Lionel Scale SensorCar Steel Reefer User manual

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Lionel
Scale SensorCar™
Steel Reefer
Owner's Manual

2
Congratulations!
LCS has brought the control of the entire layout as well as engine control into one system. Until now, LCS could only be fully utilized with LEGACY engines equipped with a track IR sensor. The
SensorCar Steel Reefer allows for the benefits of track IR to be added to engines that do not have the
sensor technology!
The following Lionel marks are used throughout this Owner’s Manual and are protected under law.
All rights reserved.
Lionel®, LionChief™, LionChief Plus™,TMCC®, LEGACY®, FasTrack®,TrainMaster®, Odyssey®,
RailSounds®, CrewTalk™, TowerCom™, DynaChuff™, StationSounds™, Pullmor®, ElectroCoupler™,
Magne-Traction®, CAB-1®Remote Controller, American Flyer®, Lionel ZW®, ZW®, MagniVision®,
TMCC®, Lionelville®, Wireless Tether™, Powerhouse™, LionMaster®, Conventional Classics™, Postwar
Celebration Series™, TruRail™, PH-1 Powerhouse®, Powermaster®, Powerstation-Powerhouse®,
Accessory Motor Controller™, AMC™, Accessory Switch Controller™, ASC™, Action Recorder
Controller™, ARC™, Track Power Controller 300™, TPC 300™, Track Power Controller 400™, TPC
400™, Block Power Controller™, BPC™, Operating Track Controller™, OTC™, FatBoy™, Lionel
Lines®, Joshua Lionel Cowen Series™, Lockon®, TrainSounds™, MultiHorn™, MultiWhistle™,
Choo-Choo™, SensorTrack™, Plug-Expand-Play™, Imagineering™, SensorCar™, LionScale™
Table of contents
What is Lionel’s Layout Control System?
How it works! 3
LCS SensorTrack Features 4
Installing Your First LCS Device
The LCS DB-9 Cable with Power Supply 5
Installing a new LCS system with Legacy Base 6-7
Installing additional LCS devices 8
SensorTrack and the LCS iPad App 9
Programming the SensorCar
Programming 10
Manually entering the road name and cab number 11
Use of TxIR feature 11
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy and Service 12

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What is Lionel’s Layout Control System?
Lionel’s Layout Control System or “LCS” doesn’t replace your existing Lionel Legacy Control system. It adds to it! You can control your layout from Lionel Cab Remote
controllers or from smart devices like an Apple iPad®to run locomotives, operate track
switches, accessories and lighting. Create automatic events to control passing locomotives and
other layout accessories or switches.
LCS is a modular system, with each product offering unique features. No single LCS product
will do everything and not every layout will require every type of LCS device. But a fully realized LCS
system will likely include the following:
• A Lionel Command Base (Legacy) for locomotive control (must have version 1.60)
• LCS WiFi so you can control your layout from smart devices like an iPad®
• LCS ASC2, to operate switches, lighting and accessories
• LCS BPC2 for block power control
• LCS SensorTrack (one or more) which adds a new level of interactivity with compatible
Lionel Legacy and Vision locomotives as well as the SensorCar
• LCS SER2 for computer control and use of existing Lionel serial devices like the TPC-300
and TPC-400
How it works!
As you know, your Lionel Cab Remote sends commands to your Command Base. In turn, the base controls your locomotives via a one-way communication link. LCS works in
parallel with your existing command base, adding a wired network of control modules. Spread
across your layout, these LCS modules operate switches, lighting, accessories and track power
blocks. LCS is bidirectional, meaning modules can send and receive commands.
And here’s where it all comes together: Since LCS can also send commands back through
the command base, LCS devices can operate your locomotives as well as your layout! For
example, a module like SensorTrack™can make a loco blow a grade-crossing signal as it
passes. Your SensorCar will enable you to perform these same operations with locomotives
that are not equipped with an IR Transmitter. The LCS WiFi module connects devices like an
Apple iPad®to your layout so you and your friends can easily operate switches, locos and
more.
This document describes the features, installation and operation of the LCS SensorCar. For more
about the Layout Control System and its products, please visit www.lionel.com/lcs.
LCS WiFi
LCS SensorTrack
LCS SER2
LCS PDI cables connect modules
for bi-directional communication.
Command base controls locomotives,
one-way communication only
Figure 1. LCS doesn't replace your Lionel Command Base — it adds to it!

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LCS SensorTrack Features
The LCS SensorTrack™ is a 5” straight FasTrack section equipped with an infrared receiver. This receiver reads data beamed out of all Lionel Legacy and Vision locomotives, and the
SensorCar that are equipped with an infrared transmitter. When one of these devices crosses a
SensorTrack, engine details like TMCC ID, road name, number, engine type, lighting options,
fuel levels and direction of travel are retrieved by SensorTrack and transmitted to your LCS
installation and Legacy command base.
SensorTrack has five main features:
• Automatically updates engine information on all CAB-2 remotes.
• Display locomotive’s current fuel level on all CAB-2 remotes.
• Trigger actions when locomotives pass (eg., blow a grade-crossing warning). SensorTrack
comes with a variety of pre-programmed “Action Commands.”
• Records and plays back your own custom actions.
• Real-time locomotive location. If the iPad®LCS App is connected to the system, the
locomotive’s current location and other information is displayed in real-time (LCS WiFi,
iPad®or other device and software required).
Infrared transmitters are located on the belly tank of Legacy diesel locomotives, on
the tender of Legacy steam locomotives, and on the bottom of the SensorCar.
All VISION Line locomotives and most LEGACY locomotives made after November of
2011 are equipped with transmitters. For a complete list of IR equipped locomotives
visit Lionel.com/LCS.
One or more Lionel LCS SensorTracks are required for operation of the SensorCar.
Figure 2. The LCS SensorTrack
Note!
Note!
Note!
What is Lionel’s Layout Control System?

5
Installing Your First LCS Device
The following section describes installation of a new LCS system. If you already have installed your first LCS component, please skip ahead to the next section titled “Installing
additional LCS devices.”
When installing a new LCS system, the process you will follow depends on which Lionel
Command Base is to be connected to your LCS system. Following sections describe starting a
new LCS installation with a Legacy Base.
The SensorCar is only compatible with a LEGACY BASE and a CAB2 remote or an
LCS equipped device. LCS WiFi, iPad or other device and software required
The LCS DB-9 Cable with Power Supply
Every LCS system requires exactly one 6-81499 LCS DB-9 Cable with Power Supply. This special cable has three connectors: a DB-9 (a), with a “pig-tail” cable-mount power
supply connector (c) and also a 10-foot cable with an “LCS PDI” connector (b) at its end.
The cable receives power from the included DC wall-pack (12VDC at 1A). Power for each LCS
device is supplied through the single LCS data cable. The wall-pack is capable of powering
dozens of LCS devices, depending on type. An additional power booster/cable extender is
available for extremely large LCS installations.
Figure 3. The 6-81499 LCS DB-9 Cable with Power Supply
Note!