I just opend a K-line battery operated set. The set is a real winner! Perfect for little tikes who tend to run A/C trains to fast. The oval is huge (about 5 x 6) the cars are scale (albeit a tad plastic looking) and the remote has functions for forward, reverse, stop, whistle and bell. The sound is soft and realistic sounding (except is stops when hit bell or whistle). Variable speed is the only thing missing but for $30 ($40 retail) how much can we expect!
I hope this set pulls a lot of young kids into the hobby. It is perfect for Post Brio but Pre Lionel children.
Jim H