LionMaster LC2 Big Boy - Sneak Peek!

[@Ericstrains]

Enjoy this sneak peek of the upcoming LionMaster LC2 Big Boy from Lionel! This is a one-of-a-kind engineer prototype on loan to my from Lionel. Enjoy!

[@o2recon488]

I enjoyed the vit

[@o2recon488]

Video

[@brendanliamgill99]

If i had a model that was blank like that prototype you got i would name it the Phantom Express

[@EverythingTrainsMedia]

Great Video, I also do reviews!!!

[@jacojasso9901]

This was so exciting

[@scottgriggs2596]

I think the articulation on the Lionchief version of the Big Boy actually looks better than Vision Line model. The front boiler overhang on curves on the Vision Line looks pretty ridiculous, even on the large radius O72 curves it is designed for.

[@ctskifreaks]

A 25 minute sneak peak? You're the man

[@jeffk2420]

when you floated "Affordable" early in video i was a bit crushed later in the video to hear the MSRP at $1200. still, really cool that they made an 031 compatible version. i bet if i told my 5 year old he was getting this he'd agree to no other birthday presents until he was 14

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

Jeff K At that point I would say just do what I did and rescale to HO, much more affordable; and the ability to fit more in a given space is always welcome.

[@Mtmg2006]

There is a mth railing big boy that is $800 on trainworld.com. It is almost the same model as this one.

[@zeroonezerozero5397]

@@warrenlehmkuhleii8472 Also HO has realistic track . The train is awesome though.

[@swdw973]

I'm one of the people you talked about with limited space (12x14 ft room). For people like me, who don't have the room for a layout with O72 curves, the Lionmaster and RailKing mallets are a wonderful option and are greatly appreciated.

[@davidpulanco2715]

TBH I lowkey like the non-painted version. Looks really cool.

[@simplsquam]

7:20 So it's a slightly less big boy?

[@bluefoxy6478]

Mini boi

[@phyllisherbert]

Regular boi

[@HarryRollisProductions]

Medium Boy

[@Mnrr6131]

Half boi

[@randallellison6421]

Any way you look at it, that's still a whole lot of locomotive even if it is a scaled down version of the Legacy Big Boy!

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

randall ellison Of course it is more of a Medium Boy, and the HO are the Small Boys.

[@randallellison6421]

@@warrenlehmkuhleii8472 Yeah, I remember when Lionel made its return to HO scale in 2004 when they brought out the Big Boy for that scale (it was featured in Model Railroad News Magazine that year). Sad thing is, it was, and still is, to much locomotive for me to afford and run. Still a great model to see run though!

[@railfanjackson4531]

Glad that Lionel is bringing LionMaster back. In fact, my first Legacy steamer was one of the previous LM Big Boy runs (the 2008 version I believe). Great engine that still runs perfectly. However, I’ve got the upcoming scale Legacy 4014 on my mind.

[@IansTrains]

20:33 why is the train going through a red signal

[@Ericstrains]

Because the big boy is a rebel who plays by his own rules! Seriously though, that red dwarf signal is a switch direction indicator and is there for my benefit to let me know how the switch in the tunnel is thrown. It’s a long story, but it needs to red for the train to take the route I want. If it was green the train would take another route that I didn’t want it to take when I was shooting the video.

[@NERRP2017]

ericstrains lol

[@ThatJadon_26]

Big brain

[@IansTrains]

ericstrains ok

[@iliketrains839]

He's running late

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

Love that unpainted look. This’ll be something fantastic to display in a model steam shop. Put some worker action figures next to it working on it.

[@bxjibaro73]

That is an Awesome idea to use the unpainted version for.

[@RailFoxMedia]

Awesome. It’s nice that Lionel could hook you up with one of their upcoming products, especially a prototype 👍🏾

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

Hopefully they’ll bring back the lionmaster AC-11. The railking cab forward ain’t the same

[@Trainmaster909]

They did

[@robertpeterson6491]

O

[@randytaylor1258]

So what's the answer, Eric? Is there a market for this down-market, semi-scale model and control regime? Or is it another Edsel with no actual market? Thanks to Lionel for sending it to you, and thanks to you for showing it to us. Lionel is clearly trying to engage with its fans!

[@wcmodelrailroad]

That whistle is absolutely spot on for the Big Boy. Great review Eric!

[@mrsam6751]

You have to feel honored that Lionel would think so highly of you to send those out to you to show on your show. Which by the way is my favorite O series train shows.

[@edhoran1709]

I like the way that engine negotiates the curves on your layout. Letting the rear engine swivel is great idea, even if it isn't prototypical.

