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Didn't Lionel make this unit for a while now I thought since 2005 or something like that..?
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I guess if we read between the lines here, it's a statement on how fast the technology treadmill can move beyond it's ability to continue making items and replacement parts for things that have been in production for 5-10 years. 
Regarding the Lionel 990 set... I honestly don't know what to believe anymore. The "corporate party line" about Lionel refusing/rejecting inferior quality parts may be true, but it also sounds a bit too convenient as well... placing the blame fully on overseas manufacturing instead of product planning and forsight. Gotta put all of this in perspective when we ask questions about new product and are told, "We (i.e., Lionel stateside) don't know until we receive a sample from the manufacturer." 
Time will tell. Meanwhile, unless you find someone willing to sell theirs for a reasonable price, it really is the wild, wild West out there -- even among established dealers. They smell blood and the 990 sets are fetching premium prices... almost worse than a set of Vision Line tankers with freight sounds!!! 
David
