I am the original owner of the CCII ESE set and while it has been frequently criticized, especially on this forum for having windows that protrude and only having 2 chuffs, it remains one of my favorites too. I'm sure that the new release will really "hit it out of the park".
An interesting fact related to the real Empire State Express is that it was introduced to the public on December 7, 1941 and that news was quickly surpassed by the events
unfolding at Pearl Harbor.
Eric
TCA, LCCA