What Lionel engines can run on conventional control?

I believe everything listed except Lionchief. Lionchief plus is OK just not plain Lionchief.

Pete

Agreed. I run mostly conventional but also have a handful of Lionel Chief Plus locos (steam and diesel). You can run these with the supplied remote OR conventionally by toggling the switch on the bottom of the loco.

mowingman posted:

I have always run conventional Lionel, using a KW and a ZW transformer. I have not kept up at all, with the new types of control systems or terminology. I am enlarging a 3 rail Lionel layout so my grandson and I can run more equipment. Lionel, besides conventional engines, has stuff labeled "TMCC, Legacy, Lionchief, Lionchief 2, Lionel LCS, Command Control, Celebration Series, etc, etc." Atlas also has TMCC.

What Lionel and Atlas engines can we run with our conventional ZW/KW transformers? I like some of the newer engines, but am not interested in adding another control system at this time, if ever. Currently we only operate Postwar Lionel, and a little MPC stuff.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

as long as you do not have a legacy/tmcc base plugged in anywhere near your layout all lionel command engines should operate in conventional mode.

Yup-  LionChief (set) locomotives are the only ones that will not run on a transformer.  But LionChief Plus, Legacy. TMCC etc.  -  ALL can be set on "Transformer Control", and have many useful features, such as good horns and bells, "chuff" etc.   

I personally run conventional (for myself and adults with great memories of postwar Lionel) and LionChief Plus for the kids. 

I have a switch on my control board that disconnects TMCC from the layout and all of my TMCC engines will then run in conventional.  They take a moment longer to start at first, looking for the TMCC signal I suppose, but then operate normally. 

Nathan

Thanks everyone. Now I know what to look for when picking up a few other engines. Really opens up the playing field, so to speak.

Jeff

I run my Lionel Batman LionChief engine all the time via conventional transformer on the Paradise & Pacific layout and on a mobile layout owned by the TCA Desert Division and on a mobile layout owned by the Grand Canyon Model Railroaders; it is not a LionChief Plus engine.  I set the transformer to 15-18 watts and turn on my remote, and the engine runs just fine.  In fact, one of the videos that Lionel has posted on You Tube discusses how to operate a regular LionChief engine with the power pack and with a conventional transformer.  I realize that the LionChief engine is not entirely transformer controlled, a remote is needed; but the remote allows you to walk around the layout and interact with the public more.

Janet Mattern (TCA and LCCA member)

Something to consider if you plan on running non-postwar engines with your ZW/KW then,if you have not done so,s you need to add a 5 amp Fast-Trip Circuit Breaker like a AN-501 to the power leads to your track. Unlike the postwar engines that are built like tanks, the more modern stuff is pretty current fragile.  I learned this lesson the hard way with a Atlas SW-2 that I got cheap off the 'Bay. It unfortunately arrived with an internal short that triggered while going arround a curve. In a second, and way before the ZW circuit breaker tripped, the wiring of the SW-2 when POOF in a puff of smoke. I was able to rewrire it and while the motor control still works, the horn does not.  This could be really bad with the newer, digital, engines. The new Circuit breakers trip in a heartbeat and I've not had an issue since.I've added them to all my power outputs now, even the accessory ones. The helpful folks here can suggest some alternative Circuit breakers.

thanks,

Kevin