I had the good fortune to attend the Eastern Division TCA York meet, visit Orange Hall and chat with the Lionel representatives. Got to hold samples in my hands. Here are some observations from your roving reporter:
1. The Y3a's on display with six (?) road names were virtually finished near-production pieces. The engines are very handsome, appear to be prototypically correct, and have some interesting refinements compared to the recent Challengers. Cab figures, for one. One feature I like is the tender half of the draw bar, which is internally mounted above the chassis plate and is spring loaded. Consequently, the engine and tender have close coupling, but the linkage is extendable while operating on Gilbert curves and turnouts. Full Legacy and high rail flanges. Visible through an opening on the tender bottom is a window for an IR detector, which is intended for a future Legacy feature with which engine information will be sensed via a special Fastrack section. The SD70's and the Texas Special PA (powered unit) also are fitted with the IR sensor.
2. The SD70's are dual motored with two vertical drive power trucks. Both the pilot and coupler on the samples in hand are free to rotate, so the engine has a swinging pilot. However, the scale folk can easily pin the pilot, if so desired. Both hi-rail and scale wheels will be available. Full Legacy features, as per the catalog. As models, the three samples appear to be accurate representations of the protoype. Operational details of these new diesels are still undergoing further development. Indications are that the SD70's are going to be pretty nice.
3. Texas Special PA's were on display and these appear to be in a very advanced state of development. Sharp decoration, but not as glossy as I expected (or would like personally IMHO). TMCC, electrocouplers, directional nose light, and smoke feature were fitted in the powered unit only. The unpowered unit features include a nose light and manual knuckle couplers; hence, a tether (as per the original catalog description) is not required between the two units.
4. The word continues to be that the Defender set is to be built. I was emphatically told this without actually having had to ask the question. 
No samples were on display, however.
5. A combination of discussion and reading between the lines suggests that a full S gauge Fastrack system with wider (K-Line curves), a higher number turnout than the Gilbert footprint, etc. are due for development. I was left with the feeling that a truly complete track system with all the finally intended types and sections may take several years to finally make it to market. High capital costs were cited. It was so with the O gauge Fastrack system during the last decade.
6. An undecorated (black) sample of the body of the cylindrical hopper was on display. The sample had a nice 'feel' and looked like a good start.
That's about it -- a fair amount of good news, actually.
Bob
I thought the Lionel guys were trying to keep it from flying away!
