Model Train Journal

Rumor is there is a new system coming that enables control of all Lionel command locos through an app or the Legacy handheld (cab 2). It will enable control of Bluetooth, LionChief, TMCC and Legacy locos with one remote through a new device. About time . It would be a nice thing as they leave the scene for MTH to allow Lionel to control DCS (PS2 and PS3) locos through this device, but I'm not holding my breath.

The Real Toy Trains YouTube channel has more info, including the 2-page presentation in Lionel's 2022 catalog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3gYLECNInI

I wonder if (buried somewhere deep inside the software) is the old hook for controlling DCS locomotives. With MTH under new management, maybe a mutually beneficial agreement could be negotiated to permit Legacy software to run MTH trains? It would give DCS owners a pathway to the future. I certainly don't have any faith in the DCS spin-off or follow-on effort.

Just sayin'...

George

I think more strangeness is coming to the hobby, just have no idea what . The constant refrain that MTH still is really around for one thing sounds a lot like whistling by the graveyard.

Neil wrote:I think more strangeness is coming to the hobby, just have no idea what . The constant refrain that MTH still is really around for one thing sounds a lot like whistling by the graveyard.

I have been on a protracted search for some specific MTH parts....and the runaround is amazing.

In this process, several either folks currently working with the remains or recently separated from said remains...have said Mikey is back.
He has (apparently) decided to take back the reins of the remains.

That's what three sources tell me, now we gotta wait to see what actually transpires.

Neil wrote:It would be a nice thing as they leave the scene for MTH to allow Lionel to control DCS (PS2 and PS3) locos through this device, but I'm not holding my breath.

With orange magic lamps, it might work. They would not be as obnoxious as purple.

ScaleCraft wrote:

Neil wrote:I think more strangeness is coming to the hobby, just have no idea what . The constant refrain that MTH still is really around for one thing sounds a lot like whistling by the graveyard.

I have been on a protracted search for some specific MTH parts....and the runaround is amazing.

In this process, several either folks currently working with the remains or recently separated from said remains...have said Mikey is back.
He has (apparently) decided to take back the reins of the remains.

That's what three sources tell me, now we gotta wait to see what actually transpires.

Honestly, the MTH exit has been the absolute biggest cluster-f*** imaginable.

After all this drama, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Little General assume control again.

George

G3750 wrote:
Honestly, the MTH exit has been the absolute biggest cluster-f*** imaginable.

After all this drama, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Little General assume control again.

George

The proper term on this forum is "Fustercluck".

KeithL wrote:Run 322 (Feb/Mar 2022) of OGR magazine has an article on the new command system by Dave Olson, Lionel's Director of Engineering. It's titled, "Creating Lionel’s Latest Innovation in Train Control." At this time, only the digital edition of this issue is available, and I don't have a digital subscription. Does anyone here have a digital subscription and been able to read the article?

I think it was jerked. My digital edition has a broken link to the non-existent article. There is an article on the wonderful MTH DCS system starting on page 77. The DCS article encourages the reader to look at Mike's Patent on the system => https://patents.google.com/patent/US6457681B1/en

Honestly, the MTH exit has been the absolute biggest cluster-f*** imaginable.

So was their entry into the hobby. Nothing new to see here with MW and MTH.

More information from additional dealer leaks. Price of this new cab3 base is $500. The Legacy base and remote and LCS components are discontinued and incorporated into the cab 3 system. The cab-1L will continue to be made, although the MSRP is going from 150 to 170 bucks, for those who still want a command remote that interacts with the cab3 base. The Legacy remote will be able to talk with the cab 3 as well. No word yet on interfacing the original cab1 and command base with the cab 3. That would be a good thing.

Neil wrote:More information from additional dealer leaks. Price of this new cab3 base is $500. The Legacy base and remote and LCS components are discontinued and incorporated into the cab 3 system. The cab-1L will continue to be made, although the MSRP is going from 150 to 170 bucks, for those who still want a command remote that interacts with the cab3 base. The Legacy remote will be able to talk with the cab 3 as well. No word yet on interfacing the original cab1 and command base with the cab 3. That would be a good thing.

Very interesting, Neil. I'm speculating that Lionel will take this announcement as the opportunity to formally orphan the original CAB-1 and command base devices. TMCC locomotives (both native and licensed) will continue to be controlled via Legacy products.

George