It's great to see that Lionchiefs runs at the same voltage as the digital trains. It's also nice to find that the Lionel transformer runs at 18 volts when wide open. This allows conventional and digital to run on the same layout without any adapters.

Wow this great! I just bought my son the Lion Chief Santa’s Helper Set And didn’t think it would work on conventional- this great to know - I am going to hopefully buy myself my own Lion Chief Set!

One big advantage of running LionChief with a transformer (instead of the fixed DC voltage "Wallpack" supply provided in LionChief sets) is that you can set a maximum speed. LionChief engines will run pretty fast at 18 VAC. I tested engines for a museum children's display and could get them to run about 60 scale miles per hour maximum at 16 VAC. Here are some test results: For a LionChief 6-84719 SF Diesel - 14 VAC: 39 mph, 16 VAC: 57 mph, 18 VAC: 70 mph, 20 VAC: 78 mph. For a LionChief 6-84725 SP Steam Engine: 14 VAC: 45 mph, 16 VAC: 63 mph, 18 VAC: 78 mph, 20 VAC: 78 mph. Much below 14 VAC and the diesel wouldn't move. The steam engine would still run as low as 10 VAC where it was 24 mph. And the steam engine wouldn't go faster than 78 mph even with increased voltage. So the engines didn't behave identically, but had a similar maximum speed at 16 volts. You can also easily lower the track voltage if using the "Wallpack" DC supply. I found that engines ran faster with the Wallpack than even 20 VAC from a transformer. (104 mph with the Wallpack! The steam engine maxed out at 70 mph.) You can simply wire diodes in series with a power wire to the track to drop voltage. Each diode drops about 0.6V. I found that 4 diodes in series produced about the same speed as a transformer set to 16 VAC. 3 amp diodes are sufficient, but I used 10 amp for a lot of extra margin. Of course, different engines may vary in how they perform.

Great explanation for us novices with older, post war traditional systems.

Great informative video. Having a conventional starter Christmas set plus a lot of add on track (about 40 ft) I was wondering how to, or if to make the leap to FastTrack and Lion Chief type control or Legacy or other. I did figure that perhaps the conventional transformer may be compatible in some way to Lion Chief This video proves it is. Thanks for posting.

Great video. I've got a lot to learn and re-learn. Used to be only conventional.

I'm so glad I saw this video. I recently purchased a Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Halloween engine and coal tender. I only have the CW-80 transformer to run the train and it was Ok but not great. If I slow the train down the accessory lights dim or don't work properly. Anyway, after watching this video I thought about getting the remote but then I remembered there is an app as well. I downloaded the app to my phone and connected it to the engine and turned the transformer on full power and voila! I can control the train from my phone and even if I slow the train down the accessories stilln perform as they should because the track is getting full power from the transformer. I'm pretty much a novice at this so to some this may seem obvious or simple but to me I am totally stoked!

Thank you! Love Lion Chief.

Excellent information! The UP unit is actually a GP39-2. No big deal, but I wanted to point that out for the new guys and gals.

15:01 guy on left side, “You turned my train off.”

Great video! Just bought my son his 1st Lionchief set 🚂

Lionelchief is awesome. Less wiring and easy to use and function.

I have the exact same problem that you mentioned with lioncheif and conventional. Thank you.

Thank you for the video.

That's why I love Lionchief so much! Saves so much wiring! Now I may get a switch to turn the power on and off to look more realistic, but it's still awesome you don't have to worry about wiring!

I run a Lionel 671 Turbine engine from 1949 at the same time I run my LionChief 421 0-8-0. The lionchief wants 18 volts primarily so the smoke works, but it will run at 7 volts all- be-it slowly. I have to hold the voltage down because the Turbine will go to fast at 18 volts. If it stays on the track at all. The neat part is that when I have young visitors I remove the Turbine and set the transformer at about 12 - 15 volts and let the kids run the LionChief engines without supervision. At 12 to 15 volts the kids can't run them at full speed and run them off the track.

What I thought you would show and it is possible but a little weird is a analog/traditional/conventional train running from the transformer controls and a LionChief using the LionChief controller. It can be done but not with full control, but with enough control that the two can be used on the same track. The problems are any time the conventional train needs to stop the LionChief will stop, but what you can do an that is once the traditional one is running at at least 1/2 or higher of the transformer control now you can run your LionChief on the same power system and one the same track with some careful talent. Also as others have commented; using a conventional transformer can limit the speed of the train and it will still work on a lower voltage setting, great way to control it from amateur train operators.

