Skip to main content

I'm not that much into diesels, but the GP-7 was the right era, it was Union Pacific, and I love the steam Lionchief Plus locos so much I figured it had to be good.  It is more than good.  This is another home-run by Lionel.  Good sound, great smoke, pulls hard (hardly working here, I think), and it runs -- it runs so smoothly and unusually controllable to small increments of speed. 

 

Attachments

Videos (2)
DSCN9258
DSCN9259
Last edited by Lee Willis
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The sound is not Legacy quality.  Generic diesel, idles too fast, only revs a bit above that until it really moves fast.  But still, it is loud, diesel like, and varies as the train works harder.  I keep in mind it cost $300 and some change is all.  For that, it is a bargain.  

 

I guess we're always asking for more, but I really can't complain given the price. 

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

I guess we're always asking for more, but I really can't complain given the price. 

Exactly right. You can't buy a $25,000 Toyota and expect that it will accelerate and sound like a Ferrari. Not sure what people expect. Personally, loud continuous diesel whine gets to me pretty quick, and I always turn it down anyway.

I didn't take it as a dig, but a legit question. I would expect true to near-true sound from Legacy, but here, it is what I actually expected to get from it, since it cost only $300.  Breezinup is right, you turn down the sound pretty quickly because it is so monotonous, but leave it a little bit - it does make sound.  

 

Still, if Lionel would put sound like in a Legacy U30C in it, I'd pay at least $50, maybe $75 more - awesome. 

You're welcome Brewman1973.  You are right that it is a good size for smaller layouts.  I love it on mine.  Bigger diesels (DDX35, etc.) look silly on mine.  

 

Hard to fault this puppy.  Scale. Nice and heavy --- excellent -- just awesome pulling power, even when creeping.  Remote control couplers.  Good smoke.  Detail is good - okay, not Vision quality, not even quite Legacy maybe, but its good, really good, if not a lot of "separately added pieces."  And yeah, as observed, the diesel sound isn't Legacy quality.  But I paid only $249.95 including shipping . . .   THAT is a bargain. 

I wonder how you unit is running? Still okay? At our little train night group last night one of the participants brought his new delivered Lionchief Chessie Mikado. It ran for about 25 minutes and then started acting up with no response stalling, and then it would run again but all sounds were gone.

 

He was not happy to say the least and based on my luck lately this is typical so that is why I was wondering how your unit was doing?

Originally Posted by Captaincog:

I wonder how you unit is running? Still okay? At our little train night group last night one of the participants brought his new delivered Lionchief Chessie Mikado. It ran for about 25 minutes and then started acting up with no response stalling, and then it would run again but all sounds were gone.

 

He was not happy to say the least and based on my luck lately this is typical so that is why I was wondering how your unit was doing?

Had the same engine, purchased from a forum sponsor. Asked for it to be tested, I don't believe it was. Arrives and the sound would cut out and the engine would bind up and overheat. Sent it back for a refund, have another one coming from Trainworld tomorrow or Wednesday. Hope it isn't a dud either...really like the engine!

 

Be sure the tether/drawbar is really pressed together. The top should be flush. The engine will run without the tender but I found it to act up just a bit if the tether wasn't fully plugged in. 

Last edited by SJC
Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

The sound is not Legacy quality.  Generic diesel, idles too fast, only revs a bit above that until it really moves fast.  But still, it is loud, diesel like, and varies as the train works harder.  I keep in mind it cost $300 and some change is all.  For that, it is a bargain.  

 

I guess we're always asking for more, but I really can't complain given the price. 

Not only  that, but I bet the LionChief technology of not having to put power to the rails, is the future of the hobby and an advancement.

Makes the great price even more attractive.

They just need to figure out a way to consolidate remotes..maybe a LionChief remote hub or something.

Last edited by chipset

If you have an LC+ loco and have erratic performance, try changing the batteries for a fresher set.  Of the four locos I have had the running problems only on the Hudson and Pacific, but it both cases they started not responding and the sound would act up.  Fresh batteries fixed the problem.  Apparently if the loco is not getting a good signal it gets lonely and act up.  After 24 minutes I would not think the batteries would be weak yet, but it is easy to try . . . 

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

If you have an LC+ loco and have erratic performance, try changing the batteries for a fresher set.  Of the four locos I have had the running problems only on the Hudson and Pacific, but it both cases they started not responding and the sound would act up.  Fresh batteries fixed the problem.  Apparently if the loco is not getting a good signal it gets lonely and act up.  After 24 minutes I would not think the batteries would be weak yet, but it is easy to try . . . 

Lee, 

 

Thanks...good to know. My issue wasn't a battery, at least with the performance, there was a MAJOR bind in it. I wiggled the tether a bit, and had some erratic sound but once I really clamped down on the tether, all went away. Clearance between the tether and railhead looks a bit tight to try the zip-tie trick but I maybe wrong. Mikado #2 arrives tomorrow, hopefully this one isn't a dud. 

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×