Bigkid that is my point, but I specifically avoided electronic and modern features. Because quality is relative to the time too. Also people do confuse engineering design and quality. Folks forget how many imperfections in casting, paint, decals occurred. Or how some elaborate accessories like cattle cars, pipe loader required tinkering to get them to work right. Everything back in the 50-60 was rugged and heavy. Think appliances. But a side frame motor was not a Swiss watch by any stretch.
I have several PW engines, and both variations of the J. When you look at the castings, paint, mechanical shims for the motor and compare it to the 90s J I have from different manufactures no one would pick the PW J as top quality. The 90s have smoother blemish free castings, better paint and decals, better fit, smoother running gears. Some of this is relative to the time too, but the quality is better in my opinion.
The fact that post war engines where made in the 100K and parts used over an over through the years makes a big difference in supportability, but that is not quality. Especially since there were no real alternatives in the 70, 80 and 90s until reinvented Lionel, and MTH came along. I still get modern engines from early 90s MTH with original pickup rollers (worn), can motors, and electronics that still run and smoke when I service them for tires, and a lube job. A recent one was 22 years old, heavily worn put still running. G
