Which Thomas Train set?

Main pro for the LionChief set is that the remote makes for more play value.  It's also less expensive, lighter to haul around, and can co-exist with command control locos with independent control of the LionChief loco, which isn't possible with the conventional Thomas.  At a train show you can hand the remote to visitors, which is hard to do with a transformer .

They're pretty reliable as far as I've heard and experienced.  Losing the remote is the main risk.  Replacements are available as far as I know.  If you have two of the same LionChief locos, be aware that they will both respond to any remote for that loco type in the vicinity.

The only real advantage of the transformer (conventional)set is you get a transformer that can be used for other purposes (accessories, switches, lights).

The remote is the weak link for the LC set. One forum member had users break the stops on the throttle dial. They don't handle hard surface drops real well. You cannot operate the train if the remote breaks.

If it's just for show and no user participation, the conventional set would work best for you.

The visitors do enjoy operating the train and it creates interest in the whole layout. The problem with that is they activate the bell and leave it on allllll day.

Several club members have posted using the various Thomas trains and allowing use. Mostly good reports. The guy with the stops damaged mounted it on a board to limit the damage and installed hard external stops.

The visitors do enjoy operating the train and it creates interest in the whole layout. The problem with that is they activate the bell and leave it on allllll day.

Oy Vey, do they ever!!! I sure wish there was a way to turn that friggin bell off and leave it off.

But the kids really like to run Thomas and James by themselves. We turn the track voltage down so they can only reach a speed which is lower than escape velocity.

The worst part as how sticky, gooey, slimy and germ-laden the remote gets with all the little angels handling it while eating candy canes and picking their noses. I always have them hand the remote to someone el;se in the club who is not a germophobic as me.

Three words: Anti Bacterial Wipes.

I have a similar issue with the LC Polar Express, the little ones want warp speed and it derails. Time for some alterations to the engine to restrict speed, it runs too bloody fast anyway. I'll look at a way to make it run smooth when slower as well.

I bought a Thomas set for my grandkids about 10 years ago and it's been pretty bullet proof. It has a heavy transformer 80W IIRC and some neat fast track turnouts so they can switch cars. Occasionally there's a mishap and the wrecking train has to be called out :> .DaveB

WOW Roy; that sound like a fun day where do I sign up?! 

I'm glad that everyone can relate.

Just turn down the track voltage.

https://ogrforum.com/t...ess-train-experience

At the above link you can see the way I mounted my LionChief remotes for the kids. To keep the train speed down I use a Lionel transformer, set the remotes to full speed and then adjust the transformer throttle to the top speed that I want for the trains this way they cannot run the trains off the track. 1 40 watt transformer will easily run the 4 trains.

The remotes are not that strong if unsupervised the kids are used to video games  turn the dials back and forth to try to get the trains to run, there is a delay of several seconds before a train starts to move they do not understand and keep flipping the dials back and forth or try to turn them past the stops and it is very easy to break them, not strong at all.

With the remotes zip strapped to the boards with screws to hold them in place and metal brackets mounted to prevent them from turning the dial past stop or fast this lessens the chance they can be broken. Over the year and several shows they have forced them past the stops somehow and I have had to repair the remotes 4 times this year. It is a pretty simple fix just takes time and a few $'s look for the post on how to repair, do a search under remote repair.

I have never liked having the kids handle a full size transformer with 120 volts going in and amps coming out the back there is always the potential for problems, keep the kids away from the transformers for safety.

The remotes are pretty kid friendly.

Over the year and several shows all my Thomas engines have died I have bought a 2nd set of all engines to run while I get the first set repaired. the motors burn out easy and other things break with the controls.

But I have done a lot of shows through the year the trains get a real workout.

The bell on the Thomas engine in particular is very loud. To kill the bell if you are by the transformer just turn the transformer handle off and then back on kills the bells.

Or if out front just hit the bell button.

As for the goo from the kids on the remotes, it is a real problem. At most shows I have a gate and restrict access, before the kids with parents enter I give them a squirt of hand cleaner and a paper towel to dry keeps it all sanitary. With this display do not have enough help to do this so the remotes get really messy, clean them a few times a day and wash my hands after touching them.

The local train club after my experience has glued little tabs on the remote handles to prevent the kids from turning the remote throttle to far and breaking it.

Thanks for the quick responses and great info.

Bob

We use a Thomas remote set at our Holiday Display in our community club house.  We attached a lanyard to the remote and we make whomever is running the train wear the lanyard around his or her neck.  So far, that has minimized the chances of the unit dropping or being removed from the area.  We also put a label on the remote reminding our adult supervisors to make sure that the slide switch is in the off position when the train is stopped or stored for a long period.  Finally, we set the transformer voltage at about 12volts which eliminates the chance of the train derailing from overspeed whether in forward or reverse.  The kids and grownups alike seem to enjoy the opportunity to run the train.

Joe S

Sorry, kj356 for the "guy" reference. I have you bookmarked now. Your experience is valuable when this question arises. Thanks.

LOL. We need to get Otterbox to make a remote protector like they do for the iPhones.

At a recent train show a boy brought along his Polar Express Lionel set and ran it on a few tables. They had the set plugged in with the power with the set and left the LionChief remote on the table for the kids to use. I am amazed it all held up. It ran all weekend as warp speed most of the time, I guess with a few passenger cars that kept the engine from flying off the track.

Recall at a past train show kids running a TMCC layout dropped the remote and it smashed to bits.

Mounting a remote with instructions and something to prevent them from breaking it works well.

It really helps when you have enough help that there can 1 on 1 with a club member to supervise. My own layout is often a 1 person operation and I am always working on other items on the layout or watching overall so it has to be self contained!