I think this is very good video about bpc2. I just started to setup a legacy system with lionchief plus 2.0 locomotives. I have one loop and 2 engines running behind each other in same direction. Can I use BPC2 modules to create blocks and avoid collision? I can adjust the speed and keep them apart. But a foolproof mechanism is best. I want to automate this as well so that I dont have to manually turn off power. Maybe I can program this with sensortrack and bpc2 combo.
Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes, you can use a BPC2 to create blocks. I have 6 separate blocks for my sidings. I do not use them on my two main loops. However, I see no reason why you could not use them as you propose. Good luck, and avoid collisions!😁🚂🚂
This is a great video and could be longer as you obviously have done great job thinking this through. From someone who is just about to step into remote operation I have many questions but I'll start with this: I too like what the ZWL offers and it seems no more expensive than power bricks, power masters, and associated periphery; can you tell me why you chose not to use bricks? Thank you
Ken, hank you for the compliment and support. I chose the ZWL for a number of reasons...1. I liked the total power offered. 2. The ability to run it in different configurations gives flexibility. 3. Most important it allows me to very the voltage from the Cab2 without using a TPC power controller. All four outputs can be variable and can power both Command Control and conventional locomotives. In fact, I have a conventional Trolley which requires attention at times to vary power or cut it off. I also like the 'on/off" switch which is very convenient and missing on my PW ZW. The quick trip fusing is essential for today's electronics and I don't need to install any separate fusing. Hope this helps. I'll be glad to answer or at least try if you have any further questions. Let me know if you'd like another video topic. I'll keep in mind a need to be more thorough. Stay healthy, Ed
Boscoed1 - Thanks Ed for your response. Your layout and it’s wiring solutions reflect my own questions going forward. Background: I’m 55 and having Lionel as a child, I brought my daughter (now 13] into the world of orange and blue but never having knowledge of varying voltage needs, this learning curve is steep and expensive. . I have a deep sense that Lionel is moving forward in its technologies with iPad/iPhone being the end goal and necessity for the up and coming next generation. Several weeks ago I acquired my first TMCC locomotive (a 3-truck Shay.... another discussion) and the dealer pushed me towards Cab 1L and associated bricks. I understand it’s use for very large layouts of which I’m likely to never own, but seems to be a compromise... I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something more comfortable with “this lever does that” rather than endless sub-menus and required remembrance. Also, the included volt/amp meters are very pleasing and likely to not be repeated in Lionel engineering into the future. So when I saw your video it was what I viewed as the perfect forward proof approach: ZWL with DCS, though your approach seems to be unique in TH-cam world. Your explanations and camera work of exact wiring were a godsend in helping me understand what you, and eventually I are seeking. Know that my daughters and our layout right now is Fastrack on carpet and on floor with a dozen or so accessories. We have no basements here in Southern California and must make due. I see myself having 3, maybe 4 main lines possibly sized like yours. My daughter has LionChief diesel with no desires for additional and I’m trying to include Dad’s more advanced layout into hers to plant the seeds into the future and for entertainment purposes. Thanks for taking all this in and any insight going forward would be greatly appreciated! Ken
Boscoed1 ...additionally Ed, Sean’s Trains (TH-cam) has a beautiful control board w/ 2 ZWL’s, 1 ZW, and a huge row of manual switches, so I don’t think I’m alone in a desire for hard-wire. Thanks again, Ken
Ken, my 4 yr old grandson was running my Vision Line engines using a Cab2 in just a few minutes! He is now 8, has a 2 LionChief + engines on his 'carpet layout' in his bedroom and loves them. I'm 72 so he can not visit now due to Wuhanvirus, but everytime we FaceTime it's "Grandpa, can you run some trains!" Stick with it, the kids warm up and it sounds like your layout and way forward is spot-on. By the way, I found a steamer captures a child's interest faster and longer because of all the action and smoke and sounds....
