Mighty Sound of Steam!!

[1688torpedo]

Hello MPZPW3! I agree with you! Fast angle wheelsets, Tampa & Electrocal decorating,and shiney paint jobs were some of the best ideas that Lionel came out with over 30years ago. And if it wasn't for the Sound of Steam we probably would not have Railsounds either. Of course, 50 years from now People will think that Railsounds is outdated or sounds terrible. As far as your 8900 goes. I remember them selling for around $ 115.00 in 1979 at my friendly neighborhood train shop in Willoughby. Ditto for the 8702 Southern Crescent and 8800 Blue Comet Hudsons. Those are very nice looking engines and they set the standard for all of the colorful engines & rolling stock one sees in Train Shops & Meets these days.

[mpzpw3]

About 4 years ago I finally was able to afford some of the trains I had dreamed of in my youth. I grew up in the mpc era, and the 8900 Santa Fe hudson was at the top of my list. I was able to buy this engine a few years ago, brand new in the box. Everything worked fine, except the "mighty sound of steam". Oh well, my tastes got more modern, and railsounds and proto-1 engines came along.
Last weekend I got around to doing some maintenance on the 8900, and got the "mighty sound of steam" working. Well...Uhhhh....Hmmm... That's...Interesting. My wife inquired to what was wrong with the engine. Funny to think that was THE thing to have in my youth. I'm sure glad I have it now because, in my opinion, it represents a time in history that is often ignored. Lionel-mpc did make to advances for this hobby, including the S.O.S, and the GP-40, even if they aren't ground-breaking items now, they sure were then!