Lionel Doodlebugs in New Catalog

Probably have a similar drive train to the MTH version, since it's MTH tooling.

I will have to ask that at the Big E in two weeks. It appears Lionel are cramming in more features and adding a smoke unit to the former railking doodlebug. They must either be packed to the max or as you stated used the cheap in-truck non flywheel motors for these motorcars.

Good question, I would like to know myself.

I smaller motor would be a deal breaker for me.

If I had to guess by the renders, and the fact you can't see all the way through the car, it probably has two motors, one above each truck.

Rusty

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I will have to ask that at the Big E in two weeks. It appears Lionel are cramming in more features and adding a smoke unit to the former railking doodlebug. They must either be packed to the max or as you stated used the cheap in-truck non flywheel motors for these motorcars.

@Lou1985 posted:

Probably have a similar drive train to the MTH version, since it's MTH tooling.

At the price, it better have a lot of additional features.  Nearly choked when I saw the price.  I'll stick with the MTH versions.

Yep, when I saw the price I suffered sticker shock!   I have an MTH 2-car PRR set of Doodlebugs, and they were a whole lot cheaper.

What Lionel should do is go from a two motored unit down to a single motor in the front. They could stuff the electronics in the mail/baggaged area and do a full passenger interior.... I was able to do this with ERR parts for a customer so space shouldnt be an issue.

I remember the original Railking Doodlebugs (Proto1) had thin shells that shattered easy, I hope they correct that for what they're selling it for.

@Rusty Traque posted:

Rusty

Good post.

"When in doubt, read the instructions."

D500     "dual powerful maintenance free motors" doesn't designate whether they will be vertical & in the cab with a worm gear drive ( like the MTH doodlebug versions) or presumably smaller ones, in-the-truck & between-the-side-frames, horizontal motors ( which I think Lionel and K Line sometimes used).  I'm not saying that one is necessarily better, rather just asking which method of propulsion will Lionel use.  Thanks, turtle7

I know this is an old post but I just noticed that the catalog and the web site shows dual motors, but I found the instruction booklet on the lionel site and in the lubrication instructions there is only one truck with gears to lube.  Sounds to me like only one motor. 

Does anyone know if the Cab II will operate these new Doodlebugs with original 990 Base; or would I have to get the new Base 3? As of now, I don't own any LionChief 2.0 items and didn't plan to until I saw the Christmas-themed Doodlebugs. FWIW: I don't use my IPhone to run trains, and have no plans to go down that route.

Yes - Cab 2 will run Lionchief 2.0

@Lou1985 posted:

Probably have a similar drive train to the MTH version, since it's MTH tooling.

That's my thinking too.

@Paul Kallus posted:

Does anyone know if the Cab II will operate these new Doodlebugs with original 990 Base; or would I have to get the new Base 3? As of now, I don't own any LionChief 2.0 items and didn't plan to until I saw the Christmas-themed Doodlebugs. FWIW: I don't use my IPhone to run trains, and have no plans to go down that route.

As I understand it, LionChief 2.0 is basically TMCC with Bluetooth and the latest Railsounds. They should be controllable with TMCC/Legacy as a TMCC locomotive.

LionChief + 2.0 also will work with the Universal Remote, just as a FYI.

I run LC+ 2.0 in TMCC mode with my CAB1L and the CAB2 using the Legacy command base.  I've also run them on the bench using the CAB1L and BASE1L.

@Paul Kallus posted:

Does anyone know if the Cab II will operate these new Doodlebugs with original 990 Base; or would I have to get the new Base 3?

No need for a Base 3.  The operator's manual that @Johnfe pointed us to up above has this in it (Page 4):

Mike

@D500 posted:

Good post.

"When in doubt, read the instructions."

Or when all else fails.                 j

Was just alerted mine has shipped from Nassau Hobbies. In February 2022, I ordered the Pennsylvania Doodlebug LionChief Plus 2.0.

Just talked to my local dealer and nothing there yet, but a shipment coming very soon. Hope the doodlebugs are on that shipment.

@TheRambles posted:

Was just alerted mine has shipped from Nassau Hobbies. In February 2022, I ordered the Pennsylvania Doodlebug LionChief Plus 2.0.

