Ready to take the plunge

If you want input I would go with the remote control. The Proto one is conventional unless you want to gut it to add newer electronics. For a young child I think the Lion Chef would be easier to use. That is my opinion..............Paul

LionChief, definitely.

George

I like LionChief as well. But if your going MTH bump up past Proto 1.

When you say LionChief, you are saying plus correct?

Either get the Lion Chief Plus or the MTH RTR PS-3 set. Don't go for PS-1 as another mentioned it is sound only and that is correct.

Lee Fritz

If you purchase an MTH starter set with a PS3 engine, you'll be able to use that engine in the future with a full DCS system, should you decide to purchase one. The full DCS system, with DCS Remote, will allow the use of many more features from the starter set engine that are not available with a LionChief or LionChief Plus engine.

Also, the LionChief and LionChief Plus engines cannot  be operated using Lionel's Legacy Cab-2 remote.

I expect that the MTH set may cost a few dollars more, however, you get what you pay for. If money is not an object and you don't believe that you'll ever purchase a full DCS set, then just get whichever set you like more.

Buy LionChief Plus or MTH RTR for the kids.  Stay clear of fleabay crap.  Make the kids happy.  Use a modern transformer.

I have LionChief Plus, MTH Protosound 2 and 3 sets, and conventional.  I also have DCS and TMCC.  For a kid friendly product at a very reasonable price the LionChief Plus sets are hard to beat.  I also like them for adding more engines and rolling stock to my collection without spending an arm and a leg.  LionChief Plus runs just fine in a command or conventional environment and the one remote per engine is SUPER for kids (and I like it too!).  DCS has a few more sounds (protosound 2 and 3) and advanced remote switching capabilities but that all gets a bit too complicated for young kids (and for me as well). 

Were I starting over today I would start with the LionChief Plus and then perhaps after picking up a few sets add PS3 and DCS.  

Above: "Once you picked a DCC system, all was good."

Well, now, I don't know that I would gothat far...I have DCC friends, and a bed of roses it isn't always.

Jim Haley posted:

I have LionChief Plus, MTH Protosound 2 and 3 sets, and conventional.  I also have DCS and TMCC.  For a kid friendly product at a very reasonable price the LionChief Plus sets are hard to beat.  I also like them for adding more engines and rolling stock to my collection without spending an arm and a leg.  LionChief Plus runs just fine in a command or conventional environment and the one remote per engine is SUPER for kids (and I like it too!).  DCS has a few more sounds (protosound 2 and 3) and advanced remote switching capabilities but that all gets a bit too complicated for young kids (and for me as well). 

Were I starting over today I would start with the LionChief Plus and then perhaps after picking up a few sets add PS3 and DCS.  

When it comes to kids, simple, reliable, and easy-to-use trumps all.  I think you have just heard wisdom.  Go with the LionChief Plus. 

George

Agreed on the wisdom standpoint.  Hard to beat the MTH sets, for the price of a LionChief plus loco, you have a complete set in MTH. 

D500, I was referencing DCC, I was meaning compatibility since NMRA set standards.  Here in O, there are no standards regarding systems.

The lion chief sets are much more reasonably priced then the Lion Chief engines.  And I should have said ......then CONSIDER dcs.   The LionChief plus sets may be plenty enough for some folks. 

On an auction site do a search for "Lionchief" for some decent (and some way high) prices on sets.  If  any problems arise then purchasing locally will be much more comfortable.  Currently there are many Pennsylvania and Christmas sets on the auction sites. 

Shipping costs often eat up much of the savings achieved by purchasing online.

Perhaps someone can chip in on the difference between LionChief and LionChief Plus. 

Jim;

Just so happens I picked up a copy of the Lionel Track and Power catalog from Grzyboski's today - you can access it online at:

http://catalogs.lionel.com/16t...l5/index.html?page=1

There is a nice table on pg. 35 which show the difference between the features of the LionChief and LionChief Plus systems.

