Lionel brought this GP7 with FlyerChief to market at a $250 retail price. I think that is a great deal and good for S gauge, it likely appeals to 75% of the S gauge market. I ordered one just to have even though I prefer an almost scale detailed engine with Legacy. If Lionel made what I am looking for it might still fall short of the detailing true S scale operators want, the price would be north of $700 and it likely serves no more than 50% of the S gauge market. However I would have purchased a fleet of them. I also ordered a Legacy PA set even though they are not really detailed.
Another consideration could be should Lionel produce some engines that can only operate on 27" and larger radius track now that FasTrack is widely available?
Regarding the lack of a smoke unit in the GP7. I would have preferred one be included, the price likely would have been higher. All of my Lionel made Mikado's have fan driven smoke units in place of the original Seuthe units. If they fit in the Mikado they would fit in the GP7. More likely Lionel did not have an off the shelf unit that would fit, mine are not from Lionel.
I think Lionel should be congratulated on the 2017 catalog and encouraged to keep adding more.