JDaddy,
I have a nice little collection of Tin Plate and even the new MTH reproduction are holding their prices decently. I even had Guns up Grade a 249 Lionel original with ERR.
If you are looking to find the originals, attend the Train Shows, especially if you live in the eastern part of the USA, these train shows usually have decent prices. In reality prices vary greatly depending on just where you live, and how much Tin Plate is available in that particular area.
If you run DCS and have the Z4K, the original Lionel's run great with the TR function of the DCS HHRC, it's one of the reasons I talk about the Z4K side Receiver from time to time here on the OGR. The original Lionel Tin runs smoother than you can actually ever believe it would, using the Tracks option.
The new MTH reproductions are definitely quite run better and work with DCS HHRC, and they are very well built. Engine colors differ from original Lionel colors slightly on purpose. My P2 263E is a fantastic Work Train with both original Rolling Stock and Reproduction MTH/Lionel also.
I highly recommend both, run in via the DCS HHRC in the manners I have pointed out above.
PCRR/Dave
