Lionmaster Lightning Speed?

Dave_C posted:

  I bought my 0-8-0 expecting the same performance as the recently released Pennsy B6 switcher. A small engine. Which I have run but do not own. One of the best running engines I've seen.  The wire tether I thought was a huge improvement making it pretty much impossible to stall out.

 I planned to use my 0-8-0 in pusher service as a rd. helper. Looks like I can't do that. 

 Doesn't switch the yard as good as my old Odyssey 0-8-0 or Legacy 0-8-0 from a few years ago.

  Looks like I bought an 800 dollar lemon.

Can't send it back...or is it fine, just different?

So davec you can't run the loco sow enough for yard duty is what your saying? Correct?

 The engines cruise works fine as far as maintaining speed. As far as yard work. I do slow switching moves. I would say you would only need the first 3 or 4 steps out of 200 to perform this. You have very little feel on the remote when you are only operating with a few speed steps. I run Kadee's on everything so I can couple at fairly slow speeds. 

 My older Legacy 0-8-0 runs so slow. Stalling was a problem. Even on straight track. The engine with 4 blind drivers, 2 traction tires really didn't have a lot of wheel contact with the rails. The slow speed seemed to magnify the problem. Running a tether between the engine and chassis seemed to solve the issue. It tied together the engine and tenders wheels.  I figured the new engine with all wheels and rollers between the engine and tender tied together from the factory  would be the ultimate in slow yard speeds through turnouts. It would run just like the Pennsy 0-6-0. You can't get much smaller in size than that.

 Returning it doesn't look like an option. I run DCS. Maybe adding PS3 is the way to go.

I was hoping for Legacy speed control, but that's not a huge issue. It seems to perform more like MTH speed control rather than Legacy.

I really hope the new NW2 won't be like this. 

The non-encoder board is basically the ERR Cruise Commander but used as OEM equipment.  There's nothing wrong with the board, but as Jon says, it will have a different speed curve than standard Legacy locomotives using the Legacy encoder.  I am perfectly happy with the speed control of the ERR Cruise Commander, but it's not the same as the Legacy standard flywheel encoder speed control.

Ignore my previous reply about encoder problems, I didn't realize they were shipping new product with the back-EMF motor control, can't keep up with the Lionel line.

I posted this on the similar thread of the new 0 8 0...

"I tried the N & W Class A and it goes really slow if you just turn the dial less than an imperceptible fraction of a degree...BUT then if you turn the dial another imperceptible fraction of a degree, it takes off way too fast. It's mostly a compressed speed range issue. Up at about half way on the display as to speed, it is as fast as one would want to run it. It is Legacy in all other regards...just speed differences from the encoder type motor engines. It seems like to me that this could be dealt with in the electronics."

I don't have either of the above engines but was curious if you could smooth out the speed steps by using the train brake?  

Just a thought,Doug

trnluvr posted:

I don't have either of the above engines but was curious if you could smooth out the speed steps by using the train brake?  

Just a thought,Doug

That wouldn't really do anything. If anything all is does is limit the speed of the engine but won't improve the speed control, it'll still run like in the video. 

I took my A to Cjack's on Saturday and ran it at a train meeting. Everyone was impressed with the sounds and the whistle smoke. I'm keeping it for those 2 reasons. I showed them the speed issue and in the overall impression it didn't seem to matter.  

I have a suspended ceiling layout in my classroom and this engine will be a big hit. The first thing I'll do though is set the speed limit so that it won't fly off the track. 

My favorite feature is turning off the main smoke and leaving the whistle smoke on. That's how I'll run it at school and the kids will love it. The two speakers in the tender to belt out the N&W hooter whistle is also a bonus, especially when the sound will be directed straight down from above. 

I also bought this engine to run on 2 of the train club guys layouts that are limited to O-42 curves. Fortunately I had no plans to MU this engine with anything else. 

Final thouhhts, if you want a great Lionmaster size engine with features from higher end engines, go for it! If you are so use to the speed steps of Legacy and planned to MU with other engines then pass on this one. 

Lionel does need to market this feature and let the customers be aware that it is different from what they're use to seeing in a Legacy engine.

SantaFeFan posted:

We felt that product was desirable, and thus decided to deliver the product with the electronics we have available.

I think the desire was another really slow switcher which is not what was delivered, so IMHO, you missed the desired product.  If you make changes like this, please let us know as the 0-8-0 with tether went from being a desirable product to very undesirable for me.

So Kevin, There is no way to change the settings on it to run normal?

Kevin

I appreciate your information on the NW 1218 Lionmaster. Mine was delivered this AM  and it's still in the shipping carton along with the Veterans  SD 60 e.

I was getting concerned about the information I was reading.

I had made a promise not to open until Christmas.

Since you advised that information I will not  break it.

However, this may be my last BTO.

Thanks for taking the time .

Larry

Still having fun.

FYI, Jon from Lionel addressed the cruise in the 0-8-0 thread.

Lionel has officially made a statement:  "In order to solve any Speed Step issues with the recently released LionMaster Norfolk & Western #1218, it is necessary to have it run indefinitely on the layout in the basement of OGR Forum member KOOLjock in Colchester, Vermont.  We appreciate your patience."

Jon  

Mine arrived today and I see what you mean it has a hair trigger throttle. Be careful when you run it for the first time. I am not going to MU mine and the detail and sounds are just amazing! I'll keep mine I can live with the speed steps and I'm just thrilled they brought Lionmaster back.

Larry,

I'm glad this information was useful. I was hooked when I blew the hooter whistle when I programming the engine number.  I know this engine is going to be a great runner. I had the first Lionmaster A and ran the wheels off of it before I passed it on to someone else who is still having fun with it. 

Tim,

No you can't set it up as a "Normal" engine. It operates/runs differently than your other Legacy engines. 

Got mine yesterday I ran it for a bit.  She is a fast one for sure, but those sounds!  I love the whistle sounds and smoke.  Sure, I'd love it more if it went slower (My MTH PS-1 equipped steamers can go way slower!), but I love it enough it'll get lots of track time.  It's a welcome addition to my growing collection of little giants (AKA O36 capable non-scale big steamers, like the Big Boy and Cab Forward.).

Kevin,

Has the headlight gone out and it stalls? A lot of other people have this engine and the lights are going out and the engine is stalling mind that yesterday after ran for two hours off and on and I was wondering how was yours as of right now there's only one engine that runs perfectly from the Issue thread?

Thanks

SDIV Tim posted:

Kevin,

Has the headlight gone out and it stalls? A lot of other people have this engine and the lights are going out and the engine is stalling mind that yesterday after ran for two hours off and on and I was wondering how was yours as of right now there's only one engine that runs perfectly from the Issue thread?

Thanks

Mine stops on some switches randomly, don't know why.

Mine ran fine for 4 hours.