I read the 2012 catalogue description for this set (that is just now delivering) and it doesn't mention whistle steam. They weren't offering it in abundance that year. But with this feature being reintroduced to a host of Lionel Legacy engines since then, I was wondering if anyone knows if these engines got delivered with this upgrade and come with whistle steam?
Also - the passenger cars are extruded aluminum. I have zero experience with anything other than plastic passenger cars (only in the hobby a few years and the Lionel Southern Crescent set and my MTH Premier cars are all plastic). Can anyone describe what the differences are and the pros and cons between aluminum and plastic? Seems like people were upset that the ESE set will have plastic so I'd really like to understand the differences between plastic and aluminum cars. And, I won't have the opportunity to see the set in real life in order to decide on whether to buy it.
thanks for your comments.
Peter
