for manual entry of the information.

Mikey,

This is old news.  Been discussed on this forum in length on many threads for months.  No disrespect but I have to ask, have you been living under a rock that past few months?

superwarp1 posted:

Mikey,

This is old news.  Been discussed on this forum in length on many threads for months.  No disrespect but I have to ask, have you been living under a rock that past few months?

Maybe he has Gary. Maybe a lot of people have been out of the loop or just missed the info for some reason. We all can't be know-it-alls, so, no need to get snarky!

Big Jim posted:

superwarp1 posted:

Mikey,

This is old news.  Been discussed on this forum in length on many threads for months.  No disrespect but I have to ask, have you been living under a rock that past few months?

Maybe he has Gary. Maybe a lot of people have been out of the loop or just missed the info for some reason. We all can't be know-it-alls, so, no need to get snarky!

Not to mention the fact that, I'll bet VERY FEW Lionel customers read the information posted here on the OGR Forums, or have even heard of the OGR Forum. Maybe Lionel should be including some sort of notice in every Legacy model concerning the "no more Module" reasoning and how to program the model.

FWIW the video I posted is part of Lionel's official Youtube page.  Dave does mention that as of the 2017 product run the orange modules are no longer included but I agree 100% that it would be nice to have that information in the box since not everyone knows about that resource either.  Not sure since I can't find the new instruction manuals if they mention that in the current manuals.

Thanks you Marte for your help,this is my first new Legacy loco since the N&W Y 6B and  thanks to Superwarp for your input as I have now crawled out from under my rock,shame on me for not being as well informed as you.

Mikey

Dave Olson said earlier this year that the modules would be with the 2016 Locos but not with the 2017 And so on

Footnote,the AC 9 manual tells you to use the new Lionel control track or to use the module and goes on to describe that function just like on prior Legacy locos.

Mikey

mikey posted:

Footnote,the AC 9 manual tells you to use the new Lionel control track or to use the module and goes on to describe that function just like on prior Legacy locos.

Mikey

Thanks.  Hopefully they'll update that.

Was an orange module ever needed?

J Daddy posted:

Was an orange module ever needed?

Not really.  Only 1 engine that I know of might need it was the original FEF.  It had the red hazard icon on it that the AUX lighting menu does not have.  The new FEF the hazard light seems to light when the emergency stop is engaged.  Interestingly enough the same icons are used but now say they are for the headlight.  Both of these engines have the module.

Old FEF with hazard light.

New FEF saying the same icons are for headlights.

MartyE posted:

J Daddy posted:

Was an orange module ever needed?

Not really.  Only 1 engine that I know of might need it was the original FEF.  It had the red hazard icon on it that the AUX lighting menu does not have.  The new FEF the hazard light seems to light when the emergency stop is engaged.  Interestingly enough the same icons are used but now say they are for the headlight.  Both of these engines have the module.

Not to hijack this thread (although the OP's already got the answer he needed) but this is a bit thought provoking.

I have both of these FEF-3s and the difference in hazard light operation is significant; in the later model it is only triggered by an emergency stop, which the earlier model has but with additional functions.

Yes, they both came with a module, which is what I used to set each up on the same CAB-2, but if you input the settings manually, how would the system know the difference between one Legacy version and another? I'd guess that the code was written in such a way that they respond to the right commands - but I think I'll keep those modules safe.

Hancock52 posted:

Not to hijack this thread (although the OP's already got the answer he needed) but this is a bit thought provoking. I have both of these FEF-3s and the difference in hazard light operation is very different. Yes, they both came with a module, which is what I used to set each up on the same CAB-2, but if you input the settings manually, how would the system know the difference between one Legacy version and another? I'd guess that the code was written in such a way that they respond to the right commands - but I think I'll keep those modules safe.

 

I expect the new version would have that info available via the sensor track.

This is a useful thread - thanks Marty!  Lionel might usefully include a 1 page crib sheet with their new Legacy locomotives about entering locomotive information into cab 2 with directions on how to access additional info from their website.  Guys who are really into trains know this stuff, but more casual train fans will appreciate a little guidance. 

hclarke posted:

Lionel might usefully include a 1 page crib sheet with their new Legacy locomotives about entering locomotive information into cab 2 with directions on how to access additional info from their website.  Guys who are really into trains know this stuff, but more casual train fans will appreciate a little guidance. 

Yeah, and as someone mentioned above, you can't expect everybody to read this particular forum for info. I do every day but never saw that the orange modules are history. Doesn't really inspire confidence that the AC-9 manual still has module instructions.

Anyway, I tracked down a control forum thread from July that has the most relevant info in one place: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...memory-module?page=1

The SD45 was the first to ship without a module. Who cares if you get a module, non of my 3rd Rail or Atlas locos have modules and I get buy just fine without those

MartyE posted:

Hancock52 posted:

I have both of these FEF-3s and the difference in hazard light operation is very different. Yes, they both came with a module, which is what I used to set each up on the same CAB-2, but if you input the settings manually, how would the system know the difference between one Legacy version and another? I'd guess that the code was written in such a way that they respond to the right commands - but I think I'll keep those modules safe.

I expect the new version would have that info available via the sensor track.

Marty, have Gargraves/Ross and never gonna cut out a section for that really expensive piece of Fastrack!

"Who cares if you get a module, non of my 3rd Rail or Atlas locos have modules and I get buy just fine without those"

I seem to get by just fine without the entire Legacy System, actually. So many buttons, so little time.

