# Lionel LionChief

> iOS app for controlling Lionel LionChief and LionChief Plus locomotives and accessories. (iPhone/iPad app by Lionel, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lionchief/id1155666350 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lionel, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/616773170)
- Category: Utilities, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.60/5 from 254 App Store ratings · 78 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.3 · 67 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-01-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lionchief/id1155666350/reviews.md

## What is Lionel LionChief?

The Lionel LionChief App lets you control Lionel LionChief and LionChief Plus locomotives from your iOS device. Select between multiple available locomotives via icons matching the appearance of each unique engine. Once selected, the app provides all the features of the Lionel LionChief hardware remote control and adds additional features including individual volume controls, pitch customization of bell and whistle, remote smoke on/off, speed limit, momentum and more. Also controls accessories such as an announcement coach and powered or un-powered B-units.

## Key features

- Locomotive selection via icons
- Full remote control functionality
- Individual volume controls
- Bell and whistle pitch customization
- Remote smoke on/off
- Speed limit and momentum control
- Accessory control (announcement coach, B-units)

## What do users think of Lionel LionChief?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive controls
- 🎮 More features than physical remote
- 🔊 Voice command functionality
- ⚡ Fast connection when working properly
- 🎯 Allows speed control and safety limits
- 🚂 Works with multiple train models
- 💡 Useful alternative when remote is lost

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth disconnections
- ❌ Fails to connect to trains
- 📉 Poor UI/low resolution graphics
- 🔌 Requires constant active connection
- ⚠️ Inconsistent performance across devices
- 🍎 iOS compatibility issues
- 📱 Not optimized for iPad screens
- 🔋 Requires location services enabled
- 🎤 Voice command unreliable
- 💥 App crashes and freezes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Random disconnections every few seconds to minutes
- App freezes upon connection
- Cannot disconnect from train in settings
- Voice command closes app unexpectedly
- Voice recording doesn't save after disconnect
- App won't close properly
- Bluetooth connection fails on iOS 16+ and iOS 17
- Engine placeholder icon displays instead of actual engine
- Slow locomotive discovery process
- App crashes during voice streaming
- Inconsistent multi-train connectivity

**Most requested features**

- iPad-native interface with proper scaling
- Voice recording persistence after disconnect
- Legacy app with expanded features
- HO scale train support
- Custom music/audio integration
- Updated character voices and phrases
- Better connection stability
- Landscape/portrait mode toggle
- Saved user preferences
- Support for multiple simultaneous trains
- Improved documentation and tutorials

## Recent user reviews (10 of 78)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lionchief/id1155666350/reviews.md

### 1/5 — This app sucks

*2026-05-08, version 1.4.6*

Every time I try to drive Thomas the tank engine the app says no engine connected

### 4/5 — It was good

*2026-04-06, version 1.4.6*

It’s  not the best but it’s the first one made so it’s not the best

### 4/5 — somewhat annoying issue

*2025-12-31, version 1.4.6*

On the Lionel ads, it always shows the engine popping up in the train and number icon but when I connect my engine, it shows the number but uses a place holder engine as the train icon.

### 5/5 — DOWN LOAD!!!

*2025-12-13, version 1.4.6*

This app lets you drive to poker express without your remote.

### 1/5 — Will not connect

*2025-11-30, version 1.4.6*

Will not connect to our brand new train

### 1/5 — Train

*2025-11-29, version 1.4.6*

Train doesn’t last very long before it breaks. Mine lasted for one season before it just stopped working.

### 5/5 — Love. Just, Love.

*2025-11-28, version 1.4.6*

I love the train but sometimes it goes off he track next to my Christmas tree. And it's so irritating fixing it. But I’ll have to rate it 5 stars because I love controlling the train myself. Even my 1 year old younger brother loves it too.

### 1/5 — Can’t Bluetooth it

*2025-11-16, version 1.4.6*

Polar express

### 5/5 — Works With My Bluetooth G Gauge Polar Express

*2025-08-13, version 1.4.6*

I received a Lionel Polar Express G Gauge Train Set with Bluetooth and Smoke on Amazon for $112. The app is amazing. I love using this app. Highly recommend for any Lionel Train lover

### 1/5 — Voice recording feature

*2025-07-31, version 1.4.6*

This app should make it very clear that the recorded voice   Feature doesn’t save the persons voice after disconnecting from the train. My family is very unhappy about the design of the app and lack thereof.

## Frequently asked questions about Lionel LionChief

### What can I control with the Lionel LionChief App?

The app allows you to control Lionel LionChief and LionChief Plus locomotives. You can also manage accessories such as announcement coaches and powered or un-powered B-units.

### What features does the app offer beyond a standard remote?

Beyond standard remote functions, the app provides individual volume controls, pitch customization for the bell and whistle, remote smoke on/off, and settings for speed limit and momentum.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the Lionel LionChief App is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

### What devices is the Lionel LionChief App compatible with?

The app is designed for iOS devices. It allows you to select between multiple available locomotives via icons that match each unique engine's appearance.

### How do I select a locomotive in the app?

You can select your desired locomotive by tapping on icons within the app that visually match the appearance of each unique engine. Once selected, you gain full control over that locomotive.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.6 — 2024-03-13

Fixes for VSR (Voice Streaming and Recording) on newer iPhones. Available with select LionChief engines.
More accurate discovery of Bluetooth engines
Miscellaneous User Interface fixes/improvements

### 1.4.5 — 2021-08-23

New VSR: Voice Streaming and Recording. Available with select LionChief engines.

### 1.4.3 — 2021-01-19

We've added voice control to the app! Make the engine start, stop, change speed and more using only your voice!

### 1.4.2 — 2020-12-22

We've corrected an issue where two Bluetooth engines can be accidentally connected at the same time.

### 1.4.1 — 2020-10-07

We fixed an issue where the road number would sometimes not appear.

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## More apps by Lionel, LLC

- [Lionel LCS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lcs/id666934678)
- [Lionel iCab](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-icab/id920612683)
- [LionChief U Remote Updater](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionchief-u-remote-updater/id1290304849)
- [Lionel Wireless Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-wireless-camera/id1297821311)
- [Lionel Cab3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-cab3/id1606814421)

All apps by Lionel, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/616773170

## Related topics

[lionel lionchief](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel-lionchief) · [lionel](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel) · [lionchief](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionchief) · [lionel train](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel-train) · [lionel chief](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel-chief) · [lionel cab3](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel-cab3) · [lionel icab](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lionel-icab) · [lamine loco](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lamine-loco) · [gigaspire](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gigaspire) · [toy train](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/toy-train)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*