Lionel's New Theater Car

J Daddy posted:

Well I am excited to hear about this new product and quickly signed up to order one mainly because I have been looking for more Union Pacific Excursion cars.

Except the photo in the Lionel catalog does NOT match the UP Fox Valley (former CNW car).

Seems to be a neat idea, but at a MSRP of $349 seems astronomical!  I can't see myself reserving the funds for such.

I think the camera is focused out the back of the car to deliver the view out of the back of the train.

I like the car, with that said I wish it was an 18" model and could be purchased without the camera for a reasonable cost. And an Amtrak version if that is not asking too much.

I have seen the Amtrak one on a few occasions on the rear of the Lake Shore Limited.

Paul

Railrunnin posted:

I like the car, with that said I wish it was an 18" model and could be purchased without the camera for a reasonable cost. And an Amtrak version if that is not asking too much.

I have seen the Amtrak one on a few occasions on the rear of the Lake Shore Limited.

Paul

 The Amtrak theater car "American View" is a converted viewliner sleeper that looks nothing like Lionel's model.  It's a completely different car that would take completely different tooling to make. 

To me it appears that no additional hardware is needed other than an App from Apple or Android.  I suspect you will need a WiFi service in your home or wherever you will operate this.  A small simple wireless router would due.  Of course I haven't seen one but I doubt a Lionel LCS WiFi module is required.

Hot Water posted:

J Daddy posted:

Well I am excited to hear about this new product and quickly signed up to order one mainly because I have been looking for more Union Pacific Excursion cars.

Except the photo in the Lionel catalog does NOT match the UP Fox Valley (former CNW car).

Exactly. I won't be ordering one for THAT reason.

Neat idea for those who like gizmos.  Nothing wrong with that either.

Hot Water posted:

J Daddy posted:

Well I am excited to hear about this new product and quickly signed up to order one mainly because I have been looking for more Union Pacific Excursion cars.

Except the photo in the Lionel catalog does NOT match the UP Fox Valley (former CNW car).

Yeah, Lionel did take some artistic license here. AS ALWAYS, its tough to know what we are going to get. But I am not taking the risk of these being sold out.

Gpritch posted:

Seems to be a neat idea, but at a MSRP of $349 seems astronomical!  I can't see myself reserving the funds for such.

I think the camera is focused out the back of the car to deliver the view out of the back of the train.

Looks like pricing is around 255.00. Similar, but slightly higher than a station sounds diner.

How big is the camera? seems there will be seats and people in the back of the car...

MartyE posted:

To me it appears that no additional hardware is needed other than an App from Apple or Android.  I suspect you will need a WiFi service in your home or wherever you will operate this.  A small simple wireless router would due.  Of course I haven't seen one but I doubt a Lionel LCS WiFi module is required.

Will you be able to direct the video to your lap top?

Curse you JDaddy!  You just gave me an idea...

Since it's plastic, it wouldn't be hard to modify to the correct UP version.  Some sheet plastic, filler, paint, decals and it would be done.

Now I have to think this over....

86TA355SR posted:

Curse you JDaddy!  You just gave me an idea...

Since it's plastic, it wouldn't be hard to modify to the correct UP version.  Some sheet plastic, filler, paint, decals and it would be done.

Now I have to think this over....

I figure best to get one out of the chute... and if its a dud, throw it on the Bay... not sure if they will get the roof line right with the rear markers... maybe that is where the camera is?

J Daddy posted:

Will you be able to direct the video to your lap top?

It appears so from the text in the description you will be able to see the video on a PC.  You will still need a Wifi network connection for the camera.  Of course both the camera and the PC will have to reside on the same network.

Disappointing!  New tooling, you would think they could would get it accurate.  Also would think they would sell more at the "normal" 18/19-inch size then for the relatively few with 20/21-inch cars.  

Which is it:  do you want accurate or shortened?

The basic problem is that each of these cars is home grown and started as some other form of car. The catalogue clearly states this is a model of the Conrail car. In that form it is reasonably accurate, as a Dark Future CSX car it is wrong. The car has been modified at least twice in that period. Nowhere does it state road specific detailing. Maybe Lionel will jump in and answer as to how much if at all the car will change between roadnames. There are many variables, size and placement of windows  on the sides, The placement and number of lights on the rear,(some above and below the picture window), the marker lights, the provision for the roll up screen if it has it, etc. With modern slide tooling some of this may be possible without incurring too most cost.  Not only that, the specific cars have been modified over time, so even if they try, depending on what variation of your specific car is, it may not be produced as that version.

