Yes, agreed, the Gabe is an outlier: "the exception that proves the rule". These days, nice Gilbert Gabes fetch about half the prices they used to. I purchased a nice original w/OB before the reissue/repros came out and am still glad I have the Gilbert. Another outlier is the No. 594 Track Gang (a prewar Gilbert accessory), of which the Lionel reissue operates every bit as well as an original. The reissue of the No. 582 Blinker Signal is a big improvement over the original.
However, anyone who has ever compared an original Gilbert No. 779 Oil Drum loader ("Louie the Loader") with the reissues will quick grasp that the Gilbert is far superior. The Gilbert-built sawmill functions more dependably than the reissue. An as-delivered repro No. 785 operates at 1/2 the correct speed of the original Gilbert. and, so forth. Nice No. 771 operating Stock Yards are easy to find. Gilbert made oodles of them and the "feet" are easily restored. In the main, opting for the Gilbert versions is better for most folk.
Respectfully,
Bob
