Swafford, you had me at the Friscos! I too would like to see some F-units from Lionel that are like what you describe and have the detail of their current scale versions. I have an ABBA set of the SHS F3's and they are very well built, but like Jonnyspeed mentioned they are very limited on interior space. I've also come to notice that while they run quite smoothly, they have ALOT of motor noise. I would also add, that as of late, these units have become VERY expensive if you can even find them. The last couple I have seen on Ebay went for $750 - $825 range for just the A-B pair!! 
All things considered, I cannot see these units being much real competition if Lionel chose to bring some new ones out. As much as I like mine, I would prefer to have something with Legacy and Railsounds, too.
This bring up the conundrum (today's $5.00 word) with manufacturing trains for S. Design for scale and adapt for Flyer or design for Flyer and adapt for scale.
HO and N have it easy. DC or DCC.
SHS, AM and very likely, the SSA SD45 were/will be designed for scale with the Flyer adaptation. The new Lionel/Flyer is the opposite. Both design philosophies require a different approach and I don't see any of these companies changing their approach drastically.
We've seen in CTO Jon's posting on the dual motor SD70 tread that this is no easy task by the attempt with the U33C. And frankly, if and until Lionel can sufficiently miniaturize the Legacy electronics, (or a different system come to take its place) this will always be the case.
Life was a lot simpler when all you had to worry about was designing for straight DC or three-position reverse unit.
At least we don't have to worry about that middle rail!
Rusty
