Lionel Texas Special Set 6-31755

No speaker in the unpowered A, it does have a smoke unit.  Both units have automatic couplers on the front, non opening couplers on back, not sure what you mean by "crab claw".  Engine runs great, no issues.  I was disappointed with the interior detail of the passenger cars compared to other sets I have.  Biggest issue is some of the windows in the passenger cars look like the have frost on them  Saw same on a set in a hooby shop and was told it was because if the plastic Lionel used.

I have the full set too. I agree with all the comments by 773Hudson especially about the passenger cars and their windows - in my case the crackling or frost effect appeared after the set was out of the box for about a year and is an issue Lionel has had with other models. That and the lack of interior detail in the cars is a pity because externally they are really nice.

All that aside, the lead engine runs great, has great light features and the Legacy sound is a vast improvement on other/earlier versions of E7s.  It's also nicely painted/detailed although I expect the upcoming version from Sunset 3rd Rail will be superior.

I did have an issue with mine in that the internal plastic smoke funnel that feeds the roof stacks was not properly aligned with the stacks and in the end I had to glue it in place. That wasn't a really big deal.

thanks for the feedback!  I picked up the term "lobster claw" on the forum, referring to the hideously out of scale O gauge coupler.  Funny, I don't get all bothered by the non scale sized coupler between the cars, but I really can't stand it on the front of the lead engine.  The lack of a speaker in the trailing A unit and the ugly coupler on the lead engine are real detractors for me.

Lionel's 18" cars have great interior detail.  I suppose the 21" cars are just K-line cars in orange boxes. 

thanks again