Lion chief plus NW2

I have had the LC+ Southern RR NW2 for a couple of years. It’s operated flawlessly. I like the LC+ features. 

Yep, ditto on the B&O.  My favorite LC+ loco and has been reliable for ~3-4 years now. Btw, it is one of the best smokers in my collection.

The horn is a little "tinny" but doesn't detract from the other nice features.

I have the NP. Love it

I too have the B&O version...it’s an early model, pre Bluetooth, but it has operated very well. 🚂

Good to know. Just ordered the Nickle Plate version!

I just purchased the Nickel Plate Road NW2, No. 13, and it’s a fantastic diesel. It runs very smooth, the sounds are great (I enjoy having the pitch control of the horn and bell through the LionChief App), and it’s one of the best smoking engines in my fleet. Highly recommend!

Is it real O scale or the traditional semi scale O guage?

They are catalogued with Lionel's selection of traditional, semi-scale O gauge engines. However, when comparing them to similar O Scale Legacy diesels, they're within an inch of each other in length (the LC+ NW2 is 12" and Legacy is 12.25"). Therefore, I'd say they're near scale proportioned, and when I run my LC+ Nickel Plate NW2 alongside my LC+ Hudson Steam engine, the NW2 does look pretty large for a switcher.

Hope this helps. Overall, I'd say semi-scale O gauge, but near scale-proportioned. I could be wrong.

Thanks!

Lionel created the postwar NW2 as a scale model, but like many other “scale” models of the period (including Athearn’s first-generation models in HO and Arnold Rapido’s early N scale models), the models weren’t precisely accurate. 

Specifically, the postwar Lionel NW2 body used for the modern LionChief line has a hood that’s too wide, giving it a chunky look. The cab is also a hair too long. But it definitely is not traditional-sized.

I have an Atlas UP SW9, which has great scale fidelity, and a LionChief BN NW2. I’m happy with both. 

@Phil55 posted:

Is it real O scale or the traditional semi scale O guage?

@Jim R. posted:

Lionel created the postwar NW2 as a scale model, but like many other “scale” models of the period (including Athearn’s first-generation models in HO and Arnold Rapido’s early N scale models), the models weren’t precisely accurate. 

Specifically, the postwar Lionel NW2 body used for the modern LionChief line has a hood that’s too wide, giving it a chunky look. The cab is also a hair too long. But it definitely is not traditional-sized.

I have an Atlas UP SW9, which has great scale fidelity, and a LionChief BN NW2. I’m happy with both. 

I run these engines at the club during shows on our waterfront section to push hoppers up to our rotary coal tipple because they can be run hard for 6 hours straight and when they do finally fail they are inexpensive to fix or replace.    There is nothing wrong with being a rivet-counter.  But like all other walks of life you will come across one you just want to smack upside the head - price of being human.   My point is that when I do encounter one who fits that description at our shows they've commented on everything but the fact the engine I'm running is not scale.  So if that matters to you, they're close enough that it's unlikely anyone will notice or comment. 

-Greg

I have been impressed by the Lion Chief + products that are based on PW tooling.  This NW2 is no exception.  Rugged and smooth.  Classic PW play value in a modern package.   I do not like the Lion Chief + products based on modern Chinese sourced tooling.  I do hope to see a LC+ F3...Pennsy Turbine...etc

Just received mine today.I'm impressed. Runs great and smokes like a steamer! The only flaw I've found is the front coupler droops a bit. Other than that I'm very happy with it!

After looking at the pictures that were posted I found that I was impressed with the handrails being wire formed. If they are using postwar molds would they be the same for when the switcher was changed and got cheapened with sheet metal rails instead of the wire form rails on the earlier models?

Someone commented on that they liked that the postwar molds were being used  instead of Chinese ones. But, if the postwar molds are being  used aren’t they  being used in China?

Alan

Alan,

Yep

Ed Boyle

Yes I have the “Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific” LionChief Plus NW2 / In this unboxing video I will show all three ways to operate this locomotive.  Dedicated Remote. Universal Remote, & Lionel BlueTooth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN6kR7yB1Sk

Gary 🚂

I have a  LC+ Southern NW2 and easily swapped shells with my 1994 U.S.Navy NW2. It’s dependable, powerful (compared to the puny original Navy motor) and smokes like a dream. The only modification I had to do was drill holes for the smoke. The electronics fill the cab, so I printed up some card stock for the interior.

I have always been a fan of the Post War NW2. I have no Lionchief engines but have upgraded a couple of Williams NW2s to TMCC back when it was affordable, both the engines and electronics. 

This is a 37 dollar Williams engine with an ERR Cruise lite ($35) and ERR Railsounds.

Something to consider if Lionel.has not made a particular roadname you are interested in.

Pete

I have a Nickel Plate Road. Unfortunately it needs a command board.

Most of the PW molds were moved to China in 2001.  They have been tweaked etc over the years.  The handrails being mounted to the frame would not affect the body tooling.  They have also added detail back to PW molds such as portholes in the F units etc.  These NW2s do have new scale diecast trucks.  A very nice value.

I was referring to the complete new designs of lower end Chinese / some formerly Korean sourced locos.  Not a fan of that new Berkshire, baby Hudson, Camelback, 0-6-0, etc.  Prefer those lower end locos based off the PW tooling.  

The lionchief+ NW2 I just bought new has a very "droopy " front electro coupler. It fires ok but it's so low it won't couple to anything. It appears to have a lot of slop in it. How is this thing fastened to the truck?  I'm wondering how difficult it would be to remove the shell and try to tighten the coupler or would I be better off just to return it?

I always liked the postwar NW2. So much so that I repainted one for the Pennsy years ago. If you look near the front of the hood, though, you can see it was built by Lionel. LOL