[@edlindo6005]

Eric: thank you for this review and the information about Lion Chief Compatibility with Legacy. I recently invested in the Legacy System 990, but I have a very small layout (9' x 6') my curves are O-36 on the outside and O-31 on the inside. So I am glad the the Lion Chief 2 is Legacy Compatible.

[@jerzeydolphins]

wow im impressed with the look of this , Awesome they trust you enough to show us these eric, thanks

[@officialpennsyjoe]

MTH has the better "scale-up" system it seems, because their "Railking", and "Premium" lines can work together under one system, DCS. Edit: Also, DCS has the ability to run TMCC locomotives too.

[@HokkaidoCEngineGalaxyExpressTh]

Thiers a brolme Its over a price

[@officialpennsyjoe]

@@HokkaidoCEngineGalaxyExpressTh Well, the Lion Master 2.0 stuff is overpriced compared to Railking. Lionel needs to compete more, not only by lowering the price, but by installing the TMCC/Legacy to their Lionchief stuff, and maybe they may have the upper hand in pricing.

[@neargaming2057]

@@officialpennsyjoe I don't think LionChief is overpriced. On the website (www.lionelstore.com) the lionchief plus berkshire is $500, the same as the Railking Imperial FEF (per the 2020 volume 1 MTH catalog)

[@726berkshire]

Fantastic review as always, Eric. Watching this has made me even more hyped up for my LC2 Southern 2716 when it's shipped in March. :D

[@FutureRailProductions]

I pre-ordered the 765. Looking forward to that and I'll be making a review on it.

[@726berkshire]

Nice! I can't wait to see that. :)

[@startrek91481]

I have the Lionchief Challenger (it came out before the Lionchief remote). It uses the Legacy, TMCC, and conventional. I love the locomotive. Like you pointed out with this Big Boy, it's not scale, but honestly it's so big that you don't notice it's slightly smaller than it should be. It doesn't have the Vision Line fancy features but, it's still plenty detailed.

[@jerryjones2383]

Thanks for the TMCc tip! I didn’t have instructions enclosed with my new Sherman Hill set and thanks to you, my horn and bell are working off my Legacy remote versus having to use both the app and legacy at the same time for sound effects.

[@tankthehedgehog105]

I Like The Feature How It Looks Sandblasted, And How The Bronze Steam Parts Look With The Black Paint With The Wheels, And The Front Of The Engine

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

It almost looks like a Christmas big boy!

[@Noah_Ciquera]

I have to say, I do like The Big Boy, but if I was to get a train similar to a 4 - 8 - 8 - 4 in size, I would get the EM - 1 B & O by Lionel. If you’re wondering why, I just love that blue paint scheme on that locomotive SO much.

[@WesternPacific485]

I have the original release of the LionMaster Big Boy #4006 that I purchased in 2009 out of the 2008 catalog. #4006 is Legacy/TMCC/Conventional only as Lion Chief was not available back in those days. What a great engine, all I've done to it over that last 11 years is replace all the traction tires and the headlight!! It still runs beautifully today and has more run time then all my other engines combined.The new version is identical as far as hardware, but I noticed some new features that are nice. The are new sounds and the chuffing seems to be improved. Fidelity seems to be the same with the big speakers in the tender. They updated the headlight with a LED, much brighter than the standard bulb in my #4006. All in all, I love this little version of the Big Boy, it fits my layout!

[@kekistanifreedomfighter4197]

That would be super fun to paint, that is if you can get it back together.

[@wil2fly13]

Very impressive. That's one awesome whistle. Thanks for yet another GREAT review.

[@tjprptchable]

Great video I Can't wait to see the lionel legacy big boy that will be coming out soon

[@AkRyder68]

So in looking at this, it looks like the K-Line Big Boy tooling Lionel got that they use to make the Flyer Big Boy is going back to O gauge. I have a K-Line TMCC Big Boy and its double articulated just like this one and is rated for as small of a curve as O31, same as the LionMaster. I do agree, this is great for those of us who have smaller curves! That is why I tracked down the K-Line Big Boy, with O42 I can't run the cool scale locomotives. Good on Lionel for making something for those of us with limited space!

[@GfwTrains]

What a nice locomotive. Thanks for sharing.

[@katerinakittycat3849]

Well for what it is this Big boy looks like it'll be great for running around my Christmas tree since that's O-36. O-72 wouldn't fit in the space I have so I couldn't run the vision line big boy.

[@ldever3]

My favorite feature of the vision line version was the independent smoke stack operation. Sad to see that did not include that on this one. I realize things were done to keep costs down.

