Lion chief set batteries?

[Michael6268]

I'm thinking of buying a cheap lion chief starter set. I thought I saw somewhere on the internet someone said that the tender doesn't use batteries like the old railsound sets. Does that mean every time it goes over a switch, or crossing the sound drops out? Or when you go from forward to neutral to reverse the sound would drop out? I've got 12 switches and three crossings on my layout, and don't want to listen to the sound constantly dropping out.

[Michael6268]

Nevermind. I think I figured it out myself. Because the track power stays constant you probably don't have to worry about the sound dropping out.

[sir james I]

I didn't reply because I don't have a LC engine. I don't put batteries in any of mine and have had no drop out issues. The sound does drop when the power is shut down.

[Michael6268]

Yeah, I was asking only because I have a few older railsounds engines. The switches and crossings really aren't too big a deal. Occasionally if it hits the switch wrong and one of the roller pickups loses contact the sound would drop out for a second or two with no batteries installed. Was more concerned with the starting and stopping and reversing with the LC engine. Like I said in my previous post. I think the constant track power would keep that in check.

[lion88roar]

There is nowhere to put a battery in any of the engines or tenders (that I have seen). The power is supplied via a power pack (not a traditional transformer), it plugs into the wall, then you plug that into the terminal track. Constant 18 volts is supplied to the track.

It is very simple and straight forward. My 4yo Daughter has the Thomas set and loves it, my 2.5 yo son is receiving the James set this Christmas. Soon to follow will be a small train garden for their Thomas and James trains. Will be simple two loops to start and will grow as they grow, and their temperment stays condusive to running trains.