LionChief beeping

You've got a fairly special sort of problem that most do not have.  I would be irritated too.  Perhaps some sort of simple fix, like putting tape or a protective cover over the wall switch in question.  Problem solved?

I found many older posts of people disliking the beeping, in various forums. From trains parked on a multi-train powered track to folks simply wanting to display their trains with lights on. No useful workaround was presented.
It’s a very 1980‘s engineering attitude to allow anything to beep indefinitely, short of the house being on fire.

I’m not sure what the problem is. Just turn on the remote.

And I think the other issue is, you are using the train in a way for which it wasn’t designed for😳

I purchased several LionChief engines in the last few months.
The solution for me was adding switches to turn off power to my sidings.

@Madockawando posted:

I’m not sure what the problem is. Just turn on the remote.

He stated that he doesn't want to have to "leave the remote on 24/7".

Mark in Oregon

@Madockawando posted:

I’m not sure what the problem is. Just turn on the remote.

Wolfgang:

We can’t very well keep the battery operated remote on 24/7.

Have to go with OP here.

@Madockawando posted:

I’m not sure what the problem is. Just turn on the remote.

It will drain the batteries. My point is, the beeping serves no practical purpose. The remote has a big red LED to indicate whether it’s on or off. The train not moving is another indication that the remote is off. How many other signals does one need? A quick Google search shows that other buyers are puzzled by this, didn’t expect this behavior and want the ability to switch it off, from Amazon reviews to half a dozen train boards, over several years.

@Madockawando posted:

And I think the other issue is, you are using the train in a way for which it wasn’t designed for😳

I suppose... but just having the train sit there "with the lights on" isn't asking  for all that much, is it? I get what you're saying, but I also get his frustration...

Mark in Oregon

Why not put electrical tape under the engine on the third rail.  Then pick up won’t have signal.

@laz1957 posted:

Why not put electrical tape under the engine on the third rail.  Then pick up won’t have signal.

Thanks but the train track is 8 feet above the floor of the room. I would need a ladder to remove the tape to start using the train. The idea was, it can be on display and when I want to move it, I just grab the remote and run it.

Rechargeable batteries; keep remote on as needed, exchange batteries as needed. Leave battery cover on remote off, to avoid breaking the little clips with repeated battery in and outs.

I know it used to be that the LC stuff would beep for several minutes and then go into sleep mode.  Lacking any LC stuff to test, does it now just do it forever?

You do have a problem that’s unique to you alone, and not really Lionel’s problem….however, here’s a possible solution that you can certainly do on the cheap, that should give you exactly what you want, with the locomotive being off, and the cars lit up as you desire when the light switch is inadvertently turned, on or by purpose…..Wherever you “park” the train, the section or sections of track can be isolated through a simple toggle switch and fashion the toggle switch in project box or similar, and mount the box in an inconspicuous place ….perhaps near where the wall plug transformer ( Walwart I believe is the lingo) ……mark the area where the isolated track section is with small “yard limit” or “w” signs, again, inconspicuous, but will allow you to know where to park the locomotive…..kill the toggle, and then you’ll have what you desire,…..illuminated cars, but no beeping locomotive……serve chilled, enjoy,….

Pat

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I know it used to be that the LC stuff would beep for several minutes and then go into sleep mode.  Lacking any LC stuff to test, does it now just do it forever?

Let me check that and get back to you. It is possible that I wasn’t patient enough to find out!

@harmonyards posted:

You do have a problem that’s unique to you alone, and not really Lionel’s problem….however, here’s a possible solution that you can certainly do on the cheap, that should give you exactly what you want, with the locomotive being off, and the cars lit up as you desire when the light switch is inadvertently turned, on or by purpose…..Wherever you “park” the train, the section or sections of track can be isolated through a simple toggle switch and fashion the toggle switch in project box or similar, and mount the box in an inconspicuous place ….perhaps near where the wall plug transformer ( Walwart I believe is the lingo) ……mark the area where the isolated track section is with small “yard limit” or “w” signs, again, inconspicuous, but will allow you to know where to park the locomotive…..kill the toggle, and then you’ll have what you desire,…..illuminated cars, but no beeping locomotive……serve chilled, enjoy,….

