One of these was my first engine as well. It is the one from the Union Pacific Freight Set from about 1993. In the about 20 years I have had it, it has never needed any maintenance, besides normal oil, grease, and cleaning. It has survived my childhood, and is still an engine I use on my layout when a different one breaks down. I don't think you can kill these engines, and they are good pullers with the traction tires.
I have actually seen these sets used for $80-$100. For that price, you get the engine (smoke+headlight), whistle tender, flatcar with removable tractor trailer (set also should have the truck to pull it), boxcar, tank car, searchlight car, and lighted caboose. The set also came with figure 8 track, 40w transformer, goods load (pallets, pipes, crates, etc.), and a steel bridge.
