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However, when I purchased two (2) Lionchief Plus steam locomotives, a Hudson and a Pacific, it was  because they were advertised as being able to run with a Minimum Curve: 027. In addition to being displayed in Lionel web site features and specifications pages, it was stated...even touted, on a YouTube video...by one of the Lionel representatives at the fall 2013 York Week, that "It will run on 027 track, the lowest radius that we have...all the way up...so that makes it applicable to ALL of the layouts that are out there...or even just a loop around the Christmas tree." If you checked the major dealer web sites...even into December 2014...they still show, under some LC+ features, a Minimum Curve: 027. Lionel did update there own web site to show Minimum Curve: 031 when it was brought to their attention that there were issues when operating solely on an 027 layout like I have...even though they too, at the time I purchased mine, were fully advertising and showing 027 as the minimum curve. Apparently, they as yet have not alerted all of their dealers to the change in specifications? So does this equate to being "sold a bill of goods"?

 
When I needed warranty repairs...I wasn't able to get any for two months due to Lionel's relocation to Concord...so I waited...and when I was finally able to get the needed warranty service on one of my LC+ steam locomotives...it was a total of six (6) weeks turnaround including shipping...then when returned, it arrived with the front wheels and axle off the truck and laying in the bottom of the box. So for the first six (6) months of ownership...that LC+ was never fully operational and for six (6) weeks of that timeline I wasn't even able to use it at all because it was in N.C. for repairs. Now with some of the high end buyers recently voicing complaints on this forum regarding new product releases, i.e. the 765 Berkshire bushing issue and CZ Passenger sets...it appears, in my opinion, that all is not well in SantaLand.
Oh, and has anyone seen any of those LC+ RS-3 Diesels lately???
 
The Bottom Line...had the Lionchief Plus not been advertised by Lionel or their dealers as 027 compatible...I would never have purchased two (2) of them...and wouldn't be making this post!!!
 
And with that being said...hoping all of you out there in OGR land...have a very...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

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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.

Last edited by UKE KAT

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.

Originally Posted by PDQMI:

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.

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?

Last edited by johnstrains

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.

Last edited by Dennis LaGrua
Originally Posted by Dennis LaGrua:

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. 

Originally Posted by chipset:
Originally Posted by trainroomgary:

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

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. 

Originally Posted by SJC:
Originally Posted by Dennis LaGrua:

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. 

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 recently was able to pick up six (6), new in the box and very reasonably priced, KLine 027 low profile switches and that has helped in a couple of areas. Still having issues with front truck derailing when traveling through switch turnouts at slow speeds though.
Would I accept a full refund of the purchased prices from Lionel, because the two (2) LC+ locomotives that I purchased, were marketed as something that they were not...sure...but I would rather that they would just stay on the track!!!
These Lionchief Plus locomotives are just plain "neat", but I might realistically have to return to the pre-electronics age and pick up a couple of older conventional units for a more reliable operating experience?

 

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trim.E7A99C49-36FF-4F8D-9CE4-B9F1E9C15228
Originally Posted by PDQMI:
 

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 recently was able to pick up six (6), new in the box and very reasonably priced, KLine 027 low profile switches and that has helped in a couple of areas. Still having issues with front truck derailing when traveling through switch turnouts at slow speeds though.
Would I accept a full refund of the purchased prices from Lionel, because the two (2) LC+ locomotives that I purchased, were marketed as something that they were not...sure...but I would rather that they would just stay on the track!!!
These Lionchief Plus locomotives are just plain "neat", but I might realistically have to return to the pre-electronics age and pick up a couple of older conventional units for a more reliable operating experience?

 

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.

Last edited by chipset

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