Havenfun,
Welcome to tinplate. I am a lot like you. I ran postwar, and some scale for years and still enjoy it. However, a close friend only ran tinplate. After going to his layout several times I bought a lionel 8E Macy's set. After run that set I decided to venture out to the Tinplate Traditions and then LCT. Since that time I have purchased more tinplate than anything else. My first purchase was also from Sidetrack Hobbies. I bought the Christmas 384E set from Al. He added extra Std Gauge Track to the set box.
He is a class act, and someone I have had many purchases over the years. I see many acquisitions in your future.
Enjoy!
Joe Gozzo