First new Lionel set in 20 years.

[Boyd]

Mom gave me a car canopy to return to Menards without a reciept,, balance $84.00. I'd been eyeing the Wisconsin Central set they had just marked down to $109.00. Wella, $25.00 difference, I can handle that. I think the regular price was $159.00 but I could be a little off. What a difference in 20 years. I had sold off bits and pieces of my collection in the last 15 years and only had bought one new Lionel car in the last 15 years. I really like the track but wi***he color of the balast was a little darker. Its nice to have the train not take such sharp turns now. I hope Lionel gets to making more variations of the curved Fastrack (42, 54, circle track and switches). I think something really good was designed into the track as the joining rails of the 3 rails are staggered and I'm guessing that would help older E-units keep going without stopping the engine in nuetral. The engine is cast metal and not plastic, with smoke and whistle. I'm guessing if they had made this set in USA it would cost 1/3 more. I am really impressed. I'm working on various designs in my bedroom layout and if I can't use 42" circle track then I might use the 36" Fastrack for most of the curves between the upper and lower levels of the layout. The transformer even starts out from I think zero volts instead of the old transformers starting out at ?4-6 volts, making the train start out too fast. The whistle could sound a little better. I am amazed for what the set offers for even what the regular price is. I look foreward to buying more Lionel stuff in the future.

[daan]

Congratulations Boyd, in your design with two levels you pick right the thing which is not the thing fasttrack is designed for.. It is difficult to make a good approach to a climb with fasttrack, since it klicks very solid in the next section. The track looks good though, and color can be altered by painting if you don't like it.
The old transformers are designed for AC motors. If you start an AC motor you first have to build up magnetism on the field before the rotor has enough "grip" on the magnetic field to turn. On the more modern Can motors (which are DC) the field is always magnetized and the grip on the magnetic field comes in much earlier then the old AC ones. Therefore it jumpstarts on the older transformers.
Probably the new one also has the electronic e-unit which works flawless and secure.
The only drawback is that there is no repair possible on the motor or the e-unit (if you're not into electronics) yourself.
Most of the steamers are cast metal today, the diesels are plastic, but not the "toy quality" plastic, but the rigid and industrial plastics.
The Lionel postwar and 80's machines are in the same quality, as long as you don't buy the most simple engine. The GP's and SD's of the 80's are also great machines to drive with, so are the most postwar diesels and steamers..