[@Cfox2000]

Lowell Dever my favorite feature also

[@FutureRailProductions]

Drool-worthy. So since it is technically TMCC controlled I could run it on my MTH remote provided I have the TMCC set up correct?

[@tjprptchable]

Yes that is true because I have the same set up and it can run on your phone

[@FutureRailProductions]

@@tjprptchable Sweet! Only a couple more weeks and I have 765!

[@tjprptchable]

@@FutureRailProductions awsome

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Great video Eric! Great looking and sounding locomotive! Thanks for sharing!

[@mamanbear1]

Looks good and runs great. Good review.

[@PaulsTrains]

I believe this is 4th generation of the Lionmaster Big Boy. The first one was TMCC. The second one had Legacy. The third one was Legacy redesigned with smoke whistle effect. Now it's Lion Chief 2.0 and TMCC compatible. I currently own the 2nd generation and love running it with a scale consist even though it would be dwarfed by a scale Big Boy, the Lionmaster still looks amazing pulling scale cars vs traditional size ones.

[@JLCmike4014]

Notice how they finally put a dynamo on the big boy. They didn’t put a dynamo on any scale big boy like the JLC or visionline one.

[@frederickwise5238]

4:49 to 5:08, I slowed way down to view the side gear.Great Detail!. As comnplete as could be expected for such a small mechanism.

[@PRRFanDoesTrainz]

What an honor to run a prototype model on your layout! Absolutely Beautiful!

[@ReadingAreaRailfan]

ericstraims Thats fuckin awsome! We need a lionchief plus 2.0 SD40-2

[@theeyeoftheyinyangs]

Pretty impressive. It’s a fantasy of mine, but I would love to see a Big Boy with the paint scheme of royal blue, and sterling silver. Call it “Blue Boy”.

[@rail-ryder7135]

How about a price comparison to the LEGACY Lionmaster! Big Boy. The Legacy version was cheaper and had quilable whistle.

[@trainlover9943]

Really nice model! I wish they had a bridge to run Lioncheif (their starter sets) engines on legacy. Maybe one day....

[@Avivathebeatlemaniac]

Are you still doing the same thing with the trains

[@derekbonhamsgarage1548]

I noticed in this video of the semi-scaled LionMaster LC2 Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive is that it has the exact same whistle sound as Lionel's 3-Rail O scale rendition of the 844.

[@thomasschoon9451]

the whistle is the best part

[@rickjeronimus3337]

Great video, thanks for sharing your time and knowledge.

[@davidztog9011]

Excellent review Eric! Looks great with the UP scale boxcars. Your layout makes it shine. After seeing is speeding by on the rails when it left Denver last November, I can only picture it in black with 4014. Don't care for the greyhound paint scheme. Might be able to get it at just about $1000 from a Lionel Dealer. Time will tell. 🤔 Thanks for the awesome review! 👍👍👍

[@steamboy9613]

Wow amazing nice job keep up the good work 🚂👍👍👍

[@Shipwright1918]

Personally I hope this model does well, as it might convince Lionel (and hopefully a few more manufacturers too) to continue catering to those of us who have small layouts but love to run the newer locomotives alongside the postwar and MPC engines of earlier generations. Me personally, I have an O-27 layout because of space limitations and affordability of the component parts, which means I have a bit more of a challenge on my hands when it comes to filling out my roster of locos and rolling stock. Though I doubt even this Big Boy would cope with its dual articulation, I am sort of hoping that Lionel might make a Lionmaster Challenger that could, or even a fantasy design that was even shorter, say a UP-style 4-4-4-4. I know O-27 isn't as prevalent as it used to be, but there are still quite a few operators who have it along with plenty of others who are quite happy to use semi-scale equipment, as it tends to cost a lot less as it doesn't all the precision details as scale equipment does, so it's cheaper to make. As for Lionchief not fitting in with Legacy, that's not entirely true. I've ran my own lionchief engines on tmcc/legacy layouts, as well as alongside MTH engines on ones that have DCS fitted (even legacy doesn't do that), not to mention my old-fashioned transformer driven conventional pike, as all you need is for there to be power on the track. Yeah, you still need the app or the remote, but I personally consider that a relatively small downside for such great versatility, makes for a good "touring" locomotive to visit clubs and friend's layouts with.

[@bluefoxy6478]

So, you want a T1, but with union Pacific on the tender instead of Pennsylvania?

