Polar Express Lionchief Update

I know this is not what you are asking, but I converted an MTH 2-8-0 PS2 to a polar express. The cruise control is great on the hills. No one has ever noticed it isn't a Berk, and this was a spare loco, and since I am cheap.......

I don't remember what year but Lionel started producing the conventioal PE with a larger can motor. I have the first run PE and 6 cars it takes alot of throttle from the ZW to keep it going. I think the motor is a little tired.

Gilly,

I grew tired of the problem with my youngest daughter's "Baby" Berk PE. Every year like clock work I'd have to repair the bloomin' locomotive. This past year the "Baby" Berk had it's last malfunction. It ran into the garbage can.

I replaced it with a WbB Berkshire. I had the WbB unit renumbered and the tender repainted. The WbB pulls eight cars without any problems. Around the tree it only pulls four cars. The TBII Whistle/Bell is much better than the other.

I have the small motor PE that I converted to ERR with cruise.  On flat track it pulls six coaches fine, but going up any incline it slows down and you need full throttle to get it to the top.  Then you need to throttle back on the flat section before coming back down.

The little can motor I believe just gets maxed out with this kind of load.  My solution is to run with less cars if going up grades.

My O27 non-magnetraction pw locomotives can't do the grade either pulling the same cars.   They just spin their wheels about a quarter of the way up.  At least the PE with the little can motor gets up there.

I agree with Pappy. If your running for long periods with all the cars I'd customize a WBB steamer. I have the new Lioncheif PE engine but I only run the cars it came with and only at Christmas time. Much different from your needs.

I can attest to the pulling power of the LionChief RTR PolEX berk jr.. I have four of the Polar Madisons behind it weighted within 1.5oz of NMRA standards. That's almost four pounds of cars. It will still crawl slowly and I mean slowly. Speed is no problem. You've seen the videos of the LionChief+ pulling long trains at the open house and York.

Then you don't need a conventional line to run. It can run on a constant voltage line with command engines.

I suppose it remains to be seen how durable they are, but I believe most have the Mabuchi w/flywheel motor. Mine gets 3-5 hours a week since November. Only lube performed twice. (yeah, the grandson loves it!. me, too.)

I'd stay with steam power. The F with the streamliner cars looks good in PE livery. But, for an imaginary rr, anything goes.

Tom.....if you want a diesel......what about painting and decaling your Williams BL2 for the Polar Express. I'll bet Walt can make it look nice.

Peter

Gilly,

To answer the second half of your question, I may be partial since I am a big steam fan but I recommend you stick with steam. If the train runs at an open house the kids will identify with the Polar Express pulled by a steam engine. That is what the book and movie has. So for recognition purposes of your guests, I say stick with a steam engine.

Thanks guys. My finger is hovering over that "Buy it Now" button......... looks like the Lionchief just may be the winner.....

Peter as for the WbB BL2, you're right. It pulled the PE almost the entire month of December and I can't recall anyone saying a word about it being the "wrong" engine. 

Gilly

The Lionchief is on the way. I had detailed my old PE steamer. Now I've got to see if I can get the brass Lima builder's plates off of it. 

Thanks for the input guys. It was a hard choice picking between the steamer and the new diesel...

Gilly

Gilly@N&W are you getting the 6-30218 set? It's in the 2014 R-T-R catalog along with the 10th anniversary edition. I have the original set along with the announcement car, the hobo car and the hot chocolate car. I'm thinking about getting the diner and baggage. As far as the engines go, I'm hoping that Lionel brings back the die-cast engine and tender from 2013 with all the sounds. I looked everywhere for one but can't find one.

You may want to wait to check if you can switch shells for the engine. The new LC version doesn't have the handrails. I know that the new shells will swap, but I am not sure of the earliest versions.

The new 6-30218 has sounds nearly as good as the legacy 1225 and has two Conductor announcements. The only die-cast tendered conventional was 6-18754, which did have the early railrounds and crew talk and a die-cast tender with puffer driven whistle steam. It is a nice engine set.

Moonman, thanks for the advice. It would be great if the shells will swap. I'll give it a try and post my results.

MilwRdPaul I bought the new Lionchief 6-18784 engine-only from a 6-30218 set breakup. 

Gilly