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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.

Last edited by MartyE
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.

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.

Last edited by MartyE
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.

OLD FEF

New FEF saying the same icons are for headlights.

NEW FEF

Attachments

Images (2)
  • NEW FEF
  • OLD FEF
Last edited by MartyE
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.

 

Last edited by Hancock52
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

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