That didn't take long.

Question about how many motors is answered.  Despite the earlier catalogue listing two motors, the current description from Lionel online does not say that.  I just got mine, and can confirm it is only one motor,

It only needs one; it is not going to haul iron ore out of the Messabi.

How many pickup rollers?  I know at least two or hope at least two.

Art

There are two sets of two pickup rollers each.

@TheRambles posted:

Was just alerted mine has shipped from Nassau Hobbies. In February 2022, I ordered the Pennsylvania Doodlebug LionChief Plus 2.0.

I’m interested in purchasing one of the same. Are you happy with yours? Do you have any pics or a video to share? I’ve searched the web and only a couple of short videos come up. There’s not much info on these.

Thanks, Gene

I just wish they'd make prototype (maker) ones such as GE, Hall-Scott, Brill, Edwards, EMD, etc. Generic just doesn't hack it.

@Genemed posted:

I’m interested in purchasing one of the same. Are you happy with yours? Do you have any pics or a video to share? I’ve searched the web and only a couple of short videos come up. There’s not much info on these.

Thanks, Gene

Hey Gene,

A friend of mine and I both got the same PRR doodlebug from Lionel. We both had to send it in for repairs. Fortunately, Lionel turned them around the same day they got them which was impressive. The issues my friend and I had were different (mine was a bad board and his had something to do with the gears).

That said, I’ve asked several others and at hobby shops and no one else has reported similar issues. I’ll get mine back soon and will try to do a video.

The Positive:

1) The sounds on the Lionel doodlebug are the coolest feature. The horn, bell and motor all sound great. No complaints.

2) the smoke is really cool. It looks like Lionel had to remove one of the two motors to accommodate the smoke unit, but I don’t see that as an issue because the doodle bug is more likely to run solo or with just one-two cars.

3) control systems. You can use Bluetooth app, cab remote, universal remote and (possibly?) conventional?? That versatility is unmatched.

4) color: the color is perfect to my eye, very similar to Previous rail king options.

The negative:

1) having to send it in for repairs was a bummer, but Lionel took great care of me.

2) The price is a little steap if you don’t need the features. You can get a similar looking PS1 railking doodlebug used for $75 which will have two motors but no smoke.

@TheRambles posted:

1) The sounds on the Lionel doodlebug are the coolest feature. The horn, bell and motor all sound great. No complaints.

2) the smoke is really cool. It looks like Lionel had to remove one of the two motors to accommodate the smoke unit, but I don’t see that as an issue because the doodle bug is more likely to run solo or with just one-two cars.

3) color: the color is perfect to my eye, very similar to Previous rail king options.

Thank you for the quick review, that’s a bummer having to send it back though. These are the reasons why I’m deciding on buying one. For the few videos I’ve seen, it looks like a cool and unique locomotive.

Gene

Mine finally showed up, looks and sounds good. Funny, the box even states dual motors. False advertising?

I think these are great, but personally I'd love to see a scale length version.  In the meantime, maybe I'll get around to building my Walthers kit based on the C&NW prototype.  Then again, maybe it will be a while!

Still, even at Railking size these are great cars for most pikes regardless of how much space you have to operate in.

I just got mine. I really like it. I love these little motorized units, doodlebug, rdc, snowblower, speeder, etc. I have a special purpose for them on my layout. Need it to be short.

Has anyone added passengers? Seems easy enough based on the above picture. Does Lionel expect us to generate any revenue if we don't have paying customers?! 

Mike

Like maybe this guy.  I think he's a hockey goalie!

Would like to swap the C&NW shell from my old PS1 doodlebug onto one of these as an improvement on the early PS2.0 5-volt board UP unit I was planning to use for the swap.  Has anyone checked the fit of an MTH doodlebug body on this chassis?

@cnwdon posted:

Would like to swap the C&NW shell from my old PS1 doodlebug onto one of these as an improvement on the early PS2.0 5-volt board UP unit I was planning to use for the swap.  Has anyone checked the fit of an MTH doodlebug body on this chassis?

Pretty sure it's a no-go, someone tried it here.

