RickO posted:The drawbar could indeed be the issue because...
This is an "all new 8 pin magnetic wireless drawbar".
( Why did Lionel not use the bullet proof I.R. drawbar??? Is it not compatible with the Lionchief electronics?)
That's an easy question. They're drawing power through this drawbar, it's a two-way street. The IR tether is bulletproof, but it's strictly a one-way street and it's only for data, not for power.