[@Shipwright1918]

@@bluefoxy6478 T1's aren't articulated, wouldn't make the curves or go through the switches, but more or less yes. What I have in mind is basically a shortened 3900 challenger boiler on top of an articulated 4-4-4-4 chassis with blind middle drivers and a shortened centipede tender.

[@train-addict4656]

A nice sneak peak , looks like the the Pet Detective delivered it by the looks at the of the box .

[@Rafe0921]

Hi Eric I have a question, do you ever just run trains for the fun of it?

[@Ericstrains]

Of course

[@warrenwilson4818]

Surprising and excellent is the side-by-side comparison. Coal load in tender? Weren't these oil-burners in their twilight years?

[@donquixotedelamancha6596]

I was gonna say it's O27, it's great Lionel is doing different size turnout trains again.

[@railfanjk8964]

awsome video and i like the train

[@ironhorsehistorian9871]

Even as a prototype it still looks cool

[@RetailThrone]

I can agree, i liked your comment too

[@AmtrakAcelaProductions]

I have to say that's my favorite thing about mth is all there trains from proto sound 2 and up work with all the current technology, even all of there cheapest starter sets. I feel like that's something lionel forgot to do and instead try make the cheapest possible thing and then finally said "oh well let's add this so people don't feel left out after spending 1000+ on a locomotive" I have that current problem now with some of my lionchiefs being so old they don't have Bluetooth or anything, and my new one does and it be nice if it all worked together, I mean I'm not sure it he possible but it be awesome if they could make a digital remote like legacy but it works with the lionchiefs signals then almost there whole catalog of sets and locomotives that have lionchiefs would work together. I really hope lionel focus on a eco system that works across all sets and locomotives it would be awesome just like mth

[@Mr.Funk92]

It is a big improvement over other lionchief engine. But that price tag... I can get the MTH equivalent for much less.

[@bhomas_real]

That's what I was exactly thinking. Though lionel did much better on detail and the sound system so I'd take the this one if I could.

[@davidtauschek2886]

Like the 8mm projector

[@MilwaukeeRoadJames]

I still think that the #4006 from 2008 is much better. I got one for Christmas AND I LOVE IT!

[@LionelGuy-oc8or]

To Eric’s point about the cost of these models , there is a lot of technology that has gone into these models vs models made in past years , the parts today are precisely designed and made to specs , you have a complex set of electronics , including a micro processor, sound board , all the electronics create the prototypical functions , forward , backwards motion, speed momentum, rail sounds , crew talk , chuffing in sync with smoke 💨 output , and lighting effects, and it does all this from the information passing through the rails of the track or radio control referring to LionChief plus , 2.0 .

[@holden2lt]

How do you make your train cars look dirty? I have the Chesapeake boxcar. So I would like two do that so it looks real.

[@walterstrains5390]

That's pretty smart by Lionel. 8:13

[@Andrew7923]

It looks better than I thought it would but it's still way more expensive than I could afford.

[@carlcewinski6245]

I like it! Fits my layout and wallet!

[@tonyarsenault4256]

Lionel must have moved productions to Italy because on the box it says Fragileeee ! ! !

[@lectro_folf2424]

So I have one question, with the extra sound effects (besides dispatch and crew) do you press the announcement button on the remote for that to happen?

[@sethdietrich6028]

They should have make it Legacy and TMCC so you can have the quilling whistle

[@FranzFerdinandVIII]

(18.Jan.2020) that is SO cool!

[@swdw973]

Looking at this much later . . . This was a step backwards in one way. I have a Lionmaster Legacy Challenger (pre LC2). Given a choice, I'd rather buy a used Legacy Lionmaster Big Boy than one of these. Seems Lionel thinks more about convenience for them than the customer these days. TMCC? Seriously? Decisions like this is what made me decide to go with MTH (this was before Mike's retirement and the break up)

[@Josephcavagnaro]

this thing can run on o31? AWESOME

[@retrokingranch]

Because it's double articulated. Personally, I find the double articulation really ugly.

[@Buhhhhhh-xi4ju]

What is everything i need to run legacy? I have a lionmaster sd80 with tmcc and would like to be able to control it with the command system. Right now i am running conventionally.

[@WhiteCamry]

In every video I keep expecting that white figure @ 20:12 to get hit by every loco which comes by on that curve. Especially by a Big Boy!

[@benjamindminor7552]

Chuffing sound is synced hope they fix that and not have another disaster like they did with the recent vision challenger. And they had better have the correct sound on the upcoming vision big boy as well.

[@doggerbendrailway6002]

It’s a baby big boy

[@danieldoesdumbstuff]

Awww dude. Its even got the wheel slip effect

[@Chessie1985]

Excellent review Eric!!!

