O-Gauge Remote Control Accessories! Could Lionel use Bluetooth to Operate Cars?

[@DRCRailroard]

Hello Mike, I think that would be a great feature eventhough I just built my layout using the postwar control track sections that interfere with running some of my engines and lighted cars. The guy tossing packages from the boxcar is actually pretty close to how it's done. I have had several items come damaged in crushed boxes from USPS from poor packing by sellers. My neighbor worked for the post office and said they sort packages by tossing across the room into big carts. The fragile label must be seen as a challenge for survival😅.

[@therosejewelrailroad489]

You make a good point here. I hardly use my accessories. Maybe I would use them more if all I had to do was simply press the button. Ken

[@SteelBlueCorvette]

Remember when TMCC first came out and Lionel published the details for the communication protocol so it would become the standard and other manufacturers could integrate to use the same controls? Yeah those were the good old days. If Lionel would open up the Bluetooth / Legacy control protocols anyone could develop stuff to work with their control system.

[@Dadified86]

That’s true!! Doesn’t matter who it is, the thing holding back O-Gauge from really flourishing is everyone holding their patents and tech to themselves.

[@ArtsModelTrains]

Great video Mike, that is a great point about Lionel being able to create more remote accessories. With Bluetooth built into the Base3 they should make use of it. Plus that interactive play is what made Lionel in the post war era. It is what brings kids into the hobby.

[@Dadified86]

They’re so invested in the app being the controller now, so I think it’d be easy if there was a “offload” or “shoot rocket” or “ejecto seato” button that could interact with other rolling stock.

[@dennis2494]

You and I are thinking the same thing, In my opinion they could definitely add Bluetooth or Legacy control to activate accessories and some post war type operating cars, can't wait to see what they do.

[@johnandrus3901]

Very nice! They should use that technology more, so you don't need the accessory track everywhere. I run post-war, so it it a necessary thing to have. I would like to see them offer something to use with the Cab-3 App, which I have to operate on some of my friends layouts. Either way, an excellent video, as always.

[@Dadified86]

Exactly! In a similar fashion to how any Lionchief engine could work on a command control or conventional layout (just needs track power to run), new cars that don’t rely on an accessory track to work would be easy to use on any layout!

[@charlesmcclure5994]

You hit it right on the head 👍👍

[@Dadified86]

Wonder if there’s a way to wire up my existing operating cars with a receiver that can take commands from this remote? It’s a long shot but it’d be cool to have those guys in the boxcars shine their light as they ride by

[@dennishall8709]

Thank you for bringing forward that Lionel needs to serve some of us guys that aren’t loaded so we can play trains Sir I’m coming to my first York and I hope that you are a little better more friendly than some of the other KZbinrs a couple I’ve met we weren’t so friendly. I hope to meet you and Art. Keep up the good work, please my friend

[@Dadified86]

You won’t be disappointed with Art! Great guy and he’ll definitely be at York this fall. I still don’t know if I can swing another trip this year. Tricky time schedule wise for me, but I would still love to go! Thanks for the support. Means a lot!

[@garys0scale525]

I agree I’m using the old electric railroad stuff for a lot of operating cars, but it ain’t easy or cheap!

[@arthurlites9658]

I agree. Operating cars were the heart of. Lionel success post war

[@Dadified86]

And I think they could be again! Toss some receivers inside these cars, hook ‘em up through the remotes we have already, and you’re set. No more fussing with where the activator track is gonna go. Just able to use interactive features wherever you want.

[@Ben-Dover75]

Agree 100% Mike. There’s no reason for Lionel or anyone not to. They focus so much on their high end scale stuff which is great and I enjoy it too but the fun interactive elements of model trains especially O gauge seems to be put at the way side. I mean honestly feel like this tech is not very new or cutting edge yet they do so little with it. They just kinda rehash and repaint their same old accessories over and over again and don’t innovate that much. It’s a shame. Never seen those K line cars. Might take a look.

[@Dadified86]

Yeah now that I know these exist I gotta find more. THIS is how modern operating cars should be!

[@pault5775]

Yes i would but lionl care about high price items

[@Dadified86]

Sure seems that way. There’s entry leave and high end. Very little middleground

[@ELWtrains]

I agree 👍 I don’t have any accessorie cars at the moment and it would be really fun to add blue tooth to them they have had to think about it I would think , like u said they spend most time on engines and sometimes they’re not right lol, yea man it would really be cool to activate cars and where on layouts by just pushing a button with blue tooth , I don’t get it either 🤔great video Mike 👍

[@Dadified86]

Thanks! While I wait for Lionel to make one, I gotta go track down more of these K-Line cars 🤣

[@Shipwright1918]

In defense of the old method, a lot of actions you would perform with an operating car/trackside accessory would only be done while the car is at rest in a certain spot anyway, such as loading/unloading at an industry siding. Still, I will readily agree that more could be done in the way of operating cars/accessories with present-day O gauge production. It's something unique to the scale (at least nowadays), and furthermore it's just so much fun.

[@Dadified86]

Definitely! I should put an accessory track at the start of every siding so they can uncouple cars left there.

[@TrainBandit]

Actually lionel doesn't own the k line radio controled operating car and remote. Williams bought that tooling and makes some cars like that. As for the operating track, i kinda like the old opertaing track system but i think it would be nice if you could do both with them. Have it where its compatible with operating track maybe through a small switch under the car but also have radio control as well. Anyway thats just my opinion, if theres one thing i miss is seeing more operating cars. So if this means that lionel would still support the old system and a new system that would be awesome. Especially if it means we get more operating cars! 😄💯😃👍

[@jamesdenny4734]

I tell you what, that worker who knocked that package 30 feet from the train needs to be FIRED!!! Its going to cost the railroad money replacing shippers items!? 😂😂😂❤

[@Dadified86]

Must be how my first K-Line Daylight was delivered 😅

[@trainsNwrestlin]

What is your grass mat made of?

[@Dadified86]

It’s just an outdoor carpet I got from Lowe’s. There’s an overview video I did covering most of the materials used for my layout!