This thread has provoked considerable emotions.
Hasn't Lionel always made an effort to make it's new products backwards compatible? (pre-war to post-war coupler adapters, new trucks, and electronic upgrades (until the recent news).
Is it possible that we will be pleasantly surprised this Christmas?
Is this just part of the worldwide supply issue?
Or am I a dreamer who has drunk the Lionel kool-aid for 50 years?