Some quick photos and a video (I think) will post my thoughts a little later...
After about 2 hours of run time here is what I am thinking;
My initial impression of the packaging is really nice, colorful and a departure from the standard Flyonel blue. All sides of the box are decorated with PE pictures or other flyer accessories, even the underside of the box. It definitely had a "wow" factor to it as my 4 year old lost his mind when he saw the box.
The set was well packed and there is good use of space in the way everything is organized in the box.
The heavyweight cars feel just like the prior releases to me, and the polar observation deck is well done. The cars track well and the lights did not flicker as they went around the track at any speed.
The Berk - all die cast loco and tender and it has some heft to it. Feels like holding a flyer northern. The detail is really good given the price point and target market. The coal load is very glossy and lacks detail, not a big deal given what the set is - but if my flyerchief NKP berk has the same coal load I will be P.O. The sounds are really quite nice, I hope on my lame video the audio comes though. The sound clips from the movie are fantastic. The bell and whistle are good and the chuff, while is not of legacy quality is nice for a starter set. The smoke worked really well and was in sinc with the two chuff per revolution sound. I only ran it with the remote, so I can not make any comments on the traditional transformer setting.
In conclusion - it a wonderful set. When you consider what you are getting for 299.99 (Ro price) you can't beat it. I have never owned the O gauge counterpart PE but I have seen many many times. This set blows it away! It does not have a cheap toy feel to it and it looks so much better - even with the cast in handrail.
I am really only interested in legacy-ish detail in the future to spend my money on, but I will follow the AF PE developments for my boy, and I hope this set brings new people to S!
Ben
