Lionchief Plus...Perfect in almost every way...

SJC,

The main issue, and has been from the very beginning, is that at slow speeds the front truck will derail while negotiating a switch. Both the Hudson and Pacific have four (4) wheel front trucks and the Mikado has two (2)... Maybe that's the secret to your success?

I, however, won't be running out anytime soon to buy one just to find out...

One other problem is that the cab and hand rail will not clear all 027 switch housings when in reverse...the only remedy for that one is to cut part of the housing away...which then leaves the flag mechanism exposed.

I'm also immediately interested in new products that are O27-capable, as I feel the brand is moving too far away from its heritage in that regard. Just personal opinion, of course.

From an anecdotal standpoint, I've found that every locomotive I own that shows a minimum curve of O31 (like the LC+ Mikado) will perform just fine on O27 curves, BUT (as you said) negotiating the O27 switches can be the real challenge--trucks derailing and knocking the switch housing.

I maintain the thought that while I MAY be able to run many O36/O31 items on O27 curves, I assume switches will be a crap shoot.

I have a bunch of them and love them all.  I could swear I've run them through some 27" curves but I'll check, maybe they were 31.

Interesting. I have a Railking Hudson and an older version of this Lionel Hudson I have ran on 0-27 curves and they did not derail. I can not comment on switch machine clearance as I did not have any.

Jumping in here with a question (and I think I know the answer) but want to verify as I am literally going to pick up my first LC+ loco in the next few days so I’ll have it for Christmas. Getting either the Chessie Mikado or B&O Pacific.

I have a postwar style layout with 031 tinplate track. Assume there is no issue here for LC+ locos?

All is fine with my LionChief Plus Hudson. See video below.

The easy solution is to move over to what the pro's use. Most of the equipment designed to run on 027 track are low end products.  O27 is seldom used anymore as F3, F7, E8, Berkshires, most Hudsons, FM, GG1 and most other engine don't run very well if at all on it.   You might consider changing to Gargraves, Fastrack or Ross track and switches. Its an inexpensive solution and you will get the full performance of the LionChief engine and get added realism.

If you are adamant about keeping the trolley curves of O27 track (and using the new engines on it) you can buy larger radius curves that have the profile of your track and mate perfectly with it.

So are you suggesting throwing out a $400 engine, something I wouldn't call "cheap", and get, say, a $1,000 engine? Or are you suggesting upgrading the switches?

I've been in this hobby my entire life and I'd say I'm a "pro" and use all 0-27 profile track. My inner loop is 0-27 and my outer is 0-42. There is nothing wrong with 0-27 track and it does not make anyone "inferior" if they use it. In fact, I use tubular track and Ross switches on my layout. I've used pretty much every track system out there and I prefer tubular. I've used 0-31/O Gauge (black tie) track a million times in the past but I prefer the smaller profile of the 0-27 stuff. I use Ross switches as they are better quality than the Lionel switches. 

Most larger engines won't run around an 0-27 curve but there is nothing wrong with using 0-27 track. I wouldn't assign the name "pro" to anyone based on the track system they use. 

Can these be purchased for under $300?

If so, I think these products are WINNERS.

If not, then MTH RK w/PS2 or 3 is probably a better buy at $300+.

But man...I love the LC+ technology!

I've found the lowest price around $330 online. They are winners. I'd rather have one of these solid engines than a PS3 or PS2 engine that you'd have to have command control to get full advantage of. LC+ gives you everything you need. PS2 or PS3 requires an additional $300 purchase on top of the cost of the engine to take full advantage of the features. 

$299 at M.B. Klein.

Boy...I would really like to jump up with the "pros", but there are sometimes limiting factors...like...I just finished my layout (well sorta, kinda, maybe) and there is no place else to expand with larger radius track...no matter what type or brand! And then there's the MONEY!!! My layout (see video) is what I refer to as "Old School"...its flat, its tight, its cramped, its loaded with stuff...but I like it that way...

I am sort of one of the pro's, i.e. lots of scale, 2 different command and control sets etc etc etc.

I must tell you..if I could do it all over again, I would have gone 100% Williams and LionelChief+.

In fact, my layout has O-42 curves, in the past O-72, but I am running several O-27 passenger car sets and a few O-27 Locos.

Why?

Because, O-27 looks great in a medium sized bedroom layout like mine.

And when you think about it, even if I had a large basement, O-27 cars and locos still means more room.

 And then there is the money, i could have saved enough to just build an extension to my house as a large train room.

Also, those Post War engines never die and are easy to fix.

I shudder about how long my new fangled expensive engines will last.