WEll the one i looked last night on the online store now includes 22 radi curves, I had 18 radi in the set i bought in Nov, so maybe they addressed at least one of the problems with the newer sets. It really sets me on fire though knowing that

No idea when it was made, but i purchased it nov of last year with problems.

I am glad your experience with it was better than mine. The loco kept derailing and the front pilot truck broke off. Instructions that came with the set suggested 22 or better radius track, and the included track is 18!. After switching track to 22 radius curves the loco preforms MUCH better. The couplers on the cars kept coming apart until I purchased mark II connectors, and then later kadee #5. The log set trucks were very squeaky and the middle wheels kept digging themselves into the side of the truck. I had to replace them with trucks I stole from another peice of stock. The piston fixtures on the loco kept binding up as well. So ... broken loco, too small on the curves, and rolling stock that had to be fixed with aftermarket couplers. I felt like I did not get my 150 dollars worth. From a review i later read on amazon, im not the only one with the broken front truck on the loco.