MASSIVE LionChief + 2.0 Issue

Absolutely!  Let's hope this is addressed.

On a related note, and not intending to hijack your thread, but I'd really like to see Lionel make a bigger, semi-scale but closer-to-prototypical Berkshire. The 726/PW style Berk is a classic but isn't a great model of the actual Berk other than the 2-8-4 wheel configuration. The Junior Berk used on the Polar Express looks more like the original, but IMO is just too small (I have two).  Selective compression hit this harder than many of their other semi-scale engines, and I'm no longer satisfied running semi-scale Berks that are smaller than my semi-scale Pacifics and Ten-Wheelers.

To me, LCP2.0 in a Jr. Berk is like putting a Hemi in a Kia Forte but, I get it, the Polar Express Jr. Berk is the driving factor here most likely.

KOOLjock1 posted:

I just watched the YouTube video from Dave at Lionel talking about LionChief Plus 2.0.  the features are GREAT!  But so is the gap between the engine and tender.  And I mean GREAT as in VERY LARGE!  Like the locomotive and the tender were two different trains following one another.

Now as the loco shown was the Polar Express... and lacked the handrails and puffing smoke... I assume this was just an engineering prototype.  But before I lay out $400... I need to know!

Jon

Could you post a link to the video ?  

Jim

Since these are all going to be rated for tight curves, I suspect you aren't going to see any really close coupling.  Even with stuff that's rated for O72 curves I still have some issues with the distance between the locomotive and tender.  Being rated for O31 surely isn't going to help that situation!

The real question will be, how difficult will it be to have a shorter drawbar.  From the pictures I see, it's probably going to be a project to make your own drawbar setup.

I had also noticed the missing handrails on the LC+ 2.0 PE Berkshire shown in the youtube video at 2:35:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2qG-M74g38&t=6s

The catalog shows the separately applied handrail down the boiler, so I assume like you said the locomotive in the video is just a prototype. In the video the smoke unit seems to be working well, but streaming smoke versus "puffing" smoke. Honestly, and gap shown between the locomotive and tender doesn't really bother me. I suppose it may be a trade-off in order to allow the negotiation of min O31 curves.

The title of this topic made me think there was some major problem with the 2.0 software.

The Post War Style Berks and the Camelbacks don't have this HUGE gap.  There's no reason to have them on the Berk Jr. engines... even with O-31.

Jon

Actually when he shows how the new coupler works it appears the engine and tender will be fairly close together when coupled.    And yes a huge (MASSIVE) over hyped post name lol 

Jim

I noticed the Big Boy pull a wheelie at the 2:30 mark.

Big Jim posted:

I noticed the Big Boy pull a wheelie at the 2:30 mark.

LOL you are right.  Must be a new LC+ 2.0 feature they forgot to mention... the ability to pop wheelies.  I'd like to see the restored Big Boy 4014 do that!

Maybe it's the "  kinda sorta" MTH style wireless drawbar?

I wonder why they just didn't make the i.r. drawbar standard across everything. That drawbar looks like it's could be a problem.

Remember, the catalog show samples and Lionel will change that. Some of the things that the renderings show can’t be done so they make changes to the final product. It bet the gap will be addressed and everything will looks nice when it comes out

Goodness, do you guys get your work critiqued so MASSIVELY also? Relax.

I built the samples in the video for code development purposes. The drawbar connectors are 3D printed prototypes on existing drawbars. Nothing in the video is representative of production since none of the tooling changes have been made yet. The Polar loco hasn't had the tooling done yet for the separate handrails. Etc.

Here's a screen capture of the gap for the Big Boy from the design file.

RickO posted:

I wonder why they just didn't make the i.r. drawbar standard across everything. That drawbar looks like it's could be a problem.

The drawbar design is based off of the successful 4-pin drawbar we use in LionChief locos. 

The I.R. drawbar used in Legacy requires a PCB in the tender to decode the commands and control the features. More PCBs = higher price.

Let me say THANKS to Dave for his response here. Nice to see the rep jump in when so many pile on.

Great video Dave!!  Love the progress in technology!

Dave to the rescue again.

carsntrains posted:

Actually when he shows how the new coupler works it appears the engine and tender will be fairly close together when coupled.    And yes a huge (MASSIVE) over hyped post name lol 

Jim

Yep.

Now that Dave has effectively responded, everyone can relax and get those panties out of their wedgie positions.

I would suggest taking this action as soon as possible to prevent further damage.  

Dave is there any actual projected date for the lionchief+2.0 to hit the market?

Sign of the times.  Sensationalize and accuse first.  Pile on second.  Get the facts last - if ever.  

Thank you Dave Olson for weighing in.  Like you haven't already plenty to do during any given day of your job at Lionel.  Hang in there.  We appreciate your attention to and patience with us, and most certainly your product efforts, refinements, and advancements.  It all helps make and keep this hobby one to enjoy and have fun with.  

Dave

I'll go on record as saying I'm happy with the new LC+ 2.0 features and locomotives being offered by Lionel.  I imagine they will be big sellers for Lionel.

It's impressive that the Director of Engineering for Lionel would take the time to respond to this thread.  Thanks Dave, and have a great weekend!

Concur with Joe PGH.  For the semi-scaler with a reasonably investment in TMCC (and no DCS) and one LC+ engine, I like that new technology doesn't leave me behind. Kudos to Lionel for that (despite why whining about the Jr. Berk).

And thus another thread where Dave came through....so now it is time to move on.....