# Lionel LionChief — user reviews > 78 indexed App Store user reviews of Lionel LionChief by Lionel, LLC, rated 3.60/5 from 254 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lionchief/id1155666350/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lionchief/id1155666350.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 134 · 4★ 21 · 3★ 16 · 2★ 19 · 1★ 64 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (11 of 78) ### 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. ### 2/5 — Confusing should be a tutorial *2025-05-30, version 1.4.6* I don’t get it does the mega track trains connect with the app ### 4/5 — Great, but needs Legacy app *2025-03-13, version 1.4.6* App is great and works with Legacy, but Lionel should make a legacy Bluetooth app for more features ### 3/5 — G *2024-12-18, version 1.4.6* My train won’t connect to the app and I tried both apps and it the buttons won’t work like they should I suggest updating this app to make a more fun, easy, and consistent app experience ### 1/5 — It won’t connect to my train *2024-05-15, version 1.4.6* I took my iPad and l don’t understand but I put my iPad over almost every part you could see ### 1/5 — Had it for years, but no longer works *2023-12-17, version 1.4.5* I’ve had this train and this app since 2017. It worked fine the first two years. It no longer connects to my train and there are no functions in the app available. Nothing to connect the train back to it. Needs a total overhaul. ### 2/5 — Please update the app to work with ios17 and newer iPhone 15 max pro *2023-11-26, version 1.4.5* Voice recording and playback Doesn’t work on iOS 17.x on iPhone 15 pro max. Works on older phone with same iOS version… go figure. ### 2/5 — Voice Streaming & Recording doesn't work *2023-10-17, version 1.4.5* Just got the new Union Pacific Dash 8. Voice streaming and recording work fine from Android phone but this app does not work on iPadOS 17.03. Uninstalled and reinstalled, gave all rights possible and still nothing. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t connect to train *2023-02-26, version 1.4.5* Lionel chief Bluetooth enabled trains don’t appear in the available engine screen ### 1/5 — Useless *2023-02-12, version 1.4.5* Not worth the free download. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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 ### 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. ### 1/5 — Can’t Bluetooth it *2025-11-16, version 1.4.6* Polar express ### 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. ### 1/5 — Keeps disconnecting *2025-01-18, version 1.4.6* Random disconnects allllll the time. Makes the app and the trains unusable. Keep having to power everything off and on. Sometimes every 5 seconds, sometimes every minute. No consistency. Not ready for multiple trains. ### 1/5 — Terrible app. Won’t connect. *2024-12-22, version 1.4.6* Terrible app. Won’t connect. Made many BT connections with many apps to many devices and after wasting an hour it simply doesn’t work. Merry Christmas. ### 1/5 — Constantly disconnects *2024-12-19, version 1.4.6* This app worked “ok” for a while but now it just disconnects after about 1 minute every time I try to use it. Bummer. ### 1/5 — joke of an app *2024-12-04, version 1.4.6* disconnects immediately. this is not a final product. kinda like a alpha ; a guess at what might work. does anyone at lionel use this or are they just inflicting its problems on their customers?? bunch of model train people trying to be internet engineers and failing ### 1/5 — Only worked for 2 years *2024-11-24, version 1.4.6* The Bluetooth connected for about 2 years but hasn’t worked since and there seems to be no solution based on my research ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — DOWN LOAD!!! *2025-12-13, version 1.4.6* This app lets you drive to poker express without your remote. ### 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. ### 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 ### 5/5 — God teir *2025-07-20, version 1.4.6* Best app ever it works great with my Pennsylvania flyer tip if voice control doesn’t work and crashes then when you say what you want it to do turn voice control off 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷 ### 5/5 — Voice command *2025-01-08, version 1.4.6* I love the voice command thing. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2024-12-26, version 1.4.6* My Lionel Pennsylvania flyer number 561 runs so good and when I put the whistle on high pitch chef kiss ### 5/5 — Very Nice For My O Gauge Trains *2024-12-02, version 1.4.6* It is very good for my o gauge trains. It did not work at first but I think the 10th(5th)time I tried it worked. ### 5/5 — What an amazing app! *2024-08-03, version 1.4.6* This app is extremely great to use when I can’t find my locomotives’ remotes. Even when I do, it’s very useful for changing the pitch of my horn and bell. You can also control the train by switching the momentum to low and it gradually slows down. This app is also compatible with any other locomotive line up to Legacy line and it’s easy to connect your locomotives. Definitely get the app. It’s worth it! ### 5/5 — Asome *2023-03-29, version 1.4.5* Fun to run trains from iPad ### 5/5 — Using the app but I don’t need the controller cause it’s cool *2022-11-15, version 1.4.5* It’s cool without the controller by using the app. I use this for my Polar Express and I like honking the train. --- *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 2026-09-04.*