Lionel Phantom 6-81470

I have this LC set on order, assuming from the description, the "Batman" phantom will have one can motor.  Two can motors would be a very delightful surprise.

enjoy your trains...

Hi Wtjohn

Gunrunnerjohn did an upgrade on the original with two motors. From the video I was it ran like a Swiss watch after the upgrade and the pulling was increased. I have been look at this style of train I like it because it is different. I have not been able to purchase it and either the pricing was out of sight or I just had funds are lows disease. I would love to find out if they did the GRJ special upgrade on this new release.

If it only has one motor, I hope they were smart enough to put it in the rear, not the front like the original Phantom!

I notice it only says one motor, and I see they only supply two cars with the set.  Perhaps that's all it'll pull.

This is the response I got from Lionel Customer Service:

This item will only have one motor, we do not know where the placement of the motor will be. More than likely, somewhere in the middle of the engine - however until we have viewed a sample of this product I cannot say for sure.  This set is due in November of 2016.

Thank you,

All of the single motored Phantoms so far have had the motor in the front. If this one has a can motor, I suspect it will be in the front as well. I have one of the later Phantoms, the silver one. It pulls its four cars just fine. The original one was the one that did not pull its consist, as far as I know.

I had occasion to see the silver Phantom run not long ago.  While it has better traction than the original, it still is very marginal in pulling power.  The motor placement in the front is a major mistake in the configuration IMO.

If you're considering this set, I'd wait until some user reports come in before buying...

I have the green version which I bought so I could head my Area 51 train.  Never had a problem with its pulling power and the sounds area a great match for the car's sounds.  

And I have a Batman set on order, too.

The green one is a perfect match for an Area-51 train.

I'm guessing the traction tires on the later versions do make a significant difference.

Cool PeterA I like the look.

John I belive you are right I will wait for someone else to purchase it first and see what they have to stay about it.

Nice job with the Area 51 train!    

This is the engine that SHOULD come with the set.

Jim