If we are discussing P/W to MPC era, I will agree somewhat that the line was cheapened but the universal motors were retained. Yes magnetraction was gone, boxcars and engines were stripped of details but in the 1960s old Lionel was doing that too. The biggest difference was that many 9700 series boxcars were no longer painted but got their color from the plastic that they were molded from. Markings were heat stamped. Engines were single motor and traction tires were added. The product was basic, reliable and with the fast angle trucks ran better than their P/W counterparts. Fundimentions was a TOY company not one catering to hobbyists, so this perhaps explains the thinking in their marketing department. When they discovered that guys in their 20's and 30's was their market we saw steady improvements in the line . This was driven by an old Lionel employee Lenny Dean (R.I.P.)
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