Lionel chief & KW transformer

[rivesm]

Let me offer thanks in advance for providing help to a novice

I want to purchase a Lionel Polar Express set for my grandson.  I think there is an orginial version and a 10th anniversary version. Both have a Lionel Superchief locomotive.  The orginial version has a CW transformer and the 10th anniversay version has a wall-pak.  Both have a remote. 

I presently have two separate tracks, each powered by at KW transformer.

I searched on the forum and think I found where the Superchief will run on my track with the KW transformer.  
If so, how do you control it?  With the KW control or the remote control?  Would think I could control it with the KW but then I would lose some of the bells and whistles the remote provides, wouldn't I?  Yet the orginial set comes with a CW transformer .... so quess I am confused. 

Hope this make sense and I do appreciate it.

 

 

 

[ADCX Rob]

The original PE set is completely conventional - KW(or any regular type transformer - CW included) operation.

Any of the sets with the 36 watt wall pack power supply is a LionChief set, and is controlled with the included dedicated handheld RF remote. All these sets require is that you put 18 volts on the track or loop that the train is on - AC or DC actually, so you can still use your KW without making any changes to your layout or equipment.

[rivesm]

So, if it has a remote (which you need for the sounds, etc) it is a Lionchief and it has the wall-pack.  

Again, I am not adverse to showing my ignorance, if you use the KW to power the track you can also use the remote to direct the engine as opposed to the KW controls.  Does that work well?  The KW powered up and not engaging the locomotives  makes a loud buzzing sound ..... does that go away?  

[ADCX Rob]

rivesm

... if you use the KW to power the track you can also use the remote to direct the engine as opposed to the KW controls.  Does that work well?

If you use the KW to power the track, you must use the remote to direct the LionChief engine,  the KW control for that loop needs to stay at 18 volts. It works very well. The train will not move until you use the remote to move it. The KW should not make any noise other than the normal hum(and this "normal" has a wide range from unit to unit among the KW population).

[rivesm]

Got it and appreciate it.....

[8ntruck]

I agree that a KW set at 18 volts should be fine with the LionChief.

Here is a comment/question that is a little off of the subject, but related.

When I first got my Legacy control system and TPC 400 power controller, I discovered that the TPC 400 did not play well with a CW-80.  It was OK with a post war transformer.  Apparrently, the TPC 400 needs AC power with a clean sine wave to work properly - the CW-80 does not supply that.

I wonder if the LionChief system has the same issue?

[Buckeye Riveter]

8ntruck

I agree that a KW set at 18 volts should be fine with the LionChief.

Here is a comment/question that is a little off of the subject, but related.

When I first got my Legacy control system and TPC 400 power controller, I discovered that the TPC 400 did not play well with a CW-80.  It was OK with a post war transformer.  Apparrently, the TPC 400 needs AC power with a clean sine wave to work properly - the CW-80 does not supply that.

I wonder if the LionChief system has the same issue?

 

Lioncheif needs 18v on the track.  Period.  That's all there is to it.  Put the Lionchief on the track.  Turn on the 18v to the track from whatever, turn on the Lionchief remote and turn the knob for forward or reverse.  It is really that simple.  It is much simpler than TMCC or Legacy.   The signal for the Lionchief does not go through the track. Lionchief is more like a remote control car but the power is not from the batteries but from the track.