CSX LionChief Plus SD60M

[mlindegarde]

Hi,

I currently have the Lionel CSX Intermodal LionChief set.  I'm strongly considering buying the CSX LionChief Plus SD60M.  It seems like a great way to get a scale engine without fully investing in the Legacy system.

However, the different scales have me a bit confused.  I believe the Intermodal set is "traditional" scale.  The LionChief Plus SD60M is "scale".  I've also seen the term "standard".  What I would like to know is:

1. Will the rolling stock that comes with the CSX Intermodal set look okay with the CSX LionChief Plus SD60M?

2. Will the rolling stock tha comes with the ready to run set work with the electro couplers on the LionChief Plus SD60M?  Or does a "scale" engine mean that it has scale couplers?

It's hard to get a clear undestanding of what works together and looks good together with the usage of the various scale terms.  I haven't found a source that clearly compares "scale", "standard", and "traditional".

Thank you,
Mike

[Firelock76]

Welcome aboard Mr. Lindegarde!

I think I can answer your questions, so...

1)  It should look fine, look at any real-world freight train and you'll see cars of any and all dimensions and sizes.  "Scale" is something we who are into toy trains don't really worry about all that much.

2)  Certainly, those are Lionel (and industry) standard couplers, there won't be a problem.

"Scale" in the case of that SD60 you're looking at just means it's a true 1/48 size representation of the original, not "selectively compressed" like many O gauge toy trains are.  What you SHOULD be concerned about is the minimum operating radius of that locomotive, that is, will your layout handle it to begin with.  If the minimum curve radius on your layout is 031 but the locomotive's is, say, 042 or 054 then forget it, your layout can't handle it, it won't negotiate the turns.

I did some checking, and Lionel's SD60M has an 036 minimum curve radius.   

By the way, I have a LionChief Plus GP20, and it's great!

Hope this helps.

As an aside, there is such a thing as O Gauge Scale Two-Rail, where wheelsets and couplers are different, but that's something Lionel very rarely has gotten into, so it's not something to be concerned with here.  "Scale Two-Rail" is definately not in the toy train category!

[mlindegarde]

Thanks for the input.  It's nice to know that things should work together and that that LionChief Plus will run on the 036 curves that I have.  I plan to get some 048 in the future, but that'll have to wait until I have more space.

[Firelock76]

You're welcome!

By the way, my Lionel GP20 is the Susquehanna version.  I was looking at both the MTH and Lionel Susie-Q locomotives, but the MTH version, a scale SD60 (!) by the way, was 18 inches long and the clearances on my layout just wouldn't handle something that big, my 17 inch Train Master just barely fits, so I went with the much more compact Lionel.  As I said, I'm not sorry, it's a great runner.

[Jushavnfun with trains]

Lionchief  a fantastic value and offering by Lionel, either std or with bluetooth. 

I have the SOO SD60, phenominal engine. Compared to a Lionel or MTH scale issue of that engine, It's close enough for government work, the 1 real difference is its slimmerthan scale, like its been on a diet. From a stop it will pull up to 12 good size cars no problem, which for me is my maximum.Great sound, smoke and speed comtroll.  iz'm thinking about the BN version.  

I own over 10 Lionchief and am more than satisfied with them.

I just bought the Polar Express A/F set and thouroughly enjoy playing with it.