Wow... stepping up to Lionel right away with the SD70! Everything I have is TMCC/Legacy so I will stick with Lionel on that one, but the F7...
Just my opinion here...but if MTH gets a series of RTR sets with their track out there before Lionel/Flyer does, the new blood could go with and possibly develop brand loyalty to MTH.
I have only been in S gauge (and trains in general) for 5 years, but I sure got into S at a good time!
Ben