Having said all of this, I'm in. Unless you go brass I doubt your going to see anybody else jump in and produce something similar.  Because it is plastic I plan on modifying it if it isn't close enough. My only request of Lionel would be to put the 6 wheel trucks from their full dome car on the NS version. It is the only prototype of the bunch riding on 6 wheel trucks. I realize they wouldn't be the correct trucks but a lot closer the the 4 wheel ones.    I'm not too big on the camera, but we'll see.  Enough for now.

Steve

I think its neat as hell.  Sure i always want the most accurate model I can get.  Do I wish they were cheaper sure. Price doesn't really bother me though.  i suspect around 250 street price.   Im personally pulling the trigger on a UP and CSX because i ordered both trains.  If the camera is crap then they still look to be neat observations.   I'd rather take the gamble than the risk of not pulling the trigger.      

palallin posted:

Which is it:  do you want accurate or shortened?

And you are operating "your" 21/22-inch cars on O-250!

L & N posted:

The basic problem is that each of these cars is home grown and started as some other form of car. The catalogue clearly states this is a model of the Conrail car. In that form it is reasonably accurate, as a Dark Future CSX car it is wrong. The car has been modified at least twice in that period. Nowhere does it state road specific detailing. Maybe Lionel will jump in and answer as to how much if at all the car will change between roadnames. There are many variables, size and placement of windows  on the sides, The placement and number of lights on the rear,(some above and below the picture window), the marker lights, the provision for the roll up screen if it has it, etc. With modern slide tooling some of this may be possible without incurring too most cost.  Not only that, the specific cars have been modified over time, so even if they try, depending on what variation of your specific car is, it may not be produced as that version.

Having said all of this, I'm in. Unless you go brass I doubt your going to see anybody else jump in and produce something similar.  Because it is plastic I plan on modifying it if it isn't close enough. My only request of Lionel would be to put the 6 wheel trucks from their full dome car on the NS version. It is the only prototype of the bunch riding on 6 wheel trucks. I realize they wouldn't be the correct trucks but a lot closer the the 4 wheel ones.    I'm not too big on the camera, but we'll see.  Enough for now.

Steve

Now let's see, the Conrail RR is shuttered up as of the 1999's.  Where as the NS and UP are contemporary and operating now.  And from the pictures posted above the NS and UP cars look a lot alike.  So why model them?!

If you are into the CSX that another thing.

I really like the idea, so I am ordering the NS version If they do it well I will also get the CSX, and if not, then oh well. I am not even sure if i am getting the CSX F40.

PRRronbh posted:

palallin posted:

Which is it:  do you want accurate or shortened?

And you are operating "your" 21/22-inch cars on O-250!

PRRronbh,

What has curve size got to do with accuracy? Just because you might have smaller curves that limit your purchases to shorter cars does not make shorter cars accurate.

These are just my opinion.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Hmm... maybe we will see the prototype at York?

@T1Titan_ZachF posted:

I hope to be ordering the NS one as well. My question is where the camera will be placed on the end of the car. I am also puzzled on why Lionel did't make the Amtrak theater car, I guess maybe they didn't because they would have to make a new mold to fit the view-liner aspect of the car. 

Truly yours,

Zach Ferreira

SIRR Productions

VP of the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters

If they did the American View, they may have well done regular viewliners. 

count me in for a UP one!!

Well, if they release that car in a BNSF version, it will REALLY miss the mark.

I caught this one in Grand Forks, ND, while visiting my son in 2015. Looks like it started life as a bi-level commuter car.

I'll be ordering the UP, accurate or not. Too cool to pass up.

I have just pulled the trigger on the UP version for much the same reasons as other people have given for doing so. I have come around to the view that Lionel passenger cars of more recent vintage, and especially the 21" ABS cars, are really just a representation of the real thing rather than a scale replica or even a near replica. That is 3 rail O gauge for you - especially the fact that one set of tooling is used to produce all the bodies and the difference between railroads is just in the paint scheme.  In fact, the UP Fox River car seems to me to be closer to the prototype than the other road names they are offering.

