Lionchief App does not detect engine. Union Pacific 0-8-0

Because the app depends on the OS and hardware of your phone- yes, there can and has been problems where the app cannot operate/communicate with the bluetooth function of your phone or tablet.

Before declaring the engine to be the problem, it's best to try a different phone or tablets- especially apple vs android.

Generally, if the Lionchif board works with the remote, then it's working as expected and should be able to communicate bluetooth.

Remote off is key.  Once a remote is paired with the locomotive, nothing else will work.  This problem occurs with the phone app and also the orange universal Lionchief controller (available separately).  Unfortunately, it sounds like you got that far and it still didn't work.  Fortunately, you are still able to control the train via the remote.

I have had mixed results with the phone app on Android and it is very frustrating.  Sometimes it works great, sometimes it can't find the locomotives.  Try a different phone, or a tablet.  I don't know what to tell you.  Lionel is very wise to provide the remote with all their starter set engines, because the app certainly isn't reliable enough for general use.

For what it's worth, we tried the phone app and prefer the remote.  Also worth nothing that with the old style trains where you controlled them via the transformer, there was no danger of misplacing the controller because it was hardwired to the layout.

@Long Hair posted:

Once a remote is paired with the locomotive, nothing else will work.

Q: Until the power is removed from the track and reapplied?

Mike

I have this same engine and have no problems connecting with an iPhone 11 using iOS version 16.1.1. I will echo what the others have said and try different phones/tablets. If the remote is working, then I would suspect the Bluetooth module is fine. I love the remote but understand the frustration, it is cool to see both in action.

The app simply isn't reliable. It may work one day, and not the next.

Mike -

I'd power down the track and the controller.  If track power comes back on while the controller is still on, the locomotive would likely find the controller and connect with that.  Bring track power up with no controller on, then try the app.

Thanks for the input everyone. I’ll pass along the info to them.

I got my grand-nephew a new Polar Express set. The app sees it, but only lists it as a generic lionel steam engine. It does not show it as the PE.  Is this normal?

@cbojanower posted:

I got my grand-nephew a new Polar Express set. The app sees it, but only lists it as a generic lionel steam engine. It does not show it as the PE.  Is this normal?

Yes, normal. Your app has to update it's database of all possible engines from the network.

Can you force the update, or does it know?

No way I know of "forcing" an update. You can remove the app, reinstall. You can try rebooting your phone or tablet and restarting the app, or maybe you can force an app restart without rebooting depending on your device OS and settings.

I had a similar situation with a lionel legacy engine, had an old version of the app, I deleted it off my  phone and downloaded the newest version. 

Since we just loaded the app yesterday I'd assume it's the most current. Guess I'll see what happens.

I have a new download of the Lionel APP on My Android notebook. The APP finds both my trains. However, once the locomotive is found in the APP and the Available Engine information is displayed when I go back to the control panel the locomotive is gone. No icons illuminate.

Make sure to check your device's permissions. Each phone manufacturer is different, but you can usually get to the APP permissions by going to Settings > Apps > LionChief

You need to have "location" and "nearby devices" on as Bluetooth uses both of those.