LionChief+ Close-Coupling Revealed

Here are before and after pics for easy comparison.

Thanks.  Much appreciated.  I will do that with mine.

Thanks for the heads up Ken,

What I understand is that the LionChief + Locomotives are initially set to run on o27 track but by closing the gap and shortening the draw bar you bring the esthetics more in line with prototype but most likely incapable of running on the smaller diameter tracks.

I hope to see a follow up on this alterations ability to run on O36.

It turns out that Lionel has used a different mounting mechanism for attaching the drawbar on the LC+ Mikado.   No convenient 2nd hole.   And no way really to make one.   Too bad, but glad for the option on the Hudson and Pacific.

It appears that the close-coupled LC+ locos MAY make it on O-36 with the close coupling.   Here are pics of the Hudson on O-36.   I did not test run the loco on O-36, my layout has O-48 and O-60.

But one qualification for the Hudson, but not the Pacific.   When re-seating the Hudson tender drawbar, I noticed that the drawbar fits into a "slot" on the truck when close-coupled.   So the drawbar does not turn independently of the front tender truck, which could affect performance.   Again, this is only the Hudson, not the Pacific, on the Pacific the drawbar can move independently of the truck.   Both are super-excellent at O-48 and above, and there appears to be plenty of flexibility for both to track fine on O-45 (Atlas).

Below are pics of the Hudson on O-36:

For comparison, here are pics of the LC+ Hudson close-coupled on O-48 Fastrack.   Plenty of clearance.

Fantastic discovery and tip  Ken-oscale. Thank you for sharing this find with the rest of us LC+ owners.

     BTW, it would be great if Lionel had included this modification info in their manual. Wonder why they didn't as it seems this drawbar was designed specifically for the LC+ rather than being a part originally designed for other loco/tender combos that was re-purposed for the LC+ series.

     It'd be nice to think that the personnel at Lionel keep abreast of posts such as these and if they ever chose to revise the LC+ manual will include this info in those revisions. 

Cool, I'm surprised they don't mention that in the manuals.

Thanks for the comments guys.   I also wonder why Lionel has not released this info publicly.  

I am speculating that if Lionel advertises the option, which requires the user to open the tender exposing wires and the speaker,and make a change, then that opens Lionel to warranty questions, and stuff like "who is responsible for damage when the user is making the adjustment that Lionel publicized?"

By not advertising the option, Lionel has no liability and warranty issues.   If the users discover it ourselves, and elect to make the mod - its on our own "dime" so to speak.

Plausible?   

Great news!  I just ran a test this morning of the LC+ locos close-coupled on O-36 Fastrack.   No problems, works like a charm!   I ran the locos with a set of passenger cars, forward and backward at high speed.  

The clearance was fine.   The tightest clearance is the LC+ Hudson and tender.   On O-36 there is lots of swing, but not really close to touching.

Running a loop using O-36 Fastrack from a starter set.

We need video!

GunnerJohn.   Here is your video of the Hudson on O-36, close-coupled.

Also shows a view of the train rolling though a O-60 turnout to O-36 22.5degree, without the 1-3/8 spacer.  The O-36 is modified to remove a piece of roadbed on one side to fit into the turnout.  I thought that the "S" curve might be a tough test, but no problems at all.  I have run the train both forward and backward at higher speed, round the O-36 curves and through the "S" curves.   No problems.

That looks great Ken, the close coupling really does enhance the appearance.