Lionel Polar Express Loco

Don't make this assumption!  IF the set came with the controller, then test it out with the controller. Lionchief was only introduced last year for the Polar Express. The Polar Express sets have been produced for over a decade now.

Lionchief cant be run without the remote....

Polar Express sets have been made since 2004, but only the 2016-17 sets have the LionChief control system, which require the remote to run the locomotive.

Only LionChief Plus locomotives can switch between conventional transformer control and LionChief remote control.

As for the drawbar tether, that's repairable, assuming the plastic plug itself isn't broken. Do you have a Lionel dealer who does repairs near you?

this is the part I need that is "unavailable"

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DRAWBAR CONNECTOR / LOCO 4-CONDUCTOR / 2-4-2

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There's no reason I can see that you can't use the connector pictured.  You will have to remove the heatshrink to attach it to the drawbar and then put new heatshrink on after you fit it.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

There's no reason I can see that you can't use the connector pictured.  You will have to remove the heatshrink to attach it to the drawbar and then put new heatshrink on after you fit it.

Thanks gunrunner, that's what I thought, contacted Lionel about that very subject two days ago, have yet to hear from them

so new set of problems. asked the original owner for the remote for that loco so I can test run it. she cant find it.

I see on Lionel web site new remotes are available but you must contact Lionel to order them. If and when they email back, how do you go about connecting the new remote to the old loco.????

FYI Lionel NEVER did get back to me about the tethered draw bar!!!

Careful Ted, some of the earlier LC locomotives are NOT compatible with the universal remote.  You need to check the list at Lionel before committing to the universal remote.

Here are the locos and sets that will not operate using the Universal Remote. The Polar Express set is on the list.

Larry

Thanks Larry, I thought I remembered it being one of the problem locomotives.

Ooops, my bad.  Have deleted the reference.  Mine works with it.  

I may have misread his post, but I believe he is talking about purchasing an original remote to replace the lost one directly from Lionel. Not the universal remote. If he purchases a original remote it will work right out of the box. You don't have to connect it or program it.  

Lionel lists it right on their parts website. The original remote to that set. It's available online and does not say you have to call Lionel.  $22

# 6208653900 LIONCHIEF REMOTE / FOR 6-28653 POLAR BERK JR

Train Nut posted:

I may have misread his post, but I believe he is talking about purchasing an original remote to replace the lost one directly from Lionel. Not the universal remote.If he purchases a universal remote it will work right out of the box. You don't have to connect it or program it.  

The point is that the universal remote won't work with this set according to the Lionel listing.

Typo/ auto correct. I voice type as opposed to finger type. It changed it from "original" to universal somehow... I am well aware of the list of sets the universal remote will not work with. Polar Express being one of them.   I gave him a link to the original. Fixed the post.

OK, makes sense.  I was wondering why you changed your stance.

I don't know which I get in more trouble with. Finger typing or voice typing on this cell phone.  Some interesting, or even embarrassing things have popped up on the screen both ways!  :-)

here's the site for the loco,

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...96-91b9-807cf715c7e6

and this is the remote Im looking at.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...01-ab0c-feb0cdc0ce96

and the remote

6802006900

LIONCHIEF REMOTE / FOR 6-82006 POLAR BERK 10th

$22.00

Must contact Lionel to order.

now that Im totally confused,

which and/or what remote will work on the 1225 Polar express???

The remote you reference above is for the 10th anniversary Polar Express set. Unless you're Set is the 10th anniversary set the correct remote is the one I listed. 

The 10th anniversary set is slightly different. It has emblems and writing on it referring to the 10th anniversary. And it also has separately applied grab irons/ railings on the engine.  Google a picture of each and you should be able to tell which one you have.  Most likely you have the original set and this would be the correct number 6208653900

And I didn't look at the individual parts that go into each remote. But it's my guess that both remotes are probably exactly the same internally. The only difference being the 10th anniversary set would have the 10th anniversary logo on the remote.  So there's a good probability the remote I listed would work with either set.

The remotes for the two original LionChief Polar locomotives are not interchangeable. If you need to order a replacement, you need to know which locomotive you have.

thanks for all the tech support, Im tech illiterate and into pre and post war stuff

I do like the LionChief system.  In fact, I was running an engine with it last night.  But it's issues like this that make me think twice about another purchase.  

Popi, this might be of interest.... just got posted on the Lionel LionChief forum....

"Connect to ANY Lionel LionChief engine! No more worrying about compatibility with certain LionChief Locomotives! This remote will control any LionChief Locomotive we've ever produced."

https://ogrforum.com/...are-update#lastReply

update

got universal remote, paired it with Polar Express loco, runs great, but I cant get any sounds???

Popi

Not sure why that would be happening. When you power up the track, before turning the Universal Remote's power switch on, does your Polar Express make a beep sound followed by a little silence, followed by another beep, etc.?

If not, please double-check that the two halves of the tender drawbar are firmly seated with each other.

Another test would be if you get sound when using the original remote--but if I remember the origin of this thread, you do not have the original remote?