Lionel Base 3: Quick Start Guide - Tips & Tricks

[@ArtsModelTrains]

Great intro for people to get started, I didn't realize that you could get the quilling whistle from the cab1l, that's cool. You're right the app could use some vise clues where to swipe. A lot of us are more moving from tmcc to legacy and legacy has more features and is more complex so that isn't helping the learning curve. I have been rereading the lionel control site so I'm ready for when my Base3 gets here.

[@strasburgrailfan90]

I think your son loves that quilling whistle 😂

[@Dadified86]

He really does!! Gotta admit I am enjoying it quite a bit, too. I’ve got a few engines that can use it and it’s been fun to try.

[@geedub8428]

The cab 1l was a very quick setup- I bought one also. I used the cab3 app on my iphone. I did find a few problems with the app. The blue-tooth works great.

[@Dadified86]

Lionel seems to be focused on people using this app, so I hope they also focus on fixing the issues and make it easier for folks to understand and use. Yeah I can read a manual or watch a video but I shouldn’t struggle like I did to get it going.

[@geedub8428]

@@Dadified86 I feel like it does a great job with lionchief engines on the bluetooth side but the tmcc/legacy side needs help. Nothing huge but more tuneup issues.

[@Dadified86]

@@geedub8428 I've experienced the opposite, but I admittedly need to do more playing around with the Lionchief stuff. We're all learning and hopefully Lionel learns a thing or two from us with issues we bump into!

[@steamrailwilly]

I use a TMCC Lockon for surge protection.

[@Dadified86]

Nice! I’ve liked this PowerMaster since it can switch the track to conventional or command easily. Came in handy when my Bull Moose arrived!

[@ferrark1]

Great video thanks for the info Just one question if I may I have the old style cab one with the antenna it won't pair with the Base3 guess I have to buy Cab 1 legacy like you purchased ? Thanks again Dandified Subscribed !

[@Dadified86]

Yeah CAB-1 (gray with the antennae) will only work with TMCC Base 1. But the CAB-1L will work with the Base 1L, Base 2, and Base 3! I love mine!!

[@ferrark1]

Thank you

[@roger6937]

I had the same issues as apparently several people did. The bell and whistle you start with your finger on the center line inside the finger up or down up for Bell. It just took me awhile to find a user's manual to help me through it. Found it on the Lionel site

[@Dadified86]

Almost afraid to mess with the whistle given how it got stuck on in Bluetooth/Lionchief mode a few times before!! Wouldn’t stop blaring and had to shut the power off! 😅

[@victorreznov9940]

I saw that house of trains had them, personally when i move to another control system since i run mostly mth ill get a used dcs system and apparently you can use a lionel cab remote on them so ill have to figure that out also

[@Dadified86]

I don’t have any MTH engines here. But lots of their rolling stock! Heard the new MTH control system should come out soon!

[@TrainManIII]

This video was really helpful! Thank you! I didn’t realize you could do the quilling whistle with the cab1L I’ve got a Cab1 so I may have to get the Cab1L when I get my Base3!

[@Dadified86]

Glad I could help! Do you know how to program the quilling whistle?

[@TrainManIII]

I didn’t realize you had to program it, is it in the instructions for the Cab1L?

[@Dadified86]

@@TrainManIII yeah, you press and hold set and then press the whistle button. You’ll hear two beeps for Legacy Quill mode and one beep for TMCC mode.

[@TrainManIII]

@@Dadified86 Thank you so much! And on behalf of me and everyone else who watches your videos, thank you for reading through our comments and answering our questions! You truly are doing something amazing for our hobby!

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Great video Mike! You covered it perfectly for the access point side. I’m going to share your link to your video in my video if it’s ok with you. Between the two of us we have everything covered.👍 Frank

[@Dadified86]

Please do!

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

@@Dadified86Done! I just added the link to your video in my description. This should definitely help a lot of people.

