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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.

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

@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.

@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

@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.



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Last edited by TheRambles
@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

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

Last edited by 7thing3
@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......

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