Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Alaska Railroad SD70MAC Review: Distinctive Mid-Tier Modern Diesel

The Alaska Railroad is one of the most distinctive railroads in North America. Operating in one of the most remote and scenic operating environments on the continent, the ARR runs its fleet of EMD SD70MACs in a distinctive blue and gold paint scheme featuring the Alaska state flag. For O-gauge modelers, an Alaska Railroad SD70MAC brings unique visual character to any modern layout — bright colors, scenic prototype context, and a road name most Lionel collectors don't already have on their layouts.

This vibetrains.com review covers the Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Alaska Railroad SD70MAC — a mid-tier Lionel diesel that delivers real Alaska Railroad character without the LEGACY price tag.

The Prototype: EMD SD70MAC

The EMD SD70MAC is a 4,000-horsepower AC-traction diesel-electric locomotive introduced in the 1990s. Alaska Railroad operates a substantial SD70MAC fleet as the backbone of their freight and passenger operations, hauling everything from container trains to the passenger consists serving Anchorage-Fairbanks-Seward passenger routes.

The Alaska Railroad paint scheme features blue body with gold sides, black cab, gold striping, and prominently displayed Alaska state flag on the nose. It's one of the more recognizable modern paint schemes in American railroading.

Detail and Finish

The LionChief Plus 2.0 body captures the SD70MAC accurately. Key details:

Cab and windows: Correctly proportioned wide cab. Windows are properly sized and shaped for the SD70MAC prototype.

Radiator section: Rear radiator sections modeled with correct proportions. Grille work is separately applied on the LionChief Plus 2.0 tier.

Fuel tank and running gear: Correctly proportioned fuel tank with visible detail. Six-axle trucks with proper AC-traction sideframes.

Paint: Alaska blue is properly saturated. Gold is warm and consistent. Alaska state flag on nose is crisp with correct proportions. Lettering is razor-sharp with correct font selection.

The finish quality is a step up from base LionChief tier. Separately applied grab irons, handrails, and pipe detail on the LionChief Plus 2.0 create meaningfully better appearance than the molded-in detail of base LionChief.

LionChief Plus 2.0 Features

LionChief Plus 2.0 adds several important features over base LionChief:

Cruise control: Locomotive maintains set speed regardless of grade or load. Critical for long operating sessions where you don't want to constantly adjust throttle.

Twin-motor construction: Two motors driving the trucks give significantly better pulling capacity than base LionChief single-motor construction. Handles 15-20 car freight consists reliably.

RailSounds LC (LionChief) audio: Enhanced sound package with prototype-accurate EMD prime mover audio, notch changes, horn/bell, air brake sounds. Not as deep as LEGACY-tier RailSounds 5.0 but noticeably better than base LionChief.

Bluetooth control: LionChief app on smartphone (iOS or Android) or included physical controller. Simple, reliable, kid-friendly.

Regulated smoke unit: Puff-smoke sync (idle exhaust) with proper output levels. Not as advanced as LEGACY smoke but produces convincing exhaust plume.

Operational Performance

The LionChief Plus 2.0 SD70MAC runs smoothly with good low-speed control. Twin-motor construction delivers strong pulling capacity — comfortably handles 15-20 modern freight cars including intermodal, containers, and unit trains. Cruise control is a significant operational upgrade over base LionChief; you can set the locomotive to a specific speed and let it run consistently through operating sessions.

Sound quality is above LionChief-tier standard. The EMD prime mover audio is clearly recognizable and pleasant. Horn note is authentic. Bell sounds proper. Not the depth of LEGACY RailSounds 5.0 but genuinely enjoyable.

Curve requirements: O-36 minimum for reliable operation. O-42+ preferred for best appearance — the SD70MAC's length is visible on tighter curves. For curve guidance, see our O-gauge curve radius guide.

Comparison to Alternatives

Base LionChief Alaska SD70MAC: Same prototype in the entry-level tier at $299-$399. Missing cruise control, single motor, more limited sound. Excellent value for casual operation or as a first Lionel purchase.

Lionel LEGACY Alaska SD70MAC: Full LEGACY tier at $1,199-$1,399. Adds RailSounds 5.0, ElectroCoupler, momentum programming, scale-detail construction. Worth the upgrade for serious operators; overkill for casual layouts.

MTH Premier Alaska SD70MAC: MTH's equivalent tier with DCS command control. Availability limited to dealer inventory since MTH restructuring. Excellent build quality.

Value and Availability

The LionChief Plus 2.0 Alaska Railroad SD70MAC retails in the $449-$549 range. Current production from Lionel means new pieces are available through Lionel-authorized dealers with full warranty.

Used market pricing has held reasonably well given the distinctive prototype. Expect $325-$425 on the secondhand market for pieces in good condition with original box.

Who This Is For

Alaska-themed layout builders: Anyone modeling Alaska Railroad, mountain railroading, or scenic Northwest themes.

LionChief Plus 2.0 collectors: Hobbyists building mid-tier fleets who value cruise control and better sound without LEGACY pricing.

Distinctive road name collectors: Modelers who want prototypes beyond the common BNSF/UP/CSX/NS majors.

Regular operators: The mid-tier balance of quality and price makes this an excellent everyday operating locomotive.

Verdict

The Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Alaska Railroad SD70MAC is one of the more distinctive mid-tier Lionel diesels available. Bright Alaska blue and gold paint, prototype-accurate SD70MAC modeling, LionChief Plus 2.0 features including cruise control and quality sound, and pricing under $550 make this an excellent purchase for modelers wanting something beyond the typical Class 1 offerings. Highly recommended for Alaska-themed layouts or as a distinctive fleet addition. For related tier comparison, see our Lionel tier comparison guide.