[@rj.trains]

I mean it’s great but, if I want a semi-scale model, why this one over the Railking model? It’s almost double the price. Only difference, the Lionel has Bluetooth and more metal in its construction. I can still run a railking model with the DCS system. I think it won’t sell as well as it’s been hyped up to be

[@Andrew74488]

Yea the $1200 price tag is alot compared to Railking. I do like the whistle and bell of the LC2 but the chuffs don't go in and out of sync like MTH.

[@carnerd3000]

I have no plans to buy this or the MTH version, but I absolutely agree with you; $1200 is totally crazy, no matter how justified it is. Not only that, but it's possible to buy full-scale models for much less money, even if they are older, used models with outdated technology. Looks beautiful either way, but let's see how it sells.

[@NERRP2017]

RJ I it’s probably because Lionel wanted people with smaller layouts for big boy

[@Marshal6000]

The main difference I noticed was that the railking imperial model is missing the number boards by the bell. It's not much but it's enough to bug me since it railking model looks like it just had its eyebrows waxed off. Other than that I personally think that Lionel has the better sound set and that's coming from a protosound purist. The lionel sounds more mightier IMO. As for the price I do think $1200 is a bit much, however I've already seen some train dealers selling preorders for around $1080 which I feel like it getting a bit more reasonable. However I still feel like it would need Legacy or advanced feature like a smoking whistle to even still justify it at that price. As for the comment on here about the LC2 version not drifting in and out of sync, I don't think this video does that feature justice. From what I can tell it actually does do that, you can briefly see the drivers go out of sync around 20:12 and the sound also changes to match. (I had to slow the video down to 0.25 but I'm pretty sure I heard each individual cuff from both sets of drivers). The only thing that I couldn't tell was if the smoke unit puffed with both the front and rear drivers at each revolution since the engine was never going that slow with the drivers out of sync in this video. I personally think that this would sell and even as an MTH fanboy I would buy this over the railking model because it A) has a better sound set (IMO). B) has prototypical number boards where the MTH model doesn't even have them at all. And C) It can be fully controlled from my DCS remote (providing you have a TMCC command base and used ones aren't too expensive now-a-days). From Lionel's promotional images it looks like the builders plates will also be separately applied rather than decals which the railking engine has, however since this example is unfinished that is yet to be realized. If you made it this far I appreciate you reading this and I hope you have more insight as to the differences between the MTH and Lionel versions of the semi-scale Big Boy.

[@PereMarquette1223]

RJ I This Big boy is not $1200, it’s only $700.

[@rail-ryder7135]

Lionel is going to make GS class Northern with whistle Steam and cylinder Steam.

[@jemotorsports00e]

Can you quill the whistle with the Lionchief app?

[@timsering9964]

How did you get ahold of a non production engineeering prototype ???

[@matthewgustafson5225]

How on earth did you manage to get your hands on the prototype

[@ajmayowskijr]

I can't wait to get mine

[@sort187]

Behold, indeed!

[@justinp7497]

wow, really cool!

[@MarshalSmith11]

Where can you get the vision line bigboy

[@DM-tf6mk]

Sounds amazing!

[@mikeread5132]

Tanks fer da fab sneak peek, Eric. But lube dat reefer! :)

[@westsidechgopaesani3790]

would you know if this may be available in S scale also? any word on that?

[@Mtmg2006]

Would you say that this Big boy is better than the MTH big boy?

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

hola buen dia muchas gracias por subir el video abrazo grande

[@stevintyska2449]

How cool would it be to have this in your collection

[@awesomegoldminecart4437]

that's cool!!!

[@Jessewhite2022]

Can you please re-review the Union Pacific Challenger

[@williamchisholm6702]

was that normal sized O rolling stock it was hauling what do you need different from the regular O scale I see the track is the same but what else would you need kinda confused

[@Ericstrains]

It's O-scale rolling stock.

[@railroadmillion681]

hmmm... I could pay for a collage tuition or I could buy myself the loin master LC2 Big Boy.... Collage... or Lionel Big Boy...? this is a very tough decision...

[@captainmorgan757]

Nah, there need not to be *any* decision. Pick the train everytime! You'll have far better times with the train than you will ever have with attending college. Plus, by not attending college, you will not be subjected to nothing but socialism. I know that first hand. Biggest waste of time, money, and effort was attending college. Imagine what kind of a layout one would have buy applying all of the time, money, and effort towards a layout instead of applying it to college!

[@jaredt1356]

the boiler in the vision line one looks small

[@doublenickelbob]

Will it be like the hybrid never made?