My review of MY 1st LionChief Plus

I like them alot, too!  It is just a splendid system, works every time, any way, etc. Nice review.  I agree.  In particular, I like the excellent speed control: you can easily do switching with the slow speed settings and the control they give you, and the remote couplers.  Another thing I like is the two I have now pace each other at almost the exact same speed, within a foot or so per minute, when set to the same throttle setting.  I have the Hudson and Pacific and plan to get a Mikado just because . . . .

 

The only problem I have had is that twice, the Pacific's remote started up in volume control mode (with the red light blinking and the knob controlling volume, not speed).  It took me quite a while to figure out what was going on, but other than that its just so simple and elegant to operate. 

 

Lee:  What was the problem, and how did you rectify it?

Bob, great review.  I go to Charles Ro each week and always end up playing with the sets he has set up for customers to use.  The train control is fantastic.  These sets are going to be a huge hit with people.

The first time it happened I had no idea what was happening.  As soon as I turned on the remote the loco stopped beeping and started chuffing and the red light on the remote started blinking.  I turned the knob and of course the loco did not move -t was in volume adjust mode.  Not knowing that I turned the knob and the volume changed.  I tried pressing both whistle and bell buttons the way that is supposed to put it into volume adjust mode, then releasing them.  That did nothing, so I powered down the track and turned off the remote, and waited for a few seconds, then powered up the track and waited for the beeping from the loco, then turned on the remote.  All was normal.  It has done it one time since and I did the same thing.  If it happens again I will play with it some more but it seems to be intermitant. 

Did the remote control the couplers?

Yes, you can control the couplers with the remote. I love my U.P. Hudson. Runs like a champ.

It takes just a bit of practice to get really good working with the couplers - learning to do the double press or whistle or bell button needed to pop them (the steamers have only a rear operating coupler - at least mine do.  Diesels have them on both ends).  The really good news is that it is easy once you get the hang of it, and, the first two or three notches of speed control are soooooo slow - just a crawl - that operating it as a switcher is easy.  

Thanks for the thorough review. These are on my radar. Hope to see some "live" at York next week.

Nice review. Have to say I'm seriously thinking about picking up one or two of these engines this year. I actually like the idea of dedicated remotes. Right now I only have 4 engines (and one is a Christmas engine I only run at the holidays) so I'm not too worried about having too many remotes to keep track of. Plus my layout only allows two trains to run at once. Upside of multiple remotes is that each of my kids can run their own trains. For those of us who haven't bought a Legacy, CAB or DCS system and a bunch of locomotives this seems like a great way to go and it's nice that Lionel are rolling this system out with a nice selection to chose from. I'll probably order the Great Northern Mikado and Rio Grande RS3.  

I whole-heartedly agree with you, and the reasons to buy these.  Mine are for my grandchildren, but I have the same purpose in mind; everyone gets their own train to run.  You've made some good choices to start with.  

My new LC+ Chessie Mikado arrived today from Charles Ro, and I spent about two hours with it.  I'm blown away, frankly.  From the powerful smoke to the glowing firebox to the quiet, smooth running, this thing has it all.  The remote is intuitive and easy to use.

I like to complain about Lionel prices as much as the next guy--but I feel like I got my money's worth and then some. An excellent product!

I totally agree about getting your money's worth.  These things offer more bang for the buck.  I think what a competitor used to state that they do more right out of the box would be an appropriate statement here.  And, these will be fun for everyone who picks up the remote.

Bob, great review, thank you.

 

Peter

Flipped her over to conventional this morning and grabbed another 20 minutes of track time before heading off to the office.  All was terrific.  I feel confident that so long as more LC+ products are produced in my road names, they'll be my go-to locomotive for the foreseeable future.

 

While I still feel there's a need for a line of better-than-starter-set locomotives in the $150-$250 range, LC+ pricing does a pretty good job of hitting the sweet spot for me.  My perception of value begins to decline significantly when the cost of a locomotive crosses the $500 mark.

 

Also, I haven't cracked the manual yet, which I need to do to see the process for lowering the volume--it's REALLY loud!

Good to hear the continuing positive reports on LC+.

 

Have my eye on the Chessie Mikado and may even snag one at York. Assume Charles Ro may have some on hand for sale. Otherwise, will order online.