Note to JDaddy: I wouldn't expect these cars to have any passenger/theater-goer figures in them; none of the 21" ABS cars issued to date do but it's easy enough to add them if you have either Lionel's or MTH's Railking figures.  

I am more interested in the internal seating and other details. A while back, Lionel mentioned (through Mike R.) that the first ABS cars would be "generic" in terms of interior details and indeed they were as all of them were based, not just inside but out in terms of exterior details, on the ESE set that was the first road name released. Later sets he said would be prototypical. The UP Excursion set has to be different outside because the originals were ACF built and are very different from the Lionel streamline cars issued to date. I hope they are modelling the prototype Excursion interiors as well, as those are very distinctive. We'll see.

And since we're talking a bit about mismatched cars, there's Amtrak's "Beach Grove" which too would need all new tooling.

Great idea but I am sticking with video camera on a flat car for my filming.  Not knocking these cars.  Still think they are neat and yes...a little on the pricey side.  BigRail

“I have come around to the view that Lionel passenger cars of more recent vintage, and especially the 21" ABS cars, are really just a representation of the real thing rather than a scale replica or even a near replica. That is 3 rail O gauge for you –“

That is not exactly accurate. The theater car is based on one prototype – the Conrail #9 at one point in its life. True, the rest of the names are close and as you suggest, just a representation of the prototype.

“In fact, the UP Fox River car seems to me to be closer to the prototype than the other road names they are offering.”

The Fox River Car, as is all the other cars that are not Conrail #9 are close to various degrees. The bottom line is there is no other option for now. Not crazy about the camera, but, I can see where the technology is going if this works out, and for that reason, I hope these cars are successful.

“The UP Excursion set has to be different outside because the originals were ACF built and are very different from the Lionel streamline cars issued to date.”

This is a good point and I have hope for these especially after seeing how well Lionel did with the rivet detail on the die cast GG1’s. I’m not a plastic extrusion expert, but it looks to be a difficult task to add details to existing tooling. We shall see.

Charlie

Charlie posted:

“The UP Excursion set has to be different outside because the originals were ACF built and are very different from the Lionel streamline cars issued to date.”

This is a good point and I have hope for these especially after seeing how well Lionel did with the rivet detail on the die cast GG1’s. I’m not a plastic extrusion expert, but it looks to be a difficult task to add details to existing tooling. We shall see.

Charlie

I think we are the same page as they say. Regarding your point quoted above, I am NOT a rivet counter but MTH have duplicated the ACF cars (including rivets) in ABS so I am sure Lionel can do it too. I don't think Lionel can add to existing tooling because (as far as I know) they don't have any they can use for this purpose.

Incidentally, I really wanted to have a rivet version of the GG1 but backed off because of the QC issues.

Well,

My initial reaction was $340 is stinking expensive for one car. The WiFi camera sort of eases the sting. Streaming live video would be pretty nice.

I would never pay for a Passenger car worth 340 because a wifi camera to watch from the back when our club has the chop chop camera. They could of sold these for 99.99 without cameras

A lot of good questions in this thread... let me try to answer as many as I can.  The car - we chose the Conrail prototype because it was the best match for the CR and CSX office car trains we have already cataloged. The NS and UP cars are not an exact match, but we know these are both popular roads and the cars will also make a nice addition to our UP excursion consist. Unfortunately I still can't comment on future catalog projects, but feel free to read anything you'd like into the NS car. Changing side slides and details to match each railroad's car is just not in the tooling budget and really wouldn't be practical from a manufacturing perspective.  Six wheel trucks for Buena Vista however are being looked at and once we have the new 6 wheel trucks for the dome, so long as there are no mechanical limitations preventing it, I will see to it that we put these trucks on this car. (Again, not an exact match, but it gets you a little closer...) There will be working LED lights on the rear of the car. Of course all the LEDs will stay flicker-free with the caps. If the cars do well and people enjoy the features, additional "fantasy" paint schemes on the theater cars are also possible down the line.

The camera - The wi-fi camera will be mounted in the isle between the seats inside the back of the car. We have tested this on a 3-D printed mock up in our office and the view is awesome! The camera is also very inconspicuous when looking at the car from the outside. You do not need the Lionel wi-fi module to use this car. The app is a stand-alone download. Put the car on your layout, download the app and away you go. If you can connect your tv or monitor to your pc, you can watch your layout on the big screen. Picture quality is really great and as long as the wi-fi signal was strong, we could enjoy the view from all over the office. I think you'll have a lot of fun with these.