Pat

All of this is too high to reach, unfortunately. Only the 110V circuit goes up there, transformer etc all happens up high. The previous owners of our house had a color led mood light up there, controlled by the light switch. We are not into this and are using the same shelf for a train instead. The problem is that there are four light switches next to each other and I don’t know that anyone in my family is going to figure out which is which any time soon. Maybe I’ll replace it with some kind of unique wall switch such as a bathroom fan timer to make it obvious.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.

@Hogges posted:

All of this is too high to reach, unfortunately. Only the 110V circuit goes up there, transformer etc all happens up high. The previous owners of our house had a color led mood light up there, controlled by the light switch. We are not into this and are using the same shelf for a train instead. The problem is that there are four light switches next to each other and I don’t know that anyone in my family is going to figure out which is which any time soon. Maybe I’ll replace it with some kind of unique wall switch such as a bathroom fan timer to make it obvious.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.

You’re missing the idea, mounting the toggle switch near the walwart was merely a suggestion,…insulating the track section(s) is a one time only up on the ladder deal,….route the wires for the toggle switch wherever you’d like,….run them to floor if you so desire,….. this is as simple as simple gets, a couple of isolated pins, two pieces of wire and a toggle switch, ( off/on) ……

Pat

Rusty

@Hogges posted:

It will drain the batteries. My point is, the beeping serves no practical purpose. The remote has a big red LED to indicate whether it’s on or off. The train not moving is another indication that the remote is off. How many other signals does one need? A quick Google search shows that other buyers are puzzled by this, didn’t expect this behavior and want the ability to switch it off, from Amazon reviews to half a dozen train boards, over several years.

The train wasn’t designed to be operated as a Christmas static display in the way you are describing.  You may find it frustrating, but it’s not Lionel’s fault and I’m not sure it’s their issue to fix. It’s designed to go around the track using a handheld remote. However, if you want to use it as a static display: Turn on the remote, change batteries in the remote after a few hours if needed.  The remote batteries will last several hours just sitting there in the “on” position so you shouldn’t have to change the batteries very often. 😉

For a static display, I'd just find a suitable voltage wallwart and use it to replace the batteries.  Silly to keep stuffing batteries into the remote when you can solve the problem permanently.

Can the remote be powered with a wall wart? Is there male jack to accept the female barrel power cord?

@harmonyards posted:

You’re missing the idea, mounting the toggle switch near the walwart was merely a suggestion,…insulating the track section(s) is a one time only up on the ladder deal,….route the wires for the toggle switch wherever you’d like,….run them to floor if you so desire,….. this is as simple as simple gets, a couple of isolated pins, two pieces of wire and a toggle switch, ( off/on) ……

Pat

I wasn’t explaining it well. This picture may help. There is no way to run a new wire wire up there without it being ugly or tearing into the drywall, which is way outside the scope of this small project.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Can the remote be powered with a wall wart? Is there male jack to accept the female barrel power cord?

Thank you and to all for the suggestions. Yes, I could do that but the idea was to just have the remote in a drawer and it would come out when we actually want to operate the train. Which would be much less frequent than the static display.

@Rusty Traque posted:

Rusty

That’s an idea. Ugly as sin but it would work. I may get a few for our outside sensor lights, at least, if not for the train.

I’ve seen uglier :-). You can mount these with Velcro so that you could take them off easily if you like.

I bought these for some battery powered garland, you could use this to keep the remote on 24/7.

