Just asking what you guys think of the lionel plus mikes and lionel jr mikados?As far as pulling power and smoke.
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I have a mikado jr, it's a great engine! I want to upgrade it to speed control and fan driven smoke but it runs well.
Ditto to previous comments on the junior. I have the GN and Rio Grande versions in LC+ and love them.
I have a LC+ Mike and really like it. I looked at the TMCC version in the PRR road. Lots of fans of it on the forum, but I couldn't get past the whistle which, to me, sounds like a diesel horn. Both options are in videos on Youtube.
raising4daughters posted:I have a LC+ Mike and really like it. I looked at the TMCC version in the PRR road. Lots of fans of it on the forum, but I couldn't get past the whistle which, to me, sounds like a diesel horn. Both options are in videos on Youtube.
That's the only thing I don't like about mine, I've got the PRR #9631.
For the TMCC version, just swap out the RS board for one you like better. Half price sale at Lionel this weekend, $22.50 for any RS4 board they have in stock. 
Thanks for the reply.I have a kline mike and despite it being a smaller locomotive in my fleet.It has pulled trains of 15 to 36 mixed freight trains.The whistle it has sounds like a real bad impression of the hooterville cannon ball.
seaboardm2 posted:Thanks for the reply.I have a kline mike and despite it being a smaller locomotive in my fleet.It has pulled trains of 15 to 36 mixed freight trains.The whistle it has sounds like a real bad impression of the hooterville cannon ball.
Lionel has a RS4E labeled generic steam, berk/mikado. Its likely the one used in most K-Line scale steam engines. Its usually the one I use for upgrades and will not have any cab number or roadname mentioned. BTW this one comes both TMCC or Conventional. Make sure you get the right one.
36 cars is pretty impressive for that engine. It only has a small Mabuchi 385 but what really hobbles it is the big piston smoke unit which robs a lot of power from the drivetrain. Replacing it with a fan unit will help a lot and keep the motor much cooler with long trains. I have one and think its a great engine for pulling traditional size cars.
Pete
gunrunnerjohn posted:For the TMCC version, just swap out the RS board for one you like better. Half price sale at Lionel this weekend, $22.50 for any RS4 board they have in stock.
Great point. I love the toot toot high pitched whistle on my PRR Jr. Berk and thought it'd be a great fit for the Jr. Mike. Almost went that route but had my heart set on the Chessie livery, so I bought the LC+ Mike.
Been looking at the LC+ Mike, how do they do on O-27?
Aldovar posted:Been looking at the LC+ Mike, how do they do on O-27?
Good question. While my new layout uses O27 low-profile track, it's not complete, just the around the ceiling loops with 42" and 54" curves. Even then, I've eliminated almost all of the 27" curves. I ran the new-to-me LC+ Mike on O36 around the Christmas tree last year without issue, but that shouldn't come as a surprise.
raising4daughters posted:Good question. While my new layout uses O27 low-profile track, it's not complete, just the around the ceiling loops with 42" and 54" curves. Even then, I've eliminated almost all of the 27" curves. I ran the new-to-me LC+ Mike on O36 around the Christmas tree last year without issue, but that shouldn't come as a surprise.
Maybe it is just because it is what I had when I was little, but I've always like the look of O27. I am just about to start a new layout it will be mostly using Marx O34 and larger curves, but I'm sure there will be a few spots of O27, at least through some switches. It is actually pretty surprising what will go through O27. I've got a RK Mohawk that does O27 pretty well.
There is a LC+ NYC Mikado that I'm eyeing for me and the boys that would be a nice fit for what we have.
Aldovar posted:raising4daughters posted:Good question. While my new layout uses O27 low-profile track, it's not complete, just the around the ceiling loops with 42" and 54" curves. Even then, I've eliminated almost all of the 27" curves. I ran the new-to-me LC+ Mike on O36 around the Christmas tree last year without issue, but that shouldn't come as a surprise.
Maybe it is just because it is what I had when I was little, but I've always like the look of O27. I am just about to start a new layout it will be mostly using Marx O34 and larger curves, but I'm sure there will be a few spots of O27, at least through some switches. It is actually pretty surprising what will go through O27. I've got a RK Mohawk that does O27 pretty well.
There is a LC+ NYC Mikado that I'm eyeing for me and the boys that would be a nice fit for what we have.
I used to run even a 736 Berkshire on 027 when I had a loop of that track. For the most part. It’s the switches that limit how long you can go .
More precise, the switch motor's cover is the biggest issue. If you cut the corner off and rebuild it with styrene, or JBWeld etc. many more will pass thru no problem. Other engines need their guides, or vertical bracing worked a bit to increase swingging ability a few degrees.
Aldovar posted:Been looking at the LC+ Mike, how do they do on O-27?
My ELX (Halloween) LionChief Plus Mikado has no trouble on my home O-27 figure-8 layout, switch stand included.
