Debuting in the 2013 Ready-to-Run Catalog, our new LionChief Remote system will revolutionize the way you enjoy your ready-to-run trains. Building on the success of our Thomas Remote set introduced last year, this new system will make it easy for anyone, including children, to enjoy multiple trains with a minimum amount of wiring and at a very reasonable cost.
Our new LionChief Remote system will put change the way you see your model trains.
The LionChief Remote (note that we’ve had to change the name from TrainChief in the catalog) uses a radio-control and a hand-held controller to operate the locomotive. Track power is supplied by a simple wall pack that plugs into the FasTrack. You’ll have control of the train’s speed, direction and sounds in the palm of your hand.
Best of all, each set is programmed to its own frequency, so multiple trains can be run in the same room or on the same track without any additional wiring! (For larger layouts we still recommend installing a wiring bus and larger power supplies to handle the increased load of multiple trains as shown on our wiring your railroad pages.) These trains will work on other conventional, TMCC and LEGACY powered layouts as well. All the train needs is a constant 18 Volt power supply to the rails. Run multiple LionChief trains together or with other trains.
Our LionChief will be available on a wide variety of sets.
The radio controllers have an incredible range. We’ve had no trouble running our remote set from 60 feet away at crowded trade shows. And they are so simple and easy to use, a child can pick one up and run the train immediately.
The new control system will be available on 12 new sets starting later this year. We’ve added some more friends to the Thomas line (in sets and for individual sale) as well as traditional steam and diesel locomotive sets in many popular road names as well as a new Peanuts Halloween, Christmas and the Polar Express trains. Each set includes track and a power supply.
I have two ready-to-run Lionel trains sets purchased since December 2010. Neither has TMCC or LEGACY.
“Our LionChief will be available on a wide variety of sets… The new control system will be available on 12 new sets starting later this year.”
Does that mean that LionChief will only work on one of these new sets, that my existing sets cannot be retrofitted for LionChief? Will these LionChief sets be mostly kiddie sets: Thomas, etc.? I’m not interested in those.
Yes, LionChief works only with the sets so equipped, and each one has its own controller. You will not be able to control these trains with the LEGACY or TMCC remote. Check out the catalog online at http://www.lionel.com, you’ll find LionChief on a wide variety of sets, not just Thomas.
I wonder what happens when the remote breaks down. In the future will a fix to convert the engines to conventional control be offered? Will I be able to operate these engines with a Cab-1 or Legacy remote?
Cool idea, although I believe you are still thinking analog in a digital world. There isn’t any reason why in 2013 I shouldn’t be able to control my trains using my iPad. I would love if I could connect my layout to my WiFi and then use an app to run the whole thing. It could provide the capability to go well beyond only controlling the train’s speed, direction, and sounds. Control of accessories, programmable scenarios like changing cars, and variable speed control (faster on the straights/slower though villages) would make anyone’s layout more dynamic and fun. There are a ton of innovations that would make Lionel trains even more amazing than they already are. I hope it doesn’t take years for them to become a reality.
Matthew, we have some programs to do just that under development as well.
iPad, Android, ChromeOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, … That’s clearly the right direction. Go for it, Lionel.
Ok. Yes, I have tmcc. Over the years I have built up my railroad. But will the cost of the new ‘inovation’ put things out of reach for those who just want to have fun running a train??Most of these will probably be used by children I would guess. But the price to pay for them? Hope is not out of line so as people can afford to buy for them.
Actually, because this system is less expensive for us to produce than the transformer, the cost will be less per set than a traditional conventional model.
Will we be able to use other track brands because most of my layout I am working on is Gargraves and a part will be O31 tubular.
Yes, as long as you have 18 Volts on the rails, it won’t matter whose track you’re using.
No where in the catalog does it say how much power will be provided by the LionChief, Will it be 40 watts or 80 watts like in the present starter sets or less? The polar express set still in stores is an 80 watt transformer, I hope the new wall power pack has enough power for the Polar Express.
I had the same concern as Joe – No place in the new 2013 Catalog does it state how many watts of current will the new “Wall Pack” will produce – I called Lionel in Mt Clements, and all they would say is 18 “Volts” – even when I speciffically asked about “wattage” – the customer service person just kept repeating “18 Volts” It would be nice if Lionel would post a schematic pictorial of the elements of the new “Lionchief” system. How the wall pack works, is 18 volts always present on the track rails. do you shut off the wall pack or does the system just go to sleep after some amount of in-activity. can accessory power be tapped off the FastTrack or is ther only enough power to rub the train
I do not know the amperage output of the new system yet off hand. However, like our conventional power supplies, I would still recommend a separate power source (14V) for your accessories. This wall pack is designed for the single train and will provide ample power for that. The power pack itself does not go dormant, however the controller uses VERY little power when not in use, even if left on. We accidentally left one of our Thomas remotes on after one of the trade shows earlier this year. Two weeks and thousands of miles in a trailer later, it was still live when we pulled it out of the box and survived another grueling weekend of activity. Like other systems, I would recommend unplugging the wall pack when you aren’t using the train, or use a surge protector with an on/off switch for this and your other power supplies.
Will there be anyway to retrofit trains bought in the last couple of years.
-Rick
No, this is only being applied to select new products.