I have no problem with resteraitions of tinplate so long as it's represented as a repaint and not original. I have done many resteraitions on O and standard gauge but it has been on something that needed it and I like clean and shiny tinplate not chipped and rusted. To take a beautiful original and strip and repaint is where I draw the line. There will always be a market for pristine original pieces and in my opinion they should stay that way. To take an old tired MC Coy or any other brand and restore it to something beautiful I think is a tribute to the original piece and the company who manufactured it! I would even buy a repainted piece if it was done well. This is a Hell gate that was in sad shape when I got it. I striped it to bare metal and restored all the hardware which was all there. The brass name plates were even hand painted over!
