CW-80 Question and Gabe The Lampligjhter opinions...

There are thousands of CW-80's out there which must be divided into two very different versions: those older ones that use posts A and B as common, and revised ones that use posts U and U as common(date code includes a "G").

Use it and enjoy it.

Gabe is great for kids.  It's on a portable layout I take to train shows.  The controls are kid accessible and it holds up well under the stress.

Gabe is in the center back and the control box is barely visible in the lower right corner of the photo.

Either the Lionel reproduction or the MTH reproduction should work fine for you.

Both are reliable and, ironically enough, the MTH version looks a little bit more like the AC Gilbert original than the new Lionel model.  Bottom line, you will be happy with either one of them, and the tiny differences between the two are of no moment, except to a picky collector like me.

I would not recommend the original strictly due to the cost of one.  LNOB  can still coast you more than $1,000.  "Bargain" prices would be in the $800 range. That seems a little stiff for an operating accessory you just want to run on a regular basis.

Hope this helps.

Ed Boyle