JOHNGALTLINE posted:
Suppose I'll be buying a third polar express set to see what's different in the new future.
I won't be buying a third Polar Express set. Instead I'll be getting a LionChief Plus Berkshire and moving the shell from the 10th anniversary addition off the original Polar Express lionChief engine over to the new LionChief plus Berkshire. Burnt out two motors on the 10th anniversary addition rather fast so I moved the sound module and shell over to the original LionChief Polar express Loco. That motor has been pulling 10 or more coaches around the Christmas display for three or four years now. I doubt the sound module will be compatible with new Bluetooth plus edition. so I'll power it up static some how and figure a way to run the sound clips through a larger speaker.
The one thing I'm leery of is the features announced on the new LionChief Plus Bluetooth Birkshire Locos. The description states Engineer and Fireman figures not included and merely insinuates all other LionChief plus features are included. However Lionel has a tendency to screw up on these type of descriptions in their catalogs. Without someone of authority physically checking a working model for the flickering firebox feature and confirming the feature is included in the production line I'll give it 10 to 1 against appearing in the final product. I'm a little more optimistic about the fan driven smoke unit.