Paul.  Thank you for the tip.  Looks like LionChief Plus gets you electro couplers, volume control, speed control and the ability to run in conventional mode.  Either way you get great sounds, easy to set up and operate, ac/dc compatible, and remote control. 

As for prices.... MTH PS3 sets seem to be about the same or just slightly higher than a single Lionchief Plus loco.  However, Lionchief and Lionchief Plus SETS seem to be lower than the the MTH sets which makes sense as they are simpler. 

Also, one of the auction sites the LionChief engines from set breakups can be had for MUCH less than the boxed LionChief engines. 

In conclusion, for the original poster wanting something for kids and not wanting to spend a ton of money the LionChief (and Plus) sets are a great way to enter the hobby.  I think Lionel has a winner with Lionchief (and plus) sets.

Unless Lionel has recently changed things and added them, I don't think there are any Lion Chief Plus sets? The sets are all Lion Chief. Lion Chief Plus is available in engines only which are sold seperately.

Rich C,

   If you plan on having a Christmas type layout for your Grandchildren and you want your layout to grow along with your Grandchildren, I would do as Barry advises and  consider the MTH RTR P3 Train sets, because you can expand to the full DCS, to keep your Grandchildren's interest as they grow, later you might consider adding Legacy also.  Unfortunately the LC & LC+ can not expand into the Legacy.  At this time there is no Bridge to allow that engineering.  However if you just plan to have a small Christmas layout each year, and never expand, then the LC and LC+ Train sets are a great way to go.  You can even add TMCC with Cab1 L and run two different type remote control trains, on the same tracks, if you so desire.  You will need to decide what kind of layout you intend to have in the future, before you purchase.  I will advise you of this however, most people who really like train layouts, end up running both DCS & Legacy, especially when planning to keep their young family members interests.

Just some food for thought!

PCRR/Dave

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I decided to get a MTH 30-4226-1 set because of the future DCS capability.  I looked long and hard at Lionel's offerings.  I could get a great deal on the PA flyer LionChief set.  The Lionel locomotive in my opinion looks a little better than the 2-8-0 of MTH (at least they could add a whistle detail for goodness sake).  The LionChief's remote is better too, but that is all I could find as far as advantages in the Lionel corner. MTH has better rolling stock and of course the command control.  I really like the LionChief plus offerings and with the Universal controller (http://www.lionel.com/products...e-controller-6-83071) I wouldn't need much more on my planned 5x9 layout.  This was one major drawback, so little offerings in PRR.  The RS-3 was nice, but no steam available.  The Mike is out of stock everywhere and the 0-4-0 will not be available until September.  So it became an easy decision.  MTH

RichC posted:

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I decided to get a MTH 30-4226-1 set because of the future DCS capability.  I looked long and hard at Lionel's offerings.  I could get a great deal on the PA flyer LionChief set.  The Lionel locomotive in my opinion looks a little better than the 2-8-0 of MTH (at least they could add a whistle detail for goodness sake).  The LionChief's remote is better too, but that is all I could find as far as advantages in the Lionel corner. MTH has better rolling stock and of course the command control.  I really like the LionChief plus offerings and with the Universal controller (http://www.lionel.com/products...e-controller-6-83071) I wouldn't need much more on my planned 5x9 layout.  This was one major drawback, so little offerings in PRR.  The RS-3 was nice, but no steam available.  The Mike is out of stock everywhere and the 0-4-0 will not be available until September.  So it became an easy decision.  MTH

Good choice.  Just remember, Grandkids grow up and develop other interests.  You need to be happy with your decision and the memories that you'll have operating trains with the grandkids seeing the smiles on their faces.  My grandkids are 9 & 12 and are very interested in the trains from Thanksgiving through Christmas time.  Trains are great fun, even without the kiddos!

I have one granddaughter who adores running poppy's trains.  I have a N scale layout that I enjoy but my eyes are getting old in dealing with that size.  There is something to be said about 6 pounds of post war metal breathing smoke and a whistling tender.

Do yourself a favor and buy a MTH Proto3 set. This set will last so long your Children's kids will be able to run them when they get old enough to have an interest in trains.

Bill