Lion chief vs legacy

Does the difference in price of a Mercedes vs a Chevy justify the huge cost difference?  Only you can be the judge of that.  I have a lot of Lionel Legacy and MTH Premier, and one Lionchief Plus Camelback, that tells you what I think.  YMMV

There's a HUGE difference between LionChief and LionChief Plus 2.0.  Given the price differential, I'd choose LionChief Plus 2.0 over Legacy every time. 

Plain Jane LionChief is another animal all together.

Jon

Hi Hammerlane:  This video is now playing on my YT Channel.  Check it out......

You may find this video helpful...      https://youtu.be/4M3dKSGGwdc

In this video we will be operating a LionChief Plus Baltimore & Ohio Steam Locomotive.  This is a 2-8-2 Mikado and it can be operated with a transformer, LionChief Plus Remote, Lionel Universal Remote & with Lionel’s Bluetooth® App.

Gary

Thank you for your reply. I understand how both systems operate. I want peoples opinion on rather or not the legacy system is worth the huge price difference when compared to LionChief 2.0?

Generally speaking: 

Legacy locomotives are full 1/4" scale representations of the real thing with separately added details. 

LionChief locomotives are usually selectively compressed (also referred to as traditional sized) or updated postwar locomotive with the details molded in to the shells.  A few are full 1/4" scale, but do not have the high level of detail of Legacy locomotives.

Rusty

Hammerlane posted:

Thank you for your reply. I understand how both systems operate. I want peoples opinion on rather or not the legacy system is worth the huge price difference when compared to LionChief 2.0?

I think GunRunnerJohn's opinion, posted above, says it all.

What do you like? 

What do you want to own?

What do you want to run?

What can you afford?

For me, Legacy is the best because of the finish, look and performance.  Yes.  It's worth the price difference.  To me.

Legacy hands down.

We have one Lionchief. It is broken.

Buy what you want. My opinion in my opinion, you’re is yours. Nobody is right or wrong.

Hammerlane posted:

Thank you for your reply. I understand how both systems operate. I want peoples opinion on rather or not the legacy system is worth the huge price difference when compared to LionChief 2.0?

Since none of us have seen LC+ 2.0 locomotives, the answer would have to be that I don't know.  I know I'll be buying a couple of the LC+ 2.0 Dockside switchers. 

A big difference is LC stuff is mostly semi-scale.  If you're into 1:48 full scale O-gauge locomotives and rolling stock, most of the LC stuff will be pretty small in comparison to the scale stuff.  I picked up the LC+ Camelback so I could intelligently talk about the LC+ product line, and a bonus was it was also scale sized.

Again, this is a question that only YOU can answer.  All the other opinions you see here are just that, one person's opinion.  I suspect you know the old saw about opinions...   Opinions are like...  well, you know the rest.

I like all the features that come with my Legacy locos, but most the high end Legacy locos are too big for my 0-36 curves. I have one LC+ that can run on any layout just put on the track and go. I like the LC+ features as well.

Aside from size and level of detail, the chart below shows the major feature differences between LC, LC +, LC + 2.0 and Legacy.

Rusty Traque posted:

Generally speaking: 

Legacy locomotives are full 1/4" scale representations of the real thing with separately added details. 

LionChief locomotives are usually selectively compressed (also referred to as traditional sized) or updated postwar locomotive with the details molded in to the shells.  A few are full 1/4" scale, but do not have the high level of detail of Legacy locomotives.

I think, among the LionChief engines that are scale-sized, are the GP7/9, GP-20, GP-38, RS-3, FT, NW-2 and GP-60. All diesels. None of the LionChief steamers are scale, other than the Camelbacks and the A5. 

Legacy engines have more features that make them capable of more complicated operations, have more detail, and have superior sounds. LionChief engines are simpler to operate, but have enough features to satisfy many operators. Also, a lot depends on the size of your pocketbook and how much time you have to spend operating your trains. As others have said, the best way to determine what's right for you is to compare them. That's easy to say, but not necessarily easy to do. If you can find someone who has both and will let you run them, that's great. Otherwise, unfortunately, it's expensive to compare, because you'll have to buy two engines. 

Setting aside cost differences and detailing issues, there is an enormous technical difference between Legacy and LionChief. A poll of technically oriented people on this subject by itself would be enlightening. 

Nothing wrong with owning both kinds, of course. Lots of folks do. Run them depending on your mood, and depending on circumstances. Having engines for young people to operate, or for operating something under the Christmas tree where ease of operation is valued, or for quick, easy operating sessions, the LionChief line may be preferable. For more involved operation, there's Legacy.

Richie C. posted:

Aside from size and level of detail, the chart below shows the major feature differences between LC, LC +, LC + 2.0 and Legacy.

The chart is only readable in Australia, or by standing on your head...

Abut 10 years ago I semi-retired and got out my old trains. I set ups a layout and added a few engines-all legacy. Over the last 2 years I bought 3 lion chief engines and to me they were a revelation. It had this clever remote control that could ring a bell, sound a horn, and  play pre-recorded messages. Two of the engines were diesel and looked quite realistic to me. The third was the Mickey Mouse Christmas train. The beauty of this is that my 3 and 1/2 year old grand daughter who I bought this set for could operate the engine by herself. It was worth any price to see the sheer joy in her face as she operated the train, an operation made possible by Lion Chief.

I would recommend getting both-legacy and lion chief as each has its pluses.

JohnF

GRJ's analogy of Mercedes vs. Chevy is a good one, especially if one considers the total cost, not just the locomotive and system costs. As others pointed out, Legacy is only available in 1:48 scale engines which are, of course, more expensive. More to the point, so are the 1:48, more-detailed scale passenger and freight cars that match the engines, just like the parts and maintenance costs with a Mercedes are reportedly higher than the Chevy. You pay for performance upfront and on-going. 

LC+ and LC+2 comes in semi-scale and some scale-sized locos but appears to be generally geared to the simpler and lower-cost market relative to Legacy. They match nicely with traditional/O27/O31-sized rolling stock that are plentiful, less-detailed, and lower cost.

So relative total cost should enter into the discussion along with space. Legacy engines and rolling stock require larger curves and more space and more money.

Also, consider quantity. Will you be satisfied with 2 or 3 engines or will you become addicted and need 20?  Will one set of passenger cars be sufficient or will you get the bug and need six? 

If you have the space and budget, 1:48 scale with Legacy is the way to go.  If budget, space, or tech skills are limited, LC+ and its upgrade LC+2 seem like a better option.

Plain old LC is for entry-level toys like my youngest's Thomas set. Nothing wrong with it. In fact, as a 4 y/o, she loved it. 

raising4daughters posted:

Also, consider quantity. Will you be satisfied with 2 or 3 engines or will you become addicted and need 20?  Will one set of passenger cars be sufficient or will you get the bug and need six? 

Sadly, I couldn't stop at 20 or even 50. But at least I have close to half of them where I can actually see and enjoy them.

I think..... I opine...... I ramble to watch myself type?..... You look at a loco, if you like it and it’s in your budget, it’s worth it.