Lionchief is a great system, it's way cheaper the legacy and it has fun features

I find LionChief as the Budget Version of the Classic TMCC and Legacy systems. Sure the sounds are not the best in the LionChief system when compared to the Legacy and the superb TMCC sounds but if you got a tight budget, LionChief doesn't steer you wrong, just wish that the sounds were better.

Nice, nice, nice...

Where can i get the on off switches?

are AC conventional transformers safe to run with Lionchief? I hear so much about Transiant voltage suppression diodes needed to protect current surges from burning out the boards? I didn't hear anything about this in your presentation?

Does Lionel have a tool kit for fixing Lionel track or is one recommended?

Can anyone provide me the product number for the power cable going between the CW-80 and the 6-37110? I need that power supply cable, unable to locate. Thanks!

can one use old style tubular track? thanks in advance .

omg that means i can run this on old lionel layouts

Is there a danger in not operating the LionChief set at full throttle? I recently acquired a Santa Claus handcar (ca. 1989). I want to run on the same loop as my lionchief, but opening it up all the way means that the handcar runs much faster (louder) than I want to run the train. It seems to work fine at about half throttle, but I'm basically a train novice. Thanks.

How do you put the cows in the Lionell’s vision light stock court three pack

I would like an bachomann train set for Christmas.

I have cw80 transformer. How did you have it plugged into power port? What cable please? Thank you. The tracks with accessories wire seems too high a gauge? Like 22 or something?

Where can I buy those switches? I’d like to run my Train(s) on a circle without putting one away

What's the Lionel part number for those switches to turn the power to the sidings off and on?

Hey. I just wanted to ask a question about my cw-80 and train. So it was this day where I started to drive my subway train, then suddenly, My train stopped moving and shut down, and at that same moment, the cw-80's light was blinking, and my train hasn't turned on since then. Do you know what caused this, or if the problem is the cw-80, or the train itself? You are probably gonna ask if the tracks get power. That answer is yes. It's just that now the train won't turn on. I mean sometimes before this happened, I had to knock on the transformer for the train to get full power. Btw, I have an MTH r142a with protosound 3.0

Hello I have a new problem with Lionel and I'm hoping you folks can help me with this situation. First of all I would like to know if Lionel has ever heard of a system called Automated Arduino Block Signal System? It's used so you can run your Trains Individually so when the Trains enter a Block and there's another train inside of the block, the Block Signal System takes over and slows the train down and waits for the Track to Clear. Does this make any sense at all? As long as the Track is clear the train can move to the next Block just like the real Trains do on a daily basis. Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan

can you run lionchief locomotives on a lionel conventional cw 30 transformer as well? since the regular lionchief locos dont have it?

Great video! Question, if you set the transformer to 18 volts wouldn't the conventional train run at full speed?

Is there a way to bypass the remote board and just run a Lionchief with a conventional transformer ?

just to confirm, my Lionchief Hogwarts Express, which came with a DC wallpack, will also run on a conventional AC Power supply like the one shown here, correct?

I am a completely clueless with this. I have two locomotives from different build. When a locomotive from Build B is placed on the track but using the transformer from build A, the train slips, it seems like its the transformer is throwing out too much power. My son wants two locomotives to run on the same track, going the same direction. Any helpf is appreciated

Can I run three Lionel chef locomotives in an oval, length 15 ft, and two sidings on a 80w transformer?

Great video is there a way to run two trains on the same track without the siding? or do i have to buy a train with a remote?

in a previous video it indicates that you only need one ground wire thru out the layout to run multiple loops, different locomotives. Is that right meaning connect independent loops to one ground wire?

Could I just get a regular on and off switch and hook it up to my track like that or do i need special one?

What is the 2nd engine you put on? I really like it

Mine almost halts to a stop around the corner at 30 on the transformer am I just stupid or is there some wrong

Is the Lion Chief system just a cheaper means than the DCC system?

Isn't the lion chief D.C. And the conventional A.C.? Is that supposed to work?

Does Lionel make O gauge 3 rail fast track o27 curve? Why not?

I would like an bachomann train locomotive engine set for Christmas.

Is there a way to turn off the chugging sound and run silent with a LionChief Pennsylvania Flyer that is track powered by an old conventional 80W transformer?

