LionChief Plus Mikado

Being a scale guy, mostly in HO and On30 modules, along with a small S Scale permanent layout, I have never owned a Lionel loco till now. A friend in a local 3-rail club bought a LionChief+ PRR Mikado when they first came out, and has been running it on the club's modular layout. After he decided he really preferred diesels, and ordered a couple of LionChief RS3's, he put his Mike up for sale to finance them, so I bought it.

 

I was running it the other day on the club's modules, and I am very impressed with how well it runs, and especially how smooth it is at low speed. It didn't hesitate when pulling a train of over a dozen freight cars from mixed manufacturers, and easily started them all at it's lowest speed, moving the entire train along, tie by tie. I am especially anticipating the release of the new Berkshire in S scale, which has been advertised to have a similar control system (called "FlyerChief"), but will only be available in a passenger and a freight train set. Now, I can't remember the last time I bought a train set in any scale (I think it was probably an Arnold N scale F unit freight set in 1964), but as long as Lionel doesn't really screw up the S-Scale Berkshires, I expect to be getting at least one of those as well, maybe both.

 

So, I would say the new LionChief Plus system has been good enough to make me alter my buying habits, which, considering I have always been scale-oriented, is pretty impressive.

 

Now, if only we could get Lionel to provide for a front coupler (Kadee mounting pads would be especially great) on all their steam locos in both "O" & "S"...

 

bill in FtL

Yesterday I put my PRR Lion Chief Plus Mikado thru the ringer of non stop adventure. Had two time slots for a the NPOG Lansdale Founders Day Modular Layout at the fire station.

Since we were running a little late in getting it all assembled and set up, I decided it would be easier to run the LC+ Engine rahter than having to setup my CAB2 and the 3 ES44ACs, I gave it a go pulling a moderate consist of about 15 cars.

 

Not a hiccup caused by the engine, one caused by the operator learning curve: Do Not try doing a whistle blast for a crossing! Why you ask? Well if you hit the whistle crossing, you can generate, two whistle blasts in under 2 seconds and you just disconnected your consist!

 

Since most of the steamers, do not have a front coupler, it would be nice somehow the programming could be changed accordingly! Whistle Blasts, front coupler. Bell Instead of rear coupler. I know the reasoning, bell is on left or front coupler, whistle is on right so rear coupler.

 

This will be my game plan on any future runs, I can be up and running the LC+ while everything else is still getting ready! Can't wait for my 2 LC+ RS3s to arrive so I can MU them right out of the box using the one controller.

 

BTW, smoke ran non stop for almost an hour without having to refill! It was almost like it had a fan unit as there was a constant flow coming out!

 

Review: LC+ Can't go wrong for a very good little fast set up runner!

It's most assuredly a terrific loco. IMO, much more bang for the buck than RailKing steamers offer and with less set up and operating hassle. Even with scale passenger cars it holds its own both in traction and proportional appearance. Despite the early admonitions, complaints and fears from Lionel enthusiasts who were accustomed to running non-conventional locos, even many of those doomsayers who've had an opportunity to interact with LionChief Plus up close and personal have seen their previous fears and apprehension unfounded. Lionel has hit it out of the park with the LionChief Plus line-up!

I hope to get the Frosty Snowman 0-8-0 Lion chief set soon !

 

I hope it works well ! 

 

I was hoping to get the NYC RS-3 lion chief engine ! All the Rs-3 lion chief engines were recalled by lionel !  I give Lionel credit for the recall to fix the flaw ! 

 

The lion chief steam engines look great !

Nice to see it gets favorable reviews. Haven't had a new "fancy" Lionel engine. I'd love to get a Legacy system and engine but the fact is, the budget just doesn't allow, which is why I've had MTH RK pieces, which my older pieces are starting to show their age. 

 

I have operated the basic Thomas remote set and was overall impressed. How is the slow speed control? Based on some Youtube videos, it appears to be pretty decent but looks can be deceiving. Any and all comments appreciated, photos also appreciated of the Chessie version. 

 

How is the quality of the remote? Any interference issues with DCS? 

Slow speed performance is amazing - same as Legacy. "Pretty decent" is not an appropriate description!

I'll try to post a video of the Chessie Mikado tomorrow if you would like.

Scott Smith

I can't comment on the Lionchief + electronics package, but I have one of the older TMCC versions of the same engine and love it.  Great detailing and looks pretty decent with scale equipment.  It's also a strong puller.  I believe I've pulled around 30 cars with mine with no issues.

 

I've played with a fellow club members Lionchief hudson locomotive, and the electronics seemed pretty good for the price.  The only thing I did to mine was add an ERR cruise commander, but of course Lionchief takes care of that.

 

In all, I don't think you can go wrong.

How does it compare to the Railking engines?  Is it worth spending a few extra bucks and buying a MTH Imperial Steamer?

 

Sunrise

 Is it worth spending a few extra bucks and buying a MTH Imperial Steamer?

 Given a choice I would spend the extra bucks on the MTH Imperial. The Imperial line of MTH is really something very special. In a nutshell an Imperial engine is Premier level detail on an engine that can do a tight radius. I purchased my son the Southern Pacific Nightlight a few years back and began to wonder how I could justify the cost on the Premier when the Imperials are so nice. You are not going to get that level detail on a LionelChief Plus locomotive.