It is our hope that we'll have a sample of this car complete in time for April York. If anyone is attending the show in Springfield this weekend, please stop by the Lionel booth. We do have some first tooling samples on display of the UP baggage car and PRR Tower View obs as well as plenty of other goodies! You can also try out the new LionChief app and universal remote. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Preorder prices are going to be well below $300. It should put out a wifi signal and it will appear on your list of wifi network connections available to your phone or laptop. My question is whether it will have a selectable channels or just be default channel 6. If not you could get interference from nearby wifi devices.

The big plus for having the passenger car with the built in wifi is that you don't to fool with a rechargeable battery like for the add on cameras or additional hardware to power the camera. You can do it yourself but by the time you buy a RR car, camera, and extra hardware to power it you are over $200.

The passenger car could also be reversed and put in front of your engine to get ahead of the engine view. I would have preferred the camera near the top of a double stack for front or rear views.

Ryan,

Thanks for your response, you have answered my questions. I certainly hope those 6 wheel trucks fit on the NS version!  As far as fantasy goes there are plenty out there: There is another NS, nee N&W car which became IC which became CN, others I'm sure.

Steve

Conrail6358 posted:

A lot of good questions in this thread... let me try to answer as many as I can.  The car - we chose the Conrail prototype because it was the best match for the CR and CSX office car trains we have already cataloged. The NS and UP cars are not an exact match, but we know these are both popular roads and the cars will also make a nice addition to our UP excursion consist. Unfortunately I still can't comment on future catalog projects, but feel free to read anything you'd like into the NS car. Changing side slides and details to match each railroad's car is just not in the tooling budget and really wouldn't be practical from a manufacturing perspective.  Six wheel trucks for Buena Vista however are being looked at and once we have the new 6 wheel trucks for the dome, so long as there are no mechanical limitations preventing it, I will see to it that we put these trucks on this car. (Again, not an exact match, but it gets you a little closer...) There will be working LED lights on the rear of the car. Of course all the LEDs will stay flicker-free with the caps. If the cars do well and people enjoy the features, additional "fantasy" paint schemes on the theater cars are also possible down the line.

The camera - The wi-fi camera will be mounted in the isle between the seats inside the back of the car. We have tested this on a 3-D printed mock up in our office and the view is awesome! The camera is also very inconspicuous when looking at the car from the outside. You do not need the Lionel wi-fi module to use this car. The app is a stand-alone download. Put the car on your layout, download the app and away you go. If you can connect your tv or monitor to your pc, you can watch your layout on the big screen. Picture quality is really great and as long as the wi-fi signal was strong, we could enjoy the view from all over the office. I think you'll have a lot of fun with these.

It is our hope that we'll have a sample of this car complete in time for April York. If anyone is attending the show in Springfield this weekend, please stop by the Lionel booth. We do have some first tooling samples on display of the UP baggage car and PRR Tower View obs as well as plenty of other goodies! You can also try out the new LionChief app and universal remote. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hi Ryan

In the catalog, the NS car is colored to a much lighter color than in real life. Will this be fixed? I am really excited to get one of these. 

Max

Props to Conrail6358 for his comprehensive post.

Conrail6358 posted:

....We do have some first tooling samples on display of the UP baggage car .....

Now we're talking!  Can't wait to see the pictures!

Greenline posted:

Preorder prices are going to be well below $300. 

"Street" price is about $250.

Kudos to Lionel for bringing us the UP Excursion Train and making sure it is done correctly.  I'd rather wait than be disappointed.  Personally, I think it's going to be a home run!

I may have to get one of the theater cars and modify to prototype.

Well there you go guys. Cannot wait to see it at York! I am ordering one for sure.

J Daddy posted:

Well there you go guys. Cannot wait to see it at York! I am ordering one for sure.

What he said 

It bears repeating that the input from Lionel (in the person of Ryan, Rudy or anyone else with information) is very welcome and reassuring at a time of misgivings over QC and indeed future production.

It would be equally welcome to have production sample photos posted here or Lionel's Facebook page - anywhere that customers can access them to see what's in the pipeline. (3rd Rail does this on a regular basis, MTH too sometimes.) I can't get to York this time around so sight of the photos would be a big plus in my case.

A while back, photos and a movie of the Legacy cab forwards (Daylight version) were posted here, which I think must have made no small difference to the success of the product. I'm just sayin' . . .

