More Lionchief and LC Plus Questions

1: No specific answer for that one, not having any LC/LC+ equipment. But the theory behind speed control is that the electronics hold back some of the available power so it has a reserve to boost motor speed if the voltage (which should be steady for a given speed) drops.

2: Yes, but the top speed of the LC+ will be limited by the transformer voltage. This also introduces the possibility that, depending on your other locomotives' speed characteristics, you may still have trouble keeping them apart (i.e. your conventional locomotive may still be faster than your LC+ at its top speed setting for a given track voltage). This also applies to TMCC+conventional and DCS+conventional

3: Yes. The LC+ loco simply has the additional ability to run as a conventional unit without the remote.  The LC does not. With constant voltage on the track and each unit's dedicated remote, the two are on even ground.

4: The MTH transformer should work fine as a power supply for LC/LC+ operation. As for the CW80's, that depends on how much else is drawing track power. Two freights should be fine. Two lighted passenger trains might cause it to break a sweat.

---PCJ

Thanks RailRide for your expertise. 

Both engines I have been looking at are steamers.

May pull the trigger soon or one or the other, or both!

1) Considering my small layout has some pretty crazy voltage drops (REALLY noticeable in conventional, not in command!), the LC+ Mikado I have runs glass smooth at the set speed. I'd say it runs as good or better than my MTH DCS PS3/PS2 engines

2) I would say yes based on my experience...the engine will run fine with only 6-9 volts which is slow for another conventional engine but IMO, your mileage may vary. 

3)Yes, at least I'm 99% sure

4) Yes. The Z-100 runs the engines great in "command" and conventional. They also run great with MTH DCS engines on the same track. 

I really like my LC+ Mikado....just sorry I had to go through 3 of them to get a good one and got shafted by a major forum sponsor in the process.