Scott Smith

 

Correction: Lionchief Plus takes care of that.

Appreciate the replies. Glad to hear it gets favorable ratings...the Mikados are nice looking little engines. 

They look GREAT for sure....and it sounds like they run great too......but are they as small as the Polar Express steam loco??? I was a little disappointed how small it is. 

Hey Scott...a video would be great if possible! How has yours been holding up (engine and remote)

It was the slow speed performance of the LC+ that got my attention with these locos in the first place. I am only disappointed by two things with my LC+ 2-8-2, both of which I knew about before I bought it, and I still bought it anyway. They are the lack of a usable coupler on the front and the fact that it is smaller than scale size. I'm still waiting to see the LC+ RS3 in person, but I have seen other Lionel 3-rail  diesels, and I really dislike their stamped sheet metal handrails and the large gap between the swinging pilot steps and the frame (MTH does much better in this area).

 

As for the Railking Imperial locos, to me, most of them look so out of proportion that I wouldn't give them a second look no matter what control system they have or what radius they can take (the 2-8-8-2 Mallet is an exception). Somehow, the LC+ Mikado looks better to me, even though it is also undersized. As for added on details, most of those are hard to see and appreciate while the loco is operating on the layout.

 

Bill in FtL

Even though there are points to be made as described above, I still love those LC+ locos. So far we have one of each. In fact my son and I were running them tonight. The chuff and smoke and railsounds are great and they look good on the track.

 

Yes I do wish they were a bit bigger but that would require new tooling, different price etc. I'll take it as it is. This is really fun and we er I will be buying a few more.

 

The diesels are comin out soon and I will be adding those on too.

Looking forward to a RS-3 Chicago/Northwestern, and the UP GP-7.

 

As for the steamers plan to add a PRR

I have one of each of the three LC+ steamers, and a diesel on order.

 

First, I think that the Mikado is the best value of the three available steamers as its level of detail is slightly greater than the Hudson and Pacific.   The boiler piping stands out a bit better, and the rods and running gear are more complex and detailed. 

 

The speed control on the LC+ locos is superb, amazing at this price point.   The fan-driven smoke is outstanding and prodigious.

 

Each of the three LC+ steamers has a different whistle sound.   The chuffing is excellent and synchronized with the fan-driven smoke puffs, which is another advanced feature that is wonderful to see at this price point.   The quality of the sounds is not the highest - but very good.   I  have no complaints or dissatisfaction on this point, I just point this out for completeness.

 

To my eyes, the Mikado does not look small, as there were plenty of small mikes built at different times.    I see the compression more in the Hudson and Pacific - the three locos are about the same length, which compresses the Mikado less that the others, at least to my eyes.  

 

The Mikado cannot be close-coupled as the Hudson and Pacific can be by adjusting the mounting hole for the drawbar (see other posts on this).

 

Overall, I think that the Mikado is the best value based on its slightly finer details, and to my eyes (no measurements), lesser scale compression.  But my favorite of the three is the Hudson because of the overall more massive look, and the close coupling option is tighter on this loco than the Pacific, again, adding to the look of power and mass.

 

On the LC+ steamers, I also note and agree as others have, that since there is no front coupler, the control placement of the whistle could switch to allow better whistle control without accidentally uncoupling.   I also think that Lionel needs to release LC+ diesels without the "sturdy stamped metal handrails".   I am hoping that the FT will be released with LC+ for that reason.

 

-Ken

I have the Great Northern version and am very pleased with it. Great looking and smooth running. A hit with me!

Not my best effort. This is my son's Chessie Mikado on his ceiling layout-the lighting is poor and comes from his ceiling fan. If I can figure out how to light it better I'll reshoot the video.

Scott Smith

Scott, 

 

Thanks for the video - good deal. Looks like a nice runner...it is on the "to buy" list. These look like a great entry into the more high end Lionel pieces without going full Legacy. 

Just hold up a shop (work) light, assuming you have one of those.

Just bought Lionchief Mikado Recently new to the hobby.  Should I expect more smoke?  The smoke output seems a little thin.  Any ideas?

 

Coachb62

 

The fan-driven smoke should be very strong.   Add a dropper of smoke fluid.   If it is not smoking well, then it should go back for repair/replacement.

Well I would be patient or do what Ken is suggesting. I would try JT Mega Steam's eliminator, it helps clean the system of bad odors out and in some cases get the smoke output to improve. I plan on getting one soon, but videos I have seen are not that great showing the smoke, the Lionel video when they did the open house last year showed less smoke out put.

The smoke unit will shut off and cool down when the engine comes to a stop. It takes about 30 seconds for the smoke to reach full volume when you get moving again, if you sat still for a few minutes. I like this feature as you don't have to add fluid as often. On the subject of scale size, to me the camalbacks look to be full scale and the detail is great for the money.

I would wish that the sound become adjustable, has anyone come up with a solution so it could be adjustable?

Sound is adjustable, but a bit tricky.   

Hold down both the whistle and bell, while turning the dial to adjust the sound volume.  Its a bit inconsistent for me, but it works.

The one improvement I made to mine was the addition of a Kadee "S" Scale coupler, and cut-bar from the Lionel 0-6-0 switcher.  It came out nicely!

 

 

Jon