The wifi cam sounds great.  Most new tvs now offer wifi.  Will this then be able to be viewed directly from my home wifi tower?  Assuming it is in range.  Wish for an 18 inch car but maybe it can be transferred to a shorter car.  Will have one (UP) in this year's budget. 

J Daddy posted:

Well there you go guys. Cannot wait to see it at York! I am ordering one for sure.

Love the idea of a reasonable WiFi camera far more then having to buy it in a limited use overly expensive 21" passenger car to big for my layout.     I'll wait for WiFi caboose or in something I can push ahead of the train..     In the meantime, for the very few times over the years I've had the urge to see my layout on TV I'll rely on the Kline TV station car to do the job.    joe

I will most likely order the UP-flavored version of this car despite it's inaccurate details and a lack of enthusiasm for the camera feature. It's a fun feature and I get it, but I would be happier if it were offered sans-camera. By the time this thing is delivered, that technology will probably be obsolete...

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

And since we're talking a bit about mismatched cars, there's Amtrak's "Beach Grove" which too would need all new tooling.

Not necessarily...Beech Grove is basically a modified Amfleet car. Lionel already has tooling for Amfleets from the HHP-8 set (and add-on sets that were cataloged a year or two later), all you'd have to do is make a new end part and it would be somewhat accurate. I know there are some here that don't like those cars because of their quasi scale-not so scale proportions, but I for one think they were great. More need to be made.

The camera - The wi-fi camera will be mounted in the isle between the seats inside the back of the car. We have tested this on a 3-D printed mock up in our office and the view is awesome! The camera is also very inconspicuous when looking at the car from the outside. You do not need the Lionel wi-fi module to use this car. The app is a stand-alone download. Put the car on your layout, download the app and away you go. If you can connect your tv or monitor to your pc, you can watch your layout on the big screen. Picture quality is really great and as long as the wi-fi signal was strong, we could enjoy the view from all over the office. I think you'll have a lot of fun with these.

I am a little confused. Download an app on your phone or tablet, but use your PC to display on a big screen? So is there a software program for your PC that can be downloaded to use instead of phone or tablet app?

The picture quality is good, how about the framerate? Can we expect 30 fps smooth video output with good signal strength?

H1000

I ordered the Norfolk Southern. However, I believe that Lionel has NEVER offered a Norfolk Southern passenger car.   I sure hope the color matches the MTH Norfolk Southern cars otherwise it's going to be a very short train.

Scott Smith

Thanks Ryan. I ordered, cancelled and now plan to 're order the CSX version

Kevin

scott.smith posted:

I ordered the Norfolk Southern. However, I believe that Lionel has NEVER offered a Norfolk Southern passenger car.   I sure hope the color matches the MTH Norfolk Southern cars otherwise it's going to be a very short train.

Scott Smith

 

Scott:

From some of the comments Ryan was making I believe Lionel will be producing Norfolk Southern passenger cars to go with the theater car. 

Neal Jeter

I ordered the UP-going to cut it up and make an accurate version.  Should be a lot of fun.

jdaddy you're a bad influence! HAHA!  Sure you've been told this before!

JC642 posted:

J Daddy posted:

Well there you go guys. Cannot wait to see it at York! I am ordering one for sure.

Love the idea of a reasonable WiFi camera far more then having to buy it in a limited use overly expensive 21" passenger car to big for my layout.     I'll wait for WiFi caboose or in something I can push ahead of the train..     In the meantime, for the very few times over the years I've had the urge to see my layout on TV I'll rely on the Kline TV station car to do the job.    joe

JC642:

I considered the car, mainly for the camera, however, I've since decided it's not worth the cost, if that's my primary reason to buy it. Rather,  I purchased an action cam, GitUp2 ($130 + a microphone) reasoning it  gives me much more flexibility. I simply used a rubber band to attach it to a flatcar and ran it around my layout...also,  just laid it on top of my Acela for a "Pantograph's eye view"...these were just tests. Although the theatre car is pretty cool, I'll pass.

Here's an  example of the quality of the video. Also, the camera is Wifi enabled and can be controlled remotely with an App (GitUp). I use an iPhone.

https://youtu.be/4i49iYeNSYc

I've been testing the camera this week. The frame rate varies between 20-30 fps. 

