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