S Gaugian PE review

I wrote the review.  I was told at York last spring by Matt Ashba of Lionel that it WOULD probably be a continuing product if it was well received by the market.  I think it has been so I expect it to be in the 2016 catalog. 

"Was unaware of its shortcomings when run in conventional mode"

 

Not familiar with this set.  What are the shortcomings?

According to page 13 of Bill's astute review, "...My feeling is that if you intend to operate in the conventional transformer mode primarily and not as the FlyerChief, the Berkshire locomotive of the Polar Express will come up short. It really wasn't designed for using just a transformer. Lionel just made it so it could..."

According to Bill's review, specific areas coming up short are accessing sounds using Lionel sound activation buttons and the smoke feature, :...What I observed was that they (Lionel sound activation buttons) did activate the horn and bell, but not as well as the FlyerChief. I also could not use the buttons to activate the announcements. You cannot operate the locomotive at 18 volts because it will speed off the tracks, so the smoke unit does not perform at average speed..."

With the PE you can use it in conventional, but it truly unlocks all is potential with flyerchief

Thanks. Appreciate the insights. I guess that's why they provide the remote . 

 

My take:  In general, even conventional locos can be quirky in terms of their response to sound activation buttons of various eras, at least in many people's experience.  Likewise, smoke production is problematic at low voltages with most designs.  To be fair, sound activation of announcements, in addition to the older features like whistle and bell,  in conventional mode,  is problematic in general (see PS1 as an example).  It's just not possible to have a variety of discrete sounds activated in conventional mode without some complex or kludge-like operational features. 

 

That's the strength of digital electronics, such as the LionChief, LionChief Plus and FlyerChief systems.  They work in digital command mode on your conventional layout, even when the voltage is only 8-10 volts.  You don't need the voltage at 18 volts.  My advice is to use them only in command mode, even if you are primarily operating conventional on your layout.  You wind up with independent control of the loco, full access to features,  and it doesn't interfere with your conventional operations.  Does require more than one hand however.