Very basic LionChief question, answered... Second question being asked

Yes they do. Each has a separate remote that only operates it's respective engine. If you get two of the same engine with the same road name and number, then either remote will operate either or both of those engines. Everything else (different engine type, road name etc.) would need it's own specific remote.

Thanks. I think I'm going to order three, all different body styles and road names, so no conflicts.

They run great.

I don't have any yet, but I think a couple of the LC+ engines are scale sized too. The camelback is one of those. My LHS has an RS-3, Nickel Plate Road on display that is a very nice looking engine. I think it is semi scale, but I have been admiring it the last couple of times I was there.

I'm going for the new CP GP-38, and the previously released but still cataloged BN NW-2 and BNSF GP-20. I would never replace my TMCC fleet, but the idea of switching without signal issues is rather appealing.

Elliot, if they work as well as mine, you'll love them.

I also operate in an 18v Legacy/TMCC/DCS environment, and have no issues.   It's a perfect setup. 

As you may know, Lionel is planning on making a multi-engine LionChief remote that will control three locos, MSRP under $50,  probably available this spring.

Most of the folks here that have posted about their LC & LC+ stuff have been positive with their comments. I think that is also a good sign. Hope you enjoy them. 

Landsteiner posted:

As you may know, Lionel is planning on making a multi-engine LionChief remote that will control three locos, MSRP under $50,  probably available this spring.

I did see that, the orange one with the extra buttons. I don't expect to need it though, as the dedicated remotes should do just exactly what I need.

Welcome to the Lion Chief Club! I've got 4 Lion Chief Plus locos now (steamers and diesels) and couldn't be happier.

These are a big winner winner for Lionel !

I have to admit, that when LC first came out, I was less than interested. Now that I have come to my senses, and realized that it could have a place in my grand scheme, I'm jumping in with both feet. I also like the fact that they cost about half the price of similar Legacy engines. They also have all the features that I need without all the fluff.

I'll be curious to test the ergonomics of the remote. With the Cab-1, I can easily run a train with just my left thumb on the speed control wheel. The wheel's design, a steam engine driver, is a little cutesy for my taste, but I'll live.

Thanks for all the glowing endorsements guys. I'm excited to get to try them out. The first couple should show up quickly once I place my order, since they are already in stock.

johnstrains posted:

Welcome to the Lion Chief Club! I've got 4 Lion Chief Plus locos now (steamers and diesels) and couldn't be happier.

These are a big winner winner for Lionel !

 

What John said. I have a LC+ GP7 and I love it. My next purchase will be a LC+ GP20 BNSF and eventually a Chessie Mikado..............okay a FT Rio Grand or Santa Fe too.

Are certain LC or LC+  scale and some semi scale? I guess I need to check one out in person.

Seacoast posted:

Are certain LC or LC+  scale and some semi scale? I guess I need to check one out in person.

That's a great question, which I forgot to ask. I'm trying to limit my railroad to scale equipment, though I know I have a few pieces that aren't. I have some Lionmaster diesels and some freight cars that are a little suspect for being under sized.

My guess is that the NW-2 mold is the classic postwar model that's been around forever. Looking at the catalog doesn't provide much insight.

Just wondering.......................how do you operate a Lion Chief consist of two powered GP38's  back to back?

Regards,

Swafford

I have 8 LC and 1 LC+ they are great the kids love running them on the TMCC/DCS layout and great at shows.

However I have had some problems on some turnouts with the engines loosing power so have to restrict the LC engine range to certain  parts of the layout where they run through turnouts for smooth operation. Perhaps with a Geep you will be ok with the longer wheel base then some locos.

I think it is a pity that Lionel does not do a little bit more work on having the diesels with more scale looking hand rails and details. They are basic toy looking toy like semi scale looking. You can get a some versions of the MTH Rail King engines looking much more to scale with far more features and pulling power and for less $ then the Lion Chief + engines, something to consider. Check the OGR advertisers. 

I think you would have to buy two of the same road number. There is no provision for it, but the A and powered B units work off one remote.

"You can get a some versions of the MTH Rail King engines looking much more to scale with far more features and pulling power and for less $ then the Lion Chief + engines, something to consider."

