@John Sethian posted:in my opinion the handle goes the wrong way and I could not get used to that. (Counterclockwise to increase voltage is wrong .)
As Bob2 would say..Opinion
Not trying to change your mind. But I think on "real" diesel locomotives, you have to move the handle forward, i.e., left-to-right, to increase the throttle. Maybe this is what Lionel was trying to achieve with both the LW and the KW? Just thinking aloud.
Edit: BZZT! I was wrong. See the real answer below!