@7thing3 posted:

I just got mine. I really like it. I love these little motorized units, doodlebug, rdc, snowblower, speeder, etc. I have a special purpose for them on my layout. Need it to be short.

Has anyone added passengers? Seems easy enough based on the above picture. Does Lionel expect us to generate any revenue if we don't have paying customers?! 

Mike

Someone did it recently. I don't recall who but search around. I have a couple packages of BEEP seated people that are on the smaller side that I think will fit well.

I just got mine the other day and it's a great piece. My layout is 027 and it makes the turns with little issue. I have a tunnel portal that needs a trim however......

Nice short pieces on 2 ways to add passengers in current O Gauge Railroading magazine

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Pretty sure it's a no-go, someone tried it here.

Could it just be a matter of sacrificing the smoke unit?

@cnwdon posted:

Could it just be a matter of sacrificing the smoke unit?

I can't say, I haven't personally looked at the two to see how close they are.

I bought the new Lionel Doodlebug ( Ma &Pa ) in January.  This is my first purchase of a new Lionel locomotive/motorized unit in over 10 year.  Out of the box my Doodlebug had problems ( very disappointing )  and had to be sent to Lionel for repairs.  The turn around time including the time it took for Lionel to e mail me a FEDEX mailing authorization, sending the unit for repair, and receiving it back  took about 3 weeks.  I was impressed that the Lionel tech e mailed to  briefed me on the problem .. a bad board and the motor was loose.  I think this is very good quality customer service from Lionel's Repair Dept.   Once received back from Lionel the Doodlebug functioned superbly.

Now a new issue has arisen: the smoke unit is no longer working.   I called the retailer ( an OGR forum sponsor ) to get an authorization to send it back to Lionel and was told the only one who could grant an authorization was out for several days and to call back later in the week.  Tomorrow I'll call back and get another authorization for sending back to Lionel.  From my view point/ experience Lionel needs to step up its quality control game.  

My overall impression of the new  Lionel Doodlebug:

*The overall appearance is excellent.

*Sound is awesome  in all aspects, bell choices, horn choices, crew talk, and engine sounds!  All with excellent sound quality.

*The Doodlebug is totally compatible with my TMCC controls.

* Very disappointed that this unit malfunctioned right out of the box ... and now has to be sent back to Lionel a second time for repairs.  ( Lionel repair service was excellent the first time.   They did take care of me well.  I felt valued due to the tech keeping me apprised. )  

* With having to send this unit back a second time, I'll  have to think long and hard before opening my wallet to purchase any more new Lionel locomotives or motorized units.  

@trumptrain posted:

Now a new issue has arisen: the smoke unit is no longer working.   I called the retailer ( an OGR forum sponsor ) to get an authorization to send it back to Lionel and was told the only one who could grant an authorization was out for several days and to call back later in the week.  Tomorrow I'll call back and get another authorization for sending back to Lionel.  From my view point/ experience Lionel needs to step up its quality control game.  

My overall impression of the new  Lionel Doodlebug:

*The overall appearance is excellent.

*Sound is awesome  in all aspects, bell choices, horn choices, crew talk, and engine sounds!  All with excellent sound quality.

*The Doodlebug is totally compatible with my TMCC controls.

* Very disappointed that this unit malfunctioned right out of the box ... and now has to be sent back to Lionel a second time for repairs.  ( Lionel repair service was excellent the first time.   They did take care of me well.  I felt valued due to the tech keeping me apprised. )  

* With having to send this unit back a second time, I'll  have to think long and hard before opening my wallet to purchase any more new Lionel locomotives or motorized units.  

Sorry to hear this Patrick. I hope they sort things out and get the engine back to you quickly. I know you are a Ma and Pa fan so I'm sure you were excited when they released this road name.

I got mine this week and I really like it. Have to make a slight adjustment to a tunnel portal but it navigates my 027 curves with ease.

Bob

An earlier post said that these doodlebugs are not scale-length, but there was actually quite a wide variety in length with the prototypes.  For example, the Boston and Maine’s numerous rail motor cars had body lengths varying between 55’ and 75’, so the model’s 14 1/2” length is still in the ball park.

I’m a believer in making the prototype fit the model, rather than vice versa, so I think of my MTH model as one of the shorter ones.