Anyone have the USB to serial adapter link handy? None of my Macs have the proper port?

How do you upgrade your legacy base?  I clicked the link but it just showed the product to purchase

 

Thanks for the Heads up, Marty.
No hurry Here..
My system is working just fine.

Lionel LEGACY V1.53 System Upgrade

Thank you for downloading the Lionel LEGACY V1.53 upgrade. The upgrade includes the following files:

filename        description
-----------------------------------
ReadMe_LEGACYv1_53.txt this file
BAS2-v153.bas2       the Base internal software upgrade code (LEGACY System Utility required to load)
CAB2-v153.cab2       the CAB internal software upgrade code (LEGACY System Utility required to load)

Please note that the existing Legacy 1.5 manual is still current, there is no "1.53" version of the Legacy manual.

The changes made from v1.52 were as follows:
---------------------------------------------

Cab2:
·         Fixed bug where pressing 'R' or Shut-Down turned off the CAB displays for fuel & water icons.
·         TMCC Route Clear commands for IDs above 9 are now sent as extended commands.  This required a fix in the base also.
·         Fixed bug where pressing AUX1 on a train showed up in the engine softkey icon.
·         Default the Passenger car to Loco TYPE: Legacy for loco type and Sound TYPE: LRS.
·         Added “Aux3” softkey icon that shows up in Legacy mode for all engine types.
  Pressing this key has no effect on existing Lionel products, it is for future use.

Base2:
·         Fixed bug where variable length multi-words didn't work in extended mode.
·         Fixed problem affecting users with 50Hz AC power (example: UK customers). SensorTrack preset action commands with dialog now work properly.
·         Fixed bug where all database name sorting for the linked list was done up to record 103 instead of record 99. 
  This created a problem if any records beyond 99 had any data in them.
·         Fixed minor bug where Coarse Absolute Speed values of 3 and 7 would only get sent out to the track a single time instead of three times.
·         Added feature where labor value from any TMCC2 labor command (0x1C0-0x1DF) gets saved in the associated engine/train record at offset 15. 
  This allows any device connected via the Layout Control System to be used to view the last labor value sent.




IMPORTANT NOTES
---------------
If you are currently running LEGACY 1.1 or earlier, contact customer service before attempting to upgrade.
If you are currently running LEGACY 1.2, your engine roster and other settings will be erased during the upgrade and must be re-entered.
If you are currently running LEGACY 1.3 or later, the 1.53 upgrade will not erase your settings. However, we still recommend using the LSU software to back up your LEGACY database before upgrading. (see LSU manual, page 10).


INSTALLING THE UPGRADE
----------------------
In order to install any LEGACY V1.53 upgrade in your CAB2 and BASE2, you'll need the following (in addition to the CAB and BASE internal software upgrade files listed above):

1) A black LEGACY Writable Utility Module (6-37125), available from your Lionel dealer or www.lionelstore.com
2) The LEGACY System Utility software (73-7125-S1), which runs on the Windows operating system. This software can be downloaded at the following link:

http://www.lionel.com/Products...ilLineID=&CatalogId=


To Install the V1.53 Upgrade:

1) Install the LEGACY System Utility (LSU) software
2) Follow the instructions "Creating a LEGACY CAB Software Update Module" on page 12 of the "Legacy System Utility User's Guide.pdf." (The LSU pdf manual is part of the LSU download.)
3) Follow the instructions "Creating a LEGACY Base Software Update Module on page 13 of the LSU manual.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
--------------------------
Q: Do I need to upgrade right away?
A: No. If you're happy with your current system there is no urgent need to upgrade.

Q: How can I tell what LEGACY version I'm currently running?
A: Turn your CAB2 remote on by pressing the red CTC power button. Once the display turns on, press the CTC button a second time. The current CAB and BASE software versions will be displayed on your remote. It is important that your CAB and Base are using the most recent version available for each. The latest versions of each are included in the ZIP file download.

Q: How can I get the LEGACY 1.53 upgrade?

Thanks Marty!  Always on top of things!

Too bad the LSU can't directly update the base and/or cab2 via the serial or WiFi connection.  Probably would require a new generation of device.

I predict a need for access to an old thread of mine soon.

 

Free Black Modules for Legacy

 

KC thanks for posting.

 

John indeed.  I think I'll do a enlargement of your pic for the LUG meeting.

A question comes up...

 

I see this in the ReadMe...

 

TMCC Route Clear commands for IDs above 9 are now sent as extended commands.  This required a fix in the base also.

 

Does this REQUIRE you to have 1.53 on the base and remote for all operations, or just the TMCC Route Clear?  The reason I ask is in a club environment, we could have people showing up with 1.52 after updating.  Also, if I update all my remotes and take them to run with a 1.52 base, am I going to run into issues?

