Recently got the set, and it is absolutely gorgeous! The cars come individually wrapped - it took about an hour, I think, to unpack each one individually. Thought there might have been a problem with my observation car, but had forgotten to look for switches on the bottom - been a while since I used a new set. I'm attaching a video of the train made with the iPhone headed by an MTH motor, and will see if I can get a better video (a bit out of focus) or some stills if anyone wants...
Not trying to be knitpicker, the coffee shop, followed by kitchen, then dining car is correct placement of cars. They separated the coaches in front and the parlor cars in the rear. The coffee shop was for coach food service and the dining car was for Parlor car passengers. The parlor with telephone antenna goes just before the observation. I have an old web site saved to my computer that displays placement of cars both on Congo and the Senator.
You are right it is a beautiful train.
mikeg
