LION CHIEF PLUS QUESTION

The short answer is, at present, no.  The Lion Chief Plus loco is claimed (no one has a production model) to be either operated in conventional mode or with the specific remote that comes with the loco.  It's like having an extra remote for a second, third or more operator, but perhaps too many remotes could become a problem. 

 

But Lion Chief Plus locos are planned to be considerably less expensive than TMCC/Legacy locomotives so that's another plus. And looked at from the novice's viewpoint, you don't have to spring for $200-300 for Legacy or the 1L system to operate these.  Not primarily intended for the long time serious hobbyist at this time, with multitudes of locos, I'd guess.

On a similiar note, I asked at the Toy Fair if LionChief sets for 2014 will have a switch

that will allow running with conventional track power (no remote) and was told no, only the LionChief plus engines will have the switch in them.

I too would like to apologize if the answer to the following question has been posted but I would like to ask a follow-up question: Will Lion Chief Plus work in "radio control" mode, with 18 volts AC going to the track instead of using the DC wall transformer?

 

I understand the wall pack puts out 18 volts DC and with that you flip the switch under the engine to "remote" and it's controlled by the handheld remote. But can I have my ZW transformer putting a constant 18 volts AC onto one isolated block & loop of my layout and have my grandson control the Lion Chief engine with the remote on that loop while I'm operating the other loop conventionally (variable voltage AC) with the other handle of the ZW?

 

Or to ask the question in another way, if the engine is switched to "remote" will it only respond to the handheld remote if it's powered by DC? 

 

YES.  All LionChief and LionChief PLUS engines will operate on both AC and DC systems.  You can use a DC "wall-wart" and you can use an AC Transformer... a ZW... a Z... an R...whatever.

 

You CANNOT run a LionChief or a LionChief PLUS using a CAB-1 or CAB-1L.  You CAN run the LionChiefPlus using the handles of your trusty transformer though.

 

Jon

LionChief Plus has been said to work on either AC or DC 18V.   Specifically, you can use the wall transformer that comes with a LionChief set, or a traditional AC transformer.  

The LionChief Plus locos do not come with track or wall transformer, they are intended for existing AC powered layouts, and will work on the DC power as well.

Any word on availability?

I'd like to know about availability also. 

 

For me, this is exactly what I've been looking for and I think Lionel may hit a home run with this product. I'm a conventional operator with old fashioned insulated blocks and cab control. My layout can be electrically set up as either one giant loop or up to three smaller loops, all completely isolated from each other. With Lion Chief Plus it looks like I will be able to run conventional equipment on one loop with one handle of the ZW putting out variable AC and the Lion Chief Plus engine on the other with constant 18 VAC controlled by the remote. 

 

I just realized...I have twin grandsons. I'm gonna need to buy two!

There is another thread where I posted some of the shipping schedule (from the Lionel website).   Basically half of the offerings in March, the rest in April.  I have two locos pre-ordered, both coming in April

O Gauge railroading has a LionChief Plus steamer in for testing.  We are very excited about bringing you our test results.

 

I believe that Landsteiner is correct. Lionel has a real potential winner with LionChief Plus, because you get the best of both worlds, a simple command control system with great sound, speed control and electro-couplers that is fun to use, and the ability to run conventionally as well.

 

I think a lot of folks who have been strictly conventional operators until now will use command control with LionChief Plus and enjoy the experience.

 

Ed Boyle

Ed, that is me exactly.  Strictly conventional until the LC Plus were announced, and now I am in for two, and considering a 3rd.  

 

Now if only they had whistle-steam (never satisfied).   The continuous voltage would keep the smoke units hot for a good output.

 

I am very excited about these, and am holding-off on purchasing other Lionel sets and Williams locos - I may want to try a few more LC+ instead.  

Lion Chief Plus locos will work real well for me.  About a year ago I purchased a Lionmaster Challenger and then the Cab 1-L when it  came out.  I like it a lot.  My grandson loves the remote control Thomas set I got him.  The LC+ is a good transition from conventional since it appears Lionmaster is off the table.

Ken and POTRZBE,

 

I really think you will both like LionChief Plus engines, I ordered a Hudson, RS-3 and GP-7 for my own use after trying out a prototype LionChief Plus loco. So I have 3 more hand-helds, so what.

 

I figure that my chances of getting my hands on the one George Brown is testing in Texas right now are exactly zilch

 

Ed Boyle

 HI Ed.

 did you happen to test one of the Hudson's at OGR ? 

I was curious as to the tender. The pictures show 6 wheel tenders except for

the NYC. That one had 4. I was wondering what was going to be released.

 

How was the detail on the engine. Plane Jane or something a little nicer.

 

 

Stoshu,

 

I did play with the Hudson, but what I remember is that the engine itself had a nice level of detail for a non-scale offering.  Just can't remember whether it had four wheel trucks or six wheel truck on the tender.  Sorry.

 

  If it is any help, liked the sound though.

 

Ed Boyle

 

There is a youtube video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVXrWiZw0os

 

That shows the Hudson with 6-wheel trucks on the tender.

Thanks Ken,

These look like winners.

O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum wrote:



Thanks for the kind words. The more I run LionChief and LionChief Plus
engines, the more convinced I am that a lot of conventional operators
will embrace this simplified system.

