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I received the Lionel Area 51 Railroad Set from Charles Ro yesterday. This is a Lion Chief Set with train and the brand new lighted track. Note this track is with green LEDs.

This is not my usual go-to purchase but when I saw this in the catalog it looked like a fun set, and one that I could turn into a small whimsical space-themed layout

The train consists of an ET44 diesel locomotive and four pieces of rolling stock. Paint scheme is a pleasing neon green and black with yellow and white accents.

Locomotive:

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Tank car:

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Box car:

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Maxi-stack car:

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In addition, Lionel has issued two add on cars, a nuclear waste car and one of the Mechanical Reefers both in the Area 51 livery. I picked up the nuclear waste flat which is a familiar design similar to previous Lionel issues. This has cool alternating green and yellow lights in the containers.

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The set comes with the usual supplied remote, but control is also possible through the Lion Chief App and the Universal Remote. I got an easy connection through the App on my phone and all functioned well. Will also sync this with my Universal Remote later.

For a "plain vanilla" Lion Chief Set am impressed with the lights and sounds. Lionel customized the horn and bell with what I would call eerie Outer Limits type effects, and the crew talk contains some fun references to aliens and ETs.

If you've read this far stay tuned for the payoff. I will get some videos of the green LED lighted track when it's a bit darker for better viewing. Believe me it is very cool and if you've seen the videos posted of the other multi-colored Lionel lighted track you'll appreciate this.

Part 2 soon...

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Images (5)
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Last edited by johnstrains
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Part 2

The Area 51 Railroad Set comes with a loop of the brand new lighted FasTrak. This track is clear-whiteish and for this set uses green lights. The set includes 8 curves and 4 straights. Note that 2 of the straights are the power connection track piece and a plug port piece for accessories.

The track went together easily and fits together with a satisfying click similar to traditional FasTrak.

So, here we go. My permanent layout and Christmas layout are in use so I ran this new set on some appropriated living room space on a carpet central.

Idling with the eerie bell sounds.

Overview of the loop displaying green LEDs.

Floor level view.

So far, so good. Pleased with this set and eventually will get it in layout form and add some other space items. Think the Menards flying saucer accessory and some Lionel space and rocket offerings.

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Videos (3)
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@Dan Kenny posted:

Can it be mixed with standard fastrack? It would also look cool to have a section here and there around the layout to light up when the train passes.

Dan,

Sure could. I may actually do that when I get this off the floor and do a modest sized space-themed layout. Still hoping Lionel will issue additional green lighted track but a mix with standard FasTrak works, too.

Last edited by johnstrains
@johnstrains posted:

Part 2

The Area 51 Railroad Set comes with a loop of the brand new lighted FasTrak. This track is clear-whiteish and for this set uses green lights. The set includes 8 curves and 4 straights. Note that 2 of the straights are the power connection track piece and a plug port piece for accessories.

The track went together easily and fits together with a satisfying click similar to traditional FasTrak.

So, here we go. My permanent layout and Christmas layout are in use so I ran this new set on some appropriated living room space on a carpet central.

Idling with the eerie bell sounds.

Overview of the loop displaying green LEDs.

Floor level view.

So far, so good. Pleased with this set and eventually will get it in layout form and add some other space items. Think the Menards flying saucer accessory and some Lionel space and rocket offerings.

This might go nicely with MTH NASA set

@NYC Z-MAN posted:

This set is cool! Does the well car have an operating EOT light? I can’t tell if it’s blinking on the video. Thanks for posting this, but you sir may have cost me some money! LOL!!!

No operating EOT but overall a great set, I picked up extra track from a set break up. The new 2021 catalog may have "Area 51" items to select from, hopefully so. Personally, I would like an "Area 51" LC+ 2.0 diesel, or even a Legacy version with an alien sound package.

Happy New Year!

@das boot posted:

No operating EOT but overall a great set, I picked up extra track from a set break up. The new 2021 catalog may have "Area 51" items to select from, hopefully so. Personally, I would like an "Area 51" LC+ 2.0 diesel, or even a Legacy version with an alien sound package.

Happy New Year!

Right...EOT is just decorative.

Glad you found extra track. I need to do that!

@NYC Z-MAN posted:

Ordered the set and extra car last night from Charles Ro. Should be here Saturday! I’ve got a radar car from many years ago with a light green body. Should look good with the set as well. The track is for our Halloween layout. The train will get run mostly at train shows whenever they start again! Thanks!

Nice! Glad we "sold" you Jim. Post some pics of your new set when you're up and running.

Thanks, John.  That set is truly awesome.  Love all the pics, and the video.  As noted above, given the green lights, that track might look great on a Christmas layout.  I also loved how the locomotive appeared to be activating the track as the train moved forward. -- quite the cool effect with all of the other colors and sounds on the train itself.

Now, dating myself, I'm reminded of a great summation of his experience when a co-worker took his two young children to Chuck-E-Cheese's for the first time.  He said:

       "It was an assault on the senses"

And, that, of course was meant to be a high compliment, since he, his wife, and their two children totally enjoyed the experience.  Naturally, I took my wife and our young family within a week's time!

So, now to check for the Area 51 set availability...

....still available, including at Charles Ro.

Last edited by Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611

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