Glad to hear good reviews.   I have two of the LC+ on my layout, a Pacific and Hudson.   Both are excellent machines.  I think the features that most stand-out to me are:

*  Excellent slow speed control.

*  Amazing fan puffing smoke output.

*  Sounds are above anything else I have.

*  Synchronization of the chuff and smoke really draw me in.

I am anxiously awaiting the Diesels.  

After reading this I preordered my Great Northern Mikado and even though I have no layout (selling house and moving to bigger train room) I'm excited to get it!

Can you run these on AC and still use the remote control?  I have my eye on the RS3.

I wish they would come out with the Harry Potter engine in this.  I'd be buying it in a heartbeat!  I'd love to have a European style locomotive on my layout that has DCS or any remote control but the $1k plus price of the MTH ones keep me out of that.

The book says it will run on 18 volts AC or DC.

Saw the presentation on Lion Chief Plus at the Lionel booth this morning. J. Don showed us the Lionel B&O Pacific pulling a VERY long consist. Quite impressed with Lion Chief+ overall. Man, that speed control is something, It just creeps. And looks like good smoke output, too.

Hey Guys

Here are a couple of LionChief locos.

Thanks

Pat

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

	$312.99	Pennsylvania LionChief™ Plus 2-8-2 Mikado http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 6-81297 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Lionel Product Type: Locomotives Availability: In Stock
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$312.99	Chessie System LionChief™ Plus 2-8-2 Mikado #2103 http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 6-81299 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Lionel Product Type: Locomotives Availability: In Stock

They are just fantastic locos, guys.  They will pull 30+ cars.

I saw the demonstration at York Wednesday afternoon.  About a half hour later I bought the Mikado at Nicholas Smith for around $300.  How can ya beat it?  It cost more to upgrade a loco to get cruise and chuffing smoke.  

 

I like the way you can just add it to your Legacy locos on the same track.

 

They should add LionChief to some small scale steam locos... like 0-6-0's, Moguls, Atlantics.. etc

I agree - I'd buy them all although I am not a fan of the Lionel Mogul chassis - those I've had don't run as smoothly as I'd like, but I would love a Lionchief Big boy, too, made from the old Lionmaster castings . . . 

I'm loving my two steamers, but I would like to have a better option for a LionChief+ diesel.   The two currently offered have those stamped-metal handrails that are a turn-off for me.   Something like the Williams BL-2 that has good detail and wire handrails.    I'm not sure what Lionel might have that they could equip with LC+.

Not sure if anyone took advantage. Grzybowski's had the Lionchief Plus locos at a York Special price of $ 285!  Nice.  

We found out a neat feature of LionChief. If you want to run in forward only it will work.

 

Our display in the store requires the loco to be set in Forward at start up since we use a timer and a button. The LionChief will stay in forward only as long as the remote is turned on.

 

If the power is applied and it does not see the remote it will just sit there and beep, but if your remote is on it continues in the same direction as it was when power was shut off. 

Ordered a LChief+ RS-3 Rio Grande today from my Local Shop.  Hoping to be able to change out shells with XMAS RS-3.  We'll see if it works.

Like JohnsTrains and Woo above, I saw J. Don demonstrate the LionChief Plus at the TCA Convention (today he used a NYC Hudson) & have nothing but positive comments!  In addition to all of the great sound & operational features, it has a really cool flickering firebox that I would expect to see only on a $1,000+ loco.  Fully impressed!  I am glad Lionel is meeting the need for these locos in the niche of guys like me who run conventional with no intent to go full-command.  For those of you (like me) who may be concerned you will loose or destroy your exclusive handheld unit, J. Don says Lionel foresaw that issue & will be making them available through customer service (he didn't say how long though).  George Brown has a great review of this system beginning on P. 25 of the current OGR issue, Run 272 August/Sept. 2014.  Read it!  Bravo, Lionel.

Great review.  I have the new LionChief + Santa Fe Mikado and I love it.  So easy to use I just hand the remote over to visiting company and they are prose within seconds.  Great puller and the fan driven smoke, sounds and remote uncoupling are just bonuses to me.  A real winner for Lionel.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex