Lionchief Western Union

Oh yes!  that would be a hit.  I'd want more than one . . .

The Western Union set is the one set that caught my eye in the catalog. I've got a heavily modified Lone Ranger general that I'm unimpressed with it's running characteristics, and the trainsounds are awful.

 

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on the Western Union set, so your mini-review is quite timely. Keep us updated as you continue to run it. Thanks.

I have both the WARR and the Coca-Cola engines, both with the "Trainsounds" system.  I thought a decent first effort, but this new engine with "Railsounds" is markedly superior, and the controllability of the locomotive is such that it'll be rare any of the others come off the shelf. If I run one General, it'll be this one.

If they ever make a Legacy General type engines. I would finally get to building a western town and landscaped of the 1880s layout in the garage.

I always wondered were and what size the loco was that was used by Warner Brothers in the 50s and 60s for all their TV westerns. There were some good shots of this train in almost everyone of its westerns.

I love the general type trains, tho I have only one.  I am hoping for some Civil War locos next year. 

 

One of the the set pieces under our tree when I was growing up was the Marx Ranch Set.  It was an incredible movie set of a western town.  Great memories.  A western theme layout would be really cool.

With different stacks, paint. Several decent engines could be made. These have, or must be good sellers since everyone has made them. Maybe now is the time to make a scale, Legacy with all the whistles and bells?? Along with freight and passenger cars, many would fit into the early 1900 also. I'm seeing Randolph Scott, and John Wayne layout scenes with these trains.

As I had suggested in another post I would really like to see LionChief plus on the Polar Express and other engines across the line.

Does this loco have the traditional motor (as in the older Generals I have) or a flywheel can motor, or a non-flywheel can motor)?

How about some photos!!

Thanks for the comments Drydock, very interesting and good to know.   I am a big fan of LC+ locos.

 

I also would like to see a Polar Express LC+ with whistle-steam.   And FT passenger sets with LC+.

 

-Ken

I believe it would really help members who might be on the fence with this great set to post a video or at least some photo's so we can share your enthusiasm.  It frustrates me to no end when someone does a posting of an item they really like and have no visual aid to go with it.  Believe me it really gets your point across.

 

Thank you for posting.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

I don't know if this will help? There's a set for sale on E-Bay also.

It is pretty easy to find these sets for sale.  I'm just curious as to what the motor is and if any improvements from the traditional conventional version has been made.  

Legacy Station made a YouTube video.

 

 

 

 

Okay, I could do without the Engineer/Fireman chatter. That is bad. Also could use more smoke, this is one engine I would use the smoke and bellow it out.

But, Lionel, MTH, or Atlas would have a winner in one highly detailed version. With different stacks, colors, etc. I would purchase 3 or 4 right off.

I've been wanting a nice TMCC controlled American.  Might get one sometime and upgrade it.

Lee, It's a non flywheel can motor. I have the set and I think it's the best looking General Lionel has ever made.

Okay, I could do without the Engineer/Fireman chatter.

 

I agree it almost makes you want to hear"Those black Diamonds are red hot" instead. This is on my want list it just a questions of when. Trains with telecommunication themes you just don't see that often.

 

Scott Smith

Thanks.  Useful information

Sorry, not too internet savvy with video an such.  Glad some pictures got posted, though you really have to see this one in person to do it justice.  Yeah, its a nice can motor Lee, and has been for quite some time, I think all the a way back to the Circus version. But the LC electronics add considerably more controllability.

 

One thing for me is that while the Lionel General is large for its scale, its perfectly matched (IMHO) to the K-Line Porters.  They just look right on the same layout.  So I can run the WU on my outer "main" line, with my Porters wandering around on the inside line, all of it rusty old 0-27 with extra ties added and moss between the rails. 

 

The sound is fun for the kids, but for just me a lot of times I turn it off. The real Porters and Americans were pretty quiet, and I like to hear these rattling on those old tin rails. But the "MORE STEAM!" announcement makes me grin.  (Not on the video, darn it!)