ok i've owned all of these at one point or another so i'll try to answer your questions and not start a debate on hudsons.
First - I wanted to know how true of a reproduction is it from the original 30’s model. I know that the 1-700E has Railsounds 1 and a smoke unit, but other than that, how does it compare?
it's not a true reproduction at all not one part from the original will fit the '90 version. they have more in common with a 773. as for operation it runs very simular to the late 700e's with the 18-1 gear ratio but an early '37-39 with the 10-1 ratio will run alot faster. none of the lionel hudsons after '39 run very fast they are as i always said "kid proofed" i started saying that after my daughter ran my 1950 773 full speed around 0-31 curves and it didnt derail. just remember the railsounds are from 1990 the whistle does sound nice though. neither the original or the '90 have any traction tires or magna traction they are decent pullers considering but if you wanna pull a 40 car train go vision line. i actually once did compare a '90 to my original '38 and the '90 could pull 6 original postwar madison cars 7 made it spin badly. the original got 6 moving but was spinning some getting moving i didnt try 7 cause i didnt want to beat on an original C8 boxed 1938 700e. the vision line will pull whatever you want its a tugboat.
Second – It’s been more than 25 years since it was produced so. Does it run like a Lionel product from the 90’s or is it a little more refined?
they run like an old school engine not really much more refined than a 736. if you want a refined engine go vision line with the legacy control.
Third – Maintenance. Is it maintained (oil/lube) any differently than the 30’s model or closer to the Vision Line version?
it depends on the year 700e the early ones from '37 have no holes in the frame to add oil to the engine, they are a pain to service they did add the holes later on in the run. the '90 model is pretty easy to keep lubed and i never had any problems with the ones i've had and they are easy to tear apart to work on same service procedures as a postwar engine. i havent had to take apart a vision line one but i imagine they'd be the worst to take apart with all the electronics.
I would like to hear from those who own the 90’s version or from those who own the 90’s and Vision Line version for their critiques and comments about each locomotive
the original is the original it's a true legend. the '90 version is a great engine in it's own right and these can be had for like $400-500 dallars in like new condition which makes them quite a bargain. the vision line one is a def wow engine it has all the swinging bells, whistle smoke legacy control etc. each engine is the pinnacle of trains for their given era
