LC Plus vs LC Plus 2.0.

Both LC+ and LC+ 2.0 are mostly semi-scale and not true 1:48 scale sized.

I meant to say not interested in scale. The 2022 catalog does not appear to show any LC plus trains only LC and LC plus 2.0. Is the Plus train going away?

The LC+ has been replaced by the LC+ 2.0. I really like the LC+ because they are much cheaper and have fan driven smoke and good sounds and lighting.

The LC+ 2.0 apparently can do lash ups and other functions I do not use but others for sure do. They have some additional lighting options on certain models but I have both and would take LC+ over LC+ 2.0 any day mainly for the price difference.

Of course if they still made the LC+ models today I'm sure the prices would have raised by now so it's hard to compare with that point.

With that being said I am always on the look out for LC+ models that are at a reasonable price.

I'm pretty sure that LC+ (without the 2.0) is no going to be produced any longer.  LC is the basic functionality, and LC+ 2.0 is the enhanced functionality.

Am I limited to LC as far as scale size is concerned to maintain consistency on both locomotives and rolling stock? Do other mfg's make rolling stock in the LC scale? Is it a 1/43 scale or something else? Thanks

You're not limited to anything, remember...  It's your RailRoad, and it's your rules.  If it looks good to you, that's all that counts.

As far as smaller versions of rolling stock, tons of semi-scale rolling stock round, both new and used.  FWIW, 1:43 is larger than 1:48, if anything I'd say they're more like the old K-Line stuff, 1:55 or so.

I sold my LC+ locomotives because I use a cab2 remote and they are not equipped with TMCC.  LC+ 2.0 can be run by a Bluetooth remote, an app on a smart device, or with a Cab1 or Cab2 remote.  They also have all metal drive gears. Some of first generation LC+ Locomotives had plastic gears.  

Re: differences between LC Plus and LC Plus 2.0, here's a chart that should help. Reportedly LC Plus 2 also adds water filling and coal loading sounds on steamers.

As far as scale sizing, some of the LionChief engines are actually scale-sized. These include the LionChief GP engines (while "traditional," they're actually scale-sized (just as the PostWar and later traditional Geeps are), the FTs, and the RS-3s. Scale-sized LionChief steamers include the A5 switchers and the Camelbacks. While scale-sized, these engines work just fine with traditional rolling stock, and operate on small radius track. With these particular engines, the real ones weren't terribly large, so these "scale" ones don't appear oversize for operators of traditional trains.

Thanks everyone for your input. After I visited my local train shop, I noticed there were significant size differences between Lionel trains depending on year made and models. Since I am starting out and decided to go with LC Plus 2.0 for power I would like the stay consistent in the size of the rolling stock. The manufactures don't appear to give exact scales of their products which can apparently vary anywhere from 1/43 to 1/55 or more. I like to buy locally but the dealer does carry much inventory. Consequently when I order online, I am not sure exactly the scale size I am ordering irispective of brand of rolling stock.