Lenink AC Power Supply Adapter for 3 AA Battery, AA Battery Replacement Adapter for LED Light, Decorations (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095...7ER2VD3EFYBWM0TFH7ET

@Madockawando posted:

The train wasn’t designed to be operated as a Christmas static display in the way you are describing.  You may find it frustrating, but it’s not Lionel’s fault and I’m not sure it’s their issue to fix. It’s designed to go around the track using a handheld remote. However, if you want to use it as a static display: Turn on the remote, change batteries in the remote after a few hours if needed.  The remote batteries will last several hours just sitting there in the “on” position so you shouldn’t have to change the batteries very often. 😉

Sorry to disagree but I still think it’s a bad design. It could have been so easy. Power on - lights are on. Remote on - operation is starting (idle noise, smoke, ready to run).
I am an engineer and have designed software for machine operators. It’s always better to let the operator be in charge rather than the machine telling the operator what he can or cannot do, within safe boundaries. The deadly airbus crash at the air show in Paris was one huge fiery example of such a bad design.

@Keith Crook 020419 posted:

I bought these for some battery powered garland, you could use this to keep the remote on 24/7.

Lenink AC Power Supply Adapter for 3 AA Battery, AA Battery Replacement Adapter for LED Light, Decorations (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095...7ER2VD3EFYBWM0TFH7ET

Remote takes 3  AAA

@Train Nut posted:

Remote takes 3  AAA

Here is the aaa version:

Lenink AC Power Supply Adapter for AAA Battery,Replace 3 AAA Battery,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087...oding=UTF8&psc=1

quick search would have found it.

@Landsteiner posted:

I’ve seen uglier :-). You can mount these with Velcro so that you could take them off easily if you like.

Sure beats the blue masking tape the previous owner used to prevent switches from being used

So Lionel needs to redesign their product because someone might flip the wrong light switch in you house?  I think this is the solution you need.

@Keith Crook 020419 posted:

Here is the aaa version:

Lenink AC Power Supply Adapter for AAA Battery,Replace 3 AAA Battery,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087...oding=UTF8&psc=1

quick search would have found it.

But you know what was even quicker?  Having you find it !

@Hogges posted:

That’s an idea. Ugly as sin but it would work. I may get a few for our outside sensor lights, at least, if not for the train.

Function sometimes outweighs esthetics.  Plus, the switch guards follow the KISS principle.

Rusty

@Hogges posted:

I am an engineer and have designed software for machine operators. It’s always better to let the operator be in charge rather than the machine telling the operator what he can or cannot do, within safe boundaries. The deadly airbus crash at the air show in Paris was one huge fiery example of such a bad design.

that was nothing compared to the Boeing 737 Max MCAS software.

@Ukaflyer posted:

that was nothing compared to the Boeing 737 Max MCAS software.

Actually, there have been a number of crashes where the automation has thwarted the pilot's attempt to save the plane, the 737 MAX was just the latest example.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Actually, there have been a number of crashes where the automation has thwarted the pilot's attempt to save the plane, the 737 MAX was just the latest example.

So now major airline crashes are being talked about in the same thread with “complaints” that Lionel’s LionChief locomotives are beeping when the remote is off. (as they were designed to do)

Oh boy… the new Lionel catalog can’t be released soon enough so we have something to talk about! 🙄

@Hogges posted:

Sorry to disagree but I still think it’s a bad design. It could have been so easy. Power on - lights are on. Remote on - operation is starting (idle noise, smoke, ready to run).

OK, so you're right, design could have been better.  You can either adapt to the existing design, since it's not likely to change, or dispense with the LC set and buy something that suits your desires better.

This is turning into a complaint desk topic, but the bottom line is the existing product line isn't going to change anytime soon!  I suggest you pick a direction and move on with your life.

@Madockawando posted:

So now major airline crashes are being talked about in the same thread with “complaints” that Lionel’s LionChief locomotives are beeping when the remote is off. (as they were designed to do)

Oh boy… the new Lionel catalog can’t be released soon enough so we have something to talk about! 🙄

You're free to bypass the topic if it offends you.

@Hogges posted:

I wasn’t explaining it well. This picture may help. There is no way to run a new wire wire up there without it being ugly or tearing into the drywall, which is way outside the scope of this small project.

Well unfortunately I’m out of ideas then, ….might I suggest ear plugs as an alternative,…..you could leave them in a decorative bowl to match the impressive decor ( beautiful room BTW ) …..hand them out as warranted, since Lionel failed to meet the expectations of a light switch grouping on your wall,…..😁

Pat