I have Lionel stuff from the 1960’s and it needs servicing occassionally. But when new products break down a few weeks to a couple months after use it really makes me angry as can be and that is why I am so biased against the new Lionel. Also the Lionel O gauge switch # 6-23010 (1995 to 1999) series were real DUDS! The problems that I had with these switches just kept getting worse and I even opened up one of the switches to see what made it work, no success in repairing it! Hobby shops in nearby area even refuse to take this Lionel switch on consignment.
The Lionel trains that I have that are pre-war may not be as good looking due to age or design but they still work even the ones with electric uncouplers.
As for Williams they use steal gears and can motors. The other thing that I like about Williams is that they answer emails sent about problems, can not say that about today’s Lionel.
To some it may seem that I like to pick on Lionel but in my opion the truth about Lionel’s quality needs to be brought out! Even the lawsuits that Lionel has pending makes me think that they are more concerned about making money than making model trains.
Lee F.