I would agree with the point that was made about an overabundance of the older operating accessories. Case in point, I bought a 1940s vintage 97 coaling tower last spring, perfect operating shape for about $75. Lionel would probably need to charge $150-200 to make that same accessory when vintage 1940s models can readily be had for half that. Many O Gaugers see limited or no advantage in having a vintage accessory versus a modern one. The modern accessories run smoother and quieter but they're less robust and more expensive than the vintage ones.
Most people I know of do use operating accessories somewhere on their layout. See a picture of my layout's industrial sector below, I have half a dozen of them of all makes and ages. I find that the operating accessories give the trains something to do, or at least the illusion of a purpose. Coal trains stop at the coal loaders, flat cars are dropped off and picked up at the sawmill, things move and make noise so the layout seems to be buzzing with activity and progress. That's one of the attractions of O versus the smaller gauges; the trains can do stuff besides run about!
