How about a Polar Express Lionchief "plus" locomotive

Many would purchase this because of the Lion Chief remote feature. I know I would.

 

Now, if we can only get Lionel to buy into the idea........Ummm.

 

I believe the Polar Express is by far the most popular locomotive produced for Christmas settings. So, I can see a mid range Polar Express Loco being offered with the remote as Lionel does with other Steamers.

 

Pete

I considered getting the 10 year anniversary PE set, but when I purchased and ran a LionChief Plus Pacific, I knew the plain LionChief would be a let down.

 

Lionel will likely wait until Chrismas 2015 to release a PE Plus. 

I would be skeptical they would release one unless they started moving LC+ into sets.  I can't see them competing against their LC set with a loco only to have to produce the primary cars separately.  

 

Unless we are talking about a replacement for the existing locomotives then maybe.  It certainly could be a possibility I guess but you seem at that point to be putting product against product.

 

Who knows.

I would think adding "plus"options across the line would be the way to go. Speed control would be big advantage as well as being able to run in conventional or the remote. If the remote gets damaged now with the current version your done for the day until you can get the remote fixed or replaced.

Chris said • "I had watched a couple of video's of the LionChief Plus locomotives and I was thinking why not a Lionchief Plus version of the Polar express?"

Here is one ore video, About LionChief Plus & some other train topics.

 

I would definitely buy one to run with the conventional set, not going to buy another complete set.

 

Art

That is a great idea.  I love the LC+ locos and the PE would certainly sell.  Lionel's reluctance to so this product, if they have any, may be because it would increase cost and probably a lot of PEs are bought by first time folks, where cost is a key factor.

I've got PE locos coming out of my ears BUT I'd probably spring for a Lionchief Plus PE junior Berk if it was sold as a separate option, ala the whistle steam PE.

Ron L

Chris, I agree with Grampstrains and think, with all the success Lionel has had with the Polar Express, that this would be much more likely to happen than some of the other ideas one reads here for LC and LC+ products.

 

Whether it happens or not, only Lionel knows. But in my thinking, yeah, it seems like a completely logical idea to offer an upgraded PE Berk as a separate sale item in LC+ line. And hearing what Matt Ashba and Howard Hitchcock have said about the LC and LC+ product lines, a Lionchief Plus Polar Express loco seems entirely possible and fits in with their stated objectives of the LC+ line.

 

It's still pretty early in the evolution of LC and LC+ products. Granted they have been very well received, but there have also been some problems (which have been documented here). I'm sure Lionel is not only watching the sales figures, but also monitoring the defects and returns.

Yes, I would buy a LCPlus Polar Express loco with whistle-steam.   And I would like to see LC+ offered in Lionel's FT passenger sets.

Should make an interesting bashing project. I have the Lionchief PE and for that train it's certainly "good enough".

 

Gilly

I believe Lionel LionChief + locomotives have been a winner for Lionel and they seem to be expanding not only their steam locomotive line but also diesel's also.  We will see even more offerings in the future as long as this system stay's popular with the hobbyist.  As far as the PE Berk, I go along with what Marty stated about Lionel releasing complete sets, until this happens I doubt if we will see a stand alone locomotive released.  There are already a number of options for the PE Berk on the market now.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

"If they build it...I will buy it."

Pure speculation here on my part, of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was already in the works for O gauge? The Polar Express has been a big item for them, I bet it's only a matter of time.

 

It is like the Sante Fe products, put the PE name on it and it will sell. I do like the idea, however.

Even a tightwad like me would buy a Polar Express Lion Chief Plus.  I have the Plain Jane PE, and would like to add better engine, but am not interested in buying a whole other set of cars.

 

Watching Trainroom Gary's video a couple of months ago impressed me.

I'm in for a Lionchief plus PE loco and tender.   I don't need the whole set.  Just a LC+ loco.   Hopefully this will happen in 2015?

They will probably release it in every baseball team, football team, beer brand, and NASCAR driver versions first.

Yes Chip, it wouldn't surprise me a bit!

I like the upgrade idea.  I don't think they would have any problem selling them.  It would be a good fit to those who already have a set, and may want a bit of additional control.

I think Lionel will produce a Lion Chief Berkshire locomotive. Whether it is a PE or the real deal, remains to be seen. Lionel should, because I cannot think of one single locomotive that has captured more attention from young and old, like the PE engine/tender.

 

I also think that having some control as far as speed will make the PE locomotive look even more realistic on a layout regardless of theme. There is something about a locomotive pulling out real slow that looks just absolutely fantastic.

 

Pete

Another NASCAR set! 

While I think it's a good idea and would be a hit, it also adds even more products to an already confusing and overwhelming PE lineup.  I think Lionel would really help out a lot of newcomers and veterans to put up a page describing just all of the various versions of the PE set.  It just all needs to be laid out for people. 

 

If I was new to the hobby right now and looking to buy a PE set, should I buy the transformer set, last year's LionChief set, this year's 10th anniversary set?  What are the differences of each.  And this is on top of people getting over trying to figure out which gauge to get.  And I'm not even mentioning the Polar Express Freight or Streamliner sets.

 

I have a hard enough time keeping track of it all, let alone someone brand new to the hobby.  And with a LionChief+, now you add yet another option to the mix.

What is the 10th anniversary set?

 

Art

Why not just sell lion chief plus upgrade kits, for all thier starter sets. I would lile it and im sure it would suck people in.

A question that comes to mind is what Berkshire should Lionel use as a starting point for a Lionchief Plus Berkshire, PE or otherwise, and what motor?

 

One of the features of the Lionchief Plus steamers that many people like is the pulling power. Would upgrading the electronics on the current PE Berkshire to Lionchief Plus be enough to create a successful PE Berkshire Lionchief Plus locomotive, or would the locomotive need a larger motor? I think the current PE Berkshire is based on the Berkshire JR. If it does need a larger motor, can one fit, or does Lionel need to use a larger Berkshire, perhaps based on a Postwar Berkshire?

 

The Berkshire JR is a neat little engine, but can it be upgraded to produce the power of the current LionChief Plus steamers?

 

I don't know the answer. The Lionchief Plus Hudson is larger than a Hudson JR, the Pacific is very similar to the Hudson and I don't think it has a corresponding JR model, and the Mikado is a Mikado JR.

I was hoping they would have it in the 2014 Christmas catalog. Growing up as a Chicago Baseball fan,  I can't say I was disappointed and am patiently waiting til next year.