I actually have three separate PE sets now - the original CW-80 set (6-31960), the new Lionchief remote set (6-30218), and the Whistle Steam Locomotive with Railsounds Tender (6-18754). For some perspective, these were my first foray into Lionel Trains, as part of grand plan to do an under the tree setup for the kids, so you're getting the view of a casual (but critical) train enthusiast. While the remote set is wonderful if you're looking to let really young kids (say a 2-3 year old) drive it, from a sound perspective, the difference between the three is not even comparable. If money isn't a serious option, I would definitely recommend going with the 6-18754. Not only is it a noticeably nicer locomotive, but the railsounds gives you continuous sound production (i.e. the chuffing continues even if you ring the bell or blow the whistle). The only downside is that you'll need a separate set to have the rest of the cars to pull behind it. I purchased my locomotive in person from Nicholas Smith Trains two years ago (cannot say enough nice things about that store). If you cannot find it in their online site, you might consider CharlesRo or one of the other larger online retailers that support OGR. Best of luck with your purchase!
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