A dead Thomas

Sounds like a short circuit, have not used Lionechief myself however.

Is the locomotive getting full power from the rails? Remember the LionChief needs to have 16-18 volts on the rails for all functions to work, but the system usually will show some life with as little as 9-10 volts). This can be checked with a volt meter or a test light using an 18 volt bulb. If you are getting power to the rails, and the remote's led is lit, there may a problem with the locos internal connection of the board to the wheels/rails, or the remote may be mismatched, so be sure it is a remote for Thomas and not a different LionChief loco mote which may look similar. Depending on the price, it may or may not be worth trying a different remote, but given that the LED is lit on the one you have, it probably is not the problem. If the item is still under warranty, Lionel's repair service is your best bet, unless your dealer can do an exchange for a working unit. Lionel is usually good about repairing current products and getting them back to the customer quickly.

Bill in FtL

The remote flashes because the remote is sending a command. It has nothing to do with whether thomas is receiving it. If you apply power and absolutely nothing happens, then chances are the locomotive has an issue. 

If this set was brand new, then start with the store you bought it from and see if they'll help. If not, then call lionel, its under warranty. If you are intent on fixing it to make it work, definitely dont let the child keep carrying it around. No one is going to mess around with it if it looks like a small child dragged it all over the place, whether it was DOA or not. 

I pulled the manual and read it cover to cover. Not much on the way of troubleshooting. I am assuming that the batteries are new. Can't hurt to swap them out. The other thing I would suggest is to pull the shell and make sure that everything is securely plugged-in.

Otherwise, Mr. Thomas would be going for a little ride back to the train factory.

My wife and I got the same Thomas set for our son and had almost the same problem.  The only difference is Thomas made sound when power was applied. 

A couple of things to point out.  When working properly, the engine WILL make sound when it has proper power.  The fact there is no sound indicates that either there is no power to the engine or that the electronics in the engine are not functioning properly.  Secondly, the LED on the remote will flash.  Because of that (along with the discription of the problem) I'm confident the problem isn't with the remote.  

Now...how to diagnose the problem.  If you have a meter and can test power at the track, that will tell you wether your issue is the power supply or the engine itself. If you don't have a meter, but have access to a layout that you know works, that is a good second option.  If that's not an option, try a local hobby shop.  You looking to somehow place that engine on a track that you know has 18v of power. The engine is designed to run on AC or DC so you can use either.  If you know without a doubt that there is power to the track and it doesn't make any sound when placed on a powered track, there is a problem with the engine. 

That was the problem we had.  Once we had the problem diagnosed, I contacted Lionel Customer Service, got an RMA, sent it in, and had it back within a week.  The folks at Lionel are awesome!  

Good luck!  Sounds like your friends son is pretty excited!

Bill Nielsen posted:

Is the locomotive getting full power from the rails? Remember the LionChief needs to have 16-18 volts on the rails for all functions to work, but the system usually will show some life with as little as 9-10 volts).  

This is untrue.  LionChief/Plus locomotives will operate with as little as 7VAC on the track.  They won't have a high top speed or be able to pull much, but they will run.  If the engine has a smoke unit it won't produce smoke very well with less than 16VAC on the track, but I don't think the thomas has a smoke unit.  

As for the problem at hand, the optimal solution is probably to return it to the store for an exchange.  If you'd rather go the repair route, I would first carefully open the engine and look for loose connectors or any broken wires.  It sounds like the engine electronics are not getting any power so I'd start by checking the wires for the power pickups.  If you have a volt meter this can be used to see if there is power getting to the board.  Remember that the set will come with a DC power pack, not AC, so set the meter accordingly.  

If all the connections look good and test ok, and returning it to the store it was purchased at is not an option, I'd then contact Lionel service for a repair or replacement.  

I also concur that the remote seems to be functioning correctly.  the light should flash when the throttle dial is turned, and I think it should flash faster the higher the speed setting.  I don't own a Thomas to confirm that this is the case, but that's how it works on other LC/+ products.  

JGL

The power pack will light an LED in the terminal track if power is present.

Thomas will make steam sounds if power is present.

Removing Thomas' shell is a little tricky. Checking the wires is about all that you can do. Lionel does not repair Thomas. Trainz in Georgia used to have some boards, but after the shipping and cost of labor and parts, it is better to find a used working Thomas or another set new.

I didn't test a used Thomas before my grandson's 3rd birthday. Same story, broken Thomas, broken heart.

Get shopping quickly before the just having it wears off. set #6-30190