There's an APP to download on an Android or Apple device. Connects to the camera via WiFi. It's a direct connection from the camera to the device. No internet required. You can also download a PC program to run the camera as well as long as the PC has WiFi compatibility.

I've uploaded a test video of the camera. Excuse my shakey hand. Filmed the CSX F40PH as it was handy on my desk.

We're aiming to have a 3D printed sample of the Theater car at York next month and will likely be streaming the video feed to an iPad or other monitor.

Thanks!

Dave, will you be able to remove the camera from the car for other uses, or is it a permanent install?

ToledoEd posted:

Dave, will you be able to remove the camera from the car for other uses, or is it a permanent install?

It is integrated into the car.

NICE! Glad I preordered my Conrail. I see the F40 doesn't have the incorrect sunken cooling fans like the K-line ones did.

Dave Olson posted:

I've been testing the camera this week. The frame rate varies between 20-30 fps. 

There's an APP to download on an Android or Apple device. Connects to the camera via WiFi. It's a direct connection from the camera to the device. No internet required. You can also download a PC program to run the camera as well as long as the PC has WiFi compatibility.

I've uploaded a test video of the camera. Excuse my shakey hand. Filmed the CSX F40PH as it was handy on my desk.

We're aiming to have a 3D printed sample of the Theater car at York next month and will likely be streaming the video feed to an iPad or other monitor.

Thanks!

The picture quality is very good. It would be nice to see a better framerate but that is much harder (and more costly) to achieve.  Overall the camera looks pretty good, Nice Work!

I think it may be worth mentioning (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that because the camera does not integrate with the LCS wifi app, that users should be aware that using these to apps on the same device may not be advisable.  Beings that the camera runs on an independent wifi network, users will need to disconnect from the LCS wifi (and lose control of their trains) to view the camera. Switching back to the LCS wifi will require user intervention beyond just relaunching the LCS app because they will need to disconnect from the camera wifi and reconnect to the LCS wifi to regain control of the layout.

Any plans to somehow bring the LCS and the camera together (at least on the same wifi network)?

H1000

A phone can connect to only one network at a time, whether wifi or the wireless provider. Most of us will not be using the LCS wifi on our layouts anyway. I recommend a separate 10 inch or larger android or Ipad tablet to show a nice view with the camera.

I preordered one of the theatre cars but got impatient since they will not arrive for some time. I did some searching and found several mini wifi action cameras for model Drones and RC vehicles that work very well attached to a train. I tried the RUNCAM 2, Foxeer Legend 2, and Droneview  wifi cameras.  Their primary use is to record HD video (on a micro SD card in the camera) but they all provide a decent real time wifi link to your phone or tablet.  The wifi link is reduced to probably standard definition quality, rather than the HD video that is being recorded. There is latency and some stuttering of the real time video. The wifi link has limited range (10m) and is not supposed to replace or interfere with the FPV tv link used to fly the drones. The wifi connection can drop out due to interference from other wifi devices causing delays in the picture to the camera. These 3 cameras all require you to connect to a non internet wifi network signal supplied by the camera, in the 2.4 ghz channels 1-12.

Also glad to hear the theatre car camera will display on a PC. I can drag out my Dell Windows laptop with a 15 inch screen that has been gathering dust. The 3 wifi cameras I mentioned only support android or IOS.

I did something similar in using a drone camera however it doesn't use Wi-Fi. I did try a couple of different WiFi type cameras but couldn't stand the stuttering and latency.

I built my most recent camera car using an AOMWAY CMOS 700tvl camera with built-on 200mw 5.8 GHz transmitter. Next thing was to purchase a 5.8 GHz receiver with a standard composite output to a TV of your choosing.  The image quality is pretty good and there is absolutely no stuttering or latency in the image.  The downside is if the signal is interupted you may get some brief static, so throw away the stock antennas and pick up some nice clover style to maximize signal reception. I tested the range to about 150 feet (through a few walls) with reliable image quality.

The camera car is always a hit at the public shows even though it does look a little bit odd and patched together.

H1000

H1000 posted:

I think it may be worth mentioning (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that because the camera does not integrate with the LCS wifi app, that users should be aware that using these to apps on the same device may not be advisable.  Beings that the camera runs on an independent wifi network, users will need to disconnect from the LCS wifi (and lose control of their trains) to view the camera. Switching back to the LCS wifi will require user intervention beyond just relaunching the LCS app because they will need to disconnect from the camera wifi and reconnect to the LCS wifi to regain control of the layout.