 

I would tend to believe this is just for this issue but I suspect Rudy is monitoring the thread and will comment shortly.

Before I do wholesale upgrades, I need to be sure.

 

I'm doing an upgrade of a spare base and remote to see how it goes.  I'll try that remote with my working 1.52 base to see if anything obvious is broken.

 

 

Lionel always recommends using the same code revision on both the cab remote and command base. Should you choose to mix and match, your mileage may vary. 

 

Rudy Trubitt

Lionel, LLC

Rudy, that's not the answer we wanted to hear!

 

I'll be taking the modules along with me, but for folks that bring their remote, if they don't bring their base, I could be shooting them in the foot if I upgrade them.

 

I thought the wifi module was suppose to update the base but not the cab.  I guess I remembered wrong.

 

Ken M

 

 

John

 

While led it's probably a good idea to get all at the same Rev, since 1.4 I haven't heard of anyone having major issues when mismatched. Just loss of updated functions. I think shooting in the foot is extreme. Maybe just stepping on toes?

 

We've had folks over with 1.4 w/o issues before. As Rudy says. Your mileage may vary. 

Ken

 

the WiFi lets you use LSU to communicat with the base. You still need to create modules to upgrade using LSU. 

Not trying to disappoint you GRJ, but keeping the same revision level of CAB and BASE code has always been our recommendation. 

 

Q: Do I need to upgrade right away?
A: No. If you're happy with your current system there is no urgent need to upgrade.

 

-rudy

Good grief, did I just read that in a official Lionel document they admitted to having UK customers...... Very good to see guys. 

 

Nick

Just uploaded the Legacy base and cab2 to ver. 1.53.   No issues and no problems with downloading and uploading software.   Used GRJ advice to create 2 black modules.

 Hmmmmmm.......Aux3...sounds interesting!

-Pete

 

Yep. Sounds very interesting. 

 

 

Hopefully, AUX3 will unleash something really cool!

 

Downloaded 1.53 and installed it.  Things are getting good with Legacy.

Upgrade done on both sets. Easy enough so I will have to make time to go play.

My question is how does the update go from the computer to the base?

 

Thanks, seems a little tricky. Where would I get these black modules?  Lionel couldn't suppy them with the purchase of this knowing there will be upgrades and you need these?

Lionel could have supplied them, but they didn't.   They didn't supply the serial<->USB adapter most will need for the upgrade either.

 

The upgrade really isn't all that "tricky", it's actually very simple.  I program up a couple of sets of black modules and do upgrades of the Legacy units at the club, the actual update takes only a couple minutes for both the base and remote.

 

If you want "tricky", try updating the MTH TIU and remote!  There are special cables and specific instructions for each, including a thumb-numbing holding down the power button of the remote for six or seven minutes without releasing it!

 

As GRJ said it pretty easy.  If you are uncomfortable doing the upgrade find a LHS to do it.

 

At the LUG meeting, every LUG meeting since the upgrade process has become available, we offered to help folks make the modules.  To date I think I have had 1 request.  I walked them through it and let them make it themselves.  It took less than 3 minutes total.

 

As to your point about the modules, I agree 100% that now instead of the blue modules, which rumor has it are writable now, black ones be included in the 990 system.

What does AUX3 do, has anyone it tried yet? Could it be for a new feature not yet released? If you know please tell!

It's for future use, we wait with anticipation.

 

What if your Cab2 upgrades without a hitch, but your base gives error codes? I got 3 flashes of the yellow LED (module was removed, but it wasn't) so I reloaded the black module, now I get 6 flashes of yellow (hardware error). Tried this one about 3 times. The base still reports 1.52 when I turn on the remote and the Remote reports 1.53. Any suggestions?

 

I have 2 black modules, I used one for cab and one for base. Was thinking about loading the base on the one I used for the cab and trying that one later today, as the cab upgrade went without a hitch.

 

This is one of the Legacy's that took so long to get last year because of the hardware issue/part change or whatever was wrong with them? Got it in, I think Sept. '14.

 

For us dummies out here, could someone in easy english, and without acronyms do a little roadmap here with modules and connections that will be required?  Thanks

The first base I did choked because it didn't see a module, I pulled it out and reseated it firmly and away it went.

 

Refer to the attached Lionel document, it explains the complete process with pictures.  Much easier than repeating it all here.

 

 

 

I did, with the same module. Went from 3 yellow flashes to 6. I am going to try it again today. May try loading the base on the cab module that worked in the cab and see how that goes. Probably my luck something is broken?

My upgrades on the newer and older 990s went ok.