Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Great Northern Empire Builder Review
Pros
- ✓ Bluetooth app control out of the box
- ✓ Authentic Great Northern green and orange livery
- ✓ Passenger car interior lighting included
- ✓ Compatible with LEGACY and standard O-gauge track
Cons
- ✗ F7 A-unit only — no B-unit in base set
- ✗ No smoke unit at this price
The Great Northern Railway's Empire Builder was one of America's great passenger trains. Lionel's LionChief Plus 2.0 version brings the iconic green, orange, and gold color scheme to O gauge at a price that makes a complete passenger set genuinely accessible.
First Impressions
The set includes a Great Northern F7 A-unit, four full-length passenger cars, and FasTrack. The Great Northern livery is handled beautifully — deep even green, crisp orange and gold striping, and the Rocky goat logo cleanly applied to the nose. The passenger cars match exactly. For a full breakdown of passenger options see our O-gauge passenger cars guide.
LionChief Plus 2.0 Operation
Bluetooth works with the free LionChief app giving you speed, direction, bell, whistle, and five additional sounds. The locomotive also responds to a conventional transformer with no app required — the motor is smooth and quiet, handling O-27 curves without complaint. For comparison with LEGACY see our LEGACY vs LionChief guide.
Passenger Cars
Four cars with factory-installed warm LED interior lighting — outstanding in a darkened room. Find the full set on Amazon.
Verdict
One of the best value passenger sets in O gauge right now. Excellent livery, properly lit cars, and modern Bluetooth operation. Recommended for anyone building a passenger-focused vibe train layout. New to the hobby? See our beginner guide to vibe trains.
Lionel LionChief Plus 2.0 Great Northern Empire Builder
Check the latest price — your purchase supports VibeTrains at no extra cost.