Opinion of Lion chief locos

[8ntruck]

As far as I know, the smoke on these things is either on or off.

[Flintlock76]

NYVTRR

Flintlock76

When you run your LC+ loco in conventional does it still have sound?  I assume the horn would work anyway but was wondering about prime mover sound

 

Oh yeah, it's got it all, horn, bell, and prime mover sound. And the smoke unit works in conventional mode too!  

The ONLY thing is to adjust sounds you have to use the LionChief+ remote unit but that's no big deal.  I followed the directions, adjusted the sound to the volume I wanted, then shut off the remote and pulled the batteries.  I haven't had to adjust it since. 

There's a smoke "on-off" switch on the locomotive.  I haven't adjusted the smoke since I like it the way it is, but honestly I don't remember if the smoke output is adjustable on the locomotive or if you have to use the remote.  I can check it if you like, just ask! 

[NYVTRR]

Flintlock76

When you run your LC+ loco in conventional does it still have sound?  I assume the horn would work anyway but was wondering about prime mover sound

[BigAl 956]

NYVTRR

I am wondering how these locos hold up over the long haul and if they have problems can they be fixed?

Like anything made in China these days the electronics are typically one and done. For 90% of the purchasers they will operate flawlessly for years. For the 10% that have problems, 90% of those problems are physical. A loose wire or bad connection. Lionel service can and will fix them when they break. 

Unfortunately, the days of buying a toy train and it working forever from generation to generation are long gone. That takes nothing from the joy and pleasure modern trains give back. Todays electronics are meant to be throwaway. Does not matter if a toy or a computer. When the time comes and your Lionchief's interernal electronics dies it will be tossed. By then there will be a new improved model.

I just said goodby to my 40 year old Sony Laserdisc player. With time and effort I could have hunted down parts and a tech to fix it. But there is a robust group of collectors out there happy to take it off my hands. Today I have a good working Blueray player that takes it's place that I will toss when it dies.

[Flintlock76]

You're welcome!

[NYVTRR]

Thanks understanding now

[Flintlock76]

LionChief+ means it comes with the conventional option already installed, going conventional only involves flipping a switch. No conversion work is involved.

As I understand it plain LionChief has no conventional option. 

[NYVTRR]

Flintlock76

Is your GP20 converted to conventional or did you leave it as a lion chief+ ?

Bruce

[Flintlock76]

If and when the electronics go bad in a LionChief engine you can convert it to conventional operation with a drop-in replacement board (E-unit) from Dallee electronics.  I've used Dallee boards on other engines, easy install and they work fine. 

https://www.dallee.com/

I don't own any LionChief engines myself, if something doesn't have a conventional control option to begin with I'm not interested. I DO have a LionChief+ GP20, good runner and puller! I've had it for three or four years now, no problems so far.

[8ntruck]

I've purchased several LionChief locomotives - including the Berkshire.  I have not run them very much, but they seem to do ok.

Maintenance?  Yup, I worry about that too.  The mechanical stuff should not be too bad, as they all seem to be based on existing 'families' of products.  The electronics could be a different story.  I'm going to guess that spares for that will go obsolete in the not too distant future.  When that happens, spares will become as scarce as hen's teeth.

I suppose one could order spare electronic boards while they are available and keep them in stock as a hedge against future need.

[NYVTRR]

I am a prewar and postwar operator and had no interest in Lionchief at all until last friday.  To make a long story short I picked up a lionchief polar express freight set for a rediculous cheap price.  I have been playing with it now for a couple days now and really like it.  I am wondering how these locos hold up over the long haul and if they have problems can they be fixed?  If my pre/post war locos stop running I can fix them myself.  What about lionchief?  Are they able to be repaired or do they have to go back to lionel?  I would be concerned if they are out of warranty.  Also can they be changed over to conventional running on my zw?

Thanks

Bruce