"The ZW-L cannot compete with a good working postwar ZW at the current $0.50 - $0.75 per watt based on a 200 watt(continuously rated) output(250-275 input).
6 ZWs for the price of one ZW-L, 1200 watts, 12 handles w/ whistle controls, & 12 variable accessory taps, instead of 620 watts, four handles."
Point taken and quite correct. I was thinking of currently manufactured products, such as the Z4000 vs. the ZW-L, which meet current (pun intended) standards for safety for the consumer and the locomotives.
The ZWs (and I have one) are great if reconditioned by those who know what they are doing, and used by those who also have some idea what they are doing as well 
.