Would I would like to know is how to run a conventional train at the same time as a Lionchief train in the same track. (Not having one on a side track with the power cut off) I think that’s what people get annoyed about. And no, it’s not so simple to just go out and buy more lionchief trains. I think I’m SOL.

so they did not run a conventional engine at the same time as a Lionchief engine. Is that because it does not work? Wouldn't the conventional be full power while the Lionchief is on the line?

I'm wanting to put my train set away but am not sure how to take the track apart. I don't want to just start pulling the pieces, I'm afraid I'll break it. I had a handyman put it together. The manual doesn't address this. Can you help? Thank you

Do you have a video on how to hook up the on-off switch you use to turn on-off the siding? I can't figure out what kind of switch that is, or how you have it wired up to cut power to the track. I would like to do this with my Lion Chiefs. Thanks.

I am going to a steam locomotive engine museum hoppie show.

Why on earth didn't you folks at Lionel make the remote where you can turn the engine totally off? Who wants to keep switching off/on the spur(s)? Was that an oversight?

What is an E unit?

I had two locomotives with the 80 and destroyed the power unit.

So you can’t run a LionChief locomotive using a transformer but WITHOUT the remote for it?

So Lionel, off topic question. If a locomotive description says Min curve 31 or Min curve 27, that engine should run on any curve above that like O36 or O48, correct? We didn't have stamped curves on our old tracks lol

The five who disliked use MTH 🤣🤣🤣

Hello Sir , I would like to know what is the difference between Lion Chief and Lion Chief Plus? Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🚂

I like Lionel steam locomotives toys and cars old toys. toys r us.

I am going to NY City on train world. then

My hobby shop told me i can't run lionchief with a transformer, that it only can be ran with the lionchief remote it cones with or the lionchief APP??

Please use lavaliers next time, otherwise it sounds so cheap (guess your product isn't).

Okay, let me simplify what the Old School Guys want is the ability to switch off the lion chief function and be able to run a lion chief locomotive in a conventional mode without having to pay the extra cost of a lion chief plus locomotive.

Can't run multiple conventionals on the same line? SMH. They've had that since the 30's with "Magic Electrol" locos! Would be a fun hack to do on a postwar switcher someday.

19:20 that switch barley moves for the size of the black plastic peace

After 65 years of collecting Lionel trains I find that the new versions are junk just some slapped together crap with the cheapest materials that they could find

The poor Lionel Scout locomotive gets no respect--it's used only to be crushed in a three-way collision! I would remind you Lionel folks that the Scout is the only model train locomotive ever to open a Broadway play--the 1951 musical "Flahooley.". The Scout succeeded where the 736 Berkshire, the GG1, and the F3 all failed miserably. :-)

||| (|||) I imagine station within 4D access 🌀 |||

LionChief is crap unless they are the Bluetooth ones

the polar express your back up service is crap i bought a loco from the usa and the motor was sceaming its head off so i took it to bits to lubricate the motor that was fixed next thing that happened the wire link between the loco and the tender snapped off - i sent a message to the people i bought it from in the usa i was not going to pay 50 dollars to send it back - so the company said they were not a main dealer so he put me in touch with a main dealer i said what happened he wanted the loco number from the box - i sent it to him and he sent the diagram back for the loco and they did not match - but i bought the lead that fits to the tender but it does not connect to the loco as they are loose wires - its now dead in the box 300 dollars down the drain

A CAUTION to all! Older Lionel transformers do not have the same, instantaneous power cut-off technology, that stops power to the track in the event of a derailment or a short circuit, as all the newer transformers and LionChief power supplys. With the older transformers, if a short circuit occurs while operating a LionChief locomotive, you have the significant possibility of damaging the very sensitive circuit board. This can render your LionChief locomotive inoperable or damage circuitry that contols other functions, such as sounds. A very costly error!

I can't believe you guys get paid to make these videos! lucky ducks!

"Buy some trains. Buy some LIONEL trains." I would....if you went back to simple products like an RS-3 with single can motor and e-unit for $80. Don't need all the fancy electronics. and don't get me started on the raised prices just for Bluetooth. god, what a retarded idea. Us young people can't afford $300+ for a 'starter set' or single engine. This is why I only buy used post-war trains and fix them up. Same goes for fast track. screw it. I'll spend $30 on craigslist for a box of old o-27 track and clean it up. fast track is just WAY to expensive per piece. Lionel is going to price themselves out of business in 10 years unless they can make it more affordable for younger generation to get started with the hobby.

Stop Saying "SO"!!!!!!!!!!!