As a caveat, just remember that the MTH Rail King locos will not operate in command mode (unlike the LionChief Plus) unless you have DCS installed on your layout.  Without DCS you will not  be able to operate MTH locos on your layout independently from a handheld remote.  They are conventional only unless you have DCS.

kj356 posted:

I have had some problems on some turnouts with the engines loosing power so have to restrict the LC engine range to certain  parts of the layout where they run through turnouts for smooth operation. Perhaps with a Geep you will be ok with the longer wheel base then some locos.

This has nothing to do with LC. This is a problem that can happen to any engine operating in any mode. It is a function of track design and switch spacing, combined with an engine's roller spacing. When a roller has to cross the closure rail of a switch, it loses contact with the center rail. Since engines have at least two rollers, this usually isn't a problem. However, when you have multiple switches placed back to back, there are multiple dead spots. If they line up with the two rollers, boom, you've got no center rail, and it stalls.

The way around this problem is to have feeders connected to the closure rails that are switched, so when the points are thrown, center rail power is routed to the unused closure rail. It takes an SPDT set of contacts to do this. This is not a simple solution, but it's the only way I know to correct the problem. I have a bunch of spots on my layout that will need this treatment.

Swafford, Lionel has no provision for running a pair of LC/LC+ locos back to back.    

For conventional locos, it would only need the addition of a DPDT switch to allow the operator to reverse the polarity to the motors to accomplish this, but L did not add that feature even for the LC+.   Too bad.   

I just received my ABA set of FT LC+ in SantaFe colors.   The B unit is powered, and must be oriented correctly to follow the powered A unit.   Otherwise the two units fight each other.

I appreciate your posts with your designs!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Seacoast posted:

Are certain LC or LC+  scale and some semi scale? I guess I need to check one out in person.

That's a great question, which I forgot to ask. I'm trying to limit my railroad to scale equipment, though I know I have a few pieces that aren't. I have some Lionmaster diesels and some freight cars that are a little suspect for being under sized.

My guess is that the NW-2 mold is the classic postwar model that's been around forever. Looking at the catalog doesn't provide much insight.

The BN NW-2 and BNSF GP-20 are scale and the CP GP38 is semi-scale per the product descriptions on the Lionel website.

The LionChief Plus GP-20 is a Post War chopped-nose GP-7.

Jon

Also, regarding reversing the units, one could reverse the motor leads of the trailing unit.

Jon

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Seacoast posted:

Are certain LC or LC+  scale and some semi scale? I guess I need to check one out in person.

....... I'm trying to limit my railroad to scale equipment, though I know I have a few pieces that aren't. I have some Lionmaster diesels and some freight cars that are a little suspect for being under sized.

My guess is that the NW-2 mold is the classic postwar model that's been around forever. Looking at the catalog doesn't provide much insight.

The LC+ diesel engines, the GP and NW switcher engines in particular, are traditional Postwar-type shells, which means they are pretty much scale-sized. Hold a traditional GP up to a scale version, and they're the same size, for example. The FT engines are as well. The LC+ steam engines, however, are smaller than scale.

Just an observation here.

I am still running my 10th Anniversary Polar Express LC+ from Christmas time and the engine has very poor low speed control. It is not moving or moving fairly fast.  It also has no cruise effect, slows way down on sharper curves. I'm spoiled from all my DCS engines I guess.  Other than those 2 points the LC+ Polar Express is a very nice set.

Russell, nice to see you post again, it's been awhile.

"I am still running my 10th Anniversary Polar Express LC+ from Christmas time and the engine has very poor low speed control."

Is this a LC+ or LC?  I ask because LC has no speed control, unlike LC+.

The Polar Express is NOT "plus".

Jon

Russell,

Yes Good to see you back on the forum. Did you ever redo that large track plan you were last working on? Sorry not trying to hijack the thread.

Russell posted:

Just an observation here.

I am still running my 10th Anniversary Polar Express LC+ from Christmas time and the engine has very poor low speed control. It is not moving or moving fairly fast.  It also has no cruise effect, slows way down on sharper curves. I'm spoiled from all my DCS engines I guess.  Other than those 2 points the LC+ Polar Express is a very nice set.

yes, it's LC. On constant voltage AC, 18v, it should creep very nicely. The 8 driver Berk, Jr. does slow in small radius curves because the length of the drivers in O36 or smaller will bind enough to slow it. Then, lacking cruise control, there is no power compensation.

Swafford posted:

Just wondering.......................how do you operate a Lion Chief consist of two powered GP38's  back to back

With two different road numbers, one remote in the left hand, one in the right hand, roll the throttles in opposite directions. It takes a little practice, but works surprisingly well.