TMCC does everything that I will ever want a locomotive to do - including my 2 - 3 Legacy units. Thankfully, I'm through buying locos, barring a couple of theoretical never-modeled-never-will-be-modeled items.

I'm not a curmudgeon; I just know what's important to me. One of the things I like about my 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T 6-speed is that, for a modern car, it actually is very simple. I like that. It's like TMCC: everything I want, very little I don't want (or can't simply ignore).

D500 posted:

"Who cares if you get a module, non of my 3rd Rail or Atlas locos have modules and I get buy just fine without those"

I seem to get by just fine without the entire Legacy System, actually. So many buttons, so little time.

TMCC does everything that I will ever want a locomotive to do - including my 2 - 3 Legacy units. Thankfully, I'm through buying locos, barring a couple of theoretical never-modeled-never-will-be-modeled items

People who want Legacy features and relied on the module to set up the remote for them.  But again since you don't need it, it's really not an issue.

MartyE, the orange module doesn't provide legacy features it only has information

Matt Makens posted:

MartyE, the orange module doesn't provide legacy features it only has information

LOL!  I know that.  The poster implied that TMCC control is good enough.  While it maybe for some, it's not for everyone.  So if the module helps those folks get the CAB2 setup for Legacy operation then they at least need to know how they set it up for Legacy operation without the module. 

Perhaps I should have included the TMCC part of the quote.  I edited the quote and response to better reflect the point I was trying to convey.

I just read it over quick and responded. I will admit that I went through a re-addressing exercise last weekend and it was a huge PITA, the modules wouldn't have helped me much. I personally like the legacy control. I dont like the 100 address limit I wish it was more DCC like with 9999 so I could just use cab #s but oh well

Matt Makens posted:

 I dont like the 100 address limit I wish it was more DCC like with 9999 so I could just use cab #s but oh well

I agree about the address limit.  Wish it was a 4 digit number as well.  I realize you can call them up by the cab number using the "select" key with buying more and more engines the additional address range would be nice.  Then again I remember when I said, "a 40 MB hard drive.  I'll never use all of that!".

Hi! I really agree on the address limit.  I would buy a new Legacy cab2 and command base in a NY minute if it had even a 3 digit limit for the number of locomotives.  Lionel?

Mikey, thanks for posting this. I got my new AC-9 today and I was just like you......where's my module!! The bad thing about mine is......I didn't even get an owners manual!!! Not to mention I had bits of coal strewn throughout the foam crating!! NOT......what I expected for an almost TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR locomotive!!!

I'll be calling Lionel tomorrow morning to see if I can at least get an owners manual. Wow.......

Rick

Rick Hayes posted:

Mikey, thanks for posting this. I got my new AC-9 today and I was just like you......where's my module!! The bad thing about mine is......I didn't even get an owners manual!!! Not to mention I had bits of coal strewn throughout the foam crating!! NOT......what I expected for an almost TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR locomotive!!!

I'll be calling Lionel tomorrow morning to see if I can at least get an owners manual. Wow.......

Rick

Rick. Sorry to hear. Please call us for a manual. We can get you one quickly.

And as discussed above, the orange modules are now discontinued.

Thanks.

Thanks for the reply Dave!! I'll give you guys a call shortly!

Rick

"my AC 9 today and when I opened the box there was no module for programming,don't know if I can even run it "

LOL... got to love it...

The best thing we can do is educate folks how to enter the information into the CAB2 without the orange module.  Dave has done a great video showing two of those options (sensor track and manual) which is posted earlier in this thread.

Just be careful reading the manual.  This messed me up for a minute.  Difference in button positions for odyssey and smoke.

With all due respect.....I find it absolutely mind boggling that folks can log on and post to this forum, especially pictures and video but they can't figure out how to manually enter in the legacy info on the remote.

The legacy remote is extremely low-tech when compared to any modern device used to access the internet.

IMO theres alot of unwarranted fear( of the unknown) that the legacy remote is overly complicated.

RickO posted:

With all due respect.....I find it absolutely mind boggling that folks can log on and post to this forum, especially pictures and video but they can't figure out how to manually enter in the legacy info on the remote.

The legacy remote is extremely low-tech when compared to any modern device used to access the internet.

IMO theres alot of unwarranted fear( of the unknown) that the legacy remote is overly complicated.

I agree, takes maybe thirty seconds to do, less if the name you give the engine is short.  Takes longer to program in a train than this.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm FULLY capable of manually programming a locomotive into my Cab 2 remote. I just find it a bit hard to swallow that we pay almost 2K for a locomotive only to manually program it. The funniest part of this story for me was when I called Lionel today and told them my manual was left out and the young lady offered to make me a "copy" of the PDF (which isn't available to us consumers online yet). I told her that wasn't sufficient  and I needed am original manual. Whenever I've sold one of my locomotives they are ALWAYS in like new condition with everything included. Again.....2K for a "copy" of the manual was just not acceptable.

I have complete confidence they will do the correct thing and send me an original manual for this fine locomotive. They've never let me down in the past!

I guess you dont expext to have to program your own radio stations in a brand new $50k automobile either 

LOL!! Touche....

When I opened the box there were 5 loose pieces of coal loose so I don't consider it a problem.I had no problem programming the engine after watching the video courtesy of Marte and it runs fine,love the smoke and whistle steam.

Mikey