Lionel Limited Sets 1978-1992

Off the top of my head, I think there's a CP set with an SD-40 and scale cars missing from your list. You have a couple of years with no sets, and it may go in there. 

Now I'm having second thoughts about this. I'll have to go downstairs to find out for sure.

Yup, that CP set was from 1989, which probably means you're missing at least one more. 1986? 1991?

Those were all great looking sets.

Some of the earlier sets on display at Carail:

I added the 1989 Canadian Pacific set.  The embarrassing part is I own a 1989 Canadian Pacific set.  I just have a 1989 Toy Fair catalog and the Canadian Pacific set was not in it.  I did not see a Limited see in the 1986 or 1991 catalogs. 

Carl........where would the D&H Coastal Ltd from about 91-92 fit in?  Is is part of that group?

Peter

I have every single one of these sets, with the add on's, dummy's, etc.

These are truly some of the best ever made..

Some of the best rolling stock produced during the MPC era was included in these sets. Actually, I never purchased one of these boxed sets in its entirety. I probably should have as I ended up acquiring so much of this equipment individually. In fact, over time I bought every model in the Reading set with the exception of the derrick.

Bob 

Never understood why MPC engines had no horn or whistle.

Sunrise

I don't think so. Once again working on memory, that had an RS-3, and came packed in more of a cube shaped box, like the earlier service station sets. It wasn't in the classic solid colored flat box. Also, by that time the limited sets were featuring scale cars and engines. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice set (I have one), but it doesn't fit the list in question. 

Another trip downstairs may be required, I have all the catalogs from that era.

They did have horns and whistles 1972-1973.

Sunrise Special,

I can think of a few MPC diesels that had horns and a few steam engines with a "sick cow sound whistle". I believe the #8152 Canadian Pacific diesel was one of the first diesel to have a horn after about a eight year absence. Part #8190. I believe Lionel began putting whistles back in the steam engines starting with the Santa Fe #1 FARR set.

Putnam Division,

The Lionel Delaware and Hudson diesel set you asked about was a Service Station Set.

The 8355 & 8367 GP-20 models were the first with horns in 1973.