Lionel’s Electronic Set Introduction

The Lionel Electronic Set was introduced in 1946.  The set appeared in the 1946 – 1950 catalogs and was listed with the following set numbers:

1946 – 1947: 4109ws
1948 – 1949: 4110ws
1950: 4333ws (this set was likely never manufactured)

The above sets all included a steam turbine and tender, an illuminated caboose, a box car, a gondola, an operating ore dump car, and an ECU-1 (electronic control unit) transmitter.

The set was revolutionary for its time.  With the ECU-1 and some special receivers that were mounted on the cars, the operator could uncouple cars anywhere on the track.  Additionally the ore dump car could be operated anywhere on the track.  No longer needed were the specialty RCS track pieces that normally would be placed throughout the train layout.