the best of the lot, the infrared tomy set arrived in 2 days and was the last item i won. the first item, the east town workshops spoons took over 10 days and arrived last.
i am beyond thrilled with the infrared set. it was here when i got home from work on wednesday. my brother was here with his kids for the week and they were fascinated with the box as i unwrapped it. normally, i dont let them near my trains, but i wanted to test run it. so while i put batteries in the loco and controller, i had them work on putting the track together.
eventually they got it done, with a little help from me and i let them go wild. the rc train needed a large thread removed from its rear axle, so i gave them dr yellow to play with while i did that.
once the thread was gone, it ran well. the controller is very easy to use, even for the youngest who is 4.
i have confidence in using it at the christmas show, though it will be on flat track only... it didnt appear to like hills, and i dont like the thought of having its direction changed while climbing or going downhill. could strip the gearing.
the $6 lot with the fenbo santa fe was also slow to arrive, but im pleased with it. the fenbo is very chunky, and is missing a tyre and the battery cover. however, it runs well though it does "limp" on the one side, and it has lights, something i didnt know. the yellow piece turned out to be a flat deck of some kind, a nice bonus as i thought it was a piece of track.
that lot also came with another dr yellow, which runs well, and another n700 with working lights. this one also runs well but seems to need a defluff.