Running LionChief Sets in Conventional

no, the lionchief can only work with the supplied remote.

 

 

If it is a Lionchief Plus product, it will run conventional with the handheld and the powerhouse brick. but if is a straight lionchief it will not run at all in conventional as dodgetrain stated.

I am not sure why the would do this? Especially, if their thinking was to entice the youngsters into command. It could have been something to grow into the Legacy.

 

Joeg

It is strange admittedly. Then, compared to the really bezar if not poorly if thought through ideas I have seen with caugh video game companies, if they sold train sets the wheels would be extra. lionchief works every where just with a simplified remote, no worries of being reprogrammed or losing their addresses, uncommon as that is, give something higher end to a child and they will find out how to, when your back is turned. They are a reasonable compromise for me, not perfect, but rather flexible.

Why do folks keep trying to re-invent LionChief and LionChief Plus?  They are what they are.

 

Quite simply, they offer a nice bit of control to a single locomotive.  It's a wheel, it's round, and it rolls.  Stop asking why it isn't a skyscraper.

I agree with this.

Only thing you can do is to turn the LionChief remote to full speed and use a regular transformer to vary the track voltage.  It will run, but response is not all that great.

Also cant reverse the engine.  A while back I tried this with the Thomas the Tank set.

Cant recall if the whistle or bell will work from the transformer buttons.

While I personally would of hoped for more compatibility between conventional, TMCC, and LC, Lionel made a system that a lot of folks wanted.  A simple remote control train that was easy to use.

 

It is what it is.  I think we tend to forget that these sets were more targeted IMO for the non hobbyist.  At least with the LC+ line some of this is addressed.

 

I do tend to agree with Bob as well. 

 

I think it's because they are making fewer and fewer locomotives that are lower priced that are not equipped with Lion Cheif .  I for one would start buying them if they came with  a conventional switch on them.

 

Paul

as far as the polar express goes, it get's an enhancement every year or 2.  i look for that to be the next/1st lionchief+ ready to run set. 

Prediction (not necessarily a bold one ): I think the Lion Chief Plus line is going to prove to be a huge part of the train market for Lionel in the coming years.

Look at it this way.  When you buy a LionChief or LionChief Plus loco, you get a command controlled loco for a bargain price.  It even comes with it's own remote, which is necessary and sufficient for full control.  You can use these locos with any conventional or command controlled layout.  It's an inexpensive loco that comes with its own remote.  There are no limitations other than you need that remote for that loco.  What's the problem?

LC+ has a conventional/remote switch. LC doesn't. I think Lionel really missed the boat by not putting a conventional/remote switch on LC products. If that remote croaks, you are out of luck until you can get a new remote. If it had a switch, you could at least run "old school" until you get a new remote. Hopefully Lionel will begin putting a conventional/remote switch in LC products just like LC+

 

Other than the switch, Lionel has some terrific products in LC/LC+. 

How hard would it be to isolate the LionChief RC equipment to install your own "conventional" bypass switch?

To further what Paul was talking about, usually I like to buy a traditional set or two each year if I like the engine/cars.  Perfect example was the recent PRR 0-8-0 passenger set.  While LC is cool, if it would have had a switch to run conventional, I would have bought it. Don't like having to only use the remote . I know LC+ does this, but I also feel they are missing some sales by not allowing the LC engines to run via a transformer. I'm sure the switch can't be that expensive to install. 

I think we need to remember not everyone on the forum is a die hard hobbyist, nor have they been in the hobby that long. There are folks that are disappointed, when they notice the LC limitations after buying. They come here in hopes of a different answer. The 100th person you see do this, wasn't here for the last 99. So maybe take a lesson from Bambi's.

 

Thumper - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I71cY9Ysy5U

 

And ya know what. I'm with the folks that hope Lionel will incorporate control of the LC units into LC Plus. I'd probably buy LC plus and some more LC Plus locos. It's a legitate hope. At this point, I get it won't happen, but each new hobbyist, doesn't need to be beat up, for wishing.

Very confusing. I thought that if I powered my layout up to 18v, that I could run the locomotive with the LC remote. Is this wrong?

brr

You are correct.

The thing is, for each LC loco, you need the remote, from that loco. Also, you can't run it in conventional mode. You could power one track with conventional power and just boost the power to accommodate the LC loco (15ish volts seems to work), when you wanted to use it. I think the biggest disappointment folks have to overcome, is that you can't control LC trains with the LC plus controller, which would allow you to use 1 controller, if you had multiple LC sets. I think when folks get past the initial concern, they are happy with the individual train set. I can only speak for myself, when I say I am hesitant to buy any more LC sets, until they either allow conventional or LC plus control,but that's only me.

I don't think that is much of a concern. The only negative feedback I've heard, from my LHS and other train guys, is the LC lacks a conventional/remote switch. It can't cost THAT much more. I and others really think Lionel missed the boat by not putting a remote/conventional switch in all LC engines. I don't have an LC engine but I do have LC+. I haven't run for long on conventional but have just to try it out. I think all LC/LC+ items should have a conventional/remote switch. 

I'd be happy with aftermarket kits, like the Electric RR kits for TMCC,  to convert conventional or LionChief to LionChief Plus.  Some of us don't mind--and actually enjoy--tinkering under the hoods/boilers of our locos.  That's a big part of model railroading anyway, isn't it?

Agree with some others. Just add "the switch" so that you can run LionChief conventionally like the LC Plus locos.

 

OTOH, here's a question. Do you think the Lion Chief line may eventually just go away in favor of all LC+?  My guess is it's not so much a functionality issue as much as price point. I think Lionel wants to be able to offer the 'plain vanilla' LC trains for less costs for the entry level market.