LionChief Plus - Easy Enough For a Six Year Old!

Glad to hear your young relative had some fun.  

As a note, the LC/+ locomotive get unresponsive or jittery under 8 volts, I'd grab a meter (true RMS, the cheap ones won't give a proper reading on the ZW-L's chopped wave output) and see if your ZW-L is displaying the correct voltage reading.  (If you do not have access to a true RMS meter, you can use a cheap meter and turn the throttle all the way up.  At full throttle a non-rms meter will still give a good enough reading to see if the ZW-L's display is reading accurately)

As a second note, you could just as easily set the track to 12-13 volts and the coil couplers will work much better.  I'm surprised they worked at all at 7-8 volts, to be honest.   As long as the track is under 14 volts the highest speed setting on the LC+ engine will not be available, but all the other speeds still work on 8-14VAC.  The engines don't work like TMCC where all the speeds are slower on lower voltages.  If you measure you'll find each step moves the engine at exactly the same speed on 8V or 18V. https://ogrforum.com/t...way-here-s-the-facts

JGL

Your final observation, "smaller remote for smaller hands" is spot on; in future, if you decide on a LC+ multiple remote, just think of the fun your relative will have.

enjoy your trains...

JohnGaltLine posted:

Glad to hear your young relative had some fun.  

As a note, the LC/+ locomotive get unresponsive or jittery under 8 volts, I'd grab a meter (true RMS, the cheap ones won't give a proper reading on the ZW-L's chopped wave output) and see if your ZW-L is displaying the correct voltage reading.  (If you do not have access to a true RMS meter, you can use a cheap meter and turn the throttle all the way up.  At full throttle a non-rms meter will still give a good enough reading to see if the ZW-L's display is reading accurately)

As a second note, you could just as easily set the track to 12-13 volts and the coil couplers will work much better.  I'm surprised they worked at all at 7-8 volts, to be honest.   As long as the track is under 14 volts the highest speed setting on the LC+ engine will not be available, but all the other speeds still work on 8-14VAC.  The engines don't work like TMCC where all the speeds are slower on lower voltages.  If you measure you'll find each step moves the engine at exactly the same speed on 8V or 18V. https://ogrforum.com/t...way-here-s-the-facts

JGL

 

Thanks John.   I was surprised that the locomotive worked well at such low voltage.  Looking back, the electro-coupler was not as responsive as usual.  I haven't added the sides to the layout table following a total rebuild, so the voltage was set by trial and error prior to turning over the remote to our young engineer, since I didn't want him to create a Flying Philadelphia [and Reading] steamer.  Anything over 7 volts seemed dicey on the tight 0-36 curves remaining on this particular layout after the rebuild.  As you suggest, I will try out my new volt meter!

I had always run my command control locos at 18v until re-reading two excellent review articles regarding the ZW-L written by George Brown in OGR Runs 263 - 264,  in 2013.  I was surprised to see that he was operating in the command mode at below 18 volts, as I was unaware that such low voltage operation was appropriate.  After again reading those two articles, I decided to give the lower voltage a try. That seemed like a perfect solution to giving young engineers total control over the remote.

wtjohn posted:

Your final observation, "smaller remote for smaller hands" is spot on; in future, if you decide on a LC+ multiple remote, just think of the fun your relative will have.

enjoy your trains...

 

 

Thanks.  I am thoroughly enjoying several LC+ locos on this rebuilt layout that was designed to eliminate two duck-unders, thereby necessitating the removal of an 0-54 and an 0-72 mainline.  The smaller locos with speed control are perfect for the tighter radius curves.  I saw Mike Regan of Lionel operate one of the new LC+ remotes at the Lionel Seminar at the LCCA Convention in Boston last summer, and am looking forward to their availability.  Interestingly, I had not even considered a LionChief Plus locomotive until that seminar, since I thought this particular Lionel series was just for novices.  After watching the Lionel demonstration, I started looking more seriously into giving a LionChief Plus loco a try.  For my own enjoyment, and, for running the layout with junior engineers, I am very glad I gave the series a try.

Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

wtjohn posted:

Your final observation, "smaller remote for smaller hands" is spot on; in future, if you decide on a LC+ multiple remote, just think of the fun your relative will have.

enjoy your trains...

 

 

Interestingly, I had not even considered a LionChief Plus locomotive until that seminar, since I thought this particular Lionel series was just for novices. After watching the Lionel demonstration, I started looking more seriously into giving a LionChief Plus loco a try.

My experience exactly. When I first saw the LionChief Plus line I basically thought "pass." Really wasn't interested but after several demos at York and reading about them here I now have four LC+ locos.  

As primarily a conventional PW operator with absolutely zero interest in crazy expensive trains these fill the bill nicely.

Our 4 yr. old grandson started running the LC+ Chess  after just  a few minutes.  

These trains have been accepted and enjoyed by many in all age groups. Those that feel negative about them must have never actually seen one in use.

I think Lionel has a huge success with the Lion Chief Plus.   Affordable basic "command" control.  For fun and sounds with simplicity they can't be beat.  I run them on the same loop as my conventional train and sometimes I even add a PS3 engine running on a DCS loop for a total of three trains on one loop/block.  Don't have any problems running at the lower voltage but I did put quite a few cars on the conventional locomotive so it runs slow enough at still reasonable voltage.

Great idea to add cars to raise voltage. I was thinking of adding a few die cast freight cars to the consist next time a junior operator is running the trains. 

Jim Haley posted:

I think Lionel has a huge success with the Lion Chief Plus.   Affordable basic "command" control.  For fun and sounds with simplicity they can't be beat.  I run them on the same loop as my conventional train and sometimes I even add a PS3 engine running on a DCS loop for a total of three trains on one loop/block.  Don't have any problems running at the lower voltage but I did put quite a few cars on the conventional locomotive so it runs slow enough at still reasonable voltage.

Jim,   Does Glancy run LionChief on the modular layout on occasion?

Jim,  Does Glancy run LC+ on the modular layout on occasion?

my 5 grandson year old picked it up in minutes,he now has his own lion chief carpet railroad

The Glancy layout can run anything the volunteers bring including LC+

my 5 year old grandson  picked it up in minutes,he now has his own lion chief carpet railroad

"These trains have been accepted and enjoyed by many in all age groups. Those that feel negative about them must have never actually seen one in use."

Perhaps they just enjoy trouble shooting problems with communications? Some folks like to fiddle and there's nothing wrong with that.  Whatever floats your boat loader. 

Existing command systems provide employment opportunities for troubleshooting expertise.  LionChief and LionChief Plus have not provided as much fun for those who prefer repairing trains or troubleshooting things,  as opposed to operating (tongue in cheek, to be clear ).

Some of us adults have a low frustration tolerance, just like small children, so we get a kick out of LionChief and LionChief Plus.  I do enough rocket science in my job (sort of) and prefer my trains relatively simple and reliable.

agreed - LC and LC+ makes rather simple all around which is a good thing.. Easier for each to run own engines at same time. The simplicity, the remote and relative lower cost can only help bring more in to the hobby at early age. Allows more parents and their kids to mutually enjoy the hobby. All good!

Our 3-1/2 year old grandson got a Lionel LC set for Christmas.   Only took about a week to put the cars and engine on the track.  Took a little longer to 5 finger couple up the cars  and now knows how to couple and uncouple the cars with the tab on the side of the coupler.

ToledoEd posted:

Our 4 yr. old grandson started running the LC+ Chess  after just  a few minutes.  

Ed,

The photo is great!  He looks like a master at the throttle.

CBS072 posted:

Our 3-1/2 year old grandson got a Lionel LC set for Christmas.   Only took about a week to put the cars and engine on the track.  Took a little longer to 5 finger couple up the cars  and now knows how to couple and uncouple the cars with the tab on the side of the coupler.

Keith,

Love the photo.  He definitely looks like he is having fun!

Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

ToledoEd posted:

Our 4 yr. old grandson started running the LC+ Chess  after just  a few minutes.  

Ed,

The photo is great!  He looks like a master at the throttle.

Thanks. Unfortunately he knows only one throttle setting: Fast!  :-)