Lionel's Matt Ashba Talks About New LionChief Remote Control Operating System (Video)

Anyone notice the S gauge Polar Express set (2013 Holiday Catalog) the is advertised as being able to run with either the Lionmaster remote or conventional transformer control by flipping a switch on the loco ?

I did. I wonder if this will now silence all of the nay-sayers of this system? I like the looks of this set, with the snow on top and the six wheel trucks below. I wonder what the asking price will be and how long before it is published?

It will not silence the 'nay-sayers' until that "Remote/Convential" switch shows up on the 3-rail Starter Set locos too.

You do realize you don't need to cross post everything you post don't you?

Folks might want to recall that you can have inexpensive or multi-functional, but not both.  Adding a switch also means adding the electronics to function in conventional.  You can have DCC, Legacy, conventional, etc. all in one, but the price doubles.  Since these are entry level products (the O gauge remote locomotives), Lionel has prioritized affordability.  I think they made the right decision.  $200 MSRP is a critical threshold for many people/families, and these sets may well be available at some retailers for as little as $150.  That's a good thing for the customer and for the hobby.

I am glad they are doing the new controller, however I still thing MTH has them beat with DCS in all the starter sets.

At $100-200 more per set with PS3.  Great if you know you want to make the hobby a lifetime undertaking and spend thousands of dollars.  Not so swell if you want to try out the hobby and/or have a train for your 7 year old ± under the tree loop.  Different markets, and different approaches.  I'd guess that >90% of train set buyers never buy anything further other than a few pieces of rolling stock and some track, if that.

You know, Im not really sure if this new remote is a good thing or bad thing. I mean, is Lionel trying to replace the transformer, which is what made them great since 1900?

Matt

Is there anything Lionel does that you do like?

Yes. I know,but the site at the bottom of the page does not seem to get the same number of responses whenI post here.

that is why I post in two locations. 

Al K 

The problem is that the MTH set with PS2 and the Lionel sets with only conventional are about the same price and in some cases the MTH with full command is less than Lionel now. It will be interesting how much the new controller drives up the price

Don't get me wrong, I am all about Lionel and Legacy. but as much as I hate to admit it, they are behind MTH on command control in the start sets. I hope the new system does not drive the prices up substantially

Marty, I know it sounds like Ive really been giving Lionel a hard time lately, but I ensure you that is not at all my intent. I did not say I dont like this remote, or for that matter, what Lionel does. In fact, my entire layout is all Lionel. I love Lionel, its what I started with, its what I will stick with. I think its great that Lionel is trying to introduce remote control to younger kids, but I was just saying that I simply dont think Lionel should just up and get rid of its transformers, thats all. I have absolutely nothing in the world against Lionel, nothing.

"I hope the new system does not drive the prices up substantially"

So far, it's driven prices down. Charles Ro has some of these sets listed for less than $150 each. By today's standards, that's about the cheapest RTR set you can find in three rail O gauge.  These sets are apparently cheaper to build, ship and sell than the equivalent transformer containing sets in most cases.  So far.

You actually answered your own question already.