[@HyperLink_NotBlocked35]

Quick question can you do a little more in detail review of the legacy cab1l because im thinking on buying one and I want to know all its feature and because i didnt know that you could quill the horn with a cab1l remote really nice touch of for lionel adding that to the cab1l

[@Dadified86]

That’s a great point! I’ll put that idea in the queue and get one together. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@HyperLink_NotBlocked35]

​@Dadified86 no problem and thx for responding not every youtuber reads comments after the video is 1 day old

[@Dadified86]

@@HyperLink_NotBlocked35 no problem! I do my best!

[@TaylorsTrains]

Great video…I as well could not get the WPS connection to work. I think the “Base 3 toolkit “ will be released in September. My biggest issue is how to run traditional and non Lionel engines? If you know how or have figured it out, please let me know. Thanks again for another entertaining video 😊

[@Dadified86]

I’ve been running traditional “conventional” trains through my PowerMaster. There’s a switch on it to go from command to conventional. Then you just use the “TR” button and “1” to control the track voltage with the throttle. Works great!

[@TaylorsTrains]

@@Dadified86 Thanks Mike the quick response. My ZW had the power master built in on throttles 1 & 4, so switching is prob not going to work, I've ordered a Legacy Power Master so hopefully that'll do the trick. 😉

[@johnandrus3901]

Very interesting. Since I run conventional, this won't be on my wish list anytime soon. Either way, this technology is getting pretty sophisticated. My problem with it is that you have to buy a controller if you don't want to use the app. I think that it is a cheap way to go for Lionel. It should be offered with a cell phone-like controller, that is up-gradable. Some people just don't want to gum up their phone with apps. Does it shut down when you receive a phone call? I know that some use older phones or tablets, but what if you don't have a spare one sitting around? It just seems that everything should be included for the price. Either way, a fine review and excellent video, as always.

[@Dadified86]

Thanks, John! Always great getting your feedback and perspective on these!! I appreciate all the support and insight you always give

[@johnandrus3901]

@@Dadified86 Thanks, Mike. I saw your reply before I hit the sack, but I figured that I would answer in the morning. I forgot that you are in a different time zone. I try to give the perspective of us older, conventional guys. I like the new stuff, but I just don't have anything past early LTI. I would certainly like to have a new T1 Duplex to run with my AMT Broadway Limited set, but I would only need the lower-end remote control, like LionChief or the older, basic TMCC Twisted MacGyver has a good tutorial on the new Base 3. If you haven't checked it out, do so. It is very informative. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

[@Dadified86]

@@johnandrus3901 I certainly have! He's linked my video to that as well. Glad we're all getting together to figure the ins and outs of this system.

[@HouseofWrench]

I have the same issues as you. The bell always sticks. For someone who never used legacy before, you’re on your own! There’s zero explanation as you stated how to connect it. Lionel NEEDS to do a in-depth video on what all the functions do and how to use them. I.e how do you do lash ups?

[@Dadified86]

Honestly I’m relying on fellow content creators to come out with good engaging stuff that’ll make this system better to use. Out-of-the-box this should either work the way the sheet says (which it doesn’t) or have a better way to explain the basics.

[@HouseofWrench]

@@Dadified86I agree!

[@Cbtrainnut]

Nice video! I am trying to decide if I want to go with this unit. But I need to find out exactly what can be controlled with it. I made a comment on your fb page about what I run. Thanks for sharing! Chris, Cbtrainnut on KZbin!

[@petergulotta8183]

After two days of experimenting I feel like I’m getting the hang of how things work. You just have to play with it and things will start to fall in place. There are helpful videos on KZbin to help if you need it. Glad to finally get rid of the individual remotes for my Lionchief and Lionchief plus engines. It’s the main reason I went with the cab 3.

[@Dadified86]

@@Cbtrainnut The Base 3 is the only control system with no exceptions for what it can be used with. But as far as controllers (remotes) it can be used with a CAB-1L (Blue) and the CAB-2. The Lionchief remotes and older TMCC CAB-1 Remotes don't work with them.

[@KaleH_Projects]

Could you run this with just a cw80 for track power or do you have to have the power master?