 

As many may know, our WiFi box can be a stand alone WiFi network, or can join an existing one. That way you can be connected to the internet or other devices simultaneously.

The camera can do the same. In the APP, the camera can be added to an existing network (I.E. if you have a home LAN) - therefore you can be connected to the camera and LCS/iCab at the same time. Just have to switch between the screens to go from controls to the camera feed.

You can also add a password to the camera when it's connected to a network. This way the neighbors can't sneak a peak at your top secret layout. 

Dave:

Thanks for the additional information. 

Neal Jeter 

Dave Olson posted:

H1000 posted:

I think it may be worth mentioning (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that because the camera does not integrate with the LCS wifi app, that users should be aware that using these to apps on the same device may not be advisable.  Beings that the camera runs on an independent wifi network, users will need to disconnect from the LCS wifi (and lose control of their trains) to view the camera. Switching back to the LCS wifi will require user intervention beyond just relaunching the LCS app because they will need to disconnect from the camera wifi and reconnect to the LCS wifi to regain control of the layout.

 

As many may know, our WiFi box can be a stand alone WiFi network, or can join an existing one. That way you can be connected to the internet or other devices simultaneously.

The camera can do the same. In the APP, the camera can be added to an existing network (I.E. if you have a home LAN) - therefore you can be connected to the camera and LCS/iCab at the same time. Just have to switch between the screens to go from controls to the camera feed.

You can also add a password to the camera when it's connected to a network. This way the neighbors can't sneak a peak at your top secret layout. 

Right on Dave!! Thanks for correcting me. We are only getting sneak peaks and this thing is getting better all the time!

H1000

well its been 9 months enough time to give birth

any idea if this WILL come out next month

Hoping they will have a painted sample at york. 

AlanRail posted:

well its been 9 months enough time to give birth

any idea if this WILL come out next month

That assumes that it is human. Elephants take 18 to 22 months.

That's nothing, some sharks work on a more Atlas-esque schedule, up to 3 1/2 years.

AlanRail posted:

well its been 9 months enough time to give birth

any idea if this WILL come out next month

Not to sound negative, but I'm not holding my breath. 

We're still waiting on the Excursion Train and many other 21" passenger cars...most of which were in the catalog prior to the Theater Cars...

AlanRail posted:

well its been 9 months enough time to give birth

any idea if this WILL come out next month

Next month? Definitely not. The Lionel Shipping Schedule shows them arriving in December. The Charles Ro website, normally a reliable indicator of when main dealers expect to have products in their hands, shows expected availability on 20 December. Frankly I don't expect them to reach customers until the New Year.

Most 21" passenger cars will delivery in December.

The Theater Car will not deliver until next year. We're still getting the camera through FCC testing. Not sure why it's on the shipping schedule.

I'll have to wait for a Southern Pacific or Santa Fe one. 

The Lionel shipping schedule shows September 2018 arrival.

Neal Jeter 

if it says September you wont get it until October . . . maybe.

@Dave Olson Any updates?

According to Ryan Kunkle on the notch6 podcast today the theater cars are shipping from China August 28th along with the rest of the 21" passenger cars.

Neal Jeter  

When will the Theater cars really arrive?  I have detailed my passenger cars and I am eager to see how the Theater cars look inside.

John Rowlen

According to Charlie Ro, the Theater Cars and the full dome are scheduled for October.

Hi everyone 

Stay tuned I currently have the Prototype and I’m going to post pictures and a video. The thread title will be “ A Look at the New Lionel theater car “ hoping to post it today or tomorrow. 

Thanks

Alex 

Thanks Alex, I am looking forward to it.

Neal Jeter 

Whoa, fast forward from a year and half ago!!! I almost forgot I ordered this one. As a matter of fact I took my latest excursion cars put them in a Tupperware bin for Kadee upgrades and have not even run them

Well, I guess its time I get these cars a rollin... may even pull the E7s out of the passenger yard!

Looking forward to it Alex, especially a clip of what the camera shows, thanks!

Still no update on the theater cars?

Ulus Ekerman posted:

Still no update on the theater cars?

Container will be in this week.

Dave Olson posted:

Ulus Ekerman posted:

Still no update on the theater cars?

Container will be in this week.

Cabooses as well?

