Because I have now experienced first hand how nice "modern" 3 rail O gauge locos can be, I have begun the "descent" ; this just arrived today:
...#6-28005, an older (1999) model, road number 461. Appears to be mint, un-run condition (no sign of wear on wheels or pick-up rollers, the smoke "innards" are bright white) with extra traction tires and a small vial of Lionel smoke. Paint colors match the 2-8-0 I have from 2001 exactly.
Will see how it runs on conventional AC, and take it from there.
Boy, this stuff is nice!
Mark in Oregon