I have found (w/ young grandchildren) that the Lion Chief PLUS engines I run are a pain w/ young kids- they try and blow the whistle or horn (at least half the fun for them) and they keep releasing the train when they open the coupler. (The newer ones you have to first push the "shift" then the coupler- that's an improvement!).
I have bought all of the grandchildren (three families) LC starter sets and all but one (including my own LC+ locos, I have 5 of those) have been perfect. The one that was NOT perfect, the set was replaced by the LHS and his distributor (try that on an Internet buy!!)
Great product.