The Cutting Edge: LionChief Plus 2.0

The many benefits of the LC approach to train control are beginning to become widely understood. This is most likely Lionel's long term plan.

The LC+ 2.0 locomotives are going to be TMCC locomotives with BlueTooth capability.  This is very similar to the currently shipping Legacy stuff that has Legacy control and BlueTooth.  Either of these will run with the LC phone app, the universal remote.  In addition they run with the TMCC or Legacy command system.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

 

According to prior posts re LC+ engines, the LC+ App gets updated periodically. I have the LionChief App Version 2.3.0 that I downloaded from Google Play Store about 1 year ago. Is that the latest version of this App?

 

Yes, that's the latest version. We're aiming to do updates twice a year.

Here's a how-to video for the Android version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...2vIBdqN7c&t=544s

The iOS version is similar.

I have it on my to-do list to make a video for the Universal Remote. Working on videos for some LCS components first.

I bought the LC with Bluetooth Polar Express.  The app is very easy to use, but the handheld remote is also.

Looking forward to LC+ 2.0 Dave, looks like a winner! 

Mr. Dave Olson, thank you so much for your reply and the link therein for the How To Video for the LC+App and Android smartphone. 

I just listened to the video and it explained everything beautifully. Now I have the confidence to start using the LC+ App, which I will do this evening.

For any of you Forum members that are hesitant like I was about using the LC+ App, do yourself a favor and watch the How To Video. 

IMO, those of us that are over 6O years of age, like me, often need help with technology like this. What is so great about the video is that you can go over things 2, 3 or more times that you may not fully understand the 1st time you see and hear it. Younger Forum members, IMO, will tend to grasp this technology more quickly and easily. Of course, there are many exceptions to the above.  Arnold

Arnold, you are correct.  Even though I have worked in the electronics field mostly for power and telecom companies, the technology changes faster and faster and I have trouble too.  That is probably why the only job I could find after the early retirement was as an entry level technical support rep for a different telecom.  I'm 40 years older than some of these fellows who I have to call for guidance when handling customer calls!!!!  

What size are these engines? Standard O or what they call Traditional?

I just ran my LC+ New Haven FA AAs using the App for the first time. I can't believe how easy and fun it is running the trains with the smartphone.  The Video also explains how to make the various adjustments to the sounds, momentum, speed limit, etc. 

I know that such features have been around for a long time, but I avoided them because I didn't want to make running trains too complicated. IMO, what makes the LC+ technology so brilliant is that it's so easy to use. This App can be used by model railroaders from age of 4 to 110. All one needs to do is watch the How To Video posted above by Dave Olson, and then run your LC+ locomotive! Arnold

One more thing, Mr. Olson.

I think it's a great idea that you plan to make a How To Video for using the LC Universal Remote. It would be great if such a video could be available well before the 2nd quarter of 2020 when Lionel delivers the new LC+2.0 engines that do not come with the dedicated remote. Arnold

cjack posted:

What size are these engines? Standard O or what they call Traditional?

Chuck, from my anecdotal experience, I think they are different sizes. For instance, I believe my LC+ Erie Camelback is scale O, whereas my LC+ New Haven FA AA diesel and Jersey Central Pacific steamers are traditional.

As I glance at the new Lionel catalogue, it seems that all the New LC+2.0 run on 031 curves, and most run on O27 curves, which is an indication they are traditional. 

My layout is such that I prefer traditional.

Legacy Steam and Legacy Diesel usually require wider curves and are much more likely to be scale O. Arnold

And I think most of the scale Legacy engines are Bluetooth and can be run using the smartphone App.

Thank you. That answers my question. Lionel is somewhat inconsistent on designating the scale. Also there was a couple of engines a year or more ago that had some funky Legacy in them due to space requirements. I forget what it was called. It resulted in a very nonlinear startup speed versus turning the dial. I wonder if that will come up again. 

Thanks for mentioning the running on 031. That should help. The engine I was thinking of is an N&W Legacy Lionmaster A. It runs on 031 and is clearly Traditional, but the description on Lionel's site says Scale Type: Scale. Not Traditional. And no hint on the different kind of Legacy electronics inside.

Most of the LC stuff is traditional, but stuff like the A5 and the Camelback were scale sized.  I suspect the Dockside switcher will be close to scale sized for an 0-6-0 as well.

Virtually all LC and LC+ sets still come with a dedicated remote, except one LC+2.0 (Manufacturer's set?) if I recall correctly.  I think this is a wise decision to make sure the customer doesn't require a smart device to operate a new Lionel set. This is as compared with MTH sets,  who,  despite their higher prices,  do not come with any sort of control device.  This is one reason I prefer LC sets to Railking sets when making recommendations to new hobbyists. Another is cost.  More options, less upfront cost in most instances.

LC+2.0 is a direct response to hobbyist pressure from experienced folks who want LC+ but want to use their TMCC or Legacy system to control the loco.  Doesn't matter to me (I like the additional "free" remotes that came with all LC and LC+ locos in the past), but it matters to some,  so why not give people options?  In any case, the universal remote (another option) is, relatively speaking, dirt cheap (about $40 from many retailers), and will also operate new Legacy locos that have Bluetooth.  Seems complex to some, but having lots of choices is still better than fewer choices in my view.  Going forward all Lionel locos will operate with Bluetooth (the free app), the universal remote and any included dedicated remote.  No additional expenses required.

The new Lionel catalogue says on page 70: "LionChief Plus 2.0 engines do not come with their own remote."

However, LionChief engines continue to come with their own dedicated remote.

The above is also spelled out in the comparison of features listed on page 71 of the new catalogue. Arnold

"The new Lionel catalogue says on page 70: "LionChief Plus 2.0 engines do not come with their own remote."

That's only for the separate sale locos, which makes some sense.  LC+2.0 sets with track on pp. 74-75 (Granite Run Quarry; Easter Eggspress and Christmas Candies) come with a LC remote.  The LC+2.0 set on pp. 82-83 (Pennsylvania Fast Freight) contains no track and no remote.  The Manufacturer's Set I mentioned above in error is actually a Legacy set with no track.  So we are both right to some extent . Sets with track will include a LC remote, at least in this catalog, as would also make sense. 

I would hope they won't move to selling sets intended for beginners with track that have no control capabilities unless you pay for them yourself, as MTH does.  This just raises the barrier to entry into the hobby a bit, which makes no marketing sense to me. 

The wisdom of LionChief is, I think, now pretty much evident, as you and I seem to agree. Inexpensive, simple, reliable and flexible.  A home run in my opinion. LC+2.0 extends that approach one more step by including TMCC/Legacy functions.

does LC+2 use infrared drawbar to connect engine to tender?