Originally Posted by Matthew B.:
On our conventional 5 x 8 display we're operating 9 trains and are considering ways to add 3 more trains.
Simplicity, time, space and money.
The LionChief products open the doors for Lionel to bring enthusiasts into the market who may have previously been excluded because of those four concerns.
Your average blue collar apartment dweller doesn't have the time, space or disposable income for a large permanent display nor the inclination to put together all the components of a full blown digital control system when ever the urge to run trains hits them.
The LionChief product alleviates these concerns by making it quick and easy to assemble and disassemble a temporary layout with remote operations capable of controlling multiple trains in minutes rather than hours.
The only short coming in the LionChief line is the lack of a multiple train remote, Such an accessory would make it easy to replace a broken remote and encourage additional locomotive sales.
If Lionel comes out with the multi channel remote I'd eventually replace all my conventional engines.
LC+ is simple and easy to make work. No offense to the folks that designed Legacy and DCS, but as an electrical engineer for the last forty years, one thing I learned is, anytime some mentioned "ground plane," things are going to be complicated. the beautyf of LC+ is that it offers good control and simplicity and repeatability. Turn it on, and it works. Turn it off, put it away in a box, and when you next take it out, it will work.
I'm sold (literally).