[@Dadified86]

Control systems should work with any power source. I’m using my ol TMCC brick running through my powermaster. It’s served me well so far

[@geedub8428]

I was able to save engines on the app under engine roster. You have to fill in all the blanks for each engine.

[@Dadified86]

Yeah, friend of mine helped find that. But it should be more intuitive than that. This app assumes too much prior knowledge to be useful for someone just opening a box to use a new system.

[@willardwilliams6403]

This is my first time purchasing control system, all my trains are LionChiefs plus and 2.0 I don't have a CAB1 or Cab2 remote. The Cab 3 is not working... Did I just purchase a $400.00 paper weight??

[@Dadified86]

If you can be more specific about what isn’t working I can try to help. Otherwise the part of this video where I explain how to manually connect the Wi-Fi using the AP switch should do the trick.

[@rail-ryder7135]

What if I hold down aux 2? Will that take me to the light settings like the Legacy remote?

[@Dadified86]

Yes, works on the App if the engine has that capability

[@blackdiamondbethlehem]

Packaging... have you seen how packages are handled during shipment? It's like a football game 🤣

[@Dadified86]

Good point! 🤣

[@redstonecommander5190]

Yeah, remotes are probably your best friend here. The app is probably not that good. Hard to connect. Only requires base3 Some controls are hard to understand choppy and sometimes nonproportioned controls, bugs there you go.

[@MrToby844]

I really want this now. Is it on trainz?

[@Dadified86]

I don’t think there’s any that are “used” yet since they just came out this week 😅 But there’s plenty out there right now. Stores, online shops, etc.

[@MrToby844]

*Ok

[@kensbackshop6399]

Can you use the cab 1 l with tmcc with the powermaster and a powerhouse 135 watt like the cab 1 with the antenna ???

[@Dadified86]

The CAB-1L will only work with the Base 2 or Base 3. But yes the TMCC powerhouse and Powermaster will work with those systems, too

[@ARMYVETT]

I TOOK MINE BACK TO TRAINLAND BECAUSE I CUDN'T GET IT TO WORK. 😢 ALL I HAVE IS THE APP. I KINDA LIKE THE CAB3 APP.

[@Dadified86]

It’s not a bad app, but after three separate instances of the whistle / horn getting stuck on… I kinda gave up on it. Plus it doesn’t seem to auto update. I have to go to the App Store and manually update it each time. Issue still seems to happen though… I just keep hoping for a fix

[@md4449go]

It’s nice but I have the Cab 2 setup and cannot justify $450 for a system without an updated remote.

[@Dadified86]

That’s fair! For folks with much older systems (like me) or for people who have never had a full control system, this is good. But there’s not too much to gain over a CAB-2 for most people.

[@md4449go]

@@Dadified86 The base 3 is nice but I do not run anything but scale Legacy and TMCC scale engines. From what I have read on some of the forums is most are happy with their current systems and do not want to upgrade. I am happy that there is at least a new Legacy system out for those who want one.

[@Dadified86]

@@md4449go Yeah, honestly this system is most desirable to folks who either have a more diverse collection that includes Lionchief or for folks who are newer to the hobby that couldn't get a new control system until now. The used prices on the CAB-2 are horrendous and the CAB-1, while more affordable, doesn't allow you to make full use of the newer Legacy features. I'm glad there's still lots of folks enjoying the older control systems as they still do a great job!

[@rail-ryder7135]

What about that sliding train brake thing? The one that triggers wheel slip?

[@Dadified86]

Haven’t really messed with that yet. Making a list of things I need to try!

[@rail-ryder7135]

@@Dadified86 Well only Vision Line Steam Engines have wheel slip. I have Vision Line Steam Engines

[@Dadified86]

@@rail-ryder7135 can’t test what I don’t have. And since our railroad can’t accommodate those gigantic engines, I guess I’m out! 😅

[@Ray-ij8um]

what is an AP switch?

[@Dadified86]

There’s a switch on the base that says “Network” and “AP”.