I have the Lionel Lionchief Blue Comet set from just a couple years ago - the last one Lionel sold, in fact.
Is is as shiny and beautiful as the tinplate versions? Nah. BUT its way cheaper, and has a few big upgrades.
It has the normal smoke system and headlight as well as chuffing sounds and lighted passenger cars.
However, The announcements are road name and location-specific, with announcements for multiple stations, stopping sounds, travelling sounds, baggage sounds, arrival, departure, and stationary sounds. The announcements alone are better than anything you'd find in a premier MTH model. It also includes chuffing sounds with 5 different pitches for your bell and whistle, and the voice recording and streaming whatnot.
There's also a coach car, which has its own speaker and set of announcements, and has a conductor figure leaning out the door with a red lighted lantern. The car connects automatically with the engine. The set includes a combine car, the announcements coach car, and an observation car.
And you know what? It really looks pretty good in my opinion. It's worth taking a look at!
