Lionel Union Pacific Flyer LionChief Set Review: A $399 Steam Starter Set With Smoke and Bluetooth
Pros
- ✓ Puffing smoke, RailSounds RC sound and a headlight at a starter-set price
- ✓ Three ways to run it: LionChief remote, LionChief Universal Remote or the Bluetooth Cab3 app with Lionel Voice Control
- ✓ Complete ready-to-run set with a FasTrack loop and wall pack power supply
- ✓ Classic Union Pacific colors on every car, down to the yellow caboose
- ✓ Listed at $399.99 on lionelstore.com, $60 under its $459.99 MSRP
Cons
- ✗ The 0-8-0 is a short, toy-proportioned switcher, not a scale model
- ✗ The O36 loop is small; most owners will want more track quickly
- ✗ Remote needs three AAA batteries, which are not included
- ✗ Basic freight cars: the boxcar's opening doors are the only operating feature
The Lionel Union Pacific Flyer LionChief Set with Bluetooth 5.0 (Lionel item 2523160) is a complete O-gauge steam train set: a Union Pacific 0-8-0 with puffing smoke and sound, three freight cars, a loop of FasTrack and a remote. Lionel lists it at $399.99, down from a $459.99 MSRP. With Union Pacific's Big Boy and No. 844 headed out together in Colorado this month, UP steam is having a moment, and this is the most affordable way to put it under a tree. Here is what you get, how it runs and who it suits.
Verdict: 4.4 out of 5. One of the best-equipped steam starter sets in Lionel's line for the money. Smoke, sound and phone control at under $400 is hard to beat.
What Comes in the Box
Lionel lists the set contents as:
- Union Pacific 0-8-0 steam locomotive and tender (numbered 4525)
- Union Pacific boxcar, tank car and caboose
- Eight O36 curved FasTrack sections
- Two 10-inch straight FasTrack sections
- One LionChief FasTrack terminal section
- One Plug-Expand-Play power lock-on section
- Wall pack power supply
- LionChief remote (needs three AAA batteries, not included)
The train is 47 1/4 inches long and rated for O31 minimum curves, so it runs on any standard FasTrack layout you build later. Setup is snap-together; our FasTrack assembly guide covers it step by step. Lionel rates the set for ages 14 and up.
The Locomotive
The 0-8-0 is a compact steam switcher in black with Union Pacific shields, and it carries the features that usually cost more:
- Puffing smoke unit with an on/off switch, so you can run it clean around the tree or smoky on the layout. See our smoke fluid guide for how much to use.
- RailSounds RC with steam chuffing, background sounds, whistle, bell and announcements.
- Operating headlight, operating couplers and a maintenance-free motor.
Control is where LionChief shines for a first train. The included remote has one knob for speed and direction and three buttons for whistle, bell and announcements. The locomotive also works with the LionChief Universal Remote (sold separately) and with Lionel's Bluetooth Cab3 app, which adds Lionel Voice Control so you can speak commands into your phone. If pairing gives you trouble, our LionChief Bluetooth guide walks through the fixes.
It is a toy-train interpretation, not a scale model, and an 0-8-0 is a short engine. If you want to know what more money buys, our LionChief vs LionChief Plus vs LEGACY comparison explains the tiers.
The Cars
The three freight cars are classic Union Pacific: a red boxcar with opening doors, a silver tank car and a yellow caboose, each with operating couplers. They are simple compared with the locomotive, with the boxcar doors as the only operating feature, but the colors look right behind a UP steamer and they couple to any modern Lionel O-gauge car you add later.
Who Should Buy It
- First-time families: remote control, snap-together track and a wall pack mean no transformer or wiring to learn.
- Holiday buyers: smoke and steam sound make it a natural under-the-tree train, and the smoke switch keeps it clean indoors when you want.
- Union Pacific fans: an affordable way into UP steam, with room to grow into larger engines later.
Prefer Pennsylvania colors? See our Pennsylvania Flyer set review. For more options at different prices, see our best Lionel train sets for kids.
Is It Worth $399.99?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. At its $459.99 MSRP it is a solid starter set; at the $399.99 Lionel lists now, it is a strong value for a smoking, sound-equipped steam set with Bluetooth. The main trade-off is the small loop of track, so budget for a few extra FasTrack pieces. Lionel's listed ship date was October 2025, so check dealer stock and holiday pricing too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes with the Lionel Union Pacific Flyer set?
A Union Pacific 0-8-0 and tender, a boxcar, tank car and caboose, eight O36 curves, two straights, a terminal section, a Plug-Expand-Play power lock-on section, a wall pack power supply and a LionChief remote.
Does the Union Pacific Flyer smoke?
Yes. The 0-8-0 has a puffing smoke unit with an on/off switch.
Can I run it with my phone?
Yes. It has Bluetooth and runs from Lionel's Cab3 app, which also supports Lionel Voice Control. The included remote works without a phone.
How much is the Lionel Union Pacific Flyer set?
Lionel lists it at $399.99 with an MSRP of $459.99.
Are batteries included?
No. The LionChief remote needs three AAA alkaline batteries.
Union Pacific Flyer LionChief Set with Bluetooth 5.0
Check the latest price — your purchase supports VibeTrains at no extra cost.