Because it IS fun!

Ed Boyle

O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum wrote:

I suppose I ought to call Lionel and find out about the trucks for the
Hudson! :-[

O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum wrote:

Can't blame George, what the heck he does all that hard work of testing
most of the engines we write up in OGR. No use abusing the poor man.
He has a tough job and somebody at OGR has to do it. ;-)

Ed Boyle

O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum wrote:

I am looking forward to the reactions of other folks who try out and
operate LionChief Plus engines.

Ed Boyle

I bought a Thomas remote set for my Grandson the Christmas before last, he was 2-1/2 yrs old at the time and he mastered the remote instantly. 

 

I purchased the Scout set from a forum member last week and it arrived this past Saturday, now my Grandson gets to run his own train on Poppop's layout.

 

I am very impressed with these remotes and give Lionel a thumbs up.

 

Art

Ed, 6-wheel trucks on the Hudson.

Yet another question.

I know these are great for kids, but if I have a Hudson, and want a little

guy to try it, can I limit the speed ?

Does it need the full 18 volts to operate ? I was thinking of say maybe

12v on the transformer, thus limiting it's maximum speed.

Has anyone tried this on the Lion-chief + locos ?

 

Will pre orders limit the production run on these items also ?

 

 

Lowering the available track voltage can be used to limit the top speed. I've used this technique on both my Thomas & Polar Express locomotives. They do run pretty well at warp speed though. 

I read a review from a competing magazine, that had the speed range from 11 MPH to 60MPH.   The LCplus locos will not fly off the rails like a starter set loco.   If I find the review I'll confirm or correct.

I think Lionel hit a grand slam on this one.  We have the Thomas and Percy remote engines and they are fantastic.  Lion Chief Plus I assume will be even better.

From all the positive comments, it looks like LIONEL may have another winner to go with the RTR sets and VL BB.  While the first Lionel Chief Plus offerings aren't on my radar, camel backs, more docksiders, and generals will certainly get my attention.  OTOH, the more I run the Lionmaster Challenger, the more I like it.  What an engine and thanks to LIONEL for filling the gap between RTR and VL.

POTRZBE, you make an interesting point about the gap between RTR and Legacy.   Perhaps if the LionChief Plus is a success, Lionel will reconsider some of their LionMasters with the LionChief Plus.  I wonder. 

 

I would really like a LionMaster Challenger with LionChief.   Was there a LionMaster Niagara?

BTW, I did confirm my recollection of 11 scale MPH to 60 MPH for the LionChief Polar Express (review from publication-that-shall-not-be-named).  -Ken

For those wondering why LionChief engines won't work with their Cab-1 or Legacy controllers, it is because they are not the same. Command, Legacy, and DCS engines receive their signals through the rails. LionChief engines do not. They are radio controlled like R/C airplanes, cars, and boats. Therefore, the frequency of the receiver in the engine and the frequency of the hand held transmitter (controller) must match. In order to run more than one LionChief engine at the same time and maintain individual control, they must be on different frequencies. This is why the controllers are "married" to a specific engine.

No lionmaster niagara. There were numerous runs of challengers,   a few bigboys, a few hudsons, a few SD90 diesels, one run of class A's, and one run of AC12 cab forwards.

 

Rumor had it as of a year or two ago Lionel was dropping the Lionmaster line.

 

Having said that these were well detailed premium "semi scale" locos. They are really beyond the "starter set" and "entry level"  price point of the locos currently being offered with Lioncheif.

 

I think it would be highly unlikely Lionel would offer the Lionmaster line with the Lionchief control.

Ken,

I run my Polar LionChief berk on 18v Legacy layout. It will creep all the way up to ludicrous speed. Sometimes it surprises me and chuffs if I don't quite get the remote dial centered. It's like a chuff every 5 seconds or so.  I'll have to pace it with my Legacy engine. It doesn't fly off 036 curves a full throttle. Grandson does it in reverse! Scares the ()& out of me.

Moonman, that is very interesting!  Perhaps the difference being the 18V transformer supplied current (probably just 60cycle AC at 18V peak) and the Legacy power.   Very interesting, I look forward to seeing if there is a difference between my transformers and included supply.  

 

The LionChief plus were originally announced by Lionel with Oddessy speed control.

Ken,

someone mentioned in one of the early posts on the rtr sets, that they will also creep with the dc wall-wart.

I would expect the same from the plus version. They have the nice can motor with a flywheel and one small board (1.5" x 2.25" or so) with two really small daughter boards. It looks empty with the shell off. The chuff is triggered by an IR that seems to be aimed at the puffer. I noticed a 4 amp wall-wart in the new power & track catalog. The rtr's have a 2 amp.

Does the speed control work in conventional as well as with the LionChief Plus Controller?

 

I'm curious in case you might do something at some point like run it on a layout in conventional, and control the speed with a Legacy Powermaster.

Ken,

Sorry this took so long...lost in other issues.

 

I wanted to clarify that in am running a ZW-C with 2 bricks for power at 18v.

 I ran my Legacy diesel at the unofficial 1 mph speed. Looks like the PolEx was doing 2 or 3. Switched to 5mph speed and the diesel passed it.