Glad to hear that Dave. I had almost given up. Now where is the camera caboose in the arrival chain?

Curtis

Great News Dave! Thanks for the update -

Is that why we missed you at York?

Dave:

Are the 21” passenger cars in the same container?

Neal Jey

Can't wait to see them.

Will the Theater Cars have a warranty? 

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Lionlman posted:

Dave:

Are the 21” passenger cars in the same container?

Neal Jey

I’m not sure  which set your reffering too but the most accurate shipping info I’ve found is on Charles ro.    I’m not saying Dave won’t have more insight.  but so far Charles ro has been the best info I’ve found.   And they update it often.  In case Dave isn’t around to ask 

The 21” cars I am referring to are the ones from Lionel’s 2018 C1 catalog, UP, L&N and ACL.

Neal Jeter 

Lionlman posted:

The 21” cars I am referring to are the ones from Lionel’s 2018 C1 catalog, UP, L&N and ACL.

Neal Jeter 

As noted above, Charles Ro’s website is a good indicator of when shipments are expected to arrive at them and other main dealers. The first two sets of cars you mention are from this year’s Vol. 2 catalog. As far as I can see for those Ro does not list a shipping date - unlike cars fron 2017 Vol 2 which are shown as expected (at Ro) on 20 Nov. That date would be consistent with the 2017 cars being in this container/shipment from the factory. But as respects the 2018 cars, I don’t think they can be expected now. I thought that these were the cars affected by the Chinese factory closure.

The odd exception is that Ro lists the L & N 21 inch 4 pack SKU 6-85367 as expected on 20 Nov. even though it wsa cataloged in 2018, but the 2 car pack and StationSounds Diner cataloged at the same time have no shipping dates. Listing the 4 pack as expected soon may be a website editing mistake; alternatively maybe those sets were made first.

I received an invoice from Brian at Legacy Station for my Norfolk Southern theater car.  Hopefully I’ll have it by Wednesday.

Neal Jeter 

anyone with these cars, must the iPad (or which ever device you use) be connected to the Camera car network?  Can the camera car be setup to connect to your wifi network?

if the camera car has to be on its own network, this is going to be annoying.  I would hate to have to switch networks on my device when switching between apps to control the train and view the video feed....

jrmertz posted:

anyone with these cars, must the iPad (or which ever device you use) be connected to the Camera car network?  Can the camera car be setup to connect to your wifi network?

if the camera car has to be on its own network, this is going to be annoying.  I would hate to have to switch networks on my device when switching between apps to control the train and view the video feed....

I think it has to be, yes. 

jrmertz posted:

anyone with these cars, must the iPad (or which ever device you use) be connected to the Camera car network?  Can the camera car be setup to connect to your wifi network?

if the camera car has to be on its own network, this is going to be annoying.  I would hate to have to switch networks on my device when switching between apps to control the train and view the video feed....

Yes, you can configure the wifi camera to connect to your home wifi.  That’s what I’ve done so I do not have to disconnect/connect to different wifi’s.  Both my MTH and LCS wifi are configured the same way.

@T1Titan_ZachF posted:

MrMoe50 posted:

jrmertz posted:

anyone with these cars, must the iPad (or which ever device you use) be connected to the Camera car network?  Can the camera car be setup to connect to your wifi network?

if the camera car has to be on its own network, this is going to be annoying.  I would hate to have to switch networks on my device when switching between apps to control the train and view the video feed....

Yes, you can configure the wifi camera to connect to your home wifi.  That’s what I’ve done so I do not have to disconnect/connect to different wifi’s.  Both my MTH and LCS wifi are configured the same way.

 

How can you do that?

You have to connect to the car’s wifi first to reconfigure it.  Once connected, as per the instructions, click on the cog on the right side of the screen and pick “Device Settings”, the pick “WiFi Config”.  Should be straight  forward from there.

Just got mine on Friday. Will have to bring it out of the box.

is there a place to actually download the software for a mac?  most new computers do not have disc drive anymore, none of ours do.  

I have the Conrail Theater car, the image is not quite as crisp as I have seen from others on YouTube. I removed the protective covering on the rear window and tried bringing the unit up from the lower level to my main level with not much change in vision clarity. It looks like the interior color is being reflected back from the inside of the rear window.  I have a smart phone and no access to use the dvd included. Any help, ideas or something I missed would be appreciated.