@@photozen8398 If I understand your quesiton, I have two safeguards. One, my track power and some lights and accessories are powered using a Lionel ZWL. It has excellent circuit protection built in. For example, if I have a short during operation, it will detect and cut power to that track, or accessory line and the red light indicates a short. Since I employ both Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS, I run power from the ZWL through the TIU to the track. Between the TIU and the track I have installed additional fuses. So, I'm about as confident as possible that any short will not damage my trains or accessories. The "bulb" you mention is used, according to some info I've read, to improve the DCS signal. I've never had a DCS signal problem so I have not installed a bulb (load). Hope this helps.
Ed,Thanks you so much for the video. I learned a lot how to install the Controller 2. One question in using the Controller 2 can you isolate 4 or 8 sidings? Again thank you for a great how to do video. Nick
Thanks Nick. Yes, using a BPC2 allows you to control (turn off/on) up to 8 separate blocks using the Legacy CAB2 handheld. Add another BPC2 module, and you can control an additional 8 blocks...and so on. If you mean can you turn off 4 blocks at once, I'm not sure....that would require wiring 4 blocks to one BPC2 In my case, I have one BPC2 that allows me to control the 6 separate blocks on my layout. That then allows me to add two more if I wish If I want to control more blocks, I will have to add an additional BPC2. I hope this answers your question. Here's a link to the Lionel website that discusses the BPC2: www.lionel.com/lcs/LCSproducts/BPC2/index.html Run those trains!
@@Boscoed1 Thanks Ed, you answered my question. No Ed I only wonted to know about the amount of blocks I can turn on and off at one time with each BPC2.Nick
Like - Interesting but it maybe above my paygrade - I am a MTH - DCS & LionChief Plus layout.- No Legacy - I do have blocks with single pole single throw switches on the control center - Old school - Cheers from Michigan 🚂
I think this is very good video about bpc2. I just started to setup a legacy system with lionchief plus 2.0 locomotives. I have one loop and 2 engines running behind each other in same direction. Can I use BPC2 modules to create blocks and avoid collision? I can adjust the speed and keep them apart. But a foolproof mechanism is best.
I want to automate this as well so that I dont have to manually turn off power. Maybe I can program this with sensortrack and bpc2 combo.
Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes, you can use a BPC2 to create blocks. I have 6 separate blocks for my sidings. I do not use them on my two main loops. However, I see no reason why you could not use them as you propose. Good luck, and avoid collisions!😁🚂🚂
This is a great video and could be longer as you obviously have done great job thinking this through. From someone who is just about to step into remote operation I have many questions but I'll start with this: I too like what the ZWL offers and it seems no more expensive than power bricks, power masters, and associated periphery; can you tell me why you chose not to use bricks?
Thank you
Ken, hank you for the compliment and support. I chose the ZWL for a number of reasons...1. I liked the total power offered. 2. The ability to run it in different configurations gives flexibility. 3. Most important it allows me to very the voltage from the Cab2 without using a TPC power controller. All four outputs can be variable and can power both Command Control and conventional locomotives. In fact, I have a conventional Trolley which requires attention at times to vary power or cut it off. I also like the 'on/off" switch which is very convenient and missing on my PW ZW. The quick trip fusing is essential for today's electronics and I don't need to install any separate fusing.
Hope this helps. I'll be glad to answer or at least try if you have any further questions. Let me know if you'd like another video topic. I'll keep in mind a need to be more thorough.
Stay healthy,
Ed
Boscoed1 - Thanks Ed for your response.
Your layout and it’s wiring solutions reflect my own questions going forward. Background: I’m 55 and having Lionel as a child, I brought my daughter (now 13] into the world of orange and blue but never having knowledge of varying voltage needs, this learning curve is steep and expensive. . I have a deep sense that Lionel is moving forward in its technologies with iPad/iPhone being the end goal and necessity for the up and coming next generation. Several weeks ago I acquired my first TMCC locomotive (a 3-truck Shay.... another discussion) and the dealer pushed me towards Cab 1L and associated bricks. I understand it’s use for very large layouts of which I’m likely to never own, but seems to be a compromise... I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something more comfortable with “this lever does that” rather than endless sub-menus and required remembrance. Also, the included volt/amp meters are very pleasing and likely to not be repeated in Lionel engineering into the future. So when I saw your video it was what I viewed as the perfect forward proof approach: ZWL with DCS, though your approach seems to be unique in TH-cam world.
Your explanations and camera work of exact wiring were a godsend in helping me understand what you, and eventually I are seeking. Know that my daughters and our layout right now is Fastrack on carpet and on floor with a dozen or so accessories. We have no basements here in Southern California and must make due. I see myself having 3, maybe 4 main lines possibly sized like yours. My daughter has LionChief diesel with no desires for additional and I’m trying to include Dad’s more advanced layout into hers to plant the seeds into the future and for entertainment purposes.
Thanks for taking all this in and any insight going forward would be greatly appreciated!
Ken
Boscoed1
...additionally Ed, Sean’s Trains (TH-cam) has a beautiful control board w/ 2 ZWL’s, 1 ZW, and a huge row of manual switches, so I don’t think I’m alone in a desire for hard-wire.
Thanks again,
Ken
Ken, my 4 yr old grandson was running my Vision Line engines using a Cab2 in just a few minutes! He is now 8, has a 2 LionChief + engines on his 'carpet layout' in his bedroom and loves them. I'm 72 so he can not visit now due to Wuhanvirus, but everytime we FaceTime it's "Grandpa, can you run some trains!" Stick with it, the kids warm up and it sounds like your layout and way forward is spot-on. By the way, I found a steamer captures a child's interest faster and longer because of all the action and smoke and sounds....
what do you do to short proof your layout?
Not sure I understand.
@@Boscoed1 What is your set up to protect from shorting, do you use bulb?
@@photozen8398 If I understand your quesiton, I have two safeguards. One, my track power and some lights and accessories are powered using a Lionel ZWL. It has excellent circuit protection built in. For example, if I have a short during operation, it will detect and cut power to that track, or accessory line and the red light indicates a short. Since I employ both Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS, I run power from the ZWL through the TIU to the track. Between the TIU and the track I have installed additional fuses. So, I'm about as confident as possible that any short will not damage my trains or accessories. The "bulb" you mention is used, according to some info I've read, to improve the DCS signal. I've never had a DCS signal problem so I have not installed a bulb (load). Hope this helps.
Ed,Thanks you so much for the video. I learned a lot how to install the Controller 2. One question in using the Controller 2 can you isolate 4 or 8 sidings? Again thank you for a great how to do video. Nick
Thanks Nick. Yes, using a BPC2 allows you to control (turn off/on) up to 8 separate blocks using the Legacy CAB2 handheld. Add another BPC2 module, and you can control an additional 8 blocks...and so on. If you mean can you turn off 4 blocks at once, I'm not sure....that would require wiring 4 blocks to one BPC2 In my case, I have one BPC2 that allows me to control the 6 separate blocks on my layout. That then allows me to add two more if I wish If I want to control more blocks, I will have to add an additional BPC2. I hope this answers your question. Here's a link to the Lionel website that discusses the BPC2: www.lionel.com/lcs/LCSproducts/BPC2/index.html
Run those trains!
@@Boscoed1 Thanks Ed, you answered my question. No Ed I only wonted to know about the amount of blocks I can turn on and off at one time with each BPC2.Nick
@@nickltrains6952 Glad I could help, Nick. Run those trains!
Like - Interesting but it maybe above my paygrade - I am a MTH - DCS & LionChief Plus layout.- No Legacy - I do have blocks with single pole single throw switches on the control center - Old school - Cheers from Michigan 🚂
trainroomgary If you do not have Legacy installed, a SPDT switch works just fine b