Is there a difference?

I like them all (O gauge tinplate is what I have space for, but I also appreciate Std. Gauge), but only buy/operate the repro stuff.  Strictly a personal preference because I like new, bright, colorful, and smooth running trains that are PS2 or PS2 equipped.

in the early 1920's a Model T Ford cost about $250.  i wonder how many people would buy a Ford reissue Model T these days for $25,000 or more.

reissues of old model trains will never be more than that.  at least do yourself a favor and never purchase any reissue new off the shelf.  wait a few years and the price will drop to at least half that.

i can't deny that they are attractive to some, but the only thing i'd count on new tinplate for is their being toys to play with.  even in 50+ years, they will not be anything collectible.

have fun...gary

Personally I run both old and new Standard Gauge. Most of my "original" Standard Gauge is restored, although I do have a couple of sets that I believe to be 100% original. Some of it has been redone in non-original color schemes - my favorite along that line is a Lionel 515 tank car that was chrome plated by some previous owner. It's gorgeous - Lionel should have thought of that! I run everything I have - no shelf queens here. I don't generally run new and old stuff together, unless the old stuff is like new or restored to like new, simply because beat-up tinplate and shiny tinplate don't look good in the same train. I only have one loop of Standard Gauge on my layout, so it's one train at a time.

Overland Flyer's advice on buying modern tinplate is good - I have bought at least 90% of my newer tinplate on the secondary market, mostly at prices around 40-50% less than new. The few items I have bought new from dealers were from blowout sales at 30-40% off MSRP. Shop around!

With all the new stuff offered, buy and run what you like. My kids bought me a Baby State Set a few years ago for Christmas. I do run it from time to time, however, I prefer my older trains. I received all my grandfather's trains and layout through his will in my early teens (1955). They are all original with some repro motor parts. Like I said I prefer to run my older sets. This is because it reminds me of all the times my grandfather and I ran trains together. Especially at the holiday season.

Like Southwest Hiawatha, I run both vintage and new tinplate (O and Standard). I run vintage and new within sight of each other (but not in the same train) if the vintage tinplate is in superior condition. My new tinplate is all "traditional". Tinplate with modern electronics, can motors, etc. suffers from a serious aesthetic disconnect and is not in keeping with the tinplate spirit, IMHO. "Traditional" new tinplate also mixes better with vintage tinplate with the growl of the motors, the song of the air whistle, and the smell of ozone.

A rough rule of thumb I use is that if a repro/reissue is 1/4 or less of the price of nice vintage (e.g., the No. 214 Armored Motor Car Outfit), buy the new tinplate if you intend to run it. If a nice vintage piece is only double the cost of a reproduction/reissue, buy the original because of its history and potential retained resale value. There are some pieces that are only going to be available as a new reproduction (e.g., the Super 381) and can only be acquired in that fashion. Deals are to be had with the new stuff, but it does depend on what the piece or set is.

Have fun!

Bob

thanks guys! looks like the it's pretty evenly split so far.

regards,

Mike Maurice

Mike, the fun of tin plate is do what you want to do. 

Al

Then let me see if I can tip the scales a little

I am an originalist... almost 100%.  I do have a few Lionel Classics pieces.

I like that the new shiny guys are digging their tin... this is a great hobby in that even us originalists can appreciate the repops. and new stuff.  I really enjoyed watching an older collector (60 years of it!) get blown away by my SG Hiawatha set. 

But, I still like the patina, stories, and feel of the original stuff...It "speaks" to me.

Have fun all!

I have both in O & Std original & repro, run them together and occasionally mix them up.

Steve

I only have original.  And I run them all...no "shelf queens"....even run my original 150 set and 153 set.  All that has been done to some of them is change brushes/clean commutators, while a few have had wheel changes, too.  I haven't gotten around to buying any of the new stuff, not that I have anything against it, but I just enjoy running what I have.  About half of what I have was my father's and some was my uncle's from when they were kids....and I was fortunate to be able to list which one came for which birthday or christmas and from who....brings back a lot of history and family memories whenever I play with them.  about half I acquired over the years at estate sales, train shows, etc.  I always tried to find out, if I could, the story behind them, if any.

I guess if there were a new tinplate that jumped out at me, I would probably buy it.  I'm not worried about value....none of the trains have any value until you try to sell them....and mine will be passed on to my grandkids who are interested and who have the same outlook I do:  they are toys to be played with and memories to be savored.

Hank

Guys,

This is a little off topic but I have a friend who likes to buy the old stuff and rebuild it like new so that he can make improvements on the original! There are some of you I know who would frown on this practice.......you should see him pound out the dents with a teeny tiny hammer! When he sees a car or engine, I think he imagines it brand new, and doesn't stop until it looks that way- pristine and new of course there's no replacing the boxes, darn with al of those antique graphics!

Mike Maurice

Nothing wrong with that, if that's what lights his fire.  Of course, there are some purists who would not agree with me. 

It's HIS